Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said, “I am deeply grateful for the faithful and diligent efforts of so many individuals in the development of the updated PPF. This document will guide diocesan and religious formation programs for years to come in the critical work of forming men to the priesthood. May Our Lord continue to bless all involved in the important and indispensable ministry of vocations and priestly formation in the life of the Church.”

Many ideas and thoughts were expressed in the gatherings and written responses, and this report, submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is a synthesis of these.

As Catholics who believe in the intrinsic dignity of life from conception to natural death regardless of race, creed, or socioeconomic status, we welcome the United States Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In its ruling, the Supreme Court has corrected the duplicitous reasoning in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey,  which permitted the lawful killing of innocent life. As a Church, we are grateful to God for this blessing on our land and move to continue our work in building up a culture of life that supports all mothers and families in need. Today's ruling validates that even the most innocent and dependent human beings have a right to life.  

We the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey express our deepest gratitude for the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health. This decision ends a very dark chapter in American history and now is the time for our nation to move forward to heal wounds and social divisions.

In conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said, “The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us a special opportunity to continue our prayers for our priests. May and June are traditionally when ordinations to the priesthood are celebrated. With many priests celebrating anniversaries, this annual day of prayer is significant. This year, it also marks the official promulgation of the sixth edition of The Program of Priestly Formation in the United States of America.

Bishop James F. Checchio has announced the following priestly appointments. Unless otherwise noted, all appointments are effective August 1, 2022.

CENTRAL JERSEY – After years of hard work and unexpected challenges, the 455 graduates of the four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Metuchen, who together amassed more than $113 million in scholarships and awards, have reached the culmination of their high school careers.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations has released the results of the study A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2021-2022. This annual survey, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University since 2005, provides a detailed snapshot of the state of the permanent diaconate in the United States. Findings include the percentage of active vs. non-active deacons, the arch/dioceses, and eparchies with the largest number of permanent deacons, sociocultural demographics, ministerial involvement, etc.

Once again as members of The New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders we are saddened and disheartened by an act of hate nurtured in the sin of Racism. The ugly and cold blooded murder of ten Black sisters and brothers, in Buffalo is yet one of countless acts of racial hatred that continues to plague our nation. This hate-filled sin of deadly magnitude is directed toward the other because of the color of their skin. This brazen attack reminds us yet again how words of hate breed tragic acts of violence.

Effective this Easter season, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord will be permanently transferred from Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter to the following Sunday, the Seventh Sunday of Easter, in all Catholic dioceses in New Jersey.

A joint statement from the New Jersey Catholic bishops on Governor Murphy’s proposal that all health insurers in New Jersey provide coverage for abortion services 

METUCHEN – Bishop James F. Checchio will ordain 15 men to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. All are invited to attend the ordination or to watch via livestream at: diometuchen.org/ordinations. 

PISCATAWAY – Through its Ash Wednesday collection and other ongoing efforts, the Diocese of Metuchen collected $415,521.67 in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, which is still under siege by Russian forces.

The 59th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated by the Catholic Church on May 8. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday” for the Gospel reading about the shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, just as Jesus did for us. While upholding all vocations, the Church places a special emphasis each year on this day to pray for vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life, and support for those currently living out one of these vocations.

The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, will preside at Holy Week and Easter liturgies and services at the following locations. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.

PISCATAWAY – In communion with Pope Francis, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen will join in prayer as the Holy Father consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25.

We write to you as Colleagues in Faith and in response to your statement “Pray for Ukraine!” As members of the New Jersey Coalition of Religious Leaders, an interfaith Coalition of Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh Faith Leaders, we unite with you in our prayers for Peace and the well-being of the people of Ukraine.

EDISON – In 1970, when Felician Sister Donna Marie Trukowski first entered St. Thomas Aquinas High School as the chairperson of the mathematics department and as a teacher, the school was less than a year old. Now – after having shepherded the school through a building expansion, its 50th anniversary, and a global pandemic – she will retire in June, leaving behind a lasting legacy and generations of grateful students and families.

PERTH AMBOY – Unified only by their prayers and faith, their city, and the blue and yellow ribbons on their school uniforms, proudly displaying the colors of the Ukrainian flag, the students and faculty members from Assumption Catholic School, a Ukrainian Catholic school, and Perth Amboy Catholic School, a Roman Catholic school, gathered together in a prayerful response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

On Ash Wednesday, in conjunction with Pope Francis’s call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine, Catholics in the Diocese of Metuchen will be invited to support the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, especially the Church in Ukraine, where a humanitarian crisis is unfolding.