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ASBURY — At long last, the spiritual journeys of five men reached a glorious summit as Transitional Deacons David Edward Keyes, Thomas William Lanza, Gustavo Andres Rodriguez-Perez and Gilbert Zachariah Starcher, and Oratorian Brother John Fredy Triana-Beltran were ordained to the priesthood.

We celebrate Catechetical Sunday on Sept. 20, the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Each year, those designated to serve as catechists are called forth and commissioned for their ministry. In his encyclical letter, “Deus Caritas Est (God is Love),” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI teaches us that the “Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: of proclaiming the Word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising ministry of charity (diakonia)” (25). This year, Church leaders, catechists and parents must find new ways of passing on the faith. COVID-19 has flipped our world, but God is still at work even amid the chaos.

Our strange summer is about to come to a close and we see our days becoming shorter! The long Labor Day weekend usually provides us with some extra rest, but for many in our diocese, it was anything but restful this year. Our Catholic schools and parish catechists have been working extra hard to reopen our schools and religious education programs.   

METUCHEN — “This is not the day we envisioned, the way we envisioned, but we can be sure the Holy Spirit is with us,” declared Bishop James F. Checchio during the Mass of the Rite of Ordination of Deacons in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi July 25. “It is a day of grace in the diocese.”

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.” (Sir 6:14) The Connections Program at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, which is supported by the Bishop's Annual Appeal, takes this verse to heart by connecting mentors with youth who can use a friend. What participants have found is that what starts out as a way to give youth a helping hand, often creates friendships that are treasured by the youths, the mentors and their families alike.

For months we have been hearing about the “precious souls,” we as a family in New Jersey, have sadly lost due to the coronavirus. The number of deaths, particularly amongst our nursing home communities, has been especially disturbing. Everyone has been called upon to sacrifice and to do their part in slowing the spread of this deadly virus.

As the coronavirus continues to affect our lives, it seems we are living in a new world each month. There has been a significant decline of COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations in our state yet increases in other states have left many of us to question when will there be normalcy again. Or is this the “new normal?”

A ministry formed to feed the needy in the diocese that ended in 2018 is still helping people through Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM).

EDISON — A UPS truck pulled into the parking lot of the Ozanam Family Shelter on July 24, hauling a delivery that was not ordered, but donated.  The donation included more than 500 individual personal care packages, face masks and nearly 1,000 bottles of shampoo. Employees from the UPS Edison division, with centers in Edison, Linden and Dayton, donated the items, which will benefit individuals and families served by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM). 

FLEMINGTON — Many people are familiar with the EWTN show, “Web of Faith 2.0” which Father Kenneth D. Brighenti and Father John Trigilio Jr., have been co-hosting for the past 10 years. Many more individuals, especially parishioners of St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, were introduced to a new version of the show during the pandemic.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,  These days our lives seem like anything but normal. Our usual and planned vacations this summer have been cancelled or disrupted by restricted travel. Most summer camps and vacation Bible schools are either not opened or have been scaled back. Even simple family barbeques are not held.

The diocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity received 165 poster entries from 15 Catholic Schools and 10 Religious Education Programs for its annual “Kids Look at Life” poster contest. Students from grades one to eight were asked to reflect on the theme: The U.S. Bishops invite us to be part of a Year of Service for Moms in Need from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021. Walking with Moms in Need. “How can you help Moms? Many pregnant and parenting moms struggle. Some feel alone, others have low-income jobs and many are overwhelmed with the daily tasks of raising their children. They need our support.” Posters were judged on grade level, creativity and visual appeal. Winning posters will be used to create a 2020-2021 Respect for Life Calendar and awarded to all poster winners.

As I write this article, it is June 13 and the Church is celebrating the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1946, Pope Pius XII gave him the title “Doctor of the Church” for his knowledge of Scripture. He is also considered by many to be one of the great evangelizers in the history of the Church. Although, as one of our more popular saints, we know St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. Thus, many of us often pray to him to find something for us.

For nearly three months this year, parishes in the diocese shuttered their churches and suspended meetings, events and gatherings to keep the faithful safe during the coronavirus pandemic. However, because of the determination and ingenuity of clergy, staff and volunteers, members of these spiritual homes have been skillfully navigating the turbulent waters of this isolation in order to maintain, even strengthen, the bonds of the community and tenets of faith.

Four years ago in Green, Ohio, Lynda Dodson was battling cancer. However, rather than focus on her own condition, Dodson and her younger sister, Cindy Rutherford, decided to find a way to help other women going through their own challenges. Her goal was to give women some basic necessities, but also some little “feel good” items that needy women might not normally be able to buy for themselves such as a nicer handbag and make up. And so, “Lynda’s Helping Handbags” was created.

As we continue to respond to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and its impact on our health and our economy, the social disease of racism in our country has also come to light in a compelling way. During this already difficult time, confusion, mistrust, anger and anxiety have all helped to bring to light an extremely contagious and dangerous outbreak of hate.

During this time of uncertainty, shut down and job loss, “The Catholic Spirit” took time to revisit the Catholic Charities food pantry that opened in Phillipsburg five years ago this month.

Join us in celebrating this year’s graduates! Display a personal message to your graduate in The Catholic Spirit’s JULY GRADUATION SUPPLEMENT!

PISCATAWAY – In the midst of a global pandemic, the Holy Spirit is moving in the Diocese of Metuchen. Inspired by the impacts and fruits of last year’s all-night Pentecost Vigil, which was part of the Year of Awakening in preparation for the Dec. 12, 2019 diocesan consecration to Jesus through Mary, under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the diocese will offer “A Church of Mission and Purpose: Pentecost Retreat Day,” beginning May 29 at 7 p.m. and concluding May 30 at 5 p.m. with a Vigil Mass of Pentecost celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio.

PISCATAWAY — For many in the Diocese of Metuchen, Easter was different this year, but for some, the day was business as usual.