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RARITAN BOROUGH — Standing before an overflow crowd at St. Joseph Church Jan. 28, a beaming Steven J. Bolton took an important step on his faith journey when he was ordained a deacon in the Raritan Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

METUCHEN — Though most of the faithful seated before him may never have cast a fishing net into the sea for food, Bishop James F. Checchio assured them they were still responsible for a valuable catch.

It went through me like an electric wire, like a spark” is how Sister Mary Ann Nowicka described the moment she decided to follow a call from the Lord to enter consecrated life. Now, seven decades past that fateful decision, Sister Mary Ann, a member of the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, still smiles as she recounts her faith journey.

METUCHEN — Reflecting the devotion of Catholics of Filipino descent in the diocese, a symbol of faith in the form of a regal child took its place at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 23 at the conclusion of Simbang Gabi celebrations.

METUCHEN – The diocese joined faithful around the world in a solemn yet hope-filled Jan. 5 Mass of praise for the life and ministry of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.

METUCHEN — It was a day to thank those who had sworn to protect and serve, “our partners in working for the common good,” declared Bishop James F. Checchio to the law enforcement personnel filling the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 26 for the 20th annual Blue Mass.

PISCATAWAY – Religious educators in the diocese learned valuable methods to restart in-person, faith-based conversations at a workshop, “See you in the Eucharist: Evangelization Post Pandemic,” Oct. 29 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.

A religious sister who has served and been educated in the realms of faith and action has sage advice to those eager to learn about Catholics from diverse backgrounds.

METUCHEN – “This gathering is one of my favorite gatherings of the year because love is so present,”  Bishop James F. Checchio said at the diocesan Silver and Gold Anniversary Prayer Service. “Thank you for your faithful witness of married love in a world which so needs it.”

RARITAN BOROUGH — It is more likely youth might consider life as a religious brother or sister if they are presented with their works face to face, said Oratorian Father Thomas A. Odorizzi, pastor, St. Ann Parish, during the diocesan “Called by Name” vocations expo Nov. 6.

Where can you find the words when you care enough to pray the very best?

HILLSBOROUGH — It takes many willing hands to ease the grip of hunger in Somerset County. Thanks to an innovative ministry at St. Joseph Parish, dozens of them are holding tight to the wheel and cargo of a bright blue messenger of hope.

METUCHEN — “You [youth] are heralds to the Gospel. You are today’s new missionaries,” said Father John G. Hillier at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 23.

Veteran pilgrims from the diocese may have noticed a different musician at the keyboard of the massive Möller pipe organ high above the sanctuary of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.

SOMERSET — Though the liturgical calendar declared Feb. 16 the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the evening’s Mass in St. Matthias Church was anything but ordinary. Instead, the preaching, prayers, native costumes and, above all, the music, blended into a diverse yet unifying celebration of black history and Catholic faith.

NEW BRUNSWICK — Bishop James F. Checchio shared advice from the Holy Father with a congregation of health care workers at the Saint Peter’s University Hospital chapel at a Mass, advice they had exemplified in their mission as a Catholic facility from the day its doors opened in 1872. “In the words of Pope Francis on this World Day of the Sick, ‘I hope places of care will increasingly become houses of welcome and comfort, where sick persons will find friendship, understanding, kindness and charity,’” the bishop said in his homily on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. “In short, humanity.”

WATCHUNG – Bishop James F. Checchio issued the newest pastor of St. Mary-Stony Hill Parish a loving challenge at his installation Dec. 8, saying his task would be “to help us open our hearts more widely to Jesus so that his presence may fill us and all those we encounter each day.”

METUCHEN – With a worshipful mix of prayer, song, veneration and reverent pageantry, Catholics of Filipino descent honored the Virgin Mary Dec. 15 during the opening Mass of a nine-day novena known as Simbang Gabi.

METUCHEN — Standing before a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe bedecked with fragrant roses, Bishop James F. Checchio issued a challenge to the faithful seated within the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Dec. 12: their work had only just begun.