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This Thanksgiving Day, we are once again given the opportunity to reflect upon the many blessings God has showered upon us. As we conclude our fortieth anniversary as a diocese, we have much to be thankful for as we reflect on the graces that have come to each of us over these past forty years. Indeed, you have been one of those blessings.

WASHINGTON - The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 6-12, 2022. Across the United States, dioceses, parishes, and Catholic organizations will host events to promote vocations to the ordained ministry and consecrated life. The faithful are encouraged during this week to renew their prayerful support for those currently discerning a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life.

Beginning August 2, 2022, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Celebration of the Mass will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway. Adoration will be from 9 AM to 11:45 AM, followed by the celebration of Mass at 11:45 AM. The St. John Neumann Pastoral Center is located at 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Parking is available in front of the pastoral center building. Please use the main entrance near the chapel. Register to become a regular adorer at www.diometuchen.org/eucharisticrevival

The Catholic Media Association recognized and honored the Diocese of Metuchen's Office of Communications & Public Relations and The Catholic Spirit, the official publication of the Diocese of Metuchen, at the 2022 Catholic Press Awards Banquet & Presentation at the Catholic Media Conference in Portland, Oregon. 

Peter G. Kane has been appointed by the Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen as the next President of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, New Jersey. Mr. Kane will be the first lay person to serve as President of the highly regarded, coed high school.

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.