A Letter from the
Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

A year ago, we emerged from the pandemic to face financial struggles and the beginning of the war in Ukraine.  Many people desired to give witness to hope and hungered for something even more in life.  For us as disciples of Jesus, this hope and hungering found comfort in encountering and embracing our Eucharistic Lord.

In September, as we made our diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. for the close of the 40th Anniversary of our Diocese of Metuchen, I witnessed how our loving God impacts so many of us.

In the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio, our Holy Father’s representative to the United States, faces from all four counties glanced at our Eucharistic Lord in the stillness of the celebration while joyfully celebrating our diverse charisms and lives all rooted in Him—indeed, a great moment to thank God for what He has done in our lives and in our local Church.

One of my joys as your Bishop are the visits I am able to make to our parishes and communities; I certainly am blessed and grateful to see you living your discipleship and witnessing to Jesus through lives of faith and service. Your witness and sacrifices have made our Eucharistic Lord known and loved in our communities and throughout New Jersey. That is such a wonderful blessing.

This Annual Report is a reflection of that Eucharistic encounter we all share and the results of it. As you will see and read, our mission continues to grow and impact many lives. By the movement of the Holy Spirit and our sacrificial works in evangelization, we have begun to carry out the National Eucharistic Revival and renew our devotion to the great gift given to us in the Blessed Sacrament. Yes, we, too, face continued challenges, but gratefully our Lord continues to stay with us and renew us.

Your fidelity to our Lord and His Church and your attentiveness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties is so encouraging and makes a difference.

Indeed, through our Blessed Mother's intercession and the sacrificial love of each of us, our world discovers the true hope of the world – Jesus Christ.

As I, too, return to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, know that I bring you all to the celebration of the Mass and the quiet moments of adoration. As our revival moves into our parishes and communities, may we each respond to the gift of the Eucharist in our own way and continue to give witness to our Lord and His beautiful works.  Thank you for all you are and do.  

Please keep our diocesan priorities of prayer, vocations and the works of Mercy in mind as we embrace the Eucharistic Revival, and know of my love, prayers and gratitude for you. 

With renewed best wishes, I remain 

Yours in Christ, 

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