October 31, 2019

Bereavement section offers spiritual support, list of parish ministries for grieving, pages 13 to 19

Spirit atholic C THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

OCTOBER 31, 2019 • VOL. 24 NO. 19 • $2.00

Bishop James F. Checchio, front row, center, poses with priests from the diocese at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, after he presided at Mass. The liturgy was celebrated during the annual three-day priest convocation.

— John Batkowski photo

Bishop, priests from diocese gather at annual event for prayer, fellowship

By Deacon Patrick Cline SPRING LAKE — Each year the priests of the diocese gather with their shepherd, Bishop James F. Checchio, for three days of prayer, celebration, study and fellow-

ship. The convocation provides them an opportunity to step away from their daily life and activities in their parishes and ministries, and to spend time with the Lord and each other.

While the convocation, held Oct.

8-10, was not intended as a retreat, it had a strong focus on the spiritual, with ample time for prayer, reflection, and Eucharistic adoration. Bishop Checchio presided at Mass for the clergy at St. Catharine Church.

During one session at the convocation, the bishop updated the priests on events and activities occurring within the diocese and answered questions they raised. A keynote speaker, and a dinner Continued on page 10

INSIDE Perspectives Our Faith

Community Servants

4 24-25

Around the Diocese

30

Diocesan Events

31

Classifieds

31

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen honors ‘Champions’...22-23 This issue was mailed on October 29 Your next issue will be November 14

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Giving thanks for priests who serve faithful, Church

UP FRONT

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Bishop James Checchio While shepherding a diocese calls for the commitment of bishop, clergy, religious and the lay faithful, Church theology and the law of the Church teaches that the priests of the diocese are the primary collaborators of the bishop in his role as Chief Shepherd. So, during my past three and a half years here in Metuchen, I have come to know our priests and have grown to love and admire them.

One of the times I most enjoy being with our priests is at our annual convocation, which was held recently. Every year, we spend three days together in prayer and fellowship, while having a speaker come in to give us some food for thought. We had the largest number of priests attend the convocation this year.

I think in part it was because we are in such a difficult time of purification for our beloved Church and its priests. While clearly the survivors and families of horribly abusive acts have suffered the most, the rest of the members of our Church, as well as our priests, religious and deacons have been affected, too. This year’s gathering of our priests was a moment to be together and recommit ourselves to laying down our lives in service of our faithful and examining how we can best accomplish this in the present circum-

stances we find ourselves.

Appropriately, our Gospel for one of the Masses at our gathering came from the end of Jesus’ Last Supper with His Apostles. Even at this sacred moment, St. Luke told us about the Apostles getting into an argument about who is the greatest amongst themselves. Of course, Jesus redirects the whole conversation to center it on what they should be arguing about, how to serve better. It is wonderful that the Gospel writers did not sanitize the Gospels, but even the Apostles are shown to us as real men, with disagreements among themselves and sin; the Apostles are very much like us. This Gospel was a great reminder for us that God uses flawed people and our limited talents and gifts for His own purposes, and He can make such great things out of them, if we are open to His redirection and correction in our lives.

How we must listen to God in our daily personal prayer and Mass. Being with so many of our priests at the convocation, I could not help but call to mind the many great things God has done in His vineyard of Metuchen, through so many of our priests and their sacred ministry.

That is something for which we should be truly grateful.

As your Shepherd, I have witnessed firsthand, and heard often from our people, about the great things God has accomplished through our priests, and that fills my heart with gratitude and great hope and joy. At our convocation I thanked our priests for their ongoing commitment to offer their lives, their laying down of their own lives, in service of Christ and His Church in Metuchen.

I asked them to renew themselves daily

Correction

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

In a story on page 10 of the Oct. 17 edition of “The Catholic Spirit,” it should have read a Mass a Commemoration was celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church.

In a story on pages 3 and 9 in the Oct. 3 edition of “The Catholic Spirit” and on pages 2 and 3 of the latest online edition of “El Manantial,” John Batkowski should have received credit for taking the photos at the Hispanic Heritage Mass.

Catholic Spirit THE

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

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in personal prayer and the prayer of the Church, so that we are truly listening to God who will guide our sacred ministry and redirect us when necessary. I am so grateful, too, for the fruits of my prayer that helps to nourish, sustain and direct me. Mother Teresa used to say, prayer is like air to the lungs, it keeps us alive in God. How right this blessed woman was!

During our priests gathering we also talked about how this has not been an easy year for our diocese, our Church, nor for any of us. It would be easy to recoil a bit in the midst of all the bad news, but that is not the message of the Gospel, nor our Lord’s way. Jesus’ shining moment was on Calvary, and it led to His glorious resurrection. Again, God can use every situation, even evil ones, and can make good things happen, to accomplish His plan.

I have wondered many days and nights in my own prayer what His plan could be as we go forward. In the end, I have no idea. But I submit to Him each day. I am humbled and grateful that He has called me to be a priest and now a bishop, and He has called me here to serve the people of Metuchen: its lay people, its priests, deacons and those in consecrated life. I am to work to provide healing, to continue to share His Good News.

As I thank God for His gift of priesthood to us, and specifically for our

priests here in the Metuchen Diocese, I also thank Him for you and all who assist us priests in our ministry. It is a blessing that so many of you are involved in leading or being involved in so many different activities in our parishes and different apostolates.

I also have experienced how God has spoken to me through those in consecrated life, our lay faithful and deacons.

I have heard him guide me through my spiritual director, my confessor, priest friends, family; all of whom have been blessings to me, and I know they are to our priests too.

God has truly done beautiful things through our priests as they strive to serve you and this local Church. Our convocation was a time to thank God for using our priests as His instruments as we strive to use whatever He has blessed us with, to love and serve Him, you and one another, making God more present in our world. I ask for your prayers for me and our priests, that we may be the priests God has called us to be, and which you deserve and need.

God bless you and as always be assured of my prayers for you, even as I am asking for your prayers.

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

The Bishop’s Schedule Nov. 1 10 a.m. Mass with Immaculate Conception School and Immaculata High School, Somerville Nov. 2 8:30 a.m. Choices Matter – A Critical Life Issues Conference at Rutgers Catholic Student Center; Mass at St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick Nov. 2 5:30 p.m. Mass of Installation of Pastor at Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick Nov. 2 7 p.m. Saint Joseph High School’s Green Tie Gala, The Heldrich, New Brunswick Nov. 3 11 a.m. Ordination of Brother Ignacio Nayao Cogollodo, SDV to the Transitional Diaconate at St. Cecelia Parish, Iselin Nov. 3 3 p.m. Farewell Mass for Archbishop Auza with the Filipino Community at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen Nov. 5 4:30 p.m. Confirmation at St. Lawrence Parish, Laurence Harbor Nov. 6 9 a.m. Veterans Day Assembly at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Sayreville Nov. 6 6 p.m. Hope through Education Fall Social at the Pluckemin Inn Nov. 9 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations Meeting, Baltimore – private event Nov. 9 5:30 to 8 p.m. National Catholic Bioethics Center Board Meeting, Baltimore – private event Nov. 10 4 to 6 p.m. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Board Meeting, Baltimore – private event Nov. 11-14 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops General Sessions, Baltimore, MD Nov. 11 7:30 a.m. Janiculum Hill Foundation Board Meeting, Baltimore – private event Nov. 11 6 to 9 p.m. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations Meeting, Baltimore – private event Nov. 14 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Day of Recollection, Baltimore – private event Nov. 15 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Confirmation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bernardsville Nov. 16 5:30 p.m. Mass at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Hackettstown Nov. 17 8 a.m. Mass at St. Theodore Parish, Port Murray Nov. 17 10 a.m. Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Great Meadows For updates on Bishop Checchio's schedule visit: http://diometuchen.org/bishop/schedule

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Image Week

of the

CATHOLIC CHARITIES REAPS ‘HARVEST OF HOPE' IN DIOCESE

By Christina Leslie Correspondent NEW BRUNSWICK — “Thanks for giving the witness some of you have done for decades,” said Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan to the medical personnel and supporters of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, seated before him. “Let’s use this gathering … as a catapult for the next chapter.”

Msgr. Kerrigan, pastor, Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick, was one of the keynote speakers at the Harvest of Hope dinner hosted by the Diocese of

Last issue's image...

The image, which was featured on page 3 of the October 17 issue of The Catholic Spirit, can be found at St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield.

The winner is...

Mary Cummins, parishioner at St. Joseph, North Plainfield.

OCTOBER 31, 2019

To be a winner, you must call (732) 562-2424 after 9 a.m. Monday.

The first caller to correctly identify the image and its location will receive a one year subscription, renewal or gift subscription to The Catholic Spirit. Those who correctly identify an image are not eligible to take another guess for 90 days.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Peggy Foley, director, St. James Food Pantry, Woodbridge, holds a $2,500 Operation Rice Bowl grant and certificate.

Metuchen’s Catholic Charities Solidar- Above, Msgr. Joseph J. Kerrigan, pastor, ity Team, Oct. 10. Held at the Sister Holy Family Parish, New Brunswick, and Marie de Pazzi Conference Center, former director of the Catholic Charities Saint Peter’s University Hospital, the Solidarity Team, was one of three guest event aims to broaden awareness of the speakers at the Harvest of Hope Dinner.

— Mike Ehrmann photos group’s works locally and internationally, and show appreciation to the annual Operation Rice Bowl donors. its to the Guatemalan diocese to modMsgr. Kerrigan, former director of ernize its healthcare and environment. the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team Patel, noting the region’s high inand visitor to Guatemala on numerous fant and mother mortality rates, determercy missions, expressed gratitude mined to create access to medical care for all the work performed in the Cen- and improve healthcare infrastructure. tral American country’s “We were ambitious,” he diocese of Santa Rosa by admitted, but creating and medical personnel and educating an in-country Creating and others. medical team, including “We believe, through local midwives, helped educating an faith, that our world is save the lives of mothers in-country going somewhere great,” and their babies.

Msgr. Kerrigan said. “I Jaipersaud shared medical team, am here tonight because I details about the success believe the way I express of the October 2018 Guaincluding Jesus’ salvation is by extemala water project to local midwives, tending that overflowing restore water to a small love and mercy to the one village. The village’s helped save in need. That gives hope well, which was origithe lives of to all of us.” nally drilled in 2005, had Dr. Bipin Patel, run dry. mothers and chairman of pediatrics at Msgr. Kerrigan oftheir babies.

Saint Peter’s University fered ways Catholics Hospital, and David R. might fortify their minisJaipersaud, administratry and give them a sense tive director of pediatrics of direction with the ones at the diocesan-sponsored facility, pre- they serve — renunciation of evil, resented testimony and photos to show the pentance of passivity and radicality of strides taken by Catholic Charities and faith. hospital personnel during extended visContinued on page 6

SPECIAL FEATURE

Where in the diocese can it be found?

4 PERSPECTIVES

Truth behind triduum of Halloween, All Saints, All Souls Body & Soul

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, STD I recently heard a marketing expert explain how Halloween is one of the biggest consumer holidays of the calendar year. Many people love this day and decorate for it a month or more in advance of Oct. 31. In fact, it seems that, apart from Christmas, Americans spend more money on Halloween, tricks and treats, decorations and costumes, than any other holiday. Why this fascination with zombies (bodies without souls), ghosts (souls without bodies), tombstones, witches, wizards, monsters, animated pumpkins and scarecrows?

Some sociologists allege that the reason for America’s growing fascination with the macabre, the occult and the dead is rooted in the erroneous notion that Halloween is a secular holiday. It is divorced from anything to do with family

life, race, creed or sexual orientation. graves, cause pranks and possibly ruin Nothing could be further from the the harvest. To ward off these annoying truth, at least the part that asserts Hal- spirits, the Celts wore costumes, usually loween is a purely secumade of animal heads and lar holiday. Perhaps in skins. They built a bonfire . . . America’s some circles, this is true and paraded around the but not the origins of cemeteries of their dead growing Halloween, which takes until sunrise on Nov. 1. us back more than 2,000 By the year 800, the fascination years ago to a tribe called land of the Celts was now . . . with the the “Celts” that inhabited Christian. Pope Boniface all of Ireland, most of IV took the pagan New macabre . . . the British Isles and part Year feast of Nov. 1 and is rooted in of France. The Celts celgave it a new name and ebrated the beginning of a sacred meaning as the the erroneous the new year on Nov. 1.

Feast of All the Saints or This day symbolized the “All Hallows,” as it was notion that end of summer and the called in Ireland. This Halloween is a onset of winter. It was was a time to honor all the time of the harvest. the saints and angels. The secular holiday.

Celts believed that on night before, Oct. 31, forNew Year’s Eve, Oct. merly the pagan feast of 31, the ghosts of the dead could roam Samhain was now known as “All Halthe land from sundown on Oct. 31 until lows Eve” and eventually, “Halloween.” sunrise on Nov. 1. On Samhain, as this Two hundred years later, that Nov. 2 night was called, it was believed that the was set aside as All Souls Day, a time to ghosts of the dead would rise from their honor the dead. It was celebrated almost

like the pagan feast of Samhain, with big bonfires and parades, but now the people would no longer wear costumes made of animal heads and skins; rather, superstitious that the ghosts of their dead could still cause trouble for the living, they now dressed as saints and angels.

Like their pagan predecessors, the Celts, they still built a huge bonfire to show light was stronger than darkness and, like the Celts, they would parade through the cemeteries at night on Halloween, dressed as saints and angels. Why? They believed that if any evil spirits were lurking around the resting place of their deceased loved ones, on the night of Oct. 31, one look at these saints and angels, honored on Nov. 1, would scare off these un-welcomed intruders — and the living could now prepare to honor their dead without fear on Nov. 2.

What do the triduum of Halloween, All Saints and All Souls have in common? All the characters in each of these days are all God’s children!

Father Comandini is managing editor of The Catholic Spirit.

Life God has entrusted to us is not ours to end Recently, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that suicide rates among American teenagers increased by an alarming 56 percent in the last 10 years. Sadly, suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 24 and is considered a public health crisis.

Thoughts On Life

OCTOBER 31, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

By Jennifer Ruggiero Paradoxically, measures to legalize physician-assisted suicide continue to be introduced across the nation and New Jersey recently became the eighth state to enact a law enabling terminally ill adult residents to request a lethal prescription to end their lives. Last week, a woman suffering from lung cancer chose to end her life, making her one of the first New Jerseyans to make use of the new law.

Meet Luke Maxwell. When Luke was 16 years old he felt alone and un-

How to report abuse

wanted. After suffering for more than four years with undiagnosed Major Depressive Disorder, he attempted suicide by crashing his car at a high rate of speed. Luke survived and soon learned that he could be treated for his depression. After several years of treatment and healing, he now devotes his life to empowering others to recognize, overcome and be unashamed of their mental health challenges. Luke often talks about how his depression tricked him into thinking that suicide was his only way out.

When asked about physicianassisted suicide laws, Luke reflects: “When someone is standing on the ledge getting ready to jump, your natural response is to reach out and pull that person in. The message with assisted suicide is – go ahead and jump. Giving the person the means to kill themselves is giving them a nudge.”

Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at the University of California and an expert on the problem of suicide, recently wrote to the American Medical Association stating: “The desire to end one’s life, or the

If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to law enforcement and/or by contacting the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week).

For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: https://diometuchen.org/report-a-suspected-abuse.

request for assisted suicide, is nearly always a cry for help… indicating that something in the patient’s situation (medical, psychological, or social) is not adequately being attended to – an untreated clinical depression, fear or anxiety about the future or about one’s medical condition, untreated or undertreated pain, family or relationship strain or conflict, and so on.

Well-replicated research demonstrates that 80 to 90 percent of suicides are associated with clinical depression or other treatable mental disorders, including for individuals at the endof-life and individuals with a terminal condition. Yet alarmingly, according to the Oregon Health Department’s annual report, only 5 percent of the individuals who have died by assisted suicide under Oregon’s law were referred for psychiatric evaluation – and this number is decreasing every year.

Considering what we know about suicide risk factors, this constitutes medical negligence.”

Assisted suicide laws send the mixed message that under difficult circumstances, some lives are not worth living. Unfortunately, this is a message that will be heard not only by terminally ill individuals, but by all vulnerable persons who are tempted to take their own lives. Who is to say that a woman battling cancer is suffering more or less pain than a teenager crippled by depression? In fact, studies in Oregon and Washington show a causal link between the legalization of assisted suicide and an increase in overall suicides

in both states. Simply put: you don’t discourage suicide by assisting suicide.

Every suicide is tragic. Young or old, healthy or sick, all human life is precious. As Catholics, we believe that all life is a gift from God and that every person has inherent and inalienable dignity because we are made in God’s image and likeness. Based on this teaching and concern for human life and the common good, the Catholic Church does not support suicide in any form, including physician assisted suicide. “We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2280).

As faith communities, our parishes can play a role in helping to prevent suicide by providing strong social connections, a sense of belonging, purpose and hopefulness. We can offer spiritual support and a loving presence to those who are sick or near dying. Even just offering prayers during Mass for people who are facing a terminal illness or suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness can make a big difference to those who are struggling.

Most importantly, for those feeling unloved, unwanted and/or that they are a burden, we can remind them that God loves them more than they can ever imagine — beyond all measure — and that death will not triumph over life.

If you or someone you know needs help call the suicide helpline at (800) 273-8255 or visit: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

5

Compiled from the Catholic News Service

Laity seen as keys to evangelizing indigenous

Warring faiths gather to build bridges to peace

Brazilian Bishop Wilmar Santin of Itaituba speaks at a press briefing following a session of the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the Vatican Oct. 10. Also pictured is Cristiane Murray, vice director of the Vatican Press Office.

BANGUI, Central African Republic — Christians and Muslims in Central African Republic are gathering in community halls to talk about their traumas and find ways of healing after six years of violence. With thousands of people killed and almost 1 million of the country’s 4.6 million people displaced in the past six years, trauma is rampant throughout the former French colony, said Samuel Phelps of Catholic Relief Services. In February, more than a dozen armed groups signed a peace deal with the government. An armed movement drawn from the Muslim minority took power in the majority Christian country in 2013 before being overthrown by mainly Christian militias. Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities.

Trauma-healing workshops for victims of attacks or people who have witnessed

— CNS photo/Junno Arocho Esteves

VATICAN CITY — Lay men and women involved in ministry have been fundamental in spreading the Gospel and furthering the Catholic Church’s mission in the Amazon, a Brazilian bishop said. Bishop Wilmar Santin of Itaituba, told journalists Oct. 10 that the formation of “ministers of the word” among the Munduruku indigenous community in his prelature helped advance the Church’s mission and presence. The bishop said he was inspired to begin a permanent diaconate formation program for the indigenous community after attending a meeting with Cardinal

Claudio Hummes, relator general of the synod, in Manaus, Brazil. The cardinal had said that “Pope Francis told him he has a dream of seeing that every village has its own indigenous priest. They spoke about the difficulties and the pope said, ‘Begin with what the Church already allows: the permanent diaconate,’” the bishop recalled. “When I heard this,” he said, “I thought about it and said, ‘I’m going to start.’” He began a diaconate program for the indigenous community as well as formation programs for extraordinary ministers of holy Communion and lectors.

Faithful share stories of newly canonized saints

Muslims and Christians take part in a trauma-healing workshop run by Catholic Relief Services and partners in Boda, Central African Republic, Sept. 13.

— CNS photo/Sam Phelps, courtesy CRS

atrocities are run by CRS and partners as part of efforts to build social cohesion, said Phelps, CRS’ regional information officer for central Africa. CRS is the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency. “We want to bring divided communities together again,” Phelps said, noting that an interfaith forum is trying to reunite people of different faiths. Leaders of the bishops’ conference, the Evangelical Alliance and the Islamic Community support each other and “travel around the country arm in arm, talking about the importance of community,” he said.

Panel of U.S. bishops discuss capital punishment

Banners showing new Sts. Giuseppina Vannini and John Henry Newman hang from the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica as Pope Francis celebrates the canonization Mass for five new saints in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Oct. 13.

—CNS photo/Paul Haring

most of the attention was on St. John Henry Newman, the theologian, poet and cardinal who lived from 1801 to 1890. The three others canonized Oct. 13 were St. Marguerite Bays, a laywoman from Switzerland known for her service to the poor; St. Giuseppina Vannini, an Italian who cofounded the Daughters of St. Camillus; and St. Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, the Indian founder of the Congregation of the Holy Family

WASHINGTON — The Catholic Church’s opposition to the death penalty stems from its view on the sacredness of human life and the value of mercy, said U.S. bishops in a roundtable discussion about capital punishment Oct. 10. The discussion, which was livestreamed by Catholic News Service, took place on the World Day Against the Death Penalty and highlighted not only the consistency of church teaching against capital punishment but also what Catholics could do to learn more about what the Catholic Church has to say on this issue.

The panelists were Archbishops Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida. Bishop Dewane is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Archbishop Coakley is its chairman-elect. “The death penalty is wrong, I believe, in many different ways,” but particularly because it is “coarsening society,” said Archbishop Coakley, who stressed that capital punishment is “not a way forward” and instead is compounding the violence already present in this country. When the bishops were asked how opposition to the death penalty

Catholic News Service reporter Carol Zimmermann moderates a roundtable on the death penalty at the headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington Oct. 10. Pictured are: Archbishops Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City and Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Fla. — CNS photo/Bob Roller

can be seen as a pro-life issue, Archbishop Gregory said: “It makes us violent to do violence against another human being” whether that person is waiting to be born, has reached the end of life or has committed a serious crime. They all “belong to God’s creation,” he said.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican hung banners of the Catholic Church’s newly canonized saints four days before the Mass that would officially recognize that they are in heaven with God. While the hanging of the banners Oct. 10 did not coincide with the Mass, it did coincide with the kickoff of exhibits, conferences, prayer vigils and other celebrations focused on the new saints from Brazil, England, India, Italy and Switzerland. For the dozens of Brazilians at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, most of the attention was on St. Maria Rita Lopes Pontes, popularly known as Sister Dulce. Born in 1914, she was a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and founded the first Catholic workers’ organization in the state of Bahia, started a health clinic for poor workers and opened a school for working families. She created a hospital, an orphanage and care centers for the elderly and disabled and became known as “the mother of the poor.”

St. John Paul II, who called her work “an example for humanity,’’ met her in 1980 during his first trip to Brazil and, returning in 1991, he visited her in the hospital. She died in 1992 at the age of 77 with tens of thousands attending her funeral and even more gathering for her beatification in 2011. Among English-speakers, though,

WORLD & NATION

WORLD & NATION

6 OUR DIOCESE

Catholic Charities honors top 10 contributors to relief organization Continued from page 3 “You can’t play nice,” he warned. “You must make a decisive break with things that are bad or broken, that prevent us from living in oneness with God. Repentance of silence and going along is powerful in combination with this renunciation. Stop trying to fit in and be what we originally were: people of The Way.” Quoting Trappist monk and theologian Thomas Merton, Msgr. Kerrigan continued, “‘A monk is a person who keeps himself alive by daily contact with God.’ “Be a believer who keeps yourself alive with a continued contact with the poor.”

The results of the 2019 diocesan Operation Rice Bowl were announced at the dinner. Operation Rice Bowl is a program conducted throughout the United States each Lent. Twenty-five percent of the funds collected stay in the diocese, while the remainder supports Catholic Relief Services development projects overseas. Deacon Michael Martini of Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale, noted more than $145,000

2019 Operation Rice Bowl grant recipients • Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, St. Vincent de Paul Society: $2,000 • Somerville Area FISH: $1,000 • Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County: $3,000 • Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, St. Vincent de Paul Society: $1,000 • Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro, Social Outreach: $1,000 • St. James Parish, Woodbridge: $2,500 • St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, St. Vincent de Paul Society: $2,000 Members of the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team pose at the annual Harvest of Hope Dinner at the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick.

— Mike Ehrmann photos was collected during the campaign this year.

Catholic Charities personnel presented certificates to the top 10 Operation Rice Bowl contributors: Queenship

of Mary Parish, Plainsboro; St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish, Kendall Park; Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Monroe Township; St. Helena Parish, Edison; Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen; St. James Parish, Woodbridge; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges; Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale; St. Joseph Parish, North Plainfield, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.

For more information about the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team, visit the website http://ccsolidarity.org

Leslie D. Hirsch, president/interim chief executive officer, Saint Peter's Healthcatre System, speaks at the Harvest of Hope Dinner.

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

“Mother Church should do justice and say: ‘Yes, it’s true. Your marriage is null.

No, your marriage is valid.’

That way, they can move on without this doubt …”

- Pope Francis

________________________________________________ An information session on

ANNULMENTS will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:30 P.M. and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Three Bridges on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 7:30 P.M. ___________________________________________________________ These identical presentations are intended for those who have experienced the pain and anguish of a divorce and who wish to learn more about the annulment process and have common myths dispelled.

Presented by The Tribunal of the Diocese of Metuchen.

RSVP appreciated: Tribunal@diometuchen.org

• Feeding Hands Food Pantry, Somerville: $2,500 • St. Anthony of Padua, Port Reading: $500 • St. Patrick / St. Rose of Lima, Belvidere: $1,500 • St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park: $2,500 • Community House of St. Thomas, Old Bridge: $1,000 • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hackettstown: $2,000 • Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, Phillipsburg: $7,000 • Second Reformed Church, New Brunswick, Five Loaves Food Pantry: $4,500 • Aldersgate United Methodist Church, East Brunswick: $1,000

Day of Rejoicing Bishop James F. Checchio, right, poses with Rabbi Philip N. Baseley at the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, New Brunswick. The temple hosted a prayer and luncheon, “Sukkah in the Sky” with Rabbi Baseley and his congregation and other invited guests. A sukkah or succah is a temporary hut constructed for use during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, held this year from sundown Oct. 13 to sundown Oct. 20. It is topped with branches and often well decorated with autumnal, harvest or Judaic themes. The Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) describes it as a symbolic wilderness shelter, commemorating the time God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness they inhabited after they were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Sukkot is considered a joyous occasion and is referred to in Hebrew as Yom Simchateinu (the day of our rejoicing) or Z'man Simchateinu (the time of our rejoicing), and the sukkah itself symbolizes the frailty and transience of life and its dependence on God. — photo courtesy of Bishop James F. Checchio

SOUTH PLAINFIELD — The noonday sun shone bright on Oct. 19 as cars pulled into The Church of the Sacred Heart’s Holy Redeemer Cemetery, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The occupants of the cars went into the cemetery’s mausoleum chapel, which sits at the back of the 21-acre oblong-shaped sacred ground, to worship at Mass.

The chapel’s contemporary interior belies the century-old age of the cemetery.

An altar graced the center of the cruciform design, and attendees, numbering about 70, branched out to all three areas, the nave in front of the altar, and the left and right transepts.

Before the Mass, Neil Towey, a former parish business administrator, said the cemetery on Clinton Avenue is a little over a mile away from Sacred Heart, the largest church in the diocese and second in size in the state.

Towey said the grounds had once been the farm of several families dating back to the 1870’s and eventually was bought in 1916

by George Cook, a civil engineer who saw it as the ideal retirement place for his family. In 1918, however, Sacred Heart’s first pastor, Father John F. Baldwin, convinced Cook to sell the property for the parish cemetery, and Cook took on the role as engineer in charge of design and construction. As South Plainfield Historical Society notes, “The next time you visit Holy Redeemer Cemetery, remember that the pathway you tread was likely of Cook’s design.”

The cemetery officially opened Oct.

13, 1919. According to Towey, it is the final resting place for 15,626, including the Sisters of Mercy and the Sister Servants of the Infant Jesus as well as 1,800 veterans.

In 1986, the chapel and mausoleum were added, and in 1996 a new wing was completed. Currently, the mausoleum entombs and in urns 933.

Father John P. Alvarado, pastor, Sacred Heart, presided at the Mass. Deacon Greg Caruso assisted.

Bishop James F. Checchio gave the homily.

In his homily, the bishop noted that the date of the cemetery’s opening was also the In the Parishes celebration of Our Lady’s final appearance at Fatima. He said his eighth-grade teacher, a Sister of Mercy, is buried at Holy Redeemer, and that all those at rest in or on the sacred grounds, witness to our faith and belief, and are still interceding for us.

He then reminded the congregation that Pope Francis calls the Beatitudes Catholics’ Christian identity card. “Those who mourn will be blessed,” he said, then added, “Jesus encouraged us to mourn as witness to something more than ourselves, that we should give witness in the midst of our mourning.”

On the back of the anniversary Mass booklet there was a poignant reminder from St. John Chrysostom: “Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are.”

At a reception outside of the chapel, the faithful ate and shared stories of parish life and history in a pleasant and happy mood.

It seemed to celebrate life, and, in a concrete way exemplified the Christian belief that death is not the end of life.

LASSIFED • POSITIONS AVAILABLE

OUR DIOCESE

By Bob Christie Correspondent

Above, worshipers are shown at a Mass at Holy Redeemer Cemetery’s mausoleum chapel. The Church of the Sacred Heart’s cemetery opened Oct. 13, 1919. Right, Bishop James F. Checchio and concelebrants pray during the consecration.

— John Batkowski photos

South Plainfield Council member Derryck C. White was among the guests.

Father Alvarado, noted that the parish is a special place for Bishop Checchio, who was ordained and installed as the fifth shepherd of the diocese at the Church of the Sacred Heart May 3, 2016.

For information about Holy Redeemer Cemetery, visit its website holyredeemercemetery.net

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Catstrag the vision ack to er relints in , and Parish he reion of pport ed to field, roven .

7

Liturgy celebrated to mark major anniversary of sacred ground

8 OUR DIOCESE

through the invitation of archbishop alfred xuereb apostolic nuncio to south korea and mongolia

Saint Augustine of Canterbury kendall park

Mary, Mother of Mercy twins with a sister parish in mongolia

The Parish Church of Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mongolia

The parishioners of Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mongolia

Mass in the Church of Mary, Mother of Mercy Mongolia

The interior of the Church of Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mongolia

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Pope Francis ordaining Archbishop Alfred Xuereb as Apostolic Nuncio to South Korea and Mongolia

Deacon Denis Mayer delivering a homily Fr. Georgio translating

The Gift of the Eucharist Deacon Denis Mayer of St. Augustine presenting a donation to Father Georgio, Pastor of Mary, Mother of Mercy, Mongolia and Consolata Sister holding a donation for the children

Carol Mayer (Deacon Denis’ wife) holding the special plaque that hangs in the gathering area of St. Augustine Church

Consolata Father Paolo Fedrigoni with Father Georgio

45 Henderson Road, Kendall Park, NJ

Your essential guide to the latest information from the Diocese of Metuchen, including new staffing . . . a desktop “must”!

2020 DIOCESAN DIRECTORY

OUR DIOCESE

HILLSBOROUGH — At a Township dren become successful adults.

Committee meeting Oct. 22, Hillsbor“Catholic Charities Child Care ough Mayor Frank DelCore issued a Programs are proud to participate in the proclamation acknowledging Oct. 24, 20th year celebration of ‘Lights On Af2019, as “Lights On Afterschool Day.” terschool.’ Our programs make it a point DelCore encouraged continued innova- every year to celebrate this day and get tive afterschool programthe word out to our famiming and activities that lies, school districts, and Catholic ensure the lights stay on the local community about Charities, and the doors stay open for the need for high qualall children after school. ity afterschool programDiocese of More than 28 milming in New Jersey,” said lion children in the United Glynn. “We are indebted Metuchen, States have parents who to the Hillsborough School operates work outside the home, District and its supportive and 109.4 million chilpersonnel for helping us to afterschool dren have no place to go raise awareness about this programs in after school. Launched in important issue,” she said.

October 2000 by the Afof this year’s Warren, Morris event,In honor terschool Alliance, “Lights Catholic Charities’ On Afterschool” is the only and Somerset staff members planned a variety of activities to bring nationwide event celebratcounties. ing afterschool programs families together, minimize social media and television and their important role in the lives of children, families and com- viewing, and highlight how children benmunities. efit from afterschool programming. All Afterschool programs in the school events were designed to include family district are operated by Catholic Chari- members and school personnel.

CCDOM operates afterschool proties, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM).

On hand to receive the proclamation grams in Warren, Morris and Somerset were Krista Glynn, Service Area Director counties. of Child Care; Dawn Rannie-White, AsOverall, 1,594 children were enrolled sistant Program Director of Child Care; in Catholic Charities’ child care programs, and several child care staff members. including children enrolled in early learnThe proclamation recognized ing centers, school-age child care, and Catholic Charities, Diocese of summer camp programs last year.

Metuchen, as a leader in the area of If you are a parent wishing to enroll community involvement in the educa- your child or a school administrator tion and well-being of youth, grounded wishing to partner with Catholic Chariin the principle that quality afterschool ties, Diocese of Metuchen, visit www. programs are key to helping our chil- ccdom.org/child-care.

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The Catholic Spirit P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840-0191

DIRECTORY ORDER FORM: Name: City, State, Zip: Daytime Telephone: Number of copies at $32 each: Total enclosed: Payment must accompany your order Posing during the Hillsborough Township Committee Meeting Oct. 22, from left, Catholic Charities’ Site Supervisor Jessica Brooks; Group Leaders Michael Marvosa and Chyna Cunningham; Service Area Director Krista Glynn; Hillsborough Mayor Frank DelCore and Child Care Assistant Program Director Dawn Rannie-White.

— photo courtesy of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

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Priests from diocese renew bonds, re-energize at seaside gathering

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from front page

in honor of the priests marking milestone anniversaries was also held.

Father Dawid Wejnerowski, parochial vicar, Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, said that he always looked forward to the convocation because it was a wonderful opportunity to get together with his brother priests.

Father John J. O’Kane, administrator, Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, echoed that sentiment and added, “any occasion for the priests of our diocese to gather for prayer and fel-

Father Matthew Marinelli, parochial vicar, St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington, pauses before proclaiming the Gospel.

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

— John Batkowski photos

lowship was welcomed.”

While the convocation focused on the spiritual needs of the priests, their physical health and well-being was also looked after. On the first day of the gathering, a mobile unit from Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, provided basic health tests and assessments, distributed information and recommendations, and administered flu shots.

Sherry Weddell, author of “Forming Intentional Disciples,” gave the keynote address at the convocation. In her book and its accompanying program, she proposes that today’s believing Catholics must make a conscious and intentional decision to follow Christ themselves before they can be expected to go about the process of evangelizing others.

Msgr. Joseph M. Curry, parochial vicar, St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, said he felt that. Weddell’s presentation was very good and timely. “She described concrete steps that parishes can follow to instill and foster an atmosphere of effective evangelization in their prayer community,” he explained.

A first-time attendee at the convocation, Father Joseph Illes, parochial vicar, Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, who was ordained this past June, said, “It was great to learn about the process of evangelization.”

On the second day of the convoca-

Priests from the diocese pray at Mass at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, on the second day of the three-day annual priest convocation. The event included a guest speaker and health tests at a mobile unit from Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick . tion, Bishop Checchio presided at a concelebrated Mass with Evening Prayer at St. Catharine Church. The bishop began his homily by stating that in the Gospel Jesus used the occasion of the Last Supper to instruct his disciples as to how they can best serve the people of God. A message, he said, that is as appropriate today as it was then.

“We must absorb the life of Jesus so completely that…we want to do only what He wants to do through us. To pour out our lives completely in service to [Christ] and his church,” the bishop added.

He quoted from St. John Paul II’s last encyclical that, “The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is so decisive for the salvation of the human race that Jesus Christ offered it and returned to the Father only after he had left us the means of sharing in it as if he were truly present here. Indeed we priests are so privileged to fulfill the command of Christ to ‘do this in memory of me.’”

At the conclusion of his homily, Bishop Checchio commented that

he, along with all the priests gathered, “Thank God today for the gift of our priesthood.” He went on to acknowledge “our brother priests who are celebrating their anniversaries for their service as priests for 55, 50, 25 years of service,” and said that, “God has taken their gifts…and has truly produced great things in their priestly ministries.”

The jubilarians who were present and concelebrated the Mass were Msgr.

Charles W. Cicerale, pastor, St. James Parish, Woodbridge; Father Ronald L. Jandernoa, pastor, St Jude Parish, Blairstown; Father Charles F. Kelly, Maria Regina Residence; Father Kenneth R. Kolibas, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Raritan Borough; Father Gerardo Paderon, administrator, Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro; Msgr. Eugene Prus and Father Stanly J. Walega, retired.

After the Mass, as the priests were lined up in the sanctuary surrounding their bishop and the group picture was being taken, one of the staff members of St. Catharine commented, “Isn’t that a great sight!”

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MILFORD — Tucked within the rolling hills of western Hunterdon County, the members of St. Edward the Confessor Parish have watched their faith grow from the size of a mustard seed into a flourishing, faith-filled community of believers.

Celebrating as they looked back over the last 75 years, they paused to thank God for all those who have gone on before them at a 75th anniversary Mass at St. Edward the Confessor Church Oct. 5.

Bishop James F. Checchio presided at the Mass. Concelebrants included Father Krzysztof Kaczynski, pastor, and priests who formerly served at the parish.

In his homily, Bishop Checchio spoke about the apostles who were asking for more faith, saying, “Jesus teaches us that God can use what might seem like our limited faith and he can do such beautiful things through us and for us. St. Paul tells us to stir into flames the gift of God that we have received. Our living God wants to give us all that we need so that we can continue the mission of Jesus right here in Mil-

OUR DIOCESE

By Karen Corpora Correspondent

11

Former mission church celebrates 75 years of service to parishioners

Left, Bishop James F. Checchio gives the homily from the ambo at Mass in the parish center at St. Edward the Confessor Parish. The bishop also presided at the liturgy. Above, the sanctuary at St. Edward the Confessor Church includes an image of its namesake. ford as his disciples in 2019.”

In the 1700s, Catholics in the area waited to be visited by traveling priests called circuit riders who traveled from Philadelphia to celebrate Mass. In 1860, St. Philip and St. James was the first church in the area, and, by 1915, there were enough Catholic families in the Milford area for a priest from the church to make regular visits to bring the sacraments.

Masses were celebrated at the homes of families in the borough and when the number of Catholics continued to grow the owner of a local silk mill offered part of his factory for Mass. On July 14, 1922, the Church of St. Edward the Confessor became an official mission of St. Philip and St. James Parish, Phillipsburg.

Left, Father Krzysztof Kaczynski, pastor, St. Edward the Confessor Parish, speaks to the congregation. The first Mass was celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Church on Christmas morning 1925.

Before that, Masses were celebrated in homes and a silk mill.

— Ed Koskey Jr. photos

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

In the spring of 1925, ground- tables.”

Mass and dinner were held in the breaking was held for the construction of the present church. On Christmas same building and Bishop Checchio morning that year, the first Mass was noted, “Father Kris decided instead of incense we are just going to smell the celebrated by Father Thomas Krik.

In 1937, the church was expanded food. That’s going to raise our thoughts with the addition of another wing to to heaven along with our prayers.”

Parish Catechetical Leader Kris serve the growing Catholic population Menard and the parish secretary Ethel in the area.

On June 14, 1944, St. Edward the Mitchell, along with a team of others, Confessor Parish was established and were instrumental in the planning for entrusted to the care of Father Michael the evening. Nearly 200 people were expected to attend.

Churak. During his The parish has tenure, a church was about 600 registered built in Baptistown families, with 320 for Our Lady of Vic“St. Paul tells us to families active in the tories mission. The stir into flames the parish life. The parpastor or his assistant ish catechetical prowould travel there to gift of God that we gram has 80 students celebrate Mass until have received. Our registered in classes.

1973, when Our Lady “We have great of Victories became a living God wants families who are parish. here when we need In 1979, the fifth to give us all that them. We are like a pastor of the parish, we need so that family and depend then-Father, now on each other whenMsgr. Hugh Ronan, we can continue ever we need help,” oversaw the purchase the mission of Menard commented. of the building which “The first Sunday of is now the parish cenJesus right here each month, Mass ter where the Mass is held in the parish in Milford as his was held for the annicenter.” Since family versary celebration. disciples in 2019.” catechesis is held in Msgr. Ronan, who —Bishop James F. the building, Mass is serves in the Diocese there as well. of Trenton, was one Checchio Describing the of the concelebrants parish, Mitchell, for the Mass. who made her first Father Kaczynski, who has served as pastor for 10 holy Communion and confirmation at years, warmly welcomed the bishop St. Edward’s, said, “We are very acand the faithful. He is also pastor of tive here. We have really built up here Our Lady of Victories Parish, Baptis- within the last 10 years. Father Kris has a way of getting everyone involved. We town.

“We had to move from the church are very fortunate with him. He makes to the parish center today because the it a pleasure to come to work every church is too small for us,” he said. day.”

Father Kaczynski is very proud of “This is the Christian way, from table to table. Tonight we move from the the fact that they recently had a priest Continued on next page Eucharistic table to our evening meal

12

St. Edward the Confessor Parish offers weekly Mass to increase vocations

OUR DIOCESE

Continued from previous page

ordained from their parish. “We have one vocation from this parish, Father Joe, who will come next month to say Mass. We are hoping to get more vocations from here.”

Members of the parish gather every Monday for Mass and to pray for vocations.

Sisters of Jesus Our Hope from Bloomsbury are among the regular communicants at St. Edward’s. There are 10 sisters who live “up on the ridge from the church,” said Sister Ellen Kraft.

“We are here to support the parish and Father Kris who we know from his work in other parishes where he served. The people in this parish are very faithful and they do their best to do whatever the bishop asks,” Sister Ellen said.

Bishop Checchio commented, “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we are reminded that this parish has taken that kernel of faith and built it

Above, members of St. Edward the Confessor Parish and Sisters of Jesus Our Hope listen to the homily and, right, sing the opening hymn at Mass at the parish center.

The parish, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, held the liturgy at the parish center instead of the church because it can hold more people.

— Ed Koskey Jr. photos

up so well. Jesus reminds us that he’s not looking for superficial disciples.

Rather, he’s looking for people who are totally committed. Disciples who are committed to following him and holding nothing back from him.” He

thanked God for all those who came before and asked that God give them his eternal peace. “I ask finally for God’s blessing on all the people of this parish and those who will come after us to continue the mission of making

sures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions “Saint Peter’s University Hospital is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Linda Carroll, MSN, RN-BC, vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at the hospital. “The

tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

In 2009, Saint Peter’s University Hospital was designated as a primary stroke center by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services.

A primary stroke center is the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating stroke and preventing or minimizing permanent brain damage to the patient. To receive this designation, Saint Peter’s had to meet certain criteria including: a specialized stroke team available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the hospital has, as required, computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic

God’s kingdom truly present here in Milford. Amen.”

After Mass, a reception and dinner were held for parishioners and former clergy who shared stories about St. Edward’s and browsed through memorabilia.

Hospital recognized for commitment to treating stroke patients

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

NEW BRUNSWICK — Saint Peter’s University Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital, which is sponsored by the diocese, earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These mea-

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resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities and a laboratory equipped and available to perform testing 24/7.

Saint Peter’s offers a stroke rehabilitation program that helps patients recover from the effects of stroke by relearning skills and developing new ways to do things so that they may regain as much independence and quality of life as possible. Patients have access to a trained team of specialists that includes rehab nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, registered dietitians, social workers, chaplains, psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and case managers.

Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 6 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital; a state-designated children’s hospital; a regional perinatal center, and a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology with a specialized Heartburn and Reflux Center, oncology, orthopedics and women’s services.

The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction surgery.

13 — John Batkowski photo

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

Above, a statue, bench and planter donated in memory of Mildred Abbruzzese by her husband, family and friends adorn her grave at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, which recently celebrated its centennial.

BEREAVEMENT

A Special Section of The Catholic Spirit October 31, 2019

14 BEREAVEMENT

We pray for deceased loved ones, not only at funerals

By Father Glenn J. Comandini Managing Editor When the Fourth Lateran Council taught the existence of purgatory in 1215, most Catholic theologians held that this was a place, usually symbolized by flames, where the soul would be purified of its sins before going to heaven. More recent theologians would argue that purgatory is a state of being in which the soul strives to mature in its relation with God before it enters into permanent communion with him.

Whether we prefer to think of purgatory as a place or a mode of existence, we all agree that everyone has to pass through a period of spiritual growth, which takes place after death and prior to the reception of the Beatific Vision. Regardless of how we conceive of purgatory, we Catholics believe that death marks the end of human freedom, all of our choices cease at the moment of expiration; consequently, there evolved the belief that souls could not pray for themselves — since faith is a free act. With this premise, it follows that the Church, at every Mass and in a special way during the month of November, prays for the repose of the souls in purgatory. In other words, we pray that each and every person who is in need of purification, who is striving to mature in his or her relation with God, may be touched by the merits of

the Cross, which put an end to the eternal power of death and which we re-present in the Eucharist.

In the Rite of Final Commendation, towards the end of a Catholic funeral, the priest reads this prayer: “To you, O lord, we commend the soul of your servant; in the sight of this world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live forever.

Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.”

In this kernel of supplication, offered on behalf of a departed loved one, the key components of All Souls’ Day are clearly delineated. There is an acknowledgement that the physical remains of the deceased lead us to declare this person “dead.”

However, this forensic declaration is followed by a conviction of faith which holds that in God’s eyes, this person is still alive, albeit in a new way, not visible to the naked eye. At the same time, this prayer realizes that the person whose memory we honor with Mass was not a saint but a person of flesh and bone who, like any other, may have committed sins out of human weakness.

Finally, notice how, in this prayer, we are asking God to give them peace, light, joy — all the things that we only enjoy in part here on earth but which describe the life of the saints in heaven.

There are some rules of the Church concerning how we treat the body or cremains of the dead.

It is the teaching of the Church that every Mass, regardless of the special intention, is offered for all the living and all the dead. How is this possible? The merits of the Cross, re-presented at the sacrifice of the Mass, are infinite. Still, when a Catholic dies, we should arrange for him or her to have a funeral Mass wherein we, the living, are reminded of the agony of the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection. In this Mass, we commend the deceased to the Lord and honor his/her mortal remains prior to their committal at their final resting place. The normal place for a funeral is church; still, if for one reason or another, the funeral is not to take place there, a priest or deacon may say prayers for the deceased at the funeral home or graveside.

It is important to remember that these are prayers for the deceased, not the Mass.

A funeral Mass can only be offered if the body or the cremains of that body are present in church — so, if a loved one has already been buried or it is impossible to recover the remains, then a Memorial Mass is said.

Years ago, Catholics had to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. The soil of nonCatholic cemetery was considered unworthy of housing our consecrated remains.

Now, Catholics are permitted to be buried

or entombed in a non-Catholic cemetery.

If a Catholic wishes to bury a non-Catholic loved one in a Catholic cemetery, this, too, is allowed.

A prohibition against cremation used to be one of the Precepts of the Church; since these are human laws, not divine, and with the ever-growing lack of dedicated land for cemeteries worldwide, the Church has lifted the prohibition against cremation. A funeral Mass may be offered either before or after cremation. Cremains must be contained in a vessel and should be buried in a cemetery, entombed in a mausoleum, or placed in a sealed niche of a columbarium; however, we should never leave an urn of cremains on the fireplace mantle, in a closet at home or, worse, scatter the ashes, even if this was requested by the decedent.

During this November, let us make a concerted effort to pray in a special way for all the dead — whether they died in a state of grace or sin, whether they have attained beatitude in heaven or are still maturing in their relationship with God in purgatory.

Let us pray for those we knew personally through blood, marriage or adoption — and those we never met but who are related to us by baptism, by our common humanity. May all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Boylan Funeral Home ~family owned and operated since 1958~

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Robert Fox, Manager ~ N.J. License No. 4371

188 Easton Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (732) 545-4040

10 Wooding Avenue Edison, NJ 08817 (732) 572-0076

BoylanFH.com

Many years ago I began writing a novel, “Ruby, The Life of the Funeral.”

My first draft of many chapters was lost when my computer was taken hostage, my files encoded and ransomed for a price — a price I refused to pay. So I lost Ruby, several other books in their early stages of writing, hundreds of columns and archived stories.

It was my own fault for not backing everything up on an external hard drive, or at least a flash drive, but hindsight wasn’t going to get my work back. It was gone.

Certainly it was a loss of great magnitude for a writer, one that took some time to grieve. During that time, I found bits and pieces of Ruby’s story on loose flash drives stored in various desk drawers. I slowly put her story back together from the bits, added new pieces, as life does with us every day after a loss, and Ruby became a short story instead of a novel — at least for now.

I’ve realized over the years that, in many ways, Ruby embodies a little bit of most of us when we feel like life delivers more losses than we can han-

dle. She is often outrageous, outspo- a vague resemblance of ourselves. ken and cynical, but loves abundantly, Still, it is often from the depths suffering through of this pain and transmany losses and the formation, that beauty I’ve realized over pain brought about by emerges. Many of the that abundant love. most powerful and the years that, in In her imperfecuplifting works of art tion and her woundare born from tragedy many ways, Ruby edness she becomes and sorrow, including embodies a little one of the beautiful the many inspiring people Elizabeth hymns that lift us bit of most of us Kubler-Ross defrom despair. when we feel like scribes as “those Among them is, who have known “It is Well With My life delivers more defeat, known sufferSoul,” — a hymn losses than we can ing, known struggle, that burst forth from known loss, and have the grief of Horahandle. She . . . loves found their way out of tio Gates, a devout the depths.”

Christian who, for abundantly, sufferWhile Ruby is many years enjoyed a ing through many just a story character prosperous, joy-filled in a book, and has no life. losses and the pain ability to transform But Horatio, brought about by or change other than like Job, would learn that which I give her, first-hand that faith that . . . love we are immediately does not prevent impacted by our extragedy in our lives. periences, changing It can, however, get like the shore with each wave of loss. us through it.

Sometimes the change is imperceptiEverything took a turn for the ble, but time and the many losses that worse when fires destroyed all his real buffet our lives may transform us into estate investments. Then his son, one

of five children, died unexpectedly.

Horatio decided to send his wife and four daughters on a trip to Europe for some time to heal. He was scheduled to meet them at a later date, when his work responsibilities had been met.

Just a few days later, he received a telegram from his wife. Their boat had been wrecked at sea. Of their family, only she remained alive. Their four daughters had perished. It was on his journey to meet his wife, by boat across the same sea that took his daughters, that Horatio gave birth to the lyrics of the timeless and powerful hymn: “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows, like a sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

A famous composer at the time, Philip Bliss, was so inspired by Horatio’s words that he wrote the moving music for the hymn which continues to inspire us today.

We may not know how such excruciating grief changed Horatio over time, but his hymn reflects his first desire — to turn to God. With that faith, he was able to create something with the power to help heal others in their grief more than 100 years later.

BEREAVEMENT

By Mary Morrell

15

Faith can help us get through tragedy, challenges

Bereavement Facilitator Training Friday, November 8, 2019 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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Cost: $30

*Lunch and materials will be provided.

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Whether your parish is seeking to start a new bereavement ministry or you would like to learn more about the grief process and how to support those

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Christian funerals, the grief process, communicating with the bereaved, leading support groups and beginning a parish bereavement program.

Register online:

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For more information, please email family.life@diometuchen.org.

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

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16 BEREAVEMENT

Catholics pray for dead on journey to new, better life

By Father Glenn J. Comandini, Managing Editor In the later years of his life, the great 19th century American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson suffered from an increasingly faulty memory. When things would slip his mind, he complained of his “naughty memory,” as he called it.

Sometimes Emerson would forget the names of different objects. In order to speak of them, he would refer to them in a round-about way. For instance, when he could not think of the word “plow,” he would call it “the implement that cultivates the soil.” More important was the fact that he could not remember the names of people who were quite familiar to him. At the funeral of his friend, the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emerson commented to another person, “That gentleman has a sweet, beautiful soul, but I have entirely forgotten his name.”

The loss of memory is a sad thing.

It cuts us off from days gone by. It strips away the treasured residue of past experience. It erases our personal history and leaves us unaccountably blank pages. Not long ago I was visiting in the home of a

delightful older woman. Periodically in those who have died, those whose days the course of our conversation she would are gone. Sadly, many people do not restop and — after a moment’s silence — flect upon the past during this holy day, would remark, “I’ve forgotten what I was any more than they do on any other day. going to say.” After this happened sev- In our age of ever-accelerating change, eral times she confessed, “It’s so humiliwe do not tend to look to ating to have your memory the past to find our wisdom. go bad.” Certainly it is unWe view what “has been” Sadly, many fortunate, inconvenient and as largely irrelevant to what at times embarrassing not is now. The ancients are people do not to remember. Yet without a not our models. We place reflect upon doubt, for some people the little value in traditions and failure of memory is largely the past during inherited customs. And so unavoidable. when All Souls’ Day rolls this holy day, That is not always the around, our thoughts do not case. Sometimes we are automatically turn to the [All Souls] any forgetful because we neglect past and to the departed. We that which has gone before do not fear the day because more than us and become inattentive we know death is not the they do on any “end” but a passageway to to those who have preceded us. We center all of our ata new and better existence. other day. tention only on our own time A failure of memory and place. We act as though is not just something that the present is all that matters leads to personal inconveand the past is some shabby nience or social embarrassthing that can be safely cast off and left ment. It is a spiritual danger. A failure behind like a worn-out pair of shoes. of memory in those things that are most Here we are with All Souls’ Day significant results in a failure of faith.

(Nov. 2) upon us. On this occasion we Forgetfulness erodes the foundation of are called upon to remember and respect our relationship with God.

Prayer for deceased loved ones God our Father, Your power brings us to birth, Your providence guides our lives, and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope for my family, relatives and friends, and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ, Who died and now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away.

Unite us together again in one family, to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS Annandale Immaculate Conception Parish Bereavement Support Group Contact: Parish Office, (908) 735-7319 parishoffice@iccannadale.org

OCTOBER 31, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Bridgewater Holy Trinity Bereavement Supprt Group Contact: Deacon John Phalen, (908) 500-2050 Somerville Immaculate Conception Parish Bereavement Support Group

Eight weeks; beginning Oct. 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nazareth House Contact: Joan Kopil, (908) 725-1112 Woodbridge St. James Parish Bereavement Ministry Contact: Dolores Caprano Gioffre DoloresGioffre@msn.com

Other Support Groups

New Brunswick St. Peter’s University Hospital Bereavement Support Group 254 Easton Avenue

1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Contact: Pastoral Care Department, (732) 745-8565 Share Support Group for Parents 254 Easton Avenue Pregnancy and infant loss support group 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 – 9 p.m. Contact: Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW, (732) 745-8522 Support Group for those who have lost a loved one to a substance abuse addiction Saint Peter’s Sports Medicine

Institute Conference Room 562 Easton Avenue, Somerset 3rd Thursday of the month, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Contact: Care Coordination, (732) 745-8522 or jdanyus@saintpetersuh.com Watchung Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer Grief Recovery Process Nov. 24, 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Sister Mary Jo Kearns, RSM (908) 753-2091; msmhope@msmhope.org

By Mary Ellen Gerrity

BEREAVEMENT

More and more, people are choosing to be cremated. Yes, it is ok to be cremated.

In 1963, the Pope lifted the ban on cremation and in 1966 allowed Catholic priests to officiate at cremation ceremonies.

The Vatican published guidelines for Catholics who want to be cremated, saying their remains cannot be scattered, divided or kept at home, but should be stored in a sacred, Church-approved place.

The question that prevails is why you should choose a cemetery for your loved ones cremated remains? Having an urn at home on the proverbial mantlepiece seems honorable, and it is until something changes, and it almost always does.

Life happens and people move. There is no new mantlepiece, the urn gets moved around over the years, etc.

By providing your loved one a final resting place in a Catholic cemetery you are securing his or her safety and permanence on sacred grounds. They will be memorialized and will have a permanent record of death and burial forever. There is no fear of getting lost or misplaced.

At the Diocese of Metuchen’s Catholic cemeteries, we offer a wide variety of final resting places for your loved one’s cremated remains. You can choose from in-ground burial plot to glass front or granite front

niches in our mausoleums. At Holy Cross Cemetery in East Brunswick/Jamesburg, we own and operate a crematory on site. Recently, more than 200 glass front niches were installed for the burial of cremated remains in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin.

Similarly, at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway the mausoleum of the Holy Spirit features glass fronted niches as well.

There are spiritual and emotional benefits from placing cremated remains in a proper place of burial or entombment. It gives family and friends a scared place where they can focus on their remembrance and prayers for their deceased loved one.

In addition, Mass is celebrated at the diocese’s two burial parks the first Saturday of every month.

17

Cremated remains belong in cemetery, not on mantlepiece at home

Above, 200 glass front niches were recently installed for the burial of cremated remains in the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, East Brunswick/Jamesburg. Left, the Mausoleum of the Holy Spirit at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway.

— Angela Kennedy photos

why choose a catholic cemetery?

A Catholic cemetery is a holy and sacred place. It is a place of prayer and hope that is both a consolation to the bereaved and an inspiration to the living … a place where those who have worshipped and prayed together in life now await the resurrection. a gift of love

Protect your family from making difficult and emotional decisions without you. Proclaim your acceptance of God’s love and your compassion for your family by making your decisions today and together.

practice responsible stewardship —manage your finances

Protect your family from an unexpected financial burden by pre-planning and selecting a payment plan with terms that fit your budget.

resurrection cemetery featuring mausoleum of the holy spirit Hoes Lane and Park Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854 • Premier glass niches available for cremated remains • pre construction pricing available

crematory at holy cross 840 Cranbury South River Rd Jamesburg, NJ08831

for information about the purchase of crypts, niches and plots at the

METUCHEN DIOCESAN-OWNED AND OPERATED CEMETERIES call 1.800.943.8400 or visit www.diometuchen.org/ cemeteries

OCTOBER 31, 2019

mary sorrowful mother mausoleum at holy cross • Magnificent Main Chapel • Private Chapel Areas Available • Crypt & Niche spaces available • Featured Glass Niches

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

how do i pre-plan?

A Catholic Cemetery Memorial Counselor will explain and guide you through the pre-planning process.

They are someone you can trust and who will explain the options that are available for you. You will not be pressured into making any unnecessary purchases.

18

The Catholic Community of St. James Lazarus and Bereavement ministries

BEREAVEMENT

are here offering love, support, care and respectful patience during a time of loss and grief. You are a blessing to this parish.

Msgr. Charles Cicerale

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Dolores Capraro Gioffre Terry Falco Linda Rasimowicz Kathy Sachiewicz George Birchak LAZARUS Ray Bober MINISTRY Frank DelMonte Christopher McGrath Steve Novosedlik Linda Donnelly Mitzi Hozjan Maria Russo Joan Dias Elizabeth Early Georgiann Trombetta Jim Donnelly Lori Prior 369 Amboy Avenue Woodbridge, NJ 07095 · 732-634-0500

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019 • 9:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Msgr. Joseph Curry, Celebrant

Msgr. John Fell, Celebrant

840 Cranbury-South River Rd. Jamesburg, NJ 08831

899 East Lincoln Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854

CALL 1-800-943-8400 or VISIT DIOMETUCHEN.ORG/CEMETERIES

19

BEREAVEMENT

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

20 OUR DIOCESE

Professor discusses how Catholicism ‘Rings’ through fantasy book

By Alexandra Gillett Correspondent NEW BRUNSWICK — A presentation on a popular classic by a popular speaker drew hundreds to the Rutgers University campus Oct. 8.

“Tolkien and the Eucharist in the Lord of the Rings” was the topic of Peter Kreeft’s lecture, opened to the public and sponsored by the Rutgers’ chapter of the Thomistic Institute assisted by the Catholic Center at Rutgers.

A professor of philosophy at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass., Kreeft is the author of more than 80 books on Christian philosophy, theology and apologetics. In 2005, he published “The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind the Lord of the Rings.”

Kreeft began his lecture by quoting Tolkien on his own work: “The Lord of the Rings is, of course, a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like religion, to cults or practices, in the imaginary world.

For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism.”

Although there are no direct references of religion or divinity in the book, Kreeft noted Tolkien’s work is infused with language that clearly indicates that the storyline is being driven by some unseen will and seemingly

unlikely events are “meant to” happen, as with Bilbo happening to pick up the Ring of Power.

He added that in contrast to his close companion, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien was not a fan of allegory. “One will not find one individual who represents Christ in “The Lord of the Rings,” as one does in the “Chronicle of Narnia.”

Rather, multiple characters, such as Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn, display particular aspects of Christ,” he explained.

A Marian theme, Kreeft added, is also present in Frodo’s acceptance of a great quest that he does not understand, and in the High Elves invocation of Elboreth, queen of heaven and stars, in times of need.

Kreeft identified instances of sacramental theology, too. He stated a Eucharistic theme is clearly seen through the bread of the Elves (lembas), which strengthens travelers in body and will, as well as other more subtle themes.

For example, the Catholic conception of the human person as a “body-soul composite” rather than a robot inhabited by a ghost is reflected in Tolkien’s cosmology where people and things all have a deeper inner working, intuition, free will, and even a sort of “inner magic,” dissimilar to the more common conception of magic as an purely external, forceful activity used to accomplish an end.

Kreeft noted that the subtlety of Catholicism in Tolkien’s writing causes

Above, Peter Kreeft, a philosophy professor at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass., speaks to an attendee of his lecture on the topic “Tolkien and the Eucharist in the Lord of the Rings” at Rutgers University Oct. 8. Kreeft is also the author of more than 80 books.

— Alexandra Gillett photos

the reader to be less guarded against “being taught a lesson,” and instead submerges them in a new world that is somehow still very familiar.

Many at the lecture said they came because of a deep respect for the writing of Tolkien, or a deep respect for the speaker. Rutgers senior Christina Pitio said she loved “The Lord of the Rings,” but also thought it was “really great to

have this think tank of Christian theology for students.” Noah Hahn, a doctoral student at Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y., is not a Catholic but came to hear Kreeft whom he described as his “philosophical hero.”

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Diocese’s former delegate for religious begins new role in Rome MORRISTOWN — Sister Ascenza Tizzano, a former delegate for religious in the diocesan Office for Religious, is far from home and already at work in her new role as General Superior of the Religious Teachers Filippini, an order of more than 500 religious sisters worldwide.

Sister Ascenza most recently served as Provincial Superior for St. Lucy Province, leading the efforts and ministry of Filippini Sisters throughout the United States. Now her world is much larger encompassing convents, missions, and schools in eight countries.

“God has a way of keeping us humble,” she said before leaving for her new home in Rome. “I pray I can meet the challenges to lead our global community in demanding times, but accept this call of the community in trust that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide me in making a difference.”

Sister Ascenza, who will now answer to the name Mother General, was born in Cleveland and entered formation with the Filippini Sisters at a young age.

After what seems a lifetime of service in convents and schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, she looks back fondly.

“Twice I was called to lead our U.S. was founded by St. Lucy Filippini and province and twice I accepted the call,” Cardinal Mark Anthony Barbarigo in Sister Ascenza recalls. “The years spent 1692 in Italy to promote the Christian as teacher and principal were very re- education of youth, dignity of womanwarding. I never expected hood, and a healthy family my life to move in any other life.

The Sisters continue direction, particularly in the ". . . But accept to regard the ministry of Province’s leadership posithe call of this the Christian education of tions. One never aspires to these daunting roles.” youth and adults, especially community in Sister Ascenza served women, as their principal trust that the duty. They proclaim the as teacher and administraGood News of Christ, in tor in Catholic schools Holy Spirit will throughout New Jersey and order that the power of the Pennsylvania, living her lead and guide Gospel message may transform the human person Order’s mission to regard from within and so renew the ministry of the Chris- me in making a the family and society. The tian education of youth and difference."

Filippini Sisters reconcile adults, especially women, —Sister Ascenza as principal duty. In 2001, the duties of consecrated Tizzano she was elected Provincial life with the commitments of mission, integrating conSuperior for a six-year templation and the service term; then served in the Diocese of Metuchen as delegate for reli- of our sisters and brothers in the spirit gious. In 2013, she returned to the role of of docility and gentleness. They move Provincial Superior until her election to forward “Rooted in Christ; strengthened General Superior this summer. in faith; overflowing with thankfulness” Sister Ascenza will serve a six-year (Col 2:7) to accomplish the mission entrusted them. term in Rome.

In addition to the United States, the The Religious Teachers Filippini

Sister Ascenza Tizzano recently began a six-year term as General Superior of the Religious Teachers Filippini in Rome.

— photo courtesy of the Religious Teachers Filippini

Religious Teachers Filippini continue the mission of Christ the teacher in Albania, Brazil, England, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India and Italy.

Afterward, Jesus described for his apostles the days of the son of man.

taken, the other left. And there will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken, the other left,” Jesus added.

“Where, Lord?” the apostles asked.

“Where the body is, there also the vultures will gather,” Jesus replied.

READ MORE ABOUT IT: LUKE 17 Q&A: 1. Where did Jesus say the kingdom of God is?

2. What did Jesus say the days of the son of man would be like?

PUZZLE: In the New Testament, there are many different titles given to Jesus. Match the title for Jesus with the Scripture passage in which the title appears.

Good Shepherd Emmanuel Bread of life Lamb of God

John 6:35 John 1:29 John 10:14 Matthew 1:23

Puzzle Answer: Good Shepherd/John 10:14; Emmanuel/Matthew 1:23; Bread of life/John 6:35; Lamb of God/John 1:29

One day, the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come.

“The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed,” Jesus said, “and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.”

Afterward, Jesus described for his apostles the days of the son of man.

“The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it,” Jesus told his friends. “There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, there he is,’ (or) ‘Look, here he is.’ Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to

the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation.”

Jesus added that the days of the son of man would be similar to the days of Noah and also to the days of Lot. “They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all,” Jesus pointed out. “Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building; on the day when Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.”

“So it will be when the Son of Man is revealed,” Jesus said.

“On that day, someone who is on the housetop and whose belongings are in the house must not go down to get them, and likewise one in the field must not return to what was left behind,” he said.

He reminded his friends what happened to Lot’s wife when she turned around to see the city of Sodom’s destruction: She turned into a pillar of salt and lost her life.

“I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed; one will be

OUR DIOCESE

By Jennifer Ficcaglia Catholic News Service

21

Jesus details the days of the son of man

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22 OUR DIOCESE OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Priest, laity honored for service at organization's annual fundraiser

By Christina Leslie Correspondent SOMERSET — “You serve as an inspiration to emulate in your witness,” said Bishop James F. Checchio to the more than 270 people seated before him in the Palace at Somerset Park for the Diocese of Metuchen Champions for Catholic Charities Dinner Oct. 17.

The annual event honored two individuals who had distinguished themselves through their work with the charitable agency that cares for the poor and vulnerable: Msgr. Joseph M. Curry and attorney Jeffrey S. Chiesa.

Anthony P. Kearns III, diocesan chancellor, served as emcee of the banquet; other distinguished guests included Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski; Msgr. William Benwell, chair of the Catholic Charities Board, and former New Jersey Attorney General Peter G. Verniero.

Msgr. Curry, pastor emeritus of Immaculate Conception Parish, Spotswood, now serves as parochial vicar at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset.

He has been a member of the Catholic Charities Solidarity Team and worked both in the diocese and internationally to care for those in need. As part of this ministry, Msgr. Curry had established support groups for those impacted by the opioid crisis and has worked with Catholic Relief Services.

Chiesa, a member of St. Joseph Parish, Raritan Borough, has served as a United States Senator and New Jersey State Attorney General, and is currently a member of the law firm Chiesa, Shahinian, Giantomasi, PC. His professional accomplishments include assisting those affected by Superstorm Sandy, addressing prescription drug abuse, battling human trafficking and prosecuting Medicare fraud.

Student greeters from Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood, welcomed guests to the fundraiser, while a children’s choir from St. Matthias School provided music for the cocktail hour and sang the National Anthem.

Julio Coto, acting executive director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen (CCDOM), said, “Offering help to our brothers and sisters is the essence of faith in the Catholic Charities’ tradition,” as he introduced a video that outlined the impressive statistics of the valuable services offered by CCDOM, one of the largest nonprofit social service agencies in New Jersey. “We honor all who see the face of Christ in the people we serve.”

In 2018, CCDOM’s 50,000 clients received 40,000 hours of counseling; received childcare for 1,500 children and received 165,000 meals. Catholic Charities offers more than 100 programs in 20 locations.

In accepting his award, Msgr. Curry

said, “Anything that I have been for the people of God were thanks to the great teachers I had, including my parents. It is a continued joy to serve God’s people.

I pray I will continue to be open to the teachers in my life.”

Chiesa related how, as a federal prosecutor involved in a human trafficking case, Catholic Charities had come to the aid of eight young girls from Newark.

“They had no family here, and had lost their dignity,” he said. “Catholic Charities gave them a home, a chance to reclaim their lives, to regain trust in other people which they had lost. It left a mark on me.”

New this year was the presentation of the “Spirit of St. Francis Awards,” a recognition by Catholic Charities for their tireless efforts on behalf of the poor in their towns and parishes. Each had been nominated in glowing letters from their pastors. Father Timothy A. Christy, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, presented the awards to the selected five individuals and one married couple.

In his closing remarks, Bishop Checchio reminded the attendees their ministry to the poor differed from that of other organizations in one crucial aspect — faith.

“State and social agencies provide like we do,” he said, “but we do our work in the imitation of Jesus.” He recalled the words of Baroness Catherine De Hueck Doherty, a Russian-Canadian Catholic social worker who founded the Madonna House Apostolate. Faced by a bickering staff who asked her to settle their differences, Doherty startled them into agreement by declaring she would close the facility that aided the poor.

“If we can’t do what we are doing with love, we shouldn’t be doing it,” Bishop Checchio quoted the benefactress. “We strive to do the same thing: serve in the imitation of Jesus, motivated by love. I am indebted to you, and you are an inspiration to me.”

Above, Bishop James F. Checchio gives the benediction flanked by students from St. Matthias School, Somerset, who sang the National Anthem. Right, Bishop Checchio poses with Julio Coto (left), acting executive director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, and Msgr. William Benwell, chair of the Catholic Charities board.

— Mike Ehrmann photos

St. Francis Awards

The ‘Spirit of St. Francis’ awards were presented by Catholic Charities to individuals active in the parish ministries that assist the poor. The winners and their parishes are: · Lucy Anderson, Queenship of Mary Parish, Plainsboro · Henry DuFour, Corpus Christi Parish, South River · Jessica Figueroa, Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Perth Amboy · Ann Marie Lento, Corpus Christi Parish, South River · Michael and Michelle Reno, Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville · Dr. Frank Scandaglia, St. Ambrose Parish, Old Bridge

Above, Bishop Checchio poses with recipients of Catholic Charities' Spirit of St. Francis Award. At right, attorney Jeffrey S. Chiesa and Msgr. Joseph M. Curry were honored for their distinguished work with Catholic Charities , which, in 2018, served 50,000 clients and gave 165,000 meals to the needy.

OUR DIOCESE Father David V. Skoblow, pastor, Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, poses with Deacon Jack Sullivan after a Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome. Deacon Sullivan, who serves in the Archdiocese of Boston, was cured from a severe spinal condition. It was proclaimed to be an Act of God and the first of the two miracles ordinarily required for canonization.

— photo courtesy of Father David V. Skoblow

in [Newman] a powerful ally who championed the individual conscience against an overwhelming relativism.”

While I attended principally to celebrate Newman’s canonization, there were four additional saints who were canonized by Pope Francis at the same Mass: Giuseppina Vannini (1859-1911), an Italian, who was the foundress of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus, a religious institute dedicated to nursing the sick and elderly; Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (1876-1926) an Indian of the Syro-Malabar rite who founded the Congregation of the Holy Family; Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992), also known as St. Dulce of the Poor, who was born in Brazil and was a Franciscan sister who was known for caring for the poorest of the poor, and Marguerite Bays (1815-1879) a Swiss seamstress and a Catholic mystic and member of the Secular Franciscan Order who worked with the poor and who was blessed with the wounds of the stigmata.

Father Skoblow serves as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

shunned by many members of his fam- 1890. He wrote his own epitaph which ily and by his friends. described his spiritual journey: ex umIn 1847, Newman was ordained a bris et imaginibus in veritatem, “out of I had the rare opportunity and privilege to attend the canonization of Blessed Catholic priest. Newman was a long- shadows and phantasms unto truth.” In John Henry Newman on Oct. 13. The standing devotee of St. Philip Neri addition to being hailed as one of the Mass was celebrated in St. Peter’s (1515-1595), who was the founder of greatest theologians of modern times, the Congregation of the Oratory, a so- Newman is also recognized as one of Square at the Vatican in Rome. the greatest masters of I was able to concelebrate the Mass ciety of secular clergy.

English prose. together with three of my seminary He also founded the first It was a Newman was beatibrothers: Father Gregory Bierbaum, Oratory in Rome. Newfied by Pope Benedict in a priest of the Diocese of Colorado man returned to England privilege to Birmingham, England, Springs; Father Russell Mower, a priest and founded Oratories in 2010, during the first pray and attend of the Archdiocese of Dallas; and in Birmingham and ever papal visit to the Father Mark Brantley, a priest of the then London. Upon his Mass in the United Kingdom, an Diocese of Dodge City. Newman is the return to England, Newevent that I was also first Briton to be canonized in more man lived at Old Oscott, same chapel [in blessed to have been than 40 years and, significantly, the first formerly a Catholic England] used able to attend.

Briton of the post-Reformation period seminary, which he renamed Maryvale, after In addition to the to be canonized.

by Newman.

Mass of Canonization, I became interested in Newman St. Philip Neri’s Church The same the weekend’s festivities while an undergraduate at the Univer- in Rome, Santa Maria in Vallicelli (popularly included a symposium sity of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, chapel that on Newman held at the where I was active in, and eventually referred to as the Chiesa Angelicum, the pontifibecame president of, the Newman As- Nuova). The Maryvale his room cal university run by the sociation. Founded in 1893 by a group Institute is now an interoverlooked.

Dominicans, and a vigil of medical students at Penn, it became national distance learnof prayer and a concert the prototype for the Newman Associa- ing institute of Catholic studies.

I was fortunate of sacred music held in tions, which are now the Catholic presence on many secular college and uni- enough to have had the opportunity to the Chiesa Nuova. The festivities constudy theology at the Maryvale Insti- cluded with a Mass of Thanksgiving versity campuses in the United States.

John Henry Newman was born in tute, obtaining both my bachelor’s and on Monday morning at the Basilica of 1801 and baptized into the Anglican master’s degrees in theology. It was a Saint John Lateran, the principal celChurch. He studied at Oxford, and be- privilege to pray and attend Mass in ebrant of which was Cardinal Vincent came an Anglican churchman in 1828. the same chapel used by Newman. The Nichols, Archbishop of Westminister An ardent student and theologian, same chapel that his room overlooked. (and, as such, the ranking Catholic Newman went on to found the prelate in England and Wales) and Newman delved into the Church of the early Church Fathers. From 1842-45, Catholic University in Dublin, where former Bishop of Birmingham (2000Newman spent considerable time in he served as rector. He wrote his spiri- 2009). Proclaiming the Gospel at the prayer and study. In 1845 he authored tual autobiography, “Apologia Pro Sua Mass of Thanksgiving was Deacon the influential book, “The Develop- Vita,” in 1864, the “Grammar of Assent Jack Sullivan, a deacon of the Archment of Christian Doctrine,” wherein on the Origins of the Christian Faith” in diocese of Boston, whose cure from a he observed that doctrine does not 1870, and the “Idea of the University” in severe spinal condition was proclaimed change, but rather unfolds. He became 1873, each considered to be a profound- to be an Act of God and the first of the two miracles ordinarily required for convinced that the Church of the Apos- ly influential work, even to this day.

In 1879, Newman was made a canonization. tles and the Fathers was to be found in The music for the Mass of Canonizathe Roman Catholic Church. Accord- cardinal by Pope Leo XIII, though he ingly, on Oct. 9, 1845, Newman was declined to be consecrated a bishop. He tion and the Mass of Thanksgiving, and at received into the Catholic Church. His took as his motto, cor ad cor loquitur, several of the other events, was provided conversion resulted in Newman being “heart speaks to heart.” Newman died in in significant part by the Schola Cantorum of the London Oratory School, a choir for Catholic boys established in 1996. The Schola was also invited to sing for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Following the Mass of Canonization, the British Ambassador to the Holy See hosted a reception at the Urbanum, the pontifical college for the propagation of the faith, located on the Janiculum hill overlooking St. Peter’s.

The guest of honor was His Royal Highness Prince Charles, who had also attended the Mass. Writing prior to his departure for Rome, Prince Charles praised Newman “for the manner in which . . . he could advocate without accusation, could disagree without disrespect and, perhaps most of all, could see differences as places of encounter rather than exclusion.” He wrote further, that “those who seek the divine Father David V. Skoblow, center, is shown at the Mass of Thanksgiving with priests in what can seem like an increasingly who studied with him when he was in the seminary. Photo was taken from the hostile intellectual environment find EWTN broadcast.

By Father David V. Skoblow

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Pastor from diocese concelebrates Mass for new saint at Vatican

OUR FAITH

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Raising children in a mixed marriage Q

Pope Francis

AUDIENCE

October 9, 2019 Dear brothers and sisters: In our catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we have seen how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit led the early Church to realize that God’s offer of salvation in Christ is intended for people of every nation. A critical moment in this process takes place when, in a dream, Saint Peter is told that henceforth no food is unclean in God’s eyes. Almost immediately, a Gentile, the Roman centurion Cornelius, comes to Peter and, while hearing him preach the Gospel, receives, together with his household, the gift of the Holy Spirit and is baptized (cf. Acts 10). These events led Peter to open his mind and heart to the “creativity” with which God was extending to all people the blessings promised to Israel. Peter’s discernment of God’s universal saving will was the mark of a true evangelizer, who desires to share the joy of the Gospel with everyone. Peter’s example also challenges us to examine our own openness to the surprising creativity with which the Holy Spirit is even now drawing all people to salvation in the Risen Lord.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Prayer in time of Bereavement

OCTOBER 31, 2019

If a practicing Catholic marries a non-Catholic Christian, do they have to promise to baptize their children and raise them in the Catholic faith? (North Vernon, Ind.)

Dearest Jesus, who wept at the death of your friend and taught that they who mourn shall be comforted, grant us the comfort of your presence in our loss. Send Your Holy Spirit to direct us lest we make hasty or foolish decisions.

Send Your Spirit to give us courage lest through fear we recoil from living. Send Your Spirit to bring us your peace lest bitterness, false guilt, or regret take root in our hearts. The Lord has given. The Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Amen.

Question Corner

By Father Kenneth Doyle This is a very pertinent question — particularly at a time when, in some parts of America, as many as 40 percent of Catholics marriages involve ecumenical or interfaith couples — and the answer requires some explanation and historical perspective.

Under the old Code of Canon Law, both parties to a mixed marriage had to promise (in writing) that the children of the marriage would be baptized and brought up

A

in the Catholic faith. Then-Pope, now St. Paul VI, though — in his 1970 apostolic letter “Matrimonia Mixta” — modified that guideline somewhat, and his changes made their way into the current Code of Canon Law that was published in 1983.

Normally it is the bishop of the diocese of the Catholic party who gives permission for a mixed marriage to take place.

To receive this permission, the Catholic party must pledge to continue to practice the Catholic faith and must also (Canon 1125.1) “make a sincere promise to do all in his or her power so that all offspring are baptized and brought up in the Catholic faith.”

The non-Catholic party does not have to promise anything; he or she simply has to be made aware of the pledge that the other spouse has made. Neither spouse is required to sign anything in writing; instead, the priest — in requesting permission for the marriage — attests with his signature that the Catholic party has made the required pledge and that the non-Catholic spouse is aware of it.

None of this guarantees, of course, that things will work out as the guidelines envi-

sion. It might happen that, with the arrival of a child, the non-Catholic spouse reevaluates and objects to a Catholic baptism and rearing.

In such a situation, the Catholic partner may be forced to choose between the harmony of the household and the religion of the child. My view is that the wording of the pledge — to “do all in his or her power” — must be interpreted within the context of the marriage.

No one can be required to do what is practically impossible, and it is the sacred and lifelong commitment to a spouse that must prevail — although the Catholic partner should continue his or her own Catholic practice and do what is reasonable to share that faith with the children. But this is exactly why a couple ought to discuss such a matter well before the marriage — preferably in a pre-Cana session with a priest. If the issue of the children’s religion forecasts future struggles and strife, one wonders whether the marriage itself is such a good idea.

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

New book intended to facilitate debate The Catholic Difference

By George Weigel One of the curiosities of the 21st-century Catholic debate is that many Catholic traditionalists (especially integralists) and a high percentage of Catholic progressives make the same mistake in analyzing the cause of today’s contentions within the Church — or to vary the old fallacy taught in Logic 101, they think in terms of post Concilium ergo propter Concilium [everything that’s happened after the Council has happened because of the Council]. And inside that fallacy is a common misreading of modern Catholic history. The traditionalists insist that everything was fine before the Council (which many of them therefore regard as a terrible mistake); the progressives agree that the pre-Vatican II Church was a stable institution but deplore that stability as rigidity and desiccation.

But that’s not the way things were pre-Vatican II, as I explain at some length and with some en-gaging stories in my new book, “The Irony of Modern Catholic History: How the Church Rediscovered Itself and Challenged the Modern World to Reform” (Basic Books). And no one knew the truth about pre-Vatican II Catholicism better than the man who was elected pope during the Council and guided Vatican II through its last three sessions, St. Paul VI. On Jan. 25, 1959, Pope John XXIII, thought to be an elderly placeholder, stunned both the Church and the world by announcing his intention to summon the

21st ecumenical council. That night, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini (who would be known as Paul VI four and a half years later), called an old friend. An experienced churchman who had long served Pius XII as chief of staff, Montini saw storm clouds on the horizon: “This holy old boy,” he said of John XXIII, “doesn’t know what a hornet’s nest he‘s stirring up.”

That shrewd observation turned out to be spot on –– and not simply because of the Council, but because of the bees and hornets that had been buzzing around the ecclesiastical nest for well over 100 years.

Contrary to both traditionalist and progressive misconceptions, Catholicism was not a placid institution, free of controversy and contention, prior to Vatican II. As I show in “The Irony of Modern Catholic History,” there was considerable intellectual ferment in the Church during the mid-19th century, involving great figures like the recently-canonized John Henry Newman, the German bishop Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler (grandfather of modern Catholic social thought), and the Italian polymath Antonio Rosmini (praised

by John Paul II in the 1999 encyclical, “Faith and Reason,” and beatified under Benedict XVI). That ferment accelerated during the 25-year pontificate of Leo XIII, who launched what I dub the “Leonine Revolution,” challenging the Church to engage the modern world with distinctively Catholic tools in order to convert the modern world and lay a firmer foundation for its aspirations.

American Catholicism, heavily focused on institution-building, was largely unaware of the sharp-edged controversies (and ecclesiastical elbow-throwing) that followed Leo XIII’s death in 1903. Those

controversies, plus the civilization-shattering experience of two world wars in Europe, plus a rapid secularization process in Old Europe that began in the 19th century, set the stage for John XXIII’s epic opening address to Vatican II. There, the pope explained what he envisioned Vatican II doing: gathering up the energies let loose by the Leonine Revolution and focusing them through the prism of an ecumenical council, which he hoped would be a Pentecostal experience energizing the Church with new evangelical zeal.

John XXIII understood that the Gospel proposal could only be made by speaking to the modern world in a vocabulary the modern world could hear.

Finding the appropriate grammar and vocabulary for contemporary evangelization didn’t mean emptying Catholicism of its content or challenge, however. As the Pope insisted, the perennial truths of the faith were to be expressed with the “same meaning” and the “same judgment.” Vatican II, in other words, was to foster the development of doctrine, not the deconstruction of doctrine. And the point of that doctrinal development was to equip the Church for mission and evangelization, for the modern world would be converted by truth, not ambiguity or confusion.

Over the past six and a half years, it’s become abundantly clear that more than a few Catholics, some quite prominently placed, still don’t get this history. Nor do the more vociferous elements in the Catholic blogosphere. Which is why I hope “The Irony of Modern Catholic History” helps facilitate a more thoughtful debate on the Catholic present and future, through a better understanding of the Catholic past.

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God’s love reaches out to all The Old Testament Book of Wisdom sings out to God, “you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made . . . you spare all things because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls, for your imperishable spirit is in all things!” (Wis 11:24a-b, 26). Our readings this Sunday highlight the hopeful theme that while human sinfulness can sometimes obscure the goodness of God’s people, that goodness nevertheless always remains at the core of every being. This is because that goodness is the imprint of God’s own involvement with his creation. God’s mercy is abundant in these readings as we journey on toward the conclusion of this church year.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

By Msgr. John N. Fell

WEEK IN SCRIPTURE Sun 3 Mon 4 Tues 5 Wed 6 Thurs 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tues 12 Wed 13 Thurs 14 Fri 15 Sat 16

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Wis 11:22 – 12:2 • Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14 • 2 Thes 1:11-2:2 • Lk 19:1-10 Rom 11:29-36 • Ps 69:30-31, 33-34, 36 • Lk 14:12-14 Rom 12:5-16b • Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3 • Lk 14:15-24 Rom 13:8-10 • Ps 112: 1b-2, 4-5, 9 • Lk 14:25-33 Rom 14:7-12 • Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14 • Lk 15:1-10 Rom 15:14-21 • Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 • Lk 16:1-8 Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 • Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9 • 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 • Jn 2:13-22 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14 • Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 • 2 Thes 2:16 – 3:5 • Lk 20:27, 34-38 Wis 1:1-7 • Ps 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 • Lk 17:1-6 Wis 2:23 – 3:9 • Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19 • Lk 17:7-10 Wis 6:1-11 • Ps 82:2-3, 6-7 • Lk 17:11-19 Wis 7:22b – 9:1 • Ps 119:89, 90, 91, 130, 135, 175 • Lk 17:20-25 Wis 13:1-9 • Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab • Lk 17:26-37 Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9 • Ps 105 ;2-3, 36-37, 42-43 • Lk 18: 1-8

Martin de Porres 1579 - 1639 feast - November 3

Goggle, public domain

This illegitimate son of a freed Panamanian slave and a Spanish knight became a hero to the people of Lima, Peru, his birthplace, for his compassionate care of the sick and poor. Apprenticed at age 12 to a barber-surgeon, Martin also learned herbal medicine from his mother. After working for several years at a Dominican monastery as a Third Order member, he made his profession as a lay brother in 1603. He founded an orphanage and foundling hospital, ministered to African slaves, practiced great penances and experienced mystical gifts. Martin was carried to his grave by prelates and noblemen and all Peruvians acclaimed him their beloved saint. He is the patron of hairdressers and interracial justice.

Saints

SCRIPTURE SEARCH® Gospel for November 3, 2019 Luke 19:1-10

Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C: Zacchaeus' change of heart. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

ZACCHAEUS HE RAN PASS STAY HALF SALVATION SEEK

TAX COLLECTOR SYCAMORE THAT WAY RECEIVED THE POOR ABRAHAM TO SAVE

STATURE TREE LOOKED UP SINNER TODAY SON OF MAN LOST

UP THE TREE T H E P O O R L W K N P H A L F M A H A R B A N A N X T R E K E E S M A T N J C R L M M S W F N W O J A O F D U Y E O D A

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Z S S L O O K E D U P R © 2019 TRI-C-A Publications; www.tri-c-a-publications.com

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

The Book of Wisdom likely dates back to the first century before Christ. It offers an inspiring blend of Hebrew wisdom and Greek reflection. The section of the book that gives rise to this Sunday’s First Reading is an extended homily about God’s saving deeds during the Exodus. The author is emphasizing the goodness of all God’s creation, even while acknowledging that human sinfulness can sometimes veil that abiding goodness. The Book of Wisdom praises God’s merciful patience with his sometimes wayward creatures, noting that this does not denote a tolerance of sin, but rather a loving opportunity for repentance. The book explains that “[God] rebuke[s] offenders little by little, warn[s] them and remind[s] them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord” (Wis 12:2).

This theme put forward by the Book of Wisdom finds an apt illustration in St. Luke’s Gospel story about Zacchaeus. St. Luke places this parable toward the end of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem where the events of his passion, death, and resurrection would soon unfold. This story can serve as a reminder of a subject that has often been the focus of the Lucan Gospel stories — the revelation that God’s love reaches out to all — Jews, Gentiles, saints, sinners, rich, poor, etc. Time and again Jesus embraces those who would have traditionally been thought to be beyond the concern of good religious people; Pope Francis explained this good news during one of his homilies, “God loves us the way we are, and no sin, fault or mistake of ours makes him change his mind. As far as Jesus is concerned — as

the Gospel shows — no one is unworthy of, or far from, his thoughts. No one is insignificant. He loves all of us with a special love; for him all of us are important: you are important . . . [God] cares about you! In his eyes, you are precious, and your value is inestimable” (Pope Francis, Homily, 7/31/2016).

Zacchaeus was a wealthy Jewish man who served as a chief tax collector for the Roman authorities. Such people were generally looked upon as traitors to their own people. They made their money by oppressing fellow Jews. Zacchaeus was a figure who would have garnered very little sympathy among his contemporaries.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he had a problem. Because of the size of the crowds, and his short stature, he was unable to cast his gaze upon the Lord. And so Zacchaeus ran past the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree. God’s grace must have already begun to stir within him — wealthy, imperious tax collectors did not run through the streets, and they certainly did not climb trees in public. So compelling was his desire to see Jesus, Zacchaeus risked the humiliation of the crowds in order to watch him pass by.

Zacchaeus was transformed by his eventual encounter with Jesus. The goodness of his creation in the image and likeness of God came to the surface, breaking through the crust of sinful oppression that had previously marked his life. Jesus saw Zacchaeus up in the tree, not as a wanton transgressor, but as a beloved child of God, a lost sheep to be reconciled to the flock. And so Jesus bade Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and signaled his intention to visit his house. God’s goodness gave Zacchaeus the opportunity to repent of his sin, promise restitution, and further welcome Jesus into his life. God’s inexhaustible love for all his creation, highlighted in the Wisdom reading, resounds in this Gospel story.

The Story of Zacchaeus bolsters our hope that the redeeming grace of God can always bring success to our own efforts to move closer to Jesus and to reach out to those whose lives or situations make them seem very distant from the Lord. St. Paul expresses this beautifully in the prayer he offers in his second Letter to the Thessalonians: “We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in you . . .” (2 Thes 1:11-12a).

Msgr. Fell is a Scripture scholar and director, diocesan Office for Priest Personnel

OUR FAITH

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

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McAULEY

EVANGELIZATION HERE & NOW

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OCTOBER 31, 2019

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

El Manantial, the Spanish language newspaper of The Diocese of Metuchen, is now available on line.

Simply go to The Catholic Spirit’s website and click on E-edition at the bottom to view the most recent edition.

Evangelization HERE AND NOW

Priest evangelizes through competition mayor was right.

“There were a lot of my parishioners there,” Msgr. Cicerale said. “They One of the competitors at the recent 2019 were surprised to see me on one level, New Jersey Senior Olympic Games may but also happy to see me. We were havhave gone by the nickname “Charlie” ing fun and not taking it too seriously, on the bocce court, horseshoe pit and and enjoying the camaraderie.”

The pastor shared the dais with miniature golf course, but on Sundays, his parishioners at Woodbridge’s St. local and state officials at the opening James Parish call him their pastor, Msgr. ceremonies, said a prayer, then joined his fellow competitors on the playing Charles W. Cicerale.

The 71-year-old bespectacled, fields. Describing his bocce strategy as bearded cleric – sporting shorts, sneak- “half luck, half skill,” he and St. James parishioner Jerry Lu ers, a baseball cap Cante clinched third and a royal blue place in bocce doushirt – was one of bles. about 1,500 men and Perhaps most The monsignor’s women sports aficioimportantly, “just for fun” strategy nados who competed was tested by certain in more than a dozen faith knows no northern New Jersey different sports in the boundaries, competitors, however. annual Woodbridge He smiled as he discompetition.

Msgr. which makes cussed his toughest Cicerale earned four competitors: members medals in his age catsports arenas of a bocce club from egory over the Sept. unique, but Jersey City.

6-8 competition, in“The competition cluding a gold in indiappropriate was serious in bocce. vidual bocce, a silver places to It came down to the in horseshoes, and a very last throw,” he bronze medal each speak of continued. “When I in doubles bocce and won, [my competitor] individual miniature evangelization. was angry, but I told golf competitions. him, ‘There is a God, “This has been a and he takes care of lot of fun,” he said, his own.’” looking at the medals As he competed in horseshoes and adorned with red, white and blue ribbons. “I am not much of a competitor. I miniature golf, Msgr. Cicerale was faced with an immovable scheduling conflict. do it for the fun of it all.”

“Bocce was scheduled for Friday, Woodbridge’s Mayor John E. McCormac had invited the new pastor to but some of it was also on Sunday mornparticipate in the sporting events soon ing,” he said. “If I hadn’t won on Friday, after he arrived 15 years earlier to helm I would have had to forfeit the Sunday the suburban parish, noting it would be a morning matches because I had Mass. good way to meet his parishioners. The Luckily, the mini golf and horseshoes matches were on Saturday.”

The bocce standings were posted in time for Msgr. Cicerale to receive his medals during the competition, but other sports results were delayed for more than a week until all competition was concluded.

“Pat Trombetta and Frank St. Marie, N.J. Senior Olympics co-chairs, are St. James parishioners and always at the 12 o’clock Mass,” their pastor said. “I learned about my medals in horseshoes and mini golf when they brought them to me at Mass on the next Sunday.”

Msgr. Cicerale freely admits he might receive some ribbing from fellow

By Christina Leslie Correspondent

Msgr. Cicerale won a gold medal for individual bocce, a silver in horseshoes, and a bronze medal each in doubles bocce and individual miniature golf.

Msgr. Charles W. Cicerale, pastor of St. James Parish, Woodbridge, dons the medals he won at the N.J. Senior Olympic Games.

— Christina Leslie photos

clerics about his sports endeavors. The quadruple medal winner has a message for his fellow clergy who might think participation in the secular event inappropriate.

“To those who might argue that this is not the place for a priest, I would say, ‘Come and give it a try. Maybe we can encourage others, and it’s not a bad way to stay fit.’”

There’s also the connection with his flock to consider.

“They saw me in a whole different light,” Msgr. Cicerale said. “Not only can I have fun, but they saw me as pretty much one of their own.”

Perhaps most importantly, faith knows no boundaries, which makes sports arenas unique, but appropriate, places to speak of evangelization. The priest related a conversation he had with the wife of one of his bocce competitors.

“She was surprised to see a priest involved in the games. When she told me she had been away from the Church for a while, I said, ‘You know that big church down on the corner?” Msgr.

Cicerale asked, referring to St. James perched atop a nearby hill. “Why don’t you come down? We are there every weekend.’”

“There’s no reason to stay away,” he added. “Whatever reason there was, come home. You are always welcome in our parish.”

The priest extended an invitation to speak with the lapsed Catholic, who expressed gratitude by echoing his offer to return to the fold. “I told her, ‘You know what you are missing? You miss the Eucharist.’” Msgr. Cicerale said. “‘Don’t let anyone or anything keep you away.’”

Journey of Faith

By Father John Gerard Hillier For most Catholic families, the grueling task of cleaning out the family home following the death of one’s parents or grandparents includes years of accumulated paperwork, some collectables, bric-a-brac and, of course, sacrament certificates, medals, rosary beads, crucifixes, statues of countless saints (including every possible variation of Mary), relics, water from Lourdes, Fatima, etc., and blessed oil in honor of St. Anne, St. Joseph, St. Jude, and St. Peregrine.

Circumstances such as these are occasions to reflect on the meaning of the sacraments and sacramentals within the larger Catholic faith that we all profess.

When we hear the word “sacrament,” we generally assume it refers to one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for His Church (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick).

However, a sacramental is something quite different even though it bears “a resemblance to the sacraments” (ccc 1667).

A sacramental often includes a symbolic component, but “always includes a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands, the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water” (ccc 1668). Thus, the items in a Catholic home that become “many” over the years are secondary to the blessing or prayer that accompanies them. Such items also point to special devotions and often to the popular piety of a country or region in which a person lives.

Unlike the seven sacraments, “sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments

do” (ccc 1670). Rather, they dispose or prepare us “to receive grace and... to cooperate with it” (ccc 1670). Among the various sacramentals are “blessings of persons, meals, objects, and places [which] come first” (ccc 1671).

Examples of sacramentals directed toward persons include “the blessing of the abbot or abbess of a monastery, the consecration of virgins and widows, the rite of religious profession and the blessing of certain ministries of the Church (readers, acolytes, catechists, etc.)“ (ccc 1671). Among those sacramentals that are intended for objects are included “the dedication or blessing of a church or an altar, the blessing of holy oils, vessels, and vestments, bells, etc.” (ccc 1671).

Medals, such as those depicting the image of Jesus, Mary or the saints also fall into this category.

The Catechism tells us that “every blessing praises God and prays for his gifts” (ccc 1671). As such, we are as St. Paul puts it, blessed by God the Father “with every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3) when we use sacramentals or participate in an event that is a sacramental. No wonder we bless ourselves by making “the holy sign of the cross of Christ” (ccc 1671). In fact, we do not really bless ourselves but rather we are blessed by God and his Church when we make the sign of the cross.

All blessings are meant to keep us in God’s care and protect us from the power of the Evil one. We all know from the Gospels that Jesus performed exorcisms.

Thus, following his example, the Church received this special “power and office of exorcizing” (ccc 1673).

— In the simplest form, exorcisms are performed at the celebration of every Baptism.

— More significantly, “when the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism” (ccc 1673).

— A solemn exorcism or major exorcism “can be performed only by

LightingHeartsOnFire.org

knowledge of the mystery of Christ” (ccc 1676).

Using the example of the “veneration of relics and images used for veneration,” the Second Vatican Council’s 1963 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy tells us that “the Saints have been traditionally honored in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration” (paragraph 111). The term “relics of the Saints” principally signifies the bodies — or notable parts of the bodies — of the Saints who, as distinguished members of Christ’s Mystical Body and Temples of the Holy Spirit, once lived on earth, but by virtue of their heroic sanctity, now dwell in Heaven. Items that belonged to the saints, such as personal objects or clothes are also considered relics, as are objects which have touched their bodies or tombs, such as oils, cloths, and sacred images.

Seeking to summarize the underlying meaning of piety and devotion, thenPope, now St. John Paul II — in his1979 Apostolic Exhortation “Catechesis In Our Time” — states, “at its core the piety of the people is a storehouse of values that offers answers of Christian wisdom to the great questions of life” (paragraph 54).

Father Hillier serves as Director of the Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Censor Librorum and oversees the Office for Persons with Disabilities

Remember to Vote…

Be a Faithful Citizen

Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org to explore how you can love your neighbors by advocating as a faithful citizen on behalf of those who are poor and vulnerable.

As you prepare to vote this week, read the U.S. bishops' statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, watch videos and access other great resources on faithful citizenship.

THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

For information about the Year of Spiritual Renewal and consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe go to:

a priest and with the permission of the bishop” (ccc 1673). The Catechism explains that when dealing with those who seek formal exorcisms, “the priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church” (ccc 1673). The Church’s Code of Canon Law explains that “exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness” (canon 1172).

Matters of popular piety and devotion are also treated in this section of the Catechism including “the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross, religious dances, the rosary, medals,” etc. (ccc 1674). Such devotion may be more or less prominent depending on the culture and people in various places.

Therefore, the Catechism tells us, “pastoral discernment is needed to sustain and support popular piety and, if necessary, to purify and correct the religious sense which underlies these devotions” in order to help the faithful “advance in

FAITH ALIVE

Article 127 - Catechism of the Catholic Church Series Paragraphs 1667-1676

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Community Life

OUR DIOCESE

Seventy Companions of Pauline of the Sisters of Christian Charity and the moderators recently held their annual retreat at the Motherhouse in Mendham. The theme for the day was “Mother Pauline in Legacy and in Glory.” Sister Ann Marie Paul, director, Neighborhood Center for Women, Passaic, spoke at the morning session focusing on the community’s legacy entitled, “In Response to God’s Call: New Wine in New Wineskins.” Sister Ann Marie presented the results of the Eastern Provincial Chapter, Mendham, and the 24th General Chapter in Paderborn, Germany. Mass and dinner together with all the Sisters of the Motherhouse followed.

In the afternoon presentation, “Enjoying Life in the Communion of Saints,” Sister Marie Pauline Demek, provincial councilor and director of Villa Pauline Retreat and Spiritual Center, Mendham, shared a deeper understanding of the Communion of Saints through the lens of Scripture, Vatican Council II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Church history, and provided ideas to celebrate and reimagine the All Saints Day and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. After consideration of one’s own call to holiness in today’s world, the day ended with the Companions of Pauline praying a litany of the Church’s Most Recent Saints. Posing in photo, from left, some participants of the retreat: Kathy Dalton, Sister Mary Veronica Kulsar, Sister Marie Pauline Demek, Maryann Sheerin, Jack Yanity, Anne Tredici, Karen Yanity, Sister Marie Colette Martelli, Elizabeth Kajajain, Louise Sarfas, Elaine Thornberry and Sister Ann Marie Paul.

— photo courtesy of the Sisters of Christian Charity.

Boylan Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated

188 Easton Avenue New Bruns., NJ 08901 (732) 545-4040

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Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home 419 Barclay Street, Perth Amboy • 732-826-4525 JOSEPH P. DIAZ, Manager - NJ Lic. No. 3841 GARY EARL RUMPF, Director - NJ Lic. No. 3353

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Lester Memorial Home

1225 Green St.

568 Middlesex Ave. (Rt 27)

Thoughtful, Personal Dignified Service GREGORY S. LESTER, MANAGER, NJ LIC. NO. 3364 DAVID L. LESTER, DIRECTOR, NJ LIC. NO. 3483

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Thomas J. DeMarco Manager, N.J. LIC. NO. 4651 Peter S. Winther Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 4763 Jennifer L. Burry Director, N.J. LIC. NO. 5172 M. David DeMarco President, N.J. LIC. NO. 3203 205 Rhode Hall Road Monroe Twp., NJ 08831 Family Owned and Operated

732-521-0555 • www.demarcofuneralhome.com Family owned and operated since 1900 Four generations of caring www.flynnfuneral.com Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home

Flynn and Son Funeral Home 420-424 East Avenue Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 Brendan J. Flynn, Jr., Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4105 James J. Flynn IV, Mgr. - NJ Lic. # 4152 (732) 548-2134 (732) 826-0358 Flynn and(732) Son826-0358 Funeral Home Flynn and Son/Koyen Flynn and Son Funeral Home Flynn and Son Funeral Home FuneralFlynn Flynn and Son Funeral Home Edison-Fords Homeand Son/Koyen Perth Amboy Funeral Home Perth Amboy 23 Ford Edison-Fords Avenue 319 Amboy Avenue 420-424 East Avenue 23 Ford Avenue 319 Amboy Avenue Edison-Fords, NJ 08863 Metuchen, NJ 08840 Perth Amboy, NJ420-424 08861 East Avenue Brendan J. Flynn, Manager Jr. Manager Manager Edison-Fords, NJ 08863 Brendan J. Flynn, Metuchen, NJ 08840 James J. Flynn IV, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 Flynn and Son Funeral Home

Family owned andAvenue operated since 1900 Family and operated since 3191900 Amboy Avenue 23owned Ford FourFour generations ofNJcaring Metuchen, NJ 08840 Edison-Fords, 08863of caring generations

FUNERAL DIRECTORY

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YOUR DIOCESAN CEMETERIES Ready to serve you!

Holy Cross Cemetery

Cranbury/South River Rd., Jamesburg, NJ

Featuring … Mary Sorrowful Mother Mausoleum Crematory at Holy Cross Cemetery

Resurrection Cemetery Hoes Lane & Park Ave., Piscataway, NJ

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For information about purchase of crypts, niches or plots at the diocesan-owned and operated Cemeteries, please call:

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ZYLKA FUNERAL HOME

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To advertise in this directory call Nan at (732) 765-6444

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ACROSS 2 Chrysologus, a Doctor of the Church 7 Wife of St. Joachim 8 “…___ thy help or sought thy intercession…” (Memorare) 9 Sea of Exodus crossing 10 Paul mentions her in Romans 16:1 12 ___ magna 13 Pope St. Pius X’s surname 14 Hometown of St. Benedict 15 What Judas was in charge of 16 Second word in the name of a French basilica 18 Passover meal 20 “…bone of my bones and ___…”

(Gen 2:23) 22 Cry from the congregation 23 Wife of the prophet Hosea 24 An orbiting solar observatory is named after this 17th century Catholic scientist, not the Star Trek character 26 Second word in the name of a French basilica

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Answers can be found on page 31

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Business Directory CONTRACTORS

Bob Stilo “Specializing in Asphalt Paving”

GENERAL CONTRACTING 2907 So. Clinton Ave., South Plainfield, NJ 07080

908-754-0776 • Fax: 908-754-0425

BRIDGET ZEZENSKI Licensed Insurance Consultant p. 609-285-8475 bridgetzezenskiuhc@yahoo.com Authorized to offer:

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OWEN S. DUNIGAN & CO., INC. PLUMBING & HEATING State Lic. #7121 Certified Backflow Inspector Lic. #8714

732.634.0630 WOODBRIDGE 732.381.4544 RAHWAY 732.494.5251 METUCHEN James Juarez, 153 Grove St. Woodbridge, NJ 07095

REAL ESTATE

Josef Bas, Owner 732.579.2490 Fully Insured

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Gutters Leaders Gutters Covers Gutter Cleaning New Installation & Repair Roofing Chimney Repair

CONTRACTORS HVAC Mechanical Contracting

Thomas Pado President

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t: 609.426.1966 f: 609.426.1766 400 Rike Drive, Millstone Twp., NJ 08535

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

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DOWN 1 Sanctuary ___ 2 One of the apostles and namesakes 3 A Doctor of the Church 4 One of four in Revelation 5 ___ Works of Mercy 6 Ten Hail Marys 11 The ___ of David 12 Floor length vestment 16 Catholic comedian DeLuise 17 “For us ___, and for our salvation…”

19 “O come, O come ___” 21 Catholic saint who was a priest-explorer 22 Opening of the largest diocese in a province 23 A biblical judge 24 Place for monks 25 August 1, Feast of St. Peter in ___ 27 “Where were you when I founded the ___?” (Job 38:4) 30 Communion wafer

PLUMBING SERVICES

HEALTHCARE

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28 Sister of Judah 29 The Lord said to him, “Come now, let us set things right” (Isa 1:18) 31 Second Greek letter in a title for Jesus 32 Ark of the ___ 33 Members of a religious order 34 Catholic actress and First Lady of the American Theatre

OUR DIOCESE

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AROUND THE DIOCESE Prayer and Worship

DIRECTORY ST. HELENA SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES PARISH CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

930 Grove Avenue, Edison

in Monsignor Dalton Hall 42 Main Street, Sayreville, NJ 08872

SA SATUR DAY NOVEMBER 2 9 am - 3 pm

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2019

Handmade crafters from Wood to Wool Jewelry · Accessories Crafts · Jewelry Holiday Items · Home Goods Many types of Vendors Great Food and much more!!!

Free Admission & Parking

Over 75+ Vendors Craft Items · Homemade Goodies Refreshments · Fantastic Prizes Activities & Games for Children Photos with Santa

Limited Vendor Tables available Vendors contact: RENEEWALL3@YAHOO.COM or call Renee at 732-259-9842 ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & GIFT AUCTION 380 Meredith Street, Perth Amboy (in the school auditorium)

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Great Prizes · Fabulous Food · Games Vendors · Fun for Everyone Free Admission

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

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10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Vendors & Crafters Wanted!

Contact Nicole at 732-857-5082

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FALL FESTIVAL/ CRAFT SHOW (FORMERLY GRANNYS CELLAR)

Sponsored by the Rosary Altar Society 23 Manalapan Road, Spotswood SA SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30 9 am -4 pm

Quality holiday and hand crafted items Free admission Kitchen open for Breakfast and Lunch Lots of free parking

732-826-8721

Crafters tables available call Jay 609-409-0199

MOTHER SETON REGIONAL HS PEPPERMINT BOUTIQUE CRAFT FAIR

ST. MARY’S ALTA ROSARY SOCIETY CRAFT SHOW St. Mary Church Hall, 830 Fifth Avenue, Alpha, NJ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019 9am - 2pm

One Valley Road, Clark, NJ (GSP Exit 135, opposite Holiday Inn)

SATURDAY DECEMBER 7 9:00 am - 4:00 pm OVER 100 VENDORS TO SHOP FROM! Quality Holiday Hand-Crafted Items

Craft Items • Theme Baskets • Prizes Free Admission & Parking • Handicapped Accessible Food and Beverages available

For information call Mary Lee 908-454-4980

ST. MATTHIAS SCHOOL 33RD Annual CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR! 170 JFK Blvd., Somerset, NJ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 9am - 2pm

Kitchen Open all day

Holiday Gifts • Over 50 Vendors • Bake Sale

Free Admission · Free Parking

Toy Tricky Tray & More! Free Admission & Parking

732-382-1952

www.stmatthias.info ∙ Register to be a Vendor e-mail: colleenmeriksen@aol.com

To advertise your craft fair call NAN at 732-765-6444

The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, will celebrate a sung Mass every Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Latin. The Mass is celebrated according to the 1962 Missal in compliance with the “Summorum Pontificum.” For details, call the Shrine Rectory Office, (908) 300-8167.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, will hold a Holy Hour of Prayer for the Dying every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church. Come and pray for those who are dying, especially those who die suddenly and unprepared to enter eternal life. For information, call (732) 968-5555.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Piscataway, will hold a Holy Hour for Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians every Sunday at 7 p.m., in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, 50 Van Winkle Place, Piscataway.

Participants are invited to silently pray the Rosary and special prayers for the intentions of Christians worldwide who are being persecuted for their faith. For information, call Becky, (703) 625-5388.

The Militia of the Immaculata Prayer Village will meet on the First Saturday of every month after the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere. Come and learn about St. Maximilian Kobe, pray the Rosary and consider consecrating yourself to Mary. For details, email mivillagebelvidere@gmail.com.

Nov. 3, 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.

Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m. — St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick, will celebrate the Marian Year of preparation, with vespers, prayer and catechesis. All are welcome. For information, call (732) 545-6820.

Nov. 13, 7 p.m. — St. James Parish, Woodbridge, will hold a Mass and healing service. Father John Campoli, I.V. Dei, director of His Love Ministries will be the celebrant. Blessings and healing prayers will be held following Mass. For information, call Maryann, (732) 803-7466.

toes, dessert and more. The cost is $15 for those nine years old and older and $5 for children eight years old and under. To-go orders are available. For information, call (908) 725-0615.

Concerts

Nov. 10, 4 p.m. — Our Lady of Peace Parish, North Brunswick, will host a concert in honor of the parish’s 50th anniversary, featuring the choirs of the parish. Advance tickets are $5 or $10 at the door. Students and seniors are free with advanced tickets.

For tickets, call Alicia DeFrange (732) 297-9680 or email office@olopnb.org.

Nov. 17, 4 p.m. — St. Mary Parish, South Amboy, will present Music at St. Mary’s in the church. Quinception will perform music from the classical and romantic periods and the works of Franz Danzi, Aaron Copeland and others. A suggested donation of $15 per person will be accepted. A meet and greet reception will follow the concert.

For information, call (732) 857-0202.

Dec. 1, 3 p.m. — Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield, invites all to a Christmas Concert performed by The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea in the church.

General tickets are $30, $25 for seniors and $15 for students. To purchase tickets, call (908) 756-0633, ext. 110 or (732) 549-9633.

Pilgrimages

Nov. 16, 9 a.m. — St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish, Far Hills-Peapack, will hold a pilgrimage to The Basilica of Regina Pacis, Brooklyn. The day will include a tour of the basilica, confessions, Mass and lunch at L & B Spumoni Gardens. The cost is $55.

For information or reservations, call (908) 234-1265.

Special Programs

Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m. — Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer, Watchung, will present the third annual Interfaith Program entitled “Holding on to Hope.” Come and learn from a panel consisting of representatives from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The cost is $20-$30 as you are able to pay. To register, call (908) 753-2091 or visit www.msmhope.org.

Members Needed

Nov. 18, 7 p.m. — Our Lady of Victories Parish, Sayreville, will hold a Mass and healing service. The celebrant will be Father John Campoli, director of His Love Ministries. Individual healing prayers will be given following Mass. For information, call Marilyn, (732) 991-7379 or visit www. frjohncampoli.com.

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.

Fun and Food

Blood Drives

Nov. 13, 4 to 7 p.m. — St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Hillsborough, will sponsor a Slavic dinner in the parish center. The dinner will include all you can eat pierogis, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, mashed pota-

Nov. 7, 2 to 8 p.m. — Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Matawan, in conjunction with New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood in Desmond Hall. To set up an appointment, call (832) 566-9334.

November

DIOCESAN EVENTS

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.

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) 243-4580 or email pontifical.mission.societies@diometuchen.org.

On December 12th Bishop Checchio inaugurated a year of preparation for the consecration of the Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe. His intention for this year is that we each open our heart wide to God’s grace so that authentic spiritual renewal can take place. In light of this you are invited to come to an evening of prayer, preaching and reflection on the message and meaning of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparitions on our continent in 1531. Discover how The Blessed Mother led nine million indigenous Mexican people into a life changing encounter with her Son, Jesus, and how she desires to lead you into a deep and vibrant relationship with Him as well. For information, visit www.

LightingHeartsOnFire.org.

11/2 2019 Choices Matter – A Critical Life Conference, Catholic Student Association, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Rutgers Student Center, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. by Bishop James F. Checchio at St. Peter’s University and Community Parish. The keynote speaker will be Leah Darrow. General registration is $25. College and high school students are $10. Lunch is included. To register online, visit www.rutgerscatholic.org.

11/6 Adult Enrichment Classes, Office of Adult Faith Formation, 10 to 11:30 a.m., St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The classes will be held on Wednesdays. The topic will be “Apologetics of the Catholic Faith.” Father Glenn Comandini, S.T.D. will serve as instructor. Reading assignments will be from “The Catechism of the Catholic Church.” The program is free. Registration is required. To register, call Angela, (732) 562-1543 or to register on line visit, http://diometuchen.org/ongoingfaith-formation.

11/6 A Catholic Prayer and Support for Families Affected by Mental Health Issues, Office for Persons with Disabilities, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere. The support group will offer spiritual support and tips on how to cope with mental health issues. The program will also be held through Dec. on the first Wednesday of the month. For details, call (732) 765-6432 or email catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

December

12/4 A Catholic Prayer and Support for Families Affected by Mental Health Issues, Office for Persons with Disabilities, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., St. Patrick Parish, Belvidere. The support group will offer spiritual support and tips on how to cope with mental health issues. For details, call (732) 765-6432 or email catholicswithdisabilities@gmail.com.

January

REAL ESTATE

SELLING YOUR HOME? Call George Pantozzi, Broker/Sales Associate, Berkshire Hathaway NJ Properties for a complimentary market analysis.

I also buy homes. Cell: 908.392.2677; Office: 908.874.3400 ext 324.

CLEANING SERVICES

DELUXE HOUSEKEEPING - Quality & Reliable Cleaning Service. Free Estimates.

Commercial and Residential. Call Tony or Karina: (732) 670-7437.

“Come, Follow me.”

(Mark 10:21)

Is God calling you to serve as a priest, religious sister or brother? If you think maybe . . . call the Office of Vocations: (732) 562-2453 or e-mail: vocations@ diometuchen.org

BUSINESS MANAGER - P/T St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish is seeking a part time Parish Business Manager, who will serve as a staff resource in support of the pastor. This position will have direct responsibility for administration of financial, human resources, facilities, and Development management.

Candidates should have a minimum of a B.A. in accounting, finance management or equivalent professional experience and be able to perform general accounting including ledger, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, taxation; supervise staff and scheduling; oversee parish Development efforts; monitor facilities’ management; work well with pastor, staff and volunteers. Five years of managerial or professional experience in account or business management, including supervising staff.

Salary commiserate with experience.

Please send resumes to ParishLife@SaintEB.org or mail to: St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid Parish PO Box 33, Peapack, NJ 07977

PRO-LIFE NURSE MANAGER PART-TIME

Life Choices Resource Center, a pro-life pregnancy center in Middlesex County is seeking a part-time (10 hours) Nurse Manager.

A paid position; volunteers welcome.

Duties include: review patient records, chaperone exams, offer counsel, education & referrals.

Reply to Rosanda Grau at lifechoices@optonline.org Or call 732-516-0911 (24/7) • www.LifeChoicesRC.com

NEED PRO - LIFE HOUSEMOTHERS 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.

Drivers License required Reply to : Susan Harper - Lloyd, Email: susanharperlloyd@aol.com Or call: 201-819-4699 (M-F 9-5)

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Crossword Puzzle Answers L A N N M P H O O N U R S S E D

P E T E R E E I M P T R E D E B E E C R S A R T O S I A P D A M E E R O E M A M E N G O M E R P I A C O E U R D I N A H A I E U R H O C O V E N A N T R N L H A Y

C L O R A P O U R A F L

D R E D C P A D S E

E S H E I C A R D H R S A I A H I O N U N S E S T

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THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT OCTOBER 31, 2019

1/21 PCL Round Table, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children, 9:30 a.m. St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway. The discussion is for Parish Catechetical Leaders to gather as a whole and share with each other. To register, call Katie Battle, (732) 243-4575 or email kbattle@diometuchen. org by Jan. 14.

CAREGIVER - Experienced care for the elderly including Dementia and Alzheimers. Good companion; responsible and reliable; will live in. References available. Call Beca: 1-908-9920511or (908) 240-6100.

HELP WANTED

OUR DIOCESE

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The Shrine of St. Joseph GIFT & BOOK SHOP 1050 Long Hill Road, Stirling, NJ 07980

The Sister Servants of Jesus invite our friends, old and new, to visit our charming Gift and Book Shop, featuring a wide array of religious selections for you and your loved ones.

Seven-Day Prayer Intention Candles!

Religious Books • DVDs • CDs • Cards • Bibles • Gifts • Medals Rosaries • Statues • Crosses • Boys & Girls Communion Clothes & More

908-647-2766 • www.stshrine.org

OCTOBER 31, 2019 THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

Hours: M-Sat: 10am - 5pm • Sun: 11am - 3pm