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“I just need a peaceful minute, Nanny.” The little voice spoke from a corner of the room amidst a spread of trucks, dinosaurs, and magnetic tiles, part of a fantasy land being built by my five-year-old grandson – a child who is in constant motion, constant thought, constant talk and with an endless supply of make-believe stories to share.

In caring for children, one thing becomes very apparent. They thrive with attention. Attention is a sacred gift. “The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself,” wrote Henry Miller.

“We are evangelizers of our Catholic faith, and we are missionaries. Our goal is to serve, and to bring our members and our church parishioners closer to God,” said Rod Justiniani, describing Missionary Families of Christ.

On Christmas Eve, the faithful of the Diocese attended Mass with expectant hearts in anticipation of the Birth of Christ. On that day, the date marked something else that was extraordinary.

The phone rang in my office last week and the caller made my day. “Hi, Mary. I’m so glad you are there. I’d like to order a gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit for my friend. She loves the paper but can’t always get to church to get it.”

Everyday when I get to my office, the first thing I do is place a few drops of frankincense oil in a small jar set before an image of the Holy Family and a number of other icons. On the Feast of Epiphany, known also as Three Kings Day, I decided to do a little research on frankincense – one of the gifts to the Holy Family after Jesus’ birth.

In cathedrals and co-cathedrals around the world, the opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope took place Dec. 28-29. The Vatican issued specific instructions about how the inauguration Mass was to be celebrated, including requiring that a cross of significance to the Diocese be used in the opening ceremony.

Rutgers University’s Catholic Center recently held their Fall Retreat, entitled “Work of His Hands,” at Camp Tecumseh, Pittstown, drawing 60 students Oct. 11-13 for three fun and faith-filled days which included talks, games, Adoration, Mass, Eucharistic Procession, and, of course, food.

“We are here because we love this priest of God.” The words of Father John Hillier resonated with a congregation of hundreds, gathered for a Mass of Christian Burial for Monsignor Arduino “Edward” Puleo, who died Oct. 25.

Every year, on the third Sunday of September, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday, when those in each parish community who have been designated to serve as catechists may be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry.

Writing has been used since ancient times to express the emotions and the realities of life we find hard to acknowledge. Experts say it helps heal trauma, strengthen resilience, and reduce anxiety by giving us a voice we often have trouble finding. In this era of uncertainty, pandemics and violence, where things seem so terribly out of control, sometimes writing is the only thing youth can do to make their voices heard – in poems, in prose, in song lyrics and in wrenching narratives we may not want to hear – but we need to hear.

An enthusiastic crowd of some 150 seniors gathered July 25 in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, for the second annual “Celebrate Life, A Morning for Grandparents and Seniors,” sponsored by the diocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity.

A view from the risers from our Editor in Chief.

The Catholic Spirit won five awards during the 2024 Catholic Media Conference.

The gift of the Cursillo Movement has long been acknowledged by popes and bishops worldwide throughout its 75 year history.

The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi extends an invitation to all rising 3rd to 8th grade students, from any parish within or outside the Diocese, for their second annual Summer Choir Camp.

St. James Parish, Woodbridge, held their annual Corpus Christi procession on June 2, processing from St. James Church to St. Joseph’s Senior Home, Woodbridge, and, as they walked, praying for Church and country.

So, here’s the question. Now that graduation is over, ask yourselves, how do we keep walking with God? It’s easy when things are good, and certainly, today, there is reason to celebrate! But how do we keep walking with God when there is no way to make sense of the senseless?

A life-long dream was realized the weekend of June 8-9 when now Father Joshua Maondo, 29, was ordained as a Maryknoll priest June 8 at Maryknoll, New York, and then celebrated his first Mass in St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen, June 9 with the Kenyan family and community, including Father Alphonsus Kariuki, pastor, that have embraced him.