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January 2024: News, Resources & Upcoming Diocesan Events

This pastoral newsletter includes news, events and resources. For recurring events, please see the individual office newsletter.

Office of Ongoing Faith Formation

Adult Enrichment Course

"The Theology of the Eucharist"


The Office of Ongoing Faith Formation will be offering an Adult Enrichment Course entitled "The Theology of the Eucharist" on twelve consecutive Thursdays starting January 4 through March 21, 2024 from 10 am to 11:30 am. The course will be offered at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center located at 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ. The classes will be presented by Fr. Glenn Comandini, S.T.D. and will include a lecture and Q & A.


There is a $15. fee to attend which covers all 12 sessions. You may register online at www.diometuchen.org/faith-formation (please register only one time for all 12 classes). For more information, please email amarshall@diometuchen.org or call 732-562-1543.

Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry

Hispanic Bible School

The Diocese of Metuchen will launch a new cycle of the Hispanic Bible School. The School offers 9 basic courses (Introduction to the Sacred Scriptures, Pentateuch, Historical Books, Prophets, Sapiential Literature, Gospels, Pauline Letters, Catholic Letters, Revelation) each one of 7 sessions. 


On January 25, 2024 we will begin the Introduction of Sacred Scriptures course. Each course costs $35 per person. 

Classes will be held in person on Thursday from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at St John Neuman Pastoral Center (146 Metlars Ln, Piscataway NJ).

 

For more information and registration visit 

www.diometuchen.org/taller-de-biblia-introduccion 

or contact us at Lescobar@diometuchen.og or 732 243 4573

Hispanic Pilgrimage to the

 Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico.

The office of Hispanic Evangelization invites you to join the Hispanic Pilgrimage to the Basilica to Our Lady of Guadalupe from June 17 to June 22, 2024. Everyone is welcome to join us on a trip of spirituality, prayer and culture where we will visit Mexico City, Cholula, Puebla, Coyoacán and Xochimilco under the spiritual direction of Rev. Gustavo Rodríguez and Deacon Edgar Chaves. If you are interested, please contact us at Lescobar@diometuchen.org 

Save the Date !

  • May 25, 2024, Hispanic Pilgrimage to the Blue Army Shrine from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Stay in Touch With Us!!

Click the button and visit the website where you can update your parish information about Mass in Spanish, pastoral services or activities for the Hispanic community at any time. You can send us the information in English or Spanish.

Parishes and Hispanic Community

Click the button to sign-up to receive twice a month, information regarding the Hispanic Diocesan events and other resources for our community. 

Hispanic Office Newsletter

Office of Vocations

First Friday Holy Hour and Social


St. Peter's Catholic Church

94 Somerset St., New Brunswick, NJ


First Friday of the Month at 7:30pm


Open to all Young Adults!


Click here for Future Vocation Events

Contact: Fr. Tom Lanza: vocations@diometuchen.org

Office for Discipleship Formation for Children

Catechist Formation Day

February 3rd, 2024 (Saturday)

9:30 am - 12:00 pm Mass

St. John Neumann Pastoral Center


“Catechesis on the Eucharist: Teaching children and adolescents about the Source and Summit of the Faith”


Join fellow catechists as we explore best practices on how to teach children about the Eucharist. Sr. Lorraine Doirin and Father James De Fillipps will speak on this topic from their years of personal experience and passion for leading others to Christ.


Register on our website:

https://diometuchen.org/discipleship-formation-for-children

PCLs - Save the Date!


February 29, 2024 - for PCLs - Our Sunday Visitor featuring Dr. Joseph White

April 18, 2024 - for PCLs, Augustine Institute – Word of Life presentation

May 16, 2024 - for PCLs, RCL/Benziger


Jill Kerekes

Director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children

732-529-7930

jkerekes@diometuchen.org

Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry

St. Timothy Awards

Thank you to all who nominated teens for our 2024 Diocesan Youth Awards! Our awards ceremony will be held at the Cathedral on February 3, 2024 at 11am with Bishop Checchio. All are welcome to join us for this joyful celebration of our Youth!

Youth Minister Meet-Up and Formation Day

REGISTRATION OPEN!


Youth Minister Meet Up & Formation Day

March 9th, 2024

9:00 am - 1:45 pm


Theme: Marketing the Mission

-Recruiting Youth and Volunteers into your Youth Ministry

-Practical Tips & Hacks for Youth Ministers, Volunteers, and Parish Leaders


The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is hosting our second Youth Minister Formation Day at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center (146 Metlars Lane Piscataway, NJ 08854) on March 9th from 9:00 am-1:45pm.


The day will include the opportunity to come together in fellowship, receive training from Vice President of Ablaze Ministries, Chris Bartlett, as well as celebrate the Holy Mass together. Lunch is included. Cost is $15.


Registration is OPEN! Please register at https://www.diometuchen.org/ymtraining

by March 4th.

More Information and Registration

2024 Diocesan Youth Day

REGISTRATION OPEN!


Diocesan Youth Day


April 20th, 2024 Check-In Begins at 10am. The day will run from 10:30-5pm.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison


The Diocese of Metuchen's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry will run our Diocesan Youth Day at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, NJ on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.


Throughout the course of this day, 8th-12th grade teens will come together to enter into the sacrament of the Mass, have fun with one another, hear talks from Chika Anyanwu, have the opportunity for Adoration and Confession, enjoy live music, good food, and more! 


Please register here: https://www.diometuchen.org/diocesan-youth-day

More Information and Registration

Save the Youth Ministry dates:


  • May 19th - NJ Catholic Youth Rally at Six Flags Great Adventure


Please visit our website for more Information.


Megan (Vantslot) Callahan

Director of Youth and Young Adult Evangelization

732-243-4576

mcallahan@diometuchen.org

Office for Religious and Consecrated Life

February 2 (February 3-4 in parishes) 2024:

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

Please join in praying for our clergy and those in consecrated life.  We would appreciate your prayers also for discerners to the priesthood as well as to a life of vowed consecration. 

 

For more information on the World Day for Consecrated Life from USCCB:

https://www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/world-day-consecrated-life

Save the Date!

Lenten Day of Recollection for Religious and Consecrated Life

Saturday February 24, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Welcome coffee and luncheon are included

Retreat Master: Rev. Hank Hilton, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish

 Theme: Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary – The Visitation

 Location: St. Joseph Parish -34 Yorktown Road, Borough of Millstone

Hillsborough, NJ 08844-5139

 Contact and Registration: Sister Anna Nguyen, SC



Sister Anna Nguyen, SCC

(732) 562-2439

anguyen@diometuchen.org

Office of Multi-Cultural Ministries

Save-the-Date


Multicultural Mass & Fair

April 20, 2024

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen

details to follow

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To contact the Office of Multicultural Ministries:

Sr. Miriam Perez, Coordinator for Multicultural Ministries

732-529-7933 or mperez@diometuchen.org

Office of Human Life & Dignity

Rosary for Life - with Bishop Checchio

Friday, January 19, 2024


In solidarity with those at the March for Life in Washington, DC


Meet at St. James Parish parking lot at 1 pm

369 Amboy Ave, Woodbridge

(following the 12:10 pm Mass)

Annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass


Bishop Checchio will celebrate the Annual Respect Life Mass on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 12 noon at the

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen.

All are welcome! Pro-life honorees will be recognized at the Mass and there will be a small reception immediately following downstairs in the Community Room.

Save-the-Date


Choices Matter - A Critical Life Issues Conference


Saturday, March 16, 2024


9 am to 3:30 pm

St. John Neumann Conference Center

Piscataway, NJ


Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Speakers

Exhibits

Click to register

Contact: For questions pertaining to Office of Human Life & Dignity, please contact:

jruggiero@diometuchen.org or amarshall@diometuchen.org

Office of Family Life

Family Ministry Fair - Live Webinar

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

1-3:30pm over Zoom


Please join in hearing from speakers Dr. Gregory Popcak, Damon Owens, Enza Cerami, and Patrick Metts as we learn of opportunities to grow parish outreach to families and minister to marriages.


Registration link for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L-Bejk8ARhObhQkvuOxT2Q


Contact cdaverso@diometuchen.org with any questions and for more details.

Lectio Divina for Couples & Families

Two Thursdays per Month at 6:30pm on Zoom


Couples and families are welcome to join in praying Lectio Divina (a meditative reading of a short scripture passage).


Contact cdaverso@diometuchen.org with any questions and for more details.

Stress In Your Marriage?


· Do you feel lost, alone or bored in your marriage?

· Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with your spouse?

· Have you thought about separation or divorce?

· Does talking about it only make it worse?



RETROUVAILLE is a Lifeline to Help Couples Heal and Renew their Marriages sponsored by the Office of Family Life, Diocese of Metuchen, NJ.


RETROUVAILLE consists of a weekend experience for married couples (no group discussions) with four follow-up sessions. The upcoming weekend is February 2 – 4, 2024. All inquiries are confidential. For further information, please contact Rich Colasuonno 732-236-0671 or Annette Colasuonno 732-672-0748 or email 3024@helpourmarriage.org

Contact: Cristina D'Averso-Collins at cdaverso@diometuchen.org

Office of Divine Worship

All are welcome to join for a

special three-part lecture series hosted by the Cathedral:

The Way of Beauty in Eucharistic Revival

 

January 6: The Beauty of Authentic Sacred Liturgical Music

John D. Nowik, Director of Music, Seton Hall University

                  past Director of Sacred Music, Cathedral of Saint Francis, Metuchen

 

January 27: The Beauty of the History of the Mass

Rev. Timothy Eck, II, Director of the Office of Divine Worship, Diocese of Metuchen

 

February 17: The Beauty of the 21st Century Mass and other Liturgies

Very Rev. Jeffrey M. Calia, C.O., Provost, The Oratory of Saint Phillip Neri, Raritan, NJ



Each Saturday morning session will begin with breakfast following the 8AM Mass. The sessions will run until 11:30AM, with a coffee break halfway through. For more information, please contact the Cathedral Office at 732-548-0100. There is no cost to attend these workshops.

Office of Divine Worship - Website Update


The Office of Divine Worship has updated their diocesan webpage (https://diometuchen.org/office-of-worship). The page for preparing for the Bishop’s visit has been updated and streamlined (https://diometuchen.org/episcopal-liturgies). Parishes can find the LP forms for the Bishop’s visit on our page and submit them in advance without having to directly contact the office of worship. We have also greatly expanded the resources we provide online.

(https://diometuchen.org/resources-1). Here you can find the norms and guidelines for the diocese concerning the liturgy and the sacraments, alongside general catechetical resources. We will be adding more information here going forward, and this will be the central location for information concerning the celebration of the liturgy in the diocese.


The templates for requesting deputation of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been updated and can be found online on our resource page. We have updated our language from mandate to depute to correspond with the language used in Canon Law and the Roman Missal.

Eucharistic Adorers Wanted



Please consider promoting this important apostolate in your parishes. Now that the pandemic is over, Bishop Checchio would like to offer Eucharistic adoration at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Monday through Friday, from 9:00-11:45 a.m. As St. Pope John Paul II noted. “The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic adoration.”


Anyone who is interested in signing up should contact Angela Marshall at amarshall@diometuchen.org

Perpetual Adoration - Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament 


The Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, in Raritan, is looking for adorers to sit with the Blessed Sacrament Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is also being offered the third Thursday of each Month (Night Vigil) from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Anyone interested in signing up should visit https://blessedsacramentshrine.com/.

Liturgical Music News


The Diocesan Festival Choir is seeking new members in all sections (SATB) to join those who already give generously of their time to serve the Church as Liturgical Musicians. The choir prayerfully renders music from all periods, with a focus on Renaissance polyphony and Gregorian chant. Rehearsals are on the three preceding Tuesdays for any particular Diocesan liturgical event; rehearsals are typically held at the Cathedral of Saint Francis in Metuchen. Interested persons may set up an interview/audition by contacting Christopher Deibert, Director of Diocesan Liturgical Music, at cdeibert@diometuchen.org.

Rev. Timothy M. Eck, STL-Lit.

Director of the Office of Divine Worship

teck@diometuchen.org 

732-562-2435

Office of Communications and Public Relations

The Church through Digital Media 



As you likely know, the Diocese of Metuchen regularly uses its social media platforms to share news, events and engage with the faithful. If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on social media @diocesemetuchen and tag us in your posts so we can help you share your good news.

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  YouTube

Making the Good News Known 



The Office of Communications and Public Relations is committed to making the Good News known and telling the story of the Diocese of Metuchen, which includes telling the stories of our parishes, schools, ministries and the faithful. Do you have a positive, inspiring story to share about an individual within our local Church of Metuchen? Is your parish doing something that lights a fire in the heart of our part of the world? We want to hear from you! We invite you to share your news with us by emailing communications@diometuchen.org and, as always, news@catholicspirit.com.

The Catholic Spirit

The most recent edition of The Catholic Spirit is now available. In addition to a full-page ad promoting the National Eucharistic Congress, the December issue included articles about the Annual Retreat for Permanent Deacons, the 75th Anniversary of Mary Mother of God Parish, the Advent Retreat for Parish Catechetical Leaders, Monte Sant’Angelo, home of St. Michael the Archangel, and a record-setting season for the Thomas Aquinas football team. We are also hard at work on next month’s edition, which will feature articles about Catholic Schools Week, World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, the National Catholic Youth Conference, and Simbang Gabi. The January issue will also feature coverage of the relic of St. Jude’s arm bone, which toured several parishes in mid-December. You can read the full version of both editions online by visiting: https://catholicspirit.com/, where you can browse through stories individually or view the full paper as it appears in print. As always, we thank you for your support and welcome your feedback.

Click to read online version

Employment Opportunity - Graphic Designer 


Please consider posting this announcement in your parish bulletin:



The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, seeks a Graphic Designer to assist with the layout and design of its publication. The ideal candidate will have Adobe InDesign and Photoshop experience in a PC environment, be familiar with all aspects of electronic publishing, be a well-organized and reliable, and have a proven track record of meeting deadlines. Interested candidates should forward their resume to hr@diometuchen.org

Employment Opportunity - Freelance Photographer



The Diocese of Metuchen is seeking a freelance photographer to cover important events throughout the diocese, including the Bishop’s pastoral visits. The ideal candidate will assist the Office of Communications and Public Relations, as well as The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the diocese, in telling the story of the diocese and its partners. Interested candidates should contact Jerry Wutkowski at communications@diometuchen.org

Office of Evangelization

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage


The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) has publicly launched! The NEP (https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/) will consist of four cross-country Eucharistic processions, collectively traversing the entire continental United States over a two-month period, beginning during the feast of Pentecost, May 17-19, 2024.


The pilgrimage is being organized by the National Eucharistic Revival campaign in conjunction with Modern Catholic Pilgrim, a Catholic nonprofit dedicated to deepening the faith across the country through pilgrimages. Along the way, the pilgrims will make stops in major U.S. cities, churches, Catholic colleges, and holy sites. Parishes along the routes will host Mass, adoration, devotions, praise and worship, lectures on the Eucharist, and more.


The Seton Route, which will begin in New Haven, Connecticut, will be passing through the Diocese of Metuchen on May 27-28, 2024. The four pilgrimage processions will ultimately converge in Indianapolis on July 16, 2024, to participate in the National Eucharistic Congress. Adam Carlisle, Secretary for Evangelization and Communication, will be helping to organize our diocese’s involvement. If anyone is interested in assisting with this important event, please feel free to contact him at acarlisle@diometuchen.org.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage - Important Update 


The Diocese of Metuchen was recently notified that the perpetual pilgrims will be traveling through the diocese this May 27-28, 2024. The pilgrims will be arriving on the early evening of May 27 and departing on the early evening of May 28. More information will be forthcoming, but the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is hoping that the perpetual pilgrims, young adult Catholics (19 to 29 years old), will be able to rely on the biblical hospitality of local hosts, including lay families, parishes, religious orders, schools, and shrines along the way. There will be twelve young adults (including two seminarians) and one or two ordained chaplain(s) on every route. 

National Eucharistic Congress - Tickets/Travel Packages Now Available!


I hope that you are having a blessed Advent season! As I indicated last month, the Diocese of Metuchen has partnered with Corporate Travel Services to secure travel packages for the National Eucharistic Congress (https://www.eucharisticcongress.org/), which is being held this July 17-21 in Indianapolis, Indiana. As you can see from the attached brochure, those interested in attending the NEC will be given the option of purchasing a “Land Only” option, which will include passes, hotel accommodations (including free continental breakfast), and shuttle service to and from Indianapolis each day. We are also offering two flight options, both of which are direct flights. Participants may choose to fly out of Newark or Philadelphia. To make things easier, we will be providing a shuttle service to those flying out of Philadelphia. People will be able to park their cars at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, which will save them the hassle of driving to the airport themselves. If you missed the information session, which was held on Wednesday, December 6, you may watch the video, which has been posted to our website (https://diometuchen.org/nec2024). You will also find a copy of the brochure and a link to register for the National Eucharistic Congress. We will be updating this page regularly, so please feel free to check back in the next few weeks. Of course, if you would like to print out a poster-sized (18” x 24”) version of the brochure, please click on the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-wbak44kP4edV-8t3c1GSlBwSecM2bdi/view?usp=drive_link). As this is a pivotal moment in both American history and the legacy of the Catholic Church—it is the first National Eucharistic Congress in 83 years, after all!—we hope that you and your parishioners will consider joining Bishop Checchio in Indianapolis this summer. As these travel packages will be sold on a first-come/first-serve basis, we encourage you to share this information with your parishioners as soon as possible. Of course, if anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at acarlisle@diometuchen.org.


ViewBrochure
More Information and Registration

Contact: Adam Carlisle at acarlisle@diometuchen.org

Catholic Charities

Looking to Volunteer this Holiday season?

 

To meet the increased needs of the community, Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Thrift Store, located in Phillipsburg, needs volunteers for the following:

 

Food Pantry, Open M-F, 10am-3:30pm

- Unpack donated and purchased food

- Soft & stack food on our pantry shelves

- Prepare grocery bags for our clients

- Break down empty boxes & carry to trash bins

- Provide basic case management services and have an awareness of local resources or be willing to learn

 

Thrift Store, Open M-F, 11am-4pm

- Sort & put donated items on the shelves

- Price items donated to the store

- Help customers with any questions about items purchased.

 

Contact: If interested, please call Maria Hunter at 732-738-1315 or email mhunter@ccdom.org

 

More Volunteer opportunities are available at ccdom.org/volunteer


Tiffany Workman

Communications Specialist

732-243-4581

tworkman@diometuchen.org

Office of OCIA (RCIA)

The Rite of Election will be celebrated on Sunday, February 18th at 2:30 pm at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. Please see the diocesan RCIA page for instructions on registering for the Rite of Election. (https://diometuchen.org/rcia).


We ask that every parish fill out the form even if you have no catechumens.


There will be no Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral, instead this should be celebrated in the parish.

 

We are still collecting parish RCIA Director information. If your parish has not yet let us know who your RCIA Director is, please fill out the following survey: https://www.diometuchen.org/rciasurvey.

 


Contact: For questions pertaining to RCIA, please contact rcia@diometuchen.org

Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs

Contact: Rev. Guy W. Selvester, MDiv, MA, Director at gselvester@diometuchen.org

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