February 20, 2020

Diocese releases annual Financial Report, pages 12-13

Spirit atholic C THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

FEBRUARY 20, 2020 • VOL. 25 NO. 2 • $2.00

Bishop James F. Checchio, front row, center, poses with the 16 candidates to the diaconate for the diocese and their spouses after Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Church.

— John Batkowski photo

Bishop encourages aspiring Spanish-speaking deacons to share Gospel

By Alexandra Gillett Correspondent EDISON — Sixteen men took their first step to becoming members of the permanent diaconate for the diocese at Mass at St. Matthew the Apostle Church Jan. 25.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the Mass and Rite of Admission to Candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate for the 16 Spanish-speaking aspirants. Concel-

ebrants included priests from the parishes of the men.

Candidacy, according to the Church, “is a first official recognition of the positive signs of the vocation to the diaconate, which must be confirmed in the subsequent years of formation.”

In his homily, Bishop Checchio reflected on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. He tied the presence of the aspirants coming to participate in the rite, only

through the prayerful intercession of others, to the conversion of St. Paul through the intercession of St. Stephen’s prayers during martyrdom and through the continued support of the Christian community beginning with Ananias.

The bishop used the opportunity to encourage the men on their mission to share the message of the Gospel with all people, particularly looking to the time when they will be able to proclaim the Gospel and

preach at Mass.

He reminded the congregation that conversion only comes from listening and spending time in prayer, but also of the importance of interceding for others: “This feast is a call to reach one of us. More so for a man who wants to configure himself to Christ. Give yourselves to prayer.”

In the Rite of Candidacy, Bishop Checchio formally asked the aspirants if Continued on page 7

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Healing Touch

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Around the Diocese

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Classifieds

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Diocesan Events

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Diocese observes World Day of the Sick. . .3 This issue was mailed on February 18 Your next issue will be March 5

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Financial Report shows diocese’s renewed energy, focus

UP FRONT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Bishop James Checchio Presenting the 2019 Financial Report and statistics about the life of our diocese in this edition of “The Catholic Spirit” obviously caused me to reflect upon the vast array of things that are taking place in service to the Kingdom of God here in our local Church of Metuchen. While the many blessings of the year easily came to mind, as you well know, the year also had serious challenges. Gratefully, God’s promise that He will be with us in all of our trials was equally true. I am truly grateful, too, for all who labor to build up the Kingdom of God in our diocese including our clergy, those in consecrated life and the talented lay faithful who assist me in shepherding my flock.

Providentially, the fresh graces received from this past Year of Awakening and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe have provided our whole local Church with inspiration, renewed energy and focus on our ultimate priorities as a Church. It has been my conviction that while we have prioritized addressing the past sins of clergy abuse, providing healing support to survivors and re-

Lenten Obligations

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

3. The obligation of fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59.

Fasting in the Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal and two smaller meals which together are not equal to a full meal, so as to experience hunger.

4. The obligation of abstinence applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of 14.

Abstinence in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat.

working structures to prevent future failings, we must also keep our focus on advancing the presence of Christ throughout our four counties with even greater boldness and courage.

Our mission has to have a new urgency.

In order to advance our mission, it is true that financial resources are needed. No margin, no mission as the saying goes. It is also true that I take my responsibility to steward our financial gifts in such a way as to maximize their effectiveness for our mission. This includes examining our budgets and the ways that we use the financial gifts so generously given.

In the years since my arrival we have decreased spending and operate more effectively in our diocesan offices, which support our 90 parishes and 27 schools, and I am happy to report that we have had balanced budgets for three years in a row now. In addition to so many working to trim their budgets at the diocesan pastoral center, we also had increased revenue. As you might know, our pastoral center has been reorganized in such a way that we now rent the second floor of the center to Saint Peter’s University Hospital for administrative space. This has helped to provide income which offsets the operating costs of the building. I am grateful to our Vicariate for Administration, along with thoughtful and sound advice from the Diocesan Finance Council, which has helped to make our operations sound.

We have also restructured the pastoral offices to have evangelization and mission more central to all of their initiatives and support to our parishes and schools. The Vicariate for Communication and Evangelization is tasked with promoting the message of the Church in our times with honesty, integrity and the vision of Christ’s ultimate victory over the darkness of this world. As Christians there is always hope, always a brighter tomorrow, precisely because Christ redeems the deepest disorder of the human heart.

The role of Catholic communications is always to tell the story of any event through the lens of Jesus Christ. Social media and online presence cannot be underestimated in our day, especially if we are seeking to reach

Catholic Spirit THE

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our younger generations, who do not always engage with us in our Church buildings and institutions as they did in times past. Now, we must be missionaries and go to them.

This is why I have directed that we increase our technology and social media to reach out in creative, beautiful and effective ways.

Our “Catholic Spirit” remains a practical way to unite our four counties and so many tell me of your appreciation for it. We have a common story to tell in our Church here in central New Jersey that is ours to tell. The newspaper is now carrying stories of how the charitable mission of the Church is being accomplished so remarkably well through Catholic Charities, as well as the many local initiatives in which so many parishes and schools so generously participate. Even with cutting our budget in recent years to balance it, we have been able to maintain the subsidy to Catholic Charities, as gratefully the gala funds, which support its works, increased this past year, too.

One of the greatest signs of life and hope in the Church is the presence of vocations; especially to the priesthood. We are blessed that 22 men have responded to God’s call and are currently studying to serve the Church of Metuchen. This is the largest group of men preparing for priesthood for our diocese in more than 25 years.

This means that despite the many challenges of our days, these men are saying “yes,” but we need to support them. Currently, our budget to educate and care for our seminarians is a significant and increasing line item, but a great privilege for us to do so. Indeed, this puts a strain on balancing our budget but a strain we thank God for!

Our parishes, Catholic schools and religious education programs, our youth

ministry programs and the Catholic Center for Campus ministry at Rutgers are all concrete places where our young people can encounter the living presence of Christ; your generosity makes this all happen. Our financial resources must be properly stewarded, in order to keep a vital presence for youth to know they are loved by Christ and His Church.

This report is only a snapshot of the various means and ways that we express our solidarity in Christ in our local Church.

In the midst of our challenges, I have great hope and confidence that we are rising to the occasion, just as the many good and faithful people of past generations of Catholics have done for the love of Christ and His Church. You can be sure that I take none of our blessings for granted. I am fully aware of the sacrifices that you, our good people of our parishes, make in order to make Christ known and loved in our world, and for that you have my heartfelt thanks!

Please know of my ongoing gratitude, prayers and love for all of you. It remains one of the greatest blessings of my life to serve you, as your bishop, in this beautiful Church of Metuchen. May our efforts always be pleasing to God, may we always give our best and all to Him. May His Kingdom come through our cooperation with His graces.

May Mary, Our Mother of Guadalupe intercede for us and help us to Light a Fire of Faith in the Heart of our world.

The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen

The 2019 Financial Report and statistics about the diocese can be found on pages 12-13.

The Bishop’s Schedule Feb. 22 9:30 a.m. Diocesan Pastoral Council, Piscataway – private event Feb. 22 5 p.m. Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, Lambertville Feb. 23 9 a.m. Mass at Our Lady Victories Church, Baptistown Feb. 23 11 a.m. Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Pittstown Feb. 25 2 p.m. Groundbreaking at St. Paul the Apostle Senior Center, Edison Feb. 26 10 a.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at Mount St. Mary Academy, Watchung Feb. 26 12:15 p.m. Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church, New Brunswick Feb. 28 8:30 a.m. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Budget and Finance Committee Meeting, Washington, DC Feb. 29 5:30 pm Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Whitehouse Station March 1 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Church, Raritan March 1 2:30 p.m. Rite of Election at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen March 3 5:30 p.m. Confirmation at Holy Trinity Church, Bridgewater with St. Ann Parish, Raritan March 4 7 p.m. Confirmation at St. Mary Church, South Amboy March 5 5 p.m. Confirmation at St. Frances Cabrini Church, Piscataway March 7 5 p.m. Mass at St. Stephen Protomartyr Church, South River March 8 9 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville March 8 11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church, South Bound Brook For updates on Bishop Checchio's schedule visit: https://diometuchen.org/bishop-schedule

of the

By Christina Leslie Correspondent 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.”

Bishop Checchio also presided at the Mass. Msgr. John N. Fell, episcopal vicar for the diocesan health care apostolate; Father Peter G. Suhaka, the hospital’s chaplain, and Msgr. William J. Capik,

who this June will mark his 65th priestly anniversary, concelebrated.

During the Mass, Leslie D. Hirsch, president and chief executive officer of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, presented Msgr. Capik with a glass statue in appreciation of his 27 years of service, 18 of them as chairman of the hospital’s board of directors.

Born in 1930 in Perth Amboy, Msgr.

Capik studied at St. Charles Preparatory Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, and earned a bachelor’s degree, a baccalaureate in sacred theology and a licentiate in sacred theology. He earned a master’s degree in school administration at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y., and served the dioceses of Trenton and Metuchen for more than 15 years as teacher and administrator.

Msgr. Capik was named as a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness the Pope in April 1979. He served as the first vicar of education for the Diocese of Metuchen

Top, Bishop James F. Checchio, center, consecrates the host at Mass at Saint Peter's University Hospital. Above, the bishop poses with Msgr. William J. Capik (center), who received a glass statue from Leslie D. Hirsch (right), president and chief executive officer, for his service to the hospital. from 1981 to 1985, and began a 24-year tenure as pastor of St. James Parish, Basking Ridge, in 1981.

Msgr. Capik reminisced about his long tenure at the hospital at the prompting of then-Bishop George W. Ahr, saying, “We had the vocation of giving ourselves to other people, to give compassion, understanding and peace. God has given me the blessing of good health, then time for me to think of nothing but him during my illness. When we can turn our faces, our bodies and our souls to our God, we can make a difference.”

Before the Mass, floor by floor, Bishop Checchio, Hirsch and others toured the hospital. The bishop visited numerous patients and staff, cheerfully posing for cellphone pictures and bestowing his blessings upon the sick.

Joining oncology patient Mary Hutchinson, a member of St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, in prayer, the bishop advised her, “Think of Christ on the cross, that was his strongest moment.”

Later, Hutchinson reflected on the visit, saying, “The bishop encouraged me to get better with the help of my faith."

Continued on page 9

As of press time, no one has correctly identified the image.

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FEBRUARY 20, 2020

— Mike Ehrmann photos

Last issue's image...

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bishop James F. Checchio greets staff at The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, during a tour on World Day of the Sick.

SPECIAL FEATURE

can it be found?

3

Image ek e W Where in the diocese

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the Feb. 6 issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at St. Lawrence Parish, Laurence Harbor.

The winner is...

4 OUR DIOCESE

Lyrics of tune set rhythm for big hit this Lent Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD In the 1944, Harold Arken and Johnny Mercer wrote the music and lyrics to a song entitled: “Ac-cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.” Bing Crosby recorded the tune and it was a big hit. The key to happiness sings the crooner is contained in the lyrics: “you’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and watch out for Mr. In-Between.” Initially written to console a war-tired nation, the song was embraced with enthusiasm by the Forgotten Generation. Still, it has perennial value for us today.

Wednesday, begins the holy season of Lent. For 40 some days, we have the opportunity to “repent,” that is, to change whatever is hindering us from becoming more like Jesus. By following the simple dynamic of the song to which I referred earlier, we can use the six-and-a-half

weeks of Lent to use our God-given gifts While accentuating the positive, for the good of the Kingdom. we should try to eliminate the negative.

Maybe we can volunteer to help In other words, we should make a conwith a literacy program certed effort to diminat our local library, or ish or, better, eradicate get involved in providing those things that veil or Wednesday housing for the homehinder our Christian state [Feb. 26, 2020] less through Habitat for of life – a nasty dispoHumanity. Maybe we sition, foul language, begins the holy can spend an hour a week excessive drinking or season of Lent. visiting residents at one eating, engaging in gosof the assisted living sip, complaining about For 40 some communities. Perhaps we petty things – focusing can lend our voice to the too much attention on our days, we have choir as they prepare for self and not enough on the opportunity Holy Week and Easter. others.

Why not consider joining “You’ve got to acto “repent.” one of our service orgacentuate the positive, nizations in the municieliminate the negative, pality such as scouting, watch out for Mr. Inthe Rotary, Lions or American Legion. Between.” This last caution, “watching Finally, we cannot forget “almsgiving,” out for Mr. In-Between” means that we that is, giving money to one or several have to fight the temptation of embracing bona fide causes which seek to promote mediocrity. harmony, assist the disabled, rehabilitate When I was a teacher, I always said teenage runaways, offer rehabilitation for that the worst discipline problem I had those battling addictions or that research was “apathy.” This can happen when we a cure to pediatric cancer. fail in our efforts to repent. We begin

Lent all “psyched up” and within days we find that our efforts to repent have been stymied by someone or something, maybe by our lack of discipline or a sudden attack of self-pity. Let us not succumb to our frustration and give up the quest for repentance. Nothing would give the devil more pleasure. Instead, let us pray for perseverance and remember the advice of St. Teresa of Kolkata: “God does not ask for success, just faithfulness.”

So, on Ash Wednesday, as we set sail once again on the sea of repentance, let us use today to come up with a plan – maybe journal how you, personally, might accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative – which entails a transformation of self, which is implied by repentance.

Whatever we decide, may we ratify what Jesus did for love of us and to commit ourselves to the Kingdom which he continues to build in us and through us for the honor and glory of God. Father Comandini is managing editor of “The Catholic Spirit”

Auschwitz and ‘intrinsic evil’: sad piece of history remembered largely inured to murder on a vast scale tion of carbolic acid, or to hike around still recognizes in Auschwitz an icon of the perimeter of Auschwitz II-Birkenau, radical evil: a barbaric grotesquerie no praying the sorrowful mysteries of the sane person would attempt to justify. In Rosary while walking past the likely site that sense, the lethal reality of what hap- of St. Edith Stein’s gassing and cremapened at Auschwitz-Birkenau stands in tion. And for me, as for many others, the contradiction to the claim questions inevitably occur:

By George Weigel by some Catholic moral How? Why? . . . in the theologians – once thought Poland is not on Seventy-five years ago, on Janumarginalized but now back the periphery of Europe; 1920s, German ary 27, 1945, the infantrymen of the Poland is at the center of Red Army’s 322nd Rifle Division were in business – that there are intellectuals Europe, and that part of bludgeoning their way into the Third no “intrinsically evil acts.”

If you cannot concede that Poland that was annexed to developed Reich when they discovered the Auswhat was done to over the Third Reich in 1939 is chwitz-Birkenau extermination camps. the notion of one million innocents in in the southernmost part of The German inventors of industrialized the torture cells, on the mass slaughter had cleared out earlier, Lebensunwertes what, after postwar border adjustments, is now central forcing some 60,000 prisoners deemed gallows, at the “Wall of Leben: “life Poland. So at Auschwitz capable of slave labor in the Fatherland Death,” and in the gas chambers and crematoria and Birkenau – the German on a march westward, during which many unworthy of of Auschwitz-Birkenau names for the absorbed died. Battle-hardened Russian veterans of was “intrinsically evil” Polish towns of Oswiecim life. ” the brutal war on the Eastern Front were – gravely wrong, period – and Brzezinka – you are nonetheless shocked by what they found not anywhere near the savat Auschwitz-Birkenau: 6,000 living then you are a moral cretin, skeletons, many suffering from diseases no matter what your highest earned de- age peripheries of the film Apocalypto.

You are, rather, in the middle of the contithat would kill them before medical care gree may be.

I’ve been to the Auschwitz-Birkenau nent that, in the mid-20th century, considand food restored their strength. complex perhaps 10 times: in recent years, ered itself the center of world civilization.

On his pilgrimage there in June 1979, Pope St. John Paul II called Auschwitz- to pray at the cell in Auschwitz where St. And that is where the industrialized mass Birkenau the “Golgotha of the modern Maximilian Kolbe was starved for two murder of innocents was undertaken.

Libraries of books have been written world.” And it is striking that a world weeks before being killed by an injecin an attempt to grasp how Germany, a country renowned for its accomplishments in the arts and sciences, could have If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you handed itself over to a genocidal maniac know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New who looked like a Charlie Chaplin character and rabble-roused in screechy GerJersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 man colored by a strong Austrian accent.

(TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). That question becomes even more urgent For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: when, in the exhibits at Auschwitz I, the https://diometuchen.org/healing visitor ponders black-and-white photos

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

The Catholic Difference

How to report abuse

of the “selection” process at the railroad tracks leading into Auschwitz II-Birkenau – and notices that the SS officers making instant decisions about the life and death of those being unloaded from the cattle cars in which they’d been transported across Europe are quite at ease; some are even smiling. Then you learn that the men who invented this horror included eight officials with the coveted German doctoral degree.

And you ask again, “How? Why?” One piece of that jigsaw puzzle of evil falls into place when it’s remembered that, in the 1920s, German intellectuals developed the notion of Lebensunwertes Leben: “Life unworthy of life.” Influenced by the pseudo-science of eugenics and the concern for “race purity” then epidemic throughout the West (not excluding the United States), this wicked idea was first applied to the physically and intellectually handicapped, especially children. From there, it was a short step to its application to Jews, Roma, homosexuals, Slavs, and other Untermenschen: lower life-forms. And the concept of “Life unworthy of life,” it must be remembered, was not developed by clods, but by highly-educated people – people who likely thought there was no such thing as an “intrinsically evil act.”

On this anniversary, we fool ourselves if we think humanity has learned its lesson and that an Auschwitz could never happen again. As the Italian Holocaust survivor Primo Levi put it, it did happen, so it can happen again. The form may be different; but the rationale will almost certainly be the same.

Church must recognize gifts of older Catholics VATICAN CITY — Old age “is not a disease, it’s a privilege,” and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members, Pope Francis said. “We must change our pastoral routines to respond to the presence of so many older people in our families and communities,” the pope told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world.

Pope Francis addressed the group Jan. 31 near the end of a three-day conference on the pastoral care of the elderly sponsored by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life. The Catholic Church at every level, he said, must respond to the longer life expectancies and changing demographics evident around the world.

While some people see retirement as marking the time when productivity and strength decline, the 83-year-old pope said, for others it is a time when they are still physically fit and mentally sharp but have much more freedom than they had when they were working and raising a family.

WORLD & NATION

Compiled from the Catholic News Service

5

WORLD & NATION

An elderly woman participates in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. Pope Francis told Catholic seniors and pastoral workers from around the world Jan. 31 that old age “is not a disease, it’s a privilege,” and Catholic dioceses and parishes miss a huge and growing resource if they ignore their senior members.

— CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn

Lawmakers move to make divorce legal

Couples receive Communion during a mass wedding in 2015 at St. Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri Church in Makati City, Philippines. A Philippine Catholic official expressed surprise over the speedy acceptance of legislation that would legalize divorce in the Philippines.

— CNS photo/Simone Orendain

said. Earlier, the Catholic Council of the Laity of the Philippines issued a statement expressing opposition to the divorce bill. The group said the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly provides that divorce is “immoral” because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine church official has expressed surprise over the speedy acceptance of a bill in the country’s parliament that would legalize divorce. On Feb. 6, the House Committee on Population and Family Relations approved in principle the Marriage Dissolution Bill, a measure equivalent to divorce in other countries. Ucanews.com said the Philippines, aside from the Vatican, is the only state that does not have any law on divorce. “I was surprised at the speed at which the committee accepted the bill,” said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the public affairs office of the Catholic bishops’ conference. “I was expecting exhaustive deliberations and discussions would be conducted on the measure,” he said, adding that the public deserves to know what is in the bill. Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon described the acceptance of the proposed measure as alarming, ucanews.com reported.

“I hope Congress will not approve it.

More family problems will be created with divorce,” he said. Father Melvin Castro, spiritual director of the group Pro-Life Philippines, said “exhaustive discussion” on the issue should have been carried out. “With the sensitivity of the issue and the magnitude of its effects, Congress should allow open, honest and exhaustive discussion and debate on the issue of divorce,” he

6 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Diocesan Vietnamese apostolate welcomes lunar new year at Mass his disciples not to worry, but instead to rely upon God to provide for them.

He reminded the congregation that SOMERSET — The cultural diversity “worry is a sin, a thief that comes to of the diocese was joyfully displayed steal contentment, happiness, joy and Feb. 1 as hundreds of Catholics of health,” and that they should trust in Vietnamese descent gathered at the the Lord to give them all they need.

“The opposite of worry is conUkrainian Cultural Center to celebrate tentment,” he said. their lunar new gives us the year.

Dozens of adult and child “God glorious gift of Bishop James time today. Trust F. Checchio served chorus members sang in God’s love and as principal celjoyously as acolytes and wisdom; we may ebrant of the binot know what the lingual Mass in clergy of Vietnamese future holds, but we English and Vietdescent strode towards do know from our namese, and was Catholic faith who assisted by Father the center’s stage. Reholds the future Peter Tran, pastor, in the palm of his sembling a southeast Our Lady of Czehand.” stochowa Parish, Asian house of worship, The ancient RoSouth Plainfield, man rites mingled and coordinator of the altar was flanked by seamlessly with the the diocesan Vietflowering trees, coins and flowing Vietnamese namese Apostolate. prayers and hymns.

The sonorous paper lanterns above Intercessions and echo of a gong, then Scriptural passages which hung a mural of the answering stacread and sung cato beat of a drum the patroness of Vietnam, were in Vietnamese and urged young men English, and at the and women in traOur Lady of La Vang. consecration of the ditional Vietnamese Body and Blood of attire forward during the opening procession. Dozens of Christ, the smell of incense and the adult and child chorus members sang resounding peal of the gong filled the joyously as acolytes and clergy of hushed room of worshippers.

Father Tran extended thanks to Vietnamese descent strode towards the center’s stage. Resembling a southeast the celebrants and visitors, including Asian house of worship, the altar was Bishop Checchio’s mother, Helen, flanked by flowering trees, coins and who was present to mark the one-year paper lanterns above which hung a anniversary of the death of her husmural of the patroness of Vietnam, band, James.

Following the liturgy, women Our Lady of La Vang.

Msgr. J.B. Cuong Pham, of the in festive costume presented Bishop Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., gave a Checchio with a bright yellow lei, homily based on the Gospel of Mat- then gave him and his fellow clergy thew (6:25-30) in which Jesus warns red paper envelopes containing crisp,

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

Above, the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement choir, under the direction of Sister of Christian Charity Maria Goretti Nguyen of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South Plainfield, perform at a Mass to also celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. The choir is singing the Alleluia before the Gospel, complete with hand gestures. Right, Bishop James. F. Checchio, assisted by Father Peter Tran, lights the coals for the censor used to incense the altar during the Mass. Father Tran, pastor, Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South Plainfield, also serves as coordinator, diocesan Vietnamese Apostolate.

— Marlo Williamson photos

new money, for them to distribute to the congregation as a symbol of luck and prosperity in the new year.

“I am so grateful to be with you,” Bishop Checchio said. “The Vietnamese community does so much, and [you] are one of the great prides of the diocese.”

Attendees later enjoyed Vietnamese dinners of rice noodles, meats,

dumplings, sweets and cups of bubble tea, then prepared for the evening’s cultural show of music, dance and elaborate costumes. Four-month-old Liam Tran, clearly enjoying the time with the Vietnamese community, smiled and bounced upon his mother Minh’s knee.

“This is his very first New Year’s,” Minh Tran said of her son.

The young woman, who had recently moved to northern New Jersey, added, “It is important for him to be here, and we like to visit with our family and friends.”

Sister of Christian Charity Maria Goretti Nguyen, pastoral assistant at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, had conducted the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement choir during the Mass. The group was more than just a musical outlet for the neckerchiefwearing youth; “We help to educate the children to be devout Catholics and good citizens,” Sister Maria said.

The Lunar New Year, or “Tet” (short for Tet Nguyen Dan or Feast of the First Morning of the First Day) begins on the day of the new moon, falling this year between Jan. 25 and Feb. 8. It is celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese Zodiac, divided into 12 houses, each signified by a different animal. 2020 is the Year of the Rat.

they were resolved to take on the process of formation, and to prepare themselves to give faithful service to Christ and his Church. The 16 men responded with a confident “I do.”

The bishop then formally accepted their declaration.

At the conclusion of Mass, Deacon Stephen F. Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate, thanked the wives and families of the new candidates for their support.

Deacons are ordained ministers who proclaim the Gospel and preach. As ministers of sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages and conduct wake and funeral services.

As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church’s resources to meet those needs.

The candidates who were accepted in the Rite of Candidacy were selected because of their ability to speak Spanish, said Deacon Kern, who exercises his ministry at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington.

According to evangelization statistics: Hispanic Catholics are about 40 percent of the approximately 78 million Catholics in the country; Hispanics account for 71 percent of the growth of the Catholic population in the United States since 1960; and 60 percent of Catholics

under the age of 18 are Hispanic.

“Soon after Bishop Checchio came to our diocese, it became obvious to him as he visited the parishes and heard from pastors that there was a need for Spanishspeaking deacons to serve the growing Catholic Hispanic/Latino population in the diocese,” Deacon Kern said. “The number of current deacons who speak Spanish in our diocese is fairly small given our population, so one of the first things the bishop asked me to do was to put together a diaconate formation class of men who speak Spanish.

“Although there is an obvious large Hispanic/Latino presence in parts of the diocese such as Perth Amboy and New Brunswick, there are several parishes in more rural areas [such as St. Magdalen de Pazzi] that have a significantly sized Hispanic/Latino community. In the deacon’s heart is the urge to serve, but the service that English-only speaking deacons can provide in these parishes is sometimes limited because of the language barrier.”

At a reception, candidate Francisco Jaurides, a member of Sts. Philip & James Parish, Phillipsburg, said he is choosing to study to become a permanent deacon to help his community. Specifically, he would like to help parents take seriously the role of forming their children and preparing them to receive the sacraments through encouragement and education.

Members of the diaconate formation class who speak Spanish and their parish

Bishop James F. Checchio gives the homily at Mass at St. Matthew Church.

— John Batkowski photo

He also expressed a strong desire to be a part of the Mass. However, he made it clear that he did not come up with this idea on his own. Rather, he explained, only after being encouraged by a priest to consider this path did he take the time to pray about it. Eventually, he developed a strong sense that this is what God wanted for him, and he just needed to say “yes”.

He also expressed that the support from Father George Weiner, his wife and children.

Ysidro Abreu St. Joseph North Plainfield

Francisco Jaurides St. Philip & St. James Phillipsburg

William Chirinos Mary Mother of God Hillsborough

Jose Fritz Molina Most Holy Name of Jesus Perth Amboy

Jose R. Diaz Our Lady of Fatima Perth Amboy

Hernando Patino St. Magdalen de Pazzi Flemington

Sergio Diaz Our Lady of Fatima Perth Amboy

Freddy A. Perez Most Holy Name of Jesus Perth Amboy

Richard Ferreira St. Matthew Edison

Wilkin Rivera St. Matthew Edison

Paul Flor St. Philip & St. James Phillipsburg

Pedro Sanchez- Duval OL of Mt. Carmel New Brunswick

German Gonzalez St. John Paul II Perth Amboy

Jose Suárez St. Augustine Kendall Park

Vidal J. Gonzalez St. Joseph Carteret

Ubaldo Valdez Most Holy Name of Jesus Perth Amboy

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from front page

7

Latino aspirants officially become candidates for diaconate during rite

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8 OUR DIOCESE THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

World-renowned singer delivers message of hope to high school EDISON — Certain to be one of the highlights of an already eventful year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, students raised the roof with song and laughter as world-renowned guitarist and inspirational speaker Tony Melendez sang and played the guitar.

What makes this performance especially unique was the fact that Melendez played the guitar with his feet. Born without arms, he struggled in early life but through his determination and positive outlook was able to overcome, turning his disability into a gift from God that has helped him to inspire millions in 44 countries.

His talents were first recognized on the world stage at a performance for then-Pope, now St. John Paul II at World Youth Day in 1987 and since then he has traveled around the world to spread his message of hope to students, adults, and world leaders.

The performance was filled with both moments of joy and moments of serious reflection. Melendez opened the event by asking students to stand up and shout out the name of someone whom they love. After that, he got the entire crowd laughing by telling them to untie

their neighbor’s shoe, scratch someone’s back, retie the shoe, and finally share a hug. This was followed with students taking the microphone and sharing a message of inspiration with the student body. As the assembly went on, Tony and his brother, Jose, shared their stories of growing up in Nicaragua and their experience with Tony’s disability as children.

Tony sang the “Hail Mary” followed by an original song about respecting life and loving everyone, even when it is not easy. He also performed an STA favorite: “Trading My Sorrows.”

The energy of the concert, which seemed to be over much too soon, could be felt throughout the building. Sophomore Jennifer Rihacek commented on the performance afterwards: “Tony taught us that people can do anything no matter the setbacks they face.” Senior Vittoria Bertini added, “It was awesome!

I thought we were just going to listen, but Tony made sure to involve everyone throughout.”

Drama teacher Lea Gossett added her impression of the event by saying, “I genuinely thought that the presentation was humbling, eye-opening, energizing, fun, and touching. It was a beautiful way

Guitarist and speaker Tony Melendez, who was born with a disability, plays the guitar with his feet at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison. His talents were first recognized on the world stage at a performance for then-Pope, now St. John Paul II at World Youth Day in 1987.

— Mike Kowalczyk photo to spend time together as the STA family.

We are blessed that he was able to share his talents and message with us and I am thankful that the administration made this happen for everyone in our school.”

St. Thomas Aquinas High School

School Days During Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 26 - Feb. 2), Bishop James F. Checchio visited three schools in the diocese. Above left, the bishop (wearing miter) poses with Father John C. Siceloff, (left) pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, and Father Juan Carlos Gaviria, parochial vicar, and students at The School of St. Elizabeth after Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Above center, the bishop greets students at St. James School, Basking Ridge; and, below right, students at St. Matthew School, Edison. Above right, students at St. John Vianney School, Colonia, pose during a Book Fair, and, below left, students at St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick, pose during a Literary Fair.

— John Batkowski, Frank Wojciechowski, St. Bartholomew School and St. John Vianney School photos

was indeed blessed to be able to host Melendez and his brother, and witness their talents and message not only during Catholic Schools Week but on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, Jan. 28, as well.

Touring The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, adorned in brightly-colored cartoon superheroes, cheerful animals and an abundance of St. Valentine’s Day hearts, Bishop Checchio paused to pray the “Hail Mary” with nineyear-old patient Emma and traded highfives with bubbly four-year-old Noah. He showed Noah his own bishop’s crucifix and asked, “Do you know Jesus? He will help you,” as the child’s parents beamed.

A conversation in Neonatal Intensive

Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital with Dr. Mark Hiatt, Chief of Neonatology, was followed by visits to the parents of the premature infants the unit cares for.

Bethany, a member of St. James Parish, Basking Ridge, beamed as Bishop Checchio blessed her and her daughter, Allison, who was born at 30 weeks and weighed 3 pounds, 30 ounces. “She’s a fighter, she’s feisty,” the proud mother said. “I am glad the bishop blessed her.”

The bishop also blessed the diocesesponsored hospital’s newly renovated

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio greets a patient at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital on World Day of the Sick. Right, the bishop blesses Camila Campos-Sanchez and her son, Leo, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital.

pastoral care office. Two of the facility’s chaplains, Deacon Vincent Brigande and Deacon William Weber, assisted at the Mass.

In his homily, the bishop drew parallels between the hospital’s mission of care and the Gospel, which told of Jesus’ healing Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17).

“It was more than just a story of healing, but rather instruction on how we should be living our baptism,” Bishop Checchio said, noting that the passage “encourages us to share the gift of God’s

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life with others through our own works of charity and faithful service.”

Thanking Msgr. Capik for his 27 years of service to the hospital, the bishop continued, “Certainly, [he] understood this passage as the foundation of the hospital’s ministry. His pride in Saint Peter’s history can be summed up in these words of his: ‘We are a healing ministry, and our goal has always been to treat the whole person, give the ultimate in compassionate care for everyone. We treat every patient as a child of God.’”

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from page 3

9

Bishop Checchio presides at Mass, blesses patients at hospital

Bishop James F. Checchio visits patient Charles Dominick in his room at the diocesan-sponsored hospital.

— Mike Ehrmann photos

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Two scholarships awarded at PACS Perth Amboy Catholic School celebrated its second annual Catholic Education Banquet Jan. 25 at Lake Chateau Banquets, Woodbridge, as a welcome to National Catholic Schools Week.

More than 150 people, representing faculty, staff, parents, students, parishioners from the parishes in the city and many community supporters attended the event.

The school chapel choir composed of students from the upper grades and directed

by Anna Lawrence opened the evening with a combination of melodies from Broadway.

The art class exhibit — overseen by art and computer teacher John Sansevere — displayed different works from still life projects.

A special presentation included scholarships for a graduating boy and girl: Diego Rivera and Sophia Hernandez, who exemplify the values and achievement instilled through the excellence in academics and Gospel values provided at PACS. The scholarships of $2,500 each were donated

by William and Kathleen Hoffmann, who have so generously responded to the model of faith-based education exhibited at PACS. Paul Padilla, a 2016 graduate who attends Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, spoke of his pride in having attended PACS from pre-K 3 thru eighth grade and the foundation it has given him to succeed and be recently awarded a full scholarship to Columbia University, New York.

The faculty was recognized by the local council of the Knights of Columbus with a

Diego Rivera and Sophia Hernandez, scholarship recipients, pose with William and Kathleen Hoffmann, donors of scholarship awards, their grandchild, Ryan; Msgr. John Gordon, pastor, Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish; and Charity Sister Beverly Policastro, principal.

— photo courtesy of Perth Amboy Catholic School

special certificate presentation and gift bags of appreciation were shared with each one of them from the Home School Association.

Perth Amboy Catholic School is the citywide Catholic grade school for the parishes of the Perth Amboy area: Good Shepherd, Most Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of Fatima and St. John Paul II Parish.

There are 207 children and students enrolled from pre-K 3 through eighth grade.

Registrations for academic year 2020/2021 are open.

The school offers aftercare staffing daily and tuition assistance information is available through the main office, 500 State St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, (732) 442-9533.

— Msgr. John B. Gordon

Friendly Forecast Father Anthony M. Sirianni, left, pastor, St. Helena Parish, Edison, poses with John Marshall, a weather forecaster at CBS2 in New York, during a visit to St. Helena School. The school started Catholic Schools Week with an assembly about the weather featuring Marshall, who attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in his hometown of Edison. Students enjoyed dynamic and interactive presentations that were grade appropriate and curriculum based. In addition to teaching about the weather, Marshall allowed students the opportunity to experience how a weathercast is performed in a TV studio.

— photo courtesy of St. Helena School

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Jesus had asked Peter, James and John to go up a high mountain with him while the rest of the apostles remained behind.

Peter, James and John watched as Jesus was transfigured. His clothes became dazzling white, and afterward Elijah and Moses appeared and spoke with him.

When Jesus and his friends came down the mountain, they “Teacher, I have brought to you my son saw quite a sight. A large crowd possessed by a mute spirit,” a man said. had gathered around the rest of — CNS artwork the apostles, and some scribes were arguing with them.

“Everything is possible to one who “What are you arguing about with has faith,” Jesus replied. them?” Jesus wanted to know.

“I do believe, help my unbelief!” the Someone from the crowd answered. boy’s father cried out.

“Teacher, I have brought to you my As the crowd rapidly closed around son possessed by a mute spirit,” a man him, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. said. “Wherever it seizes him, it throws “Mute and deaf spirit, I command him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds you: Come out of him and never enter his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your him again!” Jesus said in a clear, firm disciples to drive it out, but they were un- voice. able to do so.”

As the unclean spirit came out of Jesus shook his head. the boy, it shouted and threw the boy into “O faithless generation, how long convulsions. will I be with you? How long will I enAfter the spirit left him, the boy did dure you? Bring him to me,” he said. not stir.

When the boy was brought to Jesus, “He is dead!” people in the crowed the spirit threw the boy into convulsions. exclaimed.

The boy fell on the ground, rolled around Jesus took the boy by the hand and and foamed at the mouth. The boy’s fa- raised him. The boy stood up. ther said this had been happening to the Afterward, the apostles took Jesus boy since childhood. aside so they could speak to him private“It has often thrown him into fire ly. They wondered why they were unable and into water to kill him,” the father to drive out the unclean spirit themselves. explained. “But if you can do anything, “This kind can only come out have compassion on us and help us.” through prayer,” Jesus said.

s

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

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OUR DIOCESE

Jesus drives out an unclean spirit

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

drborthodontics.com

Answers: believe, my, help, do, I, unbelief I do believe, help my unbelief.

12

2019

Year In Review

90

29

Parishes

Schools

634,539 Estimated Number of Catholics in the Diocese of Metuchen

(NJ Counties: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren)

Discipleship Formation for Youth

22,379 Parish Faith Formation

Vocations

Enrollment K-8

PreK-8

Catholic School

3

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

22

men in formation for the priesthood

16

men in the Hispanic Diaconate formation program (Class of 2022)

June The Office of Evangelization hosts first annual all-night Pentecost Vigil at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen

September Thousands join in a Walking Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego through the streets of Annandale

2

Prison Ministers

Diocesan Highlights Decemeber Bishop Checchio consecrates the Diocese of Metuchen to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe

7

Hospital Chaplains

www.diometuchen.org | @diocesemetuchen

1,861

High School Catholic School

29,471

Young People Formed

30 Religious

173 219

Diocesan

Priests Priests 16 Extern

1

Charity and Hospital Justice Centers

138,257 Households

3,194 Baptisms

3,878 First

Communions

5,231

newly ordained priests in service to the people of God in Metuchen

9

4,373 Confirmations 736 Marriages 381 RCIA

Candidates

Child and Youth Protection

173

Diocesan

38,000 56,000 adults trained to recognize signs of abuse and how to report them by the diocese between 2003-2017

background checks for clerics, employees, and volunteers of the diocese between 2003-2017

Anyone who has been sexually abused by any clergy in the Church, is encouraged to reach out to local law enforcement and the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 to report an offense or arrange for counseling assistance

www.diometuchen.org/healing

OUR DIOCESE

One Church. One Mission.

$

Cash and cash equivalents Accounts and loans receivable from parishes, net Contributions receivable, net Prepaid expenses and other assets Note Receivable, net Investments primarily from parishes, cemeteries, perpetual care, insurance reserves and donor restricted funds Inventory of Crypts Property and equipment, net

Increase in unrestricted net assets from operations Non operating revenue Net assets, beginning of the year NET ASSETS, END OF THE YEAR

2019 $ $

59,073,335 52,220,865

$

6,852,470

$

10,734,538

$

94,081,056

3,882,068

$ 104,815,594

$233,110,997

2019

LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred revenue and support Custodial Funds Clergy pension & post-retirement obligations Loans payable Self Insurance Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) reserves Funds held for parishes, parish cemeteries and affiliates TOTAL LIABILITIES

3,955,252 14,713 1,614,223 24,618,353 22,152,922 5,937,918 69,929,510 $128,295,403

NET ASSETS: Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions

$ 102,928,345 1,887,249

TOTAL NET ASSETS

$

Statement of Cash Flows

2019

Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash used by investing activities Net cash used by financing activities

$

11,914,266 (5,154,329) (1,963,236)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year

$ $ $

4,796,701 12,918,410 17,715,111

Supplemental Data: Interest Paid

$

2,732,103

104,815,594

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

$233,110,997

Revenue

$ 29,326,112 8,741,901 6,961,054 3,812,167 9,212,461 1,019,640 $59,073,335

2019 Percent

49% 15% 12% 6% 16% 2% 100%

2019

Operating Services FY18-19

Expense

Percent

$ 23,301,438

45%

8,412,522 6,420,610 2,012,070 3,549,062 3,441,359

16% 12% 4% 7% 7%

2,336,474 1,700,000 1,047,330 $ 52,220,865

4% 3% 2% 100%

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

Health Insurance and Property & Liability Insurance Claims/Premiums Paid Parish/Cemetery/Affiliate Interest on Deposits, School and Catholic Spirit Subsidies Parish, Cemetery & Diocesan Support Services Pastoral Cemeteries Priestly Ministry and Formation Diocesan Properties Operations, Maintenance and Depreciation Catholic Charities Development

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Operating Support and Revenue Program Revenue Assessments Bishop’s Annual Appeal Cemeteries Investment Income Donations & Bequests

Operating support and revenue Operating expenses

Increase in net assets

Liabilities and Net Assets

Financial Summary

17,715,111 11,471,280 467,866 2,921,476 15,234,262

158,355,179 8,918,678 18,027,145

TOTAL ASSETS

FY18-19

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA Bishop of Metuchen

Assets Statement of Activity 2019 and Changes in Net Assets

Assets

OUR DIOCESE

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019

13

Diocese Resources in the service of Mission!

This report is only a snapshot of the various means and ways that we express our solidarity in Christ in our local Church. In the midst of our challenges, I have great hope and confidence that we are rising to the occasion, just as the many good and faithful people of past generations of Catholics have done for the love of Christ and His Church. You can be sure that I take none of our blessings for granted. I am fully aware of the sacrifices that you, our good people of our parishes, make in order to make Christ known and loved in our world, and for that you have my heartfelt thanks!

14 OUR DIOCESE

Faithful fill pews at liturgy in newly-renovated spiritual 'home'

By Chris Donahue Associate Editor MONROE TOWNSHIP — Bishop James F. Checchio presided at a Mass in which three elements integral to Catholics’ faith were blessed and dedicated in the newlyrenovated Nativity of Our Lord Church Feb. 9.

In solemn rites, Bishop Checchio blessed the ambo, from which the word of God is proclaimed and homilies are given; the baptismal font, where new members of the faith are christened with holy water; and altar, where bread and wine are consecrated to become the spiritual food of the faithful.

The renovations for the $2 million project also included: marble floors and walls of the sanctuary; lighting; ceiling; stations of the cross; and stained-glass Bishop James F. Checchio raises the host over the new altar during the consecration windows depicting the Glorious Mysteries at Nativity of Our Lord Church. Renovations also included a new tabernacle, baptismal of the rosary and the Joyful Mysteries of font, ambo, lighting, and marble walls and floor of the sanctuary. — Mike Ehrmann photo the rosary. The third Joyful Mystery is the Nancy Stone, a member of the parish In his homily, Bishop Checchio said, Nativity of Our Lord. for four years, described the renovations as “In a moment, we will consecrate the new Renovation of the church, which was “breathtaking.” altar.

Consecration of an altar is an impordedicated in 1996, were needed for several “I really want to thank Father Ed tant and unique prayer in the Church. We reasons, said Father Edward R. Flanagan, for making our home so beautiful. I cried use sacred chrism oil consecrated on Holy pastor.

Thursday.”

“The majority of the parish [demo- through the whole Mass,” she said.

After the blessing of the ambo and The bishop explained that the oil graphics] is 55-and-over, the sanctuary was baptismal font, Bishop Checchio and Fais only used in “significant moments of very steep, the lighting was very poor, there was not handicap accessibility for people ther Flanagan processed down the aisles prayer in the Church:” the sacraments of with disabilities, and we had a drop ceiling sprinkling holy water to bless the church baptism and confirmation; ordination of a 2018 LUMEN FOR METUCHEN_Layout 1 1/25/18 PM Page 1 and 12:18 congregation. new priest and new bishop; consecration of that was God awful,” he said.

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a new church and a new altar.

The consecration, he said, “sets the altar apart for sacred use” such as “affecting the sacrament of the holy Eucharist.”

“The altar takes on the person of Christ, that is why we bow to it as we pass by. It is why priests and deacons kiss it.

They kiss Christ.”

In the blessing of the altar, Bishop Checchio poured oil of chrism, also called holy chrism, on it.

Then, members of the parish dried the altar, placed a linen over it and candles were arranged at its four corners. A crucifix and lectionary were the last items placed on it, while parishioners presented flowers that were placed on the floor in front of it. Among those who serve the parish are members of the Sisters of Christian Charity. Father Flanagan said entombed in the new altar was “a prized possession he has had since my youth” — a relic of St. Edward the Confessor and a relic of Blessed Pauline, foundress of the Sisters of Christian Charity.

“The sisters will always be a part of the parish,” he said.

Christine Dranchak, finance director, said the parish has an ongoing memorial campaign — not a fundraiser — to memorialize the objects that were part of the renovation. “Out of 62 memorials we have, 43 have been sold,” she said.

Continued on next page

ing the renovation despite being treated for brain cancer.

“It’s challenging to be a pastor of a parish. It’s a hard job balancing the pastoral needs of the parish, finances, personnel, the list goes on and on,” Bishop Checchio said.

“Most priests don’t want to be involved in renovation projects because they are a pain in the neck even though they turn out beautiful, they add a lot of stress to your life.

Anybody who does all that while facing huge personal crises and steadily steering it, certainly he [Father Flanagan] did it all.

“We are grateful for Father Ed. He is a gift God gave us…keep him in your prayers.”

The congregation responded with a standing ovation.

In his closing remarks, Father Flanagan cited the support of the bishop for the renovation.

“He has called me frequently and I appreciated it. It alleviated my fears and concerns and has moved this project along as quickly as possible,” Father Flanagan said.

At a reception, when asked how he managed to oversee the project despite his illness, Father Flanagan cited “a great staff who had my back.”

“Whenever I ended up going to [Memorial] Sloan Kettering [Cancer Center] for cancer treatment or radiation, the project just continued,” he said. “And Larry Hoy was wonderful to work with. We scheduled appointments around my treatment.”

The reception was held at Father Congdon Hall, where Mass was celebrated with the old altar while the church was being

OUR DIOCESE

The renovation was done by liturgical designer Lawrence Hoy, president of the Westport, Conn.-based Lawrence Hoy Studios, Inc. In addition to his work at parishes, Hoy has created the furnishings for three papal visits to the United States: St. John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

“We are mostly complete in the sanctuary, but still have quite a bit more work in the rear of the church, which will feature six shrines with beautiful walls of votive candles in between as well as new marble and wood sanctuary shrines for Mary and Joseph,” Hoy said. “We will also be installing the new organ speakers in decorative casings in the center of the rear wall of the church.”

New front doors and vestibule stained glass and all remaining details are expected to be completed by Easter (April 12), he added.

Michael Rock, job supervisor for LH Studios at Nativity of Our Lord, said the renovation involved overseeing about 20 businesses or artisans and went “very smoothly.” Among the work was the installation of a terrazzo floor, which includes taking out the old tiles, putting a membrane down, pouring an epoxy on it then chips of marble and more epoxy. The hardened surface is grinded and polished.

Marble from Italy was used to make the altar, baptismal font and floor and columns, he said.

In his closing remarks, Bishop Checchio praised Father Flanagan for oversee-

15

Continued from previous page

The congregation gives Father Edward R. Flanagan, pastor, Nativity of Our Lord Parish, a standing ovation at Mass after Bishop James F. Checchio lauded the efforts of Father Flanagan to renovate the church while battling cancer.

— Mike Ehrmann photos

renovated. The old baptismal font was also moved there.

Nativity of Our Lord Parish serves 1,642 registered families, Father Flanagan said. There are about 225 children registered in its religious education program for first to eighth grade, said Dr. Mary Kay Cullinan, parish catechetical leader and organist.

The parish was established July 7, 1992, by Bishop Edward T. Hughes to meet the needs of a growing Catholic population in that area of Monroe Township. Father Stephen Congdon was the founding pastor.

According to parish archives, its origi-

nal office and adjoining chapel were in the Concordia Shopping Plaza on Perrineville Road. Weekend Masses were held at Applegarth Middle School.

The present church was built on a former potato farm. A solemn Mass of Consecration was celebrated Nov. 21, 1996, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

OUR FAITH

16

Canonizing anti-Semite?/ Gum, Eucharist I know that for some years the Vatican has been studying the cause for sainthood of the French priest Leon Dehon. Will Pope Francis canonize him in spite of that priest's anti-Semitic writings? (Tigard, Oregon)

Q

Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

Question Corner

February 5, 2020

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel, we consider the first of the eight proclamations: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). Matthew’s account, unlike Luke’s, speaks of the “poor in spirit”.

Here “spirit”, recalling the breath of life that God gave to Adam, refers to the most intimate part of our being.

The poor in spirit sense their poverty and dependency on God at this innermost level, whereas the proud of heart regard themselves as self-sufficient, hating whatever reminds them of the fragility of the human condition. To be poor in spirit is to be aware of our frailty, to accept our mistakes and be able to ask forgiveness. This then becomes an occasion of grace leading us to God’s kingdom. In contrast to worldly power, God’s strength is seen in loving mercy. Christ himself shows this by preferring the good of others, even to the point of shedding his blood for us. We will be blessed if we both accept the poverty of our being, and strive to imitate the poverty of Jesus in loving service of our neighbor.

Prayer for a Sick Person Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal me. Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, and help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength.

Touch gently this life, which you have created, now and forever.

Amen.

By Father Kenneth Doyle Father Dehon, who died in 1925, was the founder of the priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1997, he was declared venerable by the Vatican. His beatification had been scheduled for April 24, 2005, but that ceremony was postponed because Pope John Paul II had died just three weeks earlier.

When Pope Benedict XVI was elected, he suspended the beatification process and set up a commission to conduct further studies of Father Dehon's writings. Concern had been expressed, particularly by the archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, about the priest's anti-Semitic rhetoric. (In his 1898 "Social Catechism," Father Dehon wrote that Jewish people "willingly favor all the enemies of the Church.")

A

Soon after Pope Benedict ordered the hold, Father Dehon’s own religious order’s publication Il Regno acknowledged in an editorial that Father Dehon’s writings had at times reflected the “widespread prejudices of the Catholic Church of the 19th century” regarding Jewish people.

In 2015, in off-the-cuff remarks while meeting in Rome with priests of Father Dehon’s congregation, Pope Francis made reference to “the almost-blessed Dehon.” Since that time, I have seen no further information on Father Dehon's cause for sainthood — which makes me think the matter is still on hold.

Speaking to an Italian journal in 2015, Father Jose Carlos Brinon, a Spanish priest who had been charged with promulgating Father Dehon’s cause, said: “Of course I would like to see Leon Dehon beatified, but not at the cost of our friendship with the Jewish people.”

At a recent Mass I attended, I noticed a teenager seated near me who was chewing gum during the Mass. I was not overly alarmed because I have seen other people (of all ages) chew gum at Mass. But I was appalled when I watched that young man parade forward to receive holy Communion while still chewing his gum. Should the priest have refused to give him Communion? (West Linn, Oregon)

Canon law (Canon 919.1) tells Catholics that they are to abstain from all food and drink (with the exception of water or medicine) for at least one hour before receiving holy Communion. The reason, of course, is to remind us how special the Eucharist is, nourishing us for life eternal.

Nowhere does canon law define precisely what constitutes food and what does not.

Some, I suppose, might argue that since sugar-free gum has no nutritional value, it does not qualify. But I would tend to differ; in my mind, gum of any kind profanes the mouth as a receptor for Communion and should be avoided.

As to your question, though, I would not as a priest refuse to give the young man holy Communion. Why take the risk of embarrassing him and having him feel uncomfortable at that church or, perhaps, at any Eucharist?

Why not instead seek him out after Mass and chat with him as to the appropriateness of chewing gum before receiving Communion? And if the problem is as common as you indicate, perhaps an occasional reminder in the church bulletin might help.

Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 30 Columbia Circle Drive, Albany, N.Y. 12203.

tion our decision. Sometimes we turn back.

As individuals who were created by God for a purpose, it is invaluable to examine the varied elements of our lives – our emotions, our beliefs, our wounds, even our possessions, and ask ourselves some very important questions.

In his apostolic exhortation, Christus Vivit, addressed “to young people and to the entire people of God,” Pope Francis enumerates those questions as, “Do I know myself, quite apart from my illusions and emotions?

Do I know what brings joy or sorrow to my heart? What are my strengths and weaknesses? These questions immediately give rise to others: How can I serve people better and prove most helpful to our world and to the Church? What is my real place in this world? What can I offer to society?”

Living in today’s often frenetic and grasping culture, I would also add, “What am I holding on to and why? Is it a positive for me? How would letting go help make my life what it was meant to be?”

Understanding our motivation for our decisions, our action or inaction, requires some soul-searching; often, a lot of soulsearching. But we cannot live our faith with intentionality if we don’t know who we are.

Discovering our unique being and purpose requires discernment.

In Scripture, Job teaches about wisdom by drawing an analogy to the miner who puts an end to darkness by turning over mountains and cutting through rock, who hangs in darkness, away from human

habitation, to mine the precious things of the earth – stones that reveal sapphires and dust which contains gold. “Hidden things they bring to light,” says Job. We, too, must be miners of our spiritual lives, moving past the easy answers of living on the surface so we may uncover wisdom at every level of human existence.

One of the nuggets we are likely to discover is the challenge to let go of all that does not serve us well. Another would be humility.

“Self-knowledge puts us on our knees, and it is very necessary for love,” shared St. Teresa of Calcutta. “For knowledge of God gives love, and knowledge of self gives humility.”

Among the saints the fruitful connection between self-knowledge and humility is well understood.

St. Teresa of Avila was one of these.

In her masterpiece, Interior Castle, written just a few months before her death, this Doctor of the Church shared her mystical insight after spending a lifetime seeking unity with God. She wrote, “Self- knowledge is so important that, even if you were raised right up to the heavens, I should like you never to relax your cultivation of it; so long as we are on this earth, nothing matters more to us than humility.”

Mary Clifford Morrell is the author of "Things My Father Taught Me About Love," and "Let Go and Live: Reclaiming your life by releasing your emotional clutter," both available as ebooks on Amazon.com.

Q

A

Bringing light to those in darkness Years ago, while visiting family in upstate New York, my husband thought it would be a great family outing to visit some wind caves. Unlike the small surface caves I would explore as a child with my dad, it would require descending to some real depths and dark places. I was hesitant but didn’t want to deny my sons the experience.

Things My Father Taught Me

By Mary Morrell I remember holding on for dear life, to railings and other people, as we navigated deeper and deeper into the caves, eventually climbing into small boats that took us across underground waterways to the deepest, darkest part of the caverns. At one point the tour guide turned out all the lights. It was terrifying.

My husband loved it, but he comes from a family of coal miners. While the journey to the deep recesses of the cave was truly amazing, it was one of the most frightening things I ever did and, at times, I questioned the wisdom of my decision to even start the trip.

I think that is how we sometimes feel when we decide to make the journey into self-discovery. When it gets scary, we ques-

17

Prepare for Lenten journey

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE Sun 23 Mon 24 Tues 25 Wed 26 Thurs 27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 1 Mon 2 Tues 3 Wed 4 Thurs 5 Fri 6 Sat 7

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 - SATURDAY, MARCH 7

Lv 19:1-2, 17-18 • Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 • 1 Cor 3:16-23 • Mt 5:38-48 Jas 3:13-18 • Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 • Mk 9:14-29 Jas 4:1-10 • Ps 55:7-8, 9-10a, 10b-11a, 23 • Mk 9:30-37 Jl 2:12-18 • Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14, 17 • 2 Cor 5:20 – 6:2 • Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Dt 30:15-20 • Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 • Lk 9:22-25 Is 58:1-9a • Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 • Mt 9:14-15 Is 58:9b-14 • Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 • Lk 5:27-32 Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 • Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 • Rom 5:12-19 • Mt 4:1-11 Lv 19:1-2, 11-18 • Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15 • Mt 25:31-46 Is 55:10-11 • Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19 • Mk 6:7-15 Jon 3:1-10 • Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 • Lk 11:29-32 Est C: 12, 14-16, 23-25 • Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 • Mt 7:7-12 Ez 18:21-28 • Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8 • Mt 5:20-26 Dt 26:16-19 • Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8 • Mt 5:43-48

Anne Line c. 1565-1601 February 27

Marcin Mazur

Anne is one of three laywomen among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI. Anne Heigham and her brother were disowned by their Protestant father for converting to Catholicism. She married another disinherited convert, Roger Line, who died in exile in Flanders in 1594. Left penniless and always in poor health, Anne began working with Jesuits in London, where she organized and operated safe houses for priests and embroidered vestments. She took voluntary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Within one month, February 1601, she was arrested, tried at the Old Bailey, convicted of hiding a priest, and hanged at Tyburn. Anne is a patron of the childless, widows and converts.

Saints © 2013 Catholic News Service

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                         

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). Jesus is calling his disciples to be Godlike in their goodness to one another, even to those who are their enemies. In the early part of this section, Matthew hints at the progress in human morality that had already occurred – Jesus’ reference to the previous expectation of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” (which was itself already a limitation on toSCRIPTURE STUDY tal revenge meted out to those who had offended), modifies it first to nonviolent resistance to evil, and

By Msgr. John N. Fell then goes further to command actual service to those in need, even if they have offended us. Jesus comThe first reading is taken from the section of the mands his followers to “love your enemies,” explainBook of Leviticus known as the Holiness Code. It ing that this requirement arises from their call to be aims at prescribing more precisely the requirements like God “who makes his sun rise on the bad and the of the Ten Commandments for the people of Israel. good and [who] causes the rain to fall on the just and They are to be like their God, that is, they are to be the unjust” (Mt 5:44b, 45). holy. The Hebrew word for holiness In referring to God’s goodness has at its root the word which means toward the bad and good, the unjust to set apart or to distinguish. Holiness the just, Jesus is making it clear to Jesus is calling and describes the characteristic of behis disciples that they will not be coning like God to the extent that God is his disciples to doning or absolving evil – they are not unique, separate, or distinguished from being called to forgive and do good to be Godlike in his creation. Holiness is mysterious, their enemies because those enemies that is, it is not fully comprehensible to their goodness necessarily deserve it; they are being humanity. called to do good in all cases because to one another, that is what God does. Jesus asks his When humanity comes into the presence of holiness, the effects are followers to respond to others in all even to those both a recognition of God’s awesomecases with the perfection with which ness (fear and trembling) and yet also a God responds to them. In answer to who are their sense of fascination and attraction (we the objection that this is a very difficult enemies. are drawn further toward the ultimate thing to do, Jesus asks, “if you love source of all beauty, truth, and being). those who love you, what recompense God’s holiness manifest to humanity is will you have? Do not the tax collecknown as glory. tors [considered to be public sinners] do the same?”

In this section of Leviticus, the Hebrew people (Mt 5:46). Jesus’ question boils down to an assertion are being exhorted to be like their God, to take on that if his followers were simply to be like everyone his characteristics. Holiness in this sense is bestowed else, to respond with the same moral sensitivity that or enabled by God; they are to take on the attitudes society would deem reasonable, then there was no and follow the example that God has set for them. reason for them to be his followers. He expected The Holiness Code lays this out in a series of chap- more from those who would be called his disciples. ters dealing with every aspect of their lives – being Our readings this Sunday put before us the very holy is not to be found simply in ritual perfection, tough assertion that goodness humanly reasoned out obedience to the law, social interaction, personal is not enough. Our Gospel last Sunday put before us rectitude, or moral observance, but really in all these Jesus’ daunting challenge, “Unless your righteousways. They are called to be holy, Leviticus explains, ness surpasses that of the Pharisees and scribes, you because “I, the Lord, your God, am holy” (Lv 19:2b). cannot enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20). JeIn this Sunday’s pericope, that holiness expressed in sus further ups the ante this week, insisting that his their treatment of others is summed up in the great followers strive to be perfect– to be holy – really, commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” that is — to be Godlike — certainly a daunting but (Lv 19:18b). ultimately fulfilling task during the upcoming Season The reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel (part of Lent. four of our six-week journey through the Sermon Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, on the Mount) expresses a similar command “to be diocesan Office for Priest Personnel Our readings this Sunday help to orient us toward our upcoming Lenten journey as they lay before us the challenging commands from the Old Testament to “be holy” (Lv 19:2b) and from the New “to be perfect” (Mt 5:48). Both the first reading and Gospel go on to delineate some specifics of those commands.

OUR FAITH

Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)

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McAULEY

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Program serves families facing mental health issues

By Debra Stevko Miller Correspondent Caregivers of those suffering from a mental illness receive compassion and patience from the specially educated staff at Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) – a program under the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen umbrella that focuses on improving overall functioning and quality of life for the families and friends of adult individuals living with serious mental health issues.

Located in Bridgewater, this free educational advocacy program serves any resident of Somerset County whose loved one has a mental health diagnosis, and needs some type of assistance. Sixteen other counties in New Jersey also offer the service.

Geared toward families, the service provides various forms of aid including one-on-one consultations, psychoeducation workshops, case management, Monday and Wednesday evening family support groups, guest speakers, respite LuAnn Dias, IFSS service area director for Somerset County and 22 year veteran of opportunities to relax and re-energize, Catholic Charities, pauses for a photo with Brian Rubinstein, IFSS program supervisor.

— Debra Stevko Miller photo and medication education.

“There are so many family members that are just dealing with this on a daily because when you’re in that world of understand and relate to the caregiver is by basis and they don’t realize the amount stress, and dealing with everything, it’s having a part-time peer support specialof stress that they’re living with,” said hard to see the forest for the trees,” says ist share with clients their own personal LuAnn Dias, IFSS service area director Dias. “Brian and his staff can take a more challenges and journey through the IFSS for Somerset County and a 22-year vet- objective look.” program. By hearing how a peer coped, eran of Catholic Charities. “We want to Sometimes, religion is a vital factor caregivers then feel more engaged and offer just a little bit of relief with a little to the caregiver and will be incorporated work past the mental health stigma. The bit of help and support in dealing with into the resources provided. However, peer also helps them navigate through the that.” all denominations and backgrounds are healthcare and benefits system.

An initial call to the welcome to participate in IFSS staff is available every weekoffice will be answered the program. day until 9 p.m., except Friday (5 p.m Consultations

by Brian Rubinstein, “We do assess the closing). Consultations are conducted IFSS program supervisor. importance of spiritual- either in-home or in a community setting. are conducted In his role, he provides ity and the importance of Since it began in August 2018, the procomfort to the caller and what that brings to their gram has welcomed 59 families and 88 either in-home determines how best the core values and how they individuals. or in a comprogram can meet their problem solve,” explains “I think it’s hard for a lot of people to needs. Issues range from Dias. ask for that support,” says Dias. “Just take munity setting. housing for a loved one After six months, that first step, in at least making a phone Since it began who is refusing to take the program outcomes call.” their medications and are reviewed with the D.J. Atwater, a client of the program, in... 2018, the needs a place to stay temcaregiver. If need be, an said, “IFSS has been incredibly helpporarily, to assistance in program has annual assessment is also ful and a tremendous support team for applying for benefits such conducted to determine me. They have reached out to me when welcomed 59 as disability or social seif IFSS services are still I needed help the most and helped me curity. Many caregivers necessary – an important understand my limitations as well as pofamilies and have questions or concomponent of the con- tential as a parent of a mentally ill adult 88 individuals. cerns but aren’t sure what tinuum of care embodied family member. They have reached out to resources are available. by the Catholic Health me and reminded me of various programs “If they need supAssociation. that they offer, educational and inspirport, that’s what we’re here for,” RubinShould a more intensive outpatient ing.” stein says. program be a better fit for a loved one, the The Bridgewater Family Service The staff listens and empathizes SPIRIT (Supportive Partners In Recovery Center, 540 Route 22 East and can be with each client in order to find a solu- and In Treatment) program is also onsite, reached by calling (908) 722-1881. tion. or a referral to an outside provider will be Donations of clothing, gift cards for “You have to think outside the box conveyed. groceries & gas, and non-perishable food on problem-solving for a lot of things Another technique the team uses to items are gladly accepted.

and getting nowhere. Every human Mark 7:20). or inclined. To say it another way, inbeing has a certain amount of potential Of course there are many pas- sofar as they engage reason and will, power, just as every automobile with sions, the principal ones being “love there can be either moral good or evil gas and a battery has a certain amount and hatred, desire and fear, joy, sad- in them. And, as such, “emotions and of possible speed and ness, and anger” (ccc feelings can be taken up into the virenergy. But, if there 1772). However, the tues or perverted by the vices” (ccc is no will — no spark fundamen- 1768).

Most of us see lots “most — the human machine tal passion is love, “Passions are morally good when stands idle. aroused by the attrac- they contribute to a good action, evil of stalled human What is human tion of the good” (ccc in the opposite case” (ccc 1768). When engines all around 1765). As St. Thomas we decide in faith to follow the way will? That spark I

By Father John Gerard Hillier just spoke about is Aquinas put it in his of Jesus Christ, our human feelings us. It is as if there the human will. It is famous “Summa:” “are able to reach their consummation Many of you may recall your excitement the moving agent of are many human “to love is to will in charity and divine beatitude” (ccc as a teenager that the day finally ar- the soul that dwells the good of another” 1769). beings who have rived when you received your “learn- within each human “Moral perfection consists in our (Summa Theologica, ers permit” to drive a car. For me, being. Human will is I-II, 26 4). Almost being moved to the good not by our lots of potential following a meticulous reading of the required, is needed, years earlier, will alone, but also by our sensitive with the God-given 1,000 driving manual from the Department for everything that we St. Augustine, in his appetite (“the heart”), as in the words of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and then do — for getting out work on the Blessed of the psalm: ‘My heart and flesh gifts with which the written test, my next challenge was of bed, for eating, for Trinity, said it this sing for joy to the living God’” (ccc to convince my dad to teach me how to walking, for resting, they have been way: “only the good 1770). The perfection of moral good, actually drive. An empty church park- for working and even can be loved” (De therefore, borrowing from Psalm 84 in blessed, but they ing lot on a Sunday afternoon became for praying or directTrinitate 8, 3, 4). The Sacred Scripture, consists in our bethe initial place where I sat behind the ing our thoughts to are doing nothing Catechism concludes, ing moved to the good not only by our wheel for the first time and began my God. Every healthy “Passions are evil if will, but also by our heart. Thus, my and getting driving lessons. Later, I graduated to a person has the power love is evil and good friends, we must have heart in addition quiet neighborhood with few moving to do these things, but if it is good” (ccc to that needed “spark” if we are to live nowhere. vehicles before moving onto a regular each one of us needs life after the example of Jesus Christ.

1766). thoroughfare. a little spark, a little Father Hillier serves as Director In and of themAfter several months of patient power to get going. selves, “passions are neither good of the Office of the Pontifical Mission preparation, I scheduled an appointThose of us who seek to model nor evil” (ccc 1767). What makes Societies, Censor Librorum and overment for my road test at the DMV. our character after that of Christ have them good or evil is the underlying sees the Office for Persons with DisSoon after getting my official driver’s that spark. We have the desire to be- disposition to which they are directed abilities license, I had the good fortune of hav- come more and more like Jesus. We ing kind neighbors who would often feel drawn to imitate Him and want to lend me their car. On one such occa- be fired up to follow Him, driven to sion, I borrowed my neighbor’s car strive toward everything Christ-like. for a lengthy trip to another friend’s As the Catechism puts it, “human percabin about 100 miles from my home. sons are ordered to beatitude by their When the day arrived, some friends deliberate acts: the passions or feeland I began our journey; and, then it ings they experience can dispose them happened...about 70 miles into our to it and contribute to it” (ccc 1762). trip, the engine stalled. Although I What is this beatitude to which had filled the gas tank and had a fully we are ordered? It is supreme blessedcharged battery, we did not move an ness that comes from God. What are inch. Lifting up the bonnet (that’s the passions? “Feelings or passions what we used to call the hood of the are emotions or movements of the with the Missionaries of the Most holy eucharist car), we discovered that the spark sensitive appetite (“the heart”) that inplugs were the problem. There was cline us to act or not to act in regard to no electrical spark to cause the gas something felt or imagined to be good to generate power in the engine. As a or evil” (ccc 1763). Passions “form Join the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist as we result, the car failed to run. the passageway and ensure the contravel from New York to the village of Medjugorje in Most of us see lots of stalled hu- nection between the life of the senses Bosnia Herzegovina. Holy Mass will be offered daily with man engines all around us. It is as if and the life of the mind” (ccc 1764). there are many human beings who In the Gospel of St. Mark, Jesus calls Reconciliation, meditation, spiritual direction, healing have lots of potential with the God- our hearts the source from which the prayer, adoration and evening services at St. James Church. given gifts with which they have been passions originate: “what comes out We will visit the Divine Mercy Chapel and surrounding Family Care Placement, blessed, but they are doing nothing of a person; that is what defiles” (see communities of Cenacolo, Oasis of Peace and Mothers Village

Journey of Faith

FAITH ALIVE

Article 134 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1762 -1770

19

Modeling character after Christ ignites inner spark

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje MAY 26 – juNe ju 5, 2020

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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20 OUR DIOCESE

OBITUARIES William H. Honeker, Sr., 82 of Brick, the father of Jennifer A. Ruggiero, secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family and Pastoral Life, died Jan. 25 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born in East Orange Nov. 1, 1937, the son of Richard and Josephine Honeker. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957.

Along with Joyce, his wife of 55 years, he moved to Brick in 1960, where they raised their family.

Bill operated a successful painting and wallcovering business for many years and was also a skilled craftsman. He loved working on projects to create a beautiful home for his family.

Bill was an avid New York Jets fan and loved the many dogs he and Joyce had over the years.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Richard, son, Joseph and, his wife Joyce.

Surviving are his son and his wife, William Honeker, Jr. (Diane) of Leonardo; his daughter and her husband, Jennifer Ruggiero (Frank) of Iselin; his daughter in law, Karen Honeker, of Toms River; and his grandson (adopted son), and his wife, William Honeker III (Jennifer) of Jackson; his sister, Elizabeth McCormack of Fitchburg, Mass.; his sister-in-law Claire, Honeker, of Brookside; his brother, Charles, of Naples, Fla.; his sister-in-law and her husband, Joan LeonardMaglione (Steve) of Toms River; his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, Toms River. Interment was at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River.

Arrangements were handled by Weatherhead Young Funeral Home, Brick.

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These Masses are offered for all the deceased in the cemeteries. For more information, contact the diocesan Cemetery Office at (732) 4631424.

Rev. Robert L. Weil March 24, 2001

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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AROUND THE DIOCESE

OUR DIOCESE

Prayer and Worship

March 1, 4 p.m. - All are invited to attend a Holy Hour with Rosary and Benediction to pray for priests and vocations on the first Sunday of the month at the Carmelite Monastery, 26 Harmony School Rd., Flemington.

March 6 - Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, South Plainfield, will hold Eucharistic Adoration on the first Friday of every month after the 8 a.m. Mass to 11:30 a.m.

For information, call (908) 756-1333.

March 6, 10 a.m. and March 7, 10:30 a.m.

– Blue Army Shrine, Washington, will hold First Friday and First Saturday Reparation. Each day will include confession, a Rosary Procession, Mass, Exposition and

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Blood Drives

Benediction. Divine Mercy Chaplet and a talk at the Holy House will be held on March 7. For details, call (908) 689-1700, ext. 224 or visit www.bluearmy.com.

Breakfasts

March 1, 8 a.m. to noon – St. Bernadette Council, Knights of Columbus, Parlin, is sponsoring a pancake breakfast in Odea Hall. All are welcome.

Lenten Fish Dinners

Feb. 28, 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. – St. James Council 2393, Knights of Columbus, Basking Ridge, invites all to a Lenten Fish Dinner. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children. To purchase tickets, call (908) 251-0048.

Concerts

March 20, 7:30 p.m. – Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, will host the Caritas Chamber Chorale performing “Into your Hands” a Lenten concert of sacred music. Works will include Faure Requiem, Gesualdo’s “O vos omnes,” Trotta’s “Into your Hands” and others. The concert will benefit the Adorno Fathers’ Caracciolo Mission in the Congo. A free will offering will be collected. Other concerts will be performed on March 21, 6 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Lambertville and March 22, 3 p.m. at St. Andrew Parish, Avenel. For details, call (732) 718-0775 or email www.caritaschamberchorale.org.

March 1, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station, will hold a blood drive. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. For information, call the church office, (908) 534-2319.

Special Events

March 21-22 and March 28-29 – Sacred Heart Rosary Society, South Amboy, will be selling Palm Crosses in front of Memorial Hall before and after all Masses.

The cost is $8 for one and $15 for two.

Special Programs

April 24-26 – Worldwide Marriage Encounter of Central New Jersey will present a weekend of enrichment. The weekend will give you time and tools to revitalize romance, communication and spirituality in your marriage. Space is limited. For details or reservations, call (732) 904-9636 or visit www.aweekendforyourmarriage. org by April 10.

Support Programs

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen is offering Counseling and wellness Services. If you or someone you know needs counseling or is impacted by addiction, we can help. Individual and family therapy for children and adults is available.

For an appointment, call (800) 655-9491.

Feb. 25, 7 to 9 p.m. – Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will present a men’s group entitled “Man to Man.” The

evening will feature life affirming discussion and prayer to find God in your life and how to make a difference in the world.

A free-will offering will be collected. For information, call (908) 753-2091 or visit www.msmhope.org.

Members Needed

Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, will host the Circle of Friends monthly meeting in the parish center. The group was developed for Catholic, widowed men and women. The meetings are informal and will feature a speaker and refreshments. The group meets September through June on the third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. New members are welcome. For information, call Alicia Conklin, (908) 393-4088.

The Father Capodanno Catholic War Veteran Post will meet at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the parish center. The veteran organization is dedicated to nourishing veterans in their love for country, family and the Catholic faith. You don’t have to be a War Veteran, just a Veteran to join. New members are welcome. For details, contact Al Kosiarski, (908)782-7662 Ext.159 or email, al@fdsnj.com.

Book Clubs

Corpus Christi Parish, South River, will hold a book club studying books on Catholic spirituality and the impact of technology on the first Tuesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. The club will meet at the South River Public Library in the Meeting Room.

All are welcome.

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St. John the Evangelist

Eucharistic Adoration is now being held in the chapel at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. Adorers and intercessors are needed Monday through Friday 9 to 11:45 a.m. Daily Mass is held at 11:45 a.m. For information or to volunteer, call Laura Riccardi, (609) 578-0841. To submit a prayer request, call (732) 765-6445.

PARISH SECRETARY

The Pontifical Mission Office offers Mass Cards, Perpetual Masses and Gregorian Mass for the Living and Deceased. The suggested offering is from $5 to $300. To purchase a card, contact (732) 2434580 or email pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org.

March

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Wednesdays Catholic Prayer and Support Group for Families Affected by Mental Health Issues, Office for Persons with Disabilities, 10 a.m., the first Wednesday of each month, St. Patrick Parish Church, Belvidere. The facilitator will be Elaine Eckard. For information, call (732) 765-6432 or email catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

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Thursdays Catholic Prayer and Support Group for Families Affected by Mental Health Issues, Office for Persons with Disabilities, 10 a.m., the first Thursday of each month at Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville, in the Talbot Room. The facilitator will be Elaine Eckard. For information, call (732) 765-6432 or email catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

3/8 Holy Hour for Priests, Office for Priest Personnel, 3 p.m. St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. All are welcome. For information, email priest.personnel@diometuchen.org.

Wednesdays, beginning 3/11 Adult Enrichment Classes, Office of Adult Faith Formation, 4-week course, 10 to 11:15 a.m., St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The topic will be Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. The class will explore Chapters 5-7 of Matthew’s gospel. The class is free. Registration is required. To register, visit, https://diometuchen.org/faith-formation. For information, call Angela Marshall, amarshall@diometuchen.org or call (732) 562-1543.

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FREELANCE WRITERS

The Catholic Spirit, official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, is seeking freelance reporters to cover events and programs in the diocese.

Ability to take good photos a plus.

Email resume and writing samples to: news@ catholicspirit.com

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SHIFTS AVAILABLE - 7-3:30, 3-11:30, 11-7 Several Sources Shelters, a non-profit nonsectarian shelter for pregnant women is seeking kind, compassionate individuals, willing to serve God through those we help.

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BUSINESS MANAGER/BOOKKEEPER PART TIME

The Catholic Church of St. Ann & St. Ann School in Raritan is looking for a part time Business Manager/Bookkeeper.

Days/hours can be flexible.

Job duties include, but are not limited to: • Collection and deposit reconciliation • Accounts payable • Payroll • Mass Stipend reconciliation • Vendor management The ideal candidate will have bookkeeping experience in a parish setting, preferably in the Diocese of Metuchen.

Proficiency with QuickBooks required.

We are also looking for someone who adheres to the highest moral and ethical standards and can interact effectively with the various constituencies. Hourly wage dependent upon experience.

Please send resume and cover letter to: rstevens@stannparish.com NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

PARISH SECRETARY St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen, is seeking a part-time parish secretary, Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Applicants must have good communication and organizational skills, be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel programs. Familiarity with ParishSOFT is a plus, but must be willing to learn.

Duties include maintaining accurate parish records, answering telephones and taking messages as needed. Daily functions also include arranging Mass intentions, sponsor eligibility certificates and arranging baptisms, weddings and funerals.

Applicants must be able to work collaboratively with parish community and staff.

Interested applicants are invited to send a resume by email to: akariuki@diometuchen.org. No phone calls will be accepted.

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE Youth Ministry

Corpus Christi Church, Chatham Township, NJ, is seeking a Pastoral Associate for Youth Ministry. Responsible for developing and providing a comfortable environment for youth and young adults in which Catholic worship, evangelization, leadership, informal catechesis, service and community building take place. Invites and empowers youth to be involved and take leadership in each of these areas through various ministries within the parish and beyond. Coordinates the High School Religious Ed. and Confirmation programs.

Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing. Undergraduate degree or certificate in youth ministry. Minimum of 3 years experience in youth ministry. Preference given to those experienced in social media.

Salary commensurate with degree and experience. Excellent benefits.

Position available in May 2020.

Contact Roseann McDonough at rmcdonough@corpuschristi.org or mail to: Corpus Christi Parish, 234 Southern Blvd., Chatham, NJ 07928

WANTED: DIGITAL, SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR The Diocese of Trenton is seeking a full-time Digital/Social Media Coordinator to support the work and mission of the Office of Communications and Media. This individual will be responsible for generating online content for and maintaining diocesan web properties; developing and executing social media strategy; and helping to serve the Diocese’s media relations needs. The DSMC will also contribute to the work of the Diocese’s news agency, The Monitor, providing reporting, photography, web updating and page production.

Among the DSMC’s duties is to curate content and update all aspects of the diocesan website. The DSMC will produce multimedia elements for digital publication, and conduct live social media coverage of major diocesan events. The DSMC will mentor and assist other diocesan staff in support of initiatives and projects.

This position requires some nights and weekends for meetings in the field, or to conduct workshops or cover events. The DSMC will also be required to provide some administrative functions, such as answering phones and emails, dispatching press releases and responding to members of our community in need of assistance.

Candidates must have the following QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Web Design, Digital Media, Web Development or equivalent, plus three or more years related experience and/or training.

• Thorough and updated knowledge of Catholic doctrine and culture.

• Proficiency in developing and maintaining a Website using a content management system; • Functional knowledge of HTML/CSS, web analytics and SEO. • Work experience in public relations, online marketing, message development, implementation planning and execution preferred.

• Excellent writing, grammar and proofreading skills necessary.

• Knowledge of social media communities and tools, with a solid understanding of how to drive audience engagement within online social networks. Ability to identify threats and opportunities in online user-generated content.

• Basic Photoshop, sound and video editing experience and familiarity with design and publishing software required. Must also be proficient with MS Office suite.

• Ability to work under limited supervision and work collaboratively with other staff and departments.

No telephone calls will be accepted. Please submit your résumé along with two professional references and one personal reference, and your salary requirements to: Angela Gitto, Director of Human Resources Diocese of Trenton, P. O. Box 5147, Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 OR Fax: (609) 406-7450 • E-mail: agitto@dioceseoftrenton.org

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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OUR DIOCESE

February

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DIOCESAN EVENTS

FEBRUARY 20, 2020

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

OUR DIOCESE

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