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The recent string of mass shootings over these past few months, the latest of which occurred earlier today in Austin, Texas, has been a tragic reminder of the many lives lost to gun violence over the years and a jarring reminder of the long road ahead as we work towards peace.

As you may be aware, just a couple of weeks ago, my brother New Jersey bishops and I released a statement reinstating the general obligation to attend Mass, beginning on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the weekend of June 5 and June 6. Gratefully, we will together come home to our parishes, gathering as a Eucharistic assembly around the table of the Lord to receive Him in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. 

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has shared the results of the study A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2020-2021. This annual survey, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, provides an illustration of the state of the permanent diaconate in the United States, including the number of those ordained and retired in the past year, percentages of those involved in various Church ministries, and other demographic information.

Yesterday, Governor Murphy announced in his Executive Order 242 that he is lifting most of the restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19. The following guidelines are issued for the Diocese of Metuchen:

At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society.

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is hard to believe that the Easter season is nearly at a close. As we draw near to Pentecost, a time of renewal for our Church, I find myself eagerly awaiting that renewal – how it is needed in our day. This has been a challenging year, in what seems to be a series of them, but the Holy Spirit’s coming on Pentecost is a reminder to us that even though at times it would seem easier to hide in the Upper Room as the Apostles did for a time, fortified by the Holy Spirit, we are called as Jesus’ disciples to journey through our lives with holiness and boldness.

So often, I tell you about our wonderful seminarians. I suspect sometimes that you might even get tired of hearing me brag about them, but they offer so much hope for the future. They are a committed group of young men, who inspire me as they grow in deeper friendship with Jesus while preparing to lay down their lives in service of Him and our diocese.  

Your voice could help save millions of lives! The Hyde Amendment has protected Americans from funding abortion for 45 years. It is credited with saving the lives of over 2.4 million children to date. Now, powerful members of Congress want to take away this law that both Democrats and Republicans have supported for nearly half a century. Without it, billions of taxpayer dollars could go to abortion. That means abortions would be cheaper, easier, and funded with our taxpayer dollars. 

The Bishops of New Jersey have recently voted to transfer the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord from Thursday, May 13th to Sunday, May 16th (replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter). Cardinal Tobin has made it clear that this change is for this year only.

Five years ago today, I was blessed to become your Shepherd. In sending me to your diocese, I remember Pope Francis said to me, “you must know a lot of people and clergy in your new diocese since it is so close to your home.”

METUCHEN – The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Bishop of Metuchen, will preside at Holy Week and Easter liturgies and services at the following locations. All are welcome and encouraged to participate, but due to limited seating capacity and to allow for proper distancing, congregants may be required to register with the parish in advance to attend in-person.

In less than a week, we will enter into Holy Week, the most sacred days of the year. Through the liturgical celebrations of the week and as we read the Lord’s Passion, we will reflect on Christ’s triumphal procession into Jerusalem and then follow Him on the way of the cross, where we will witness His agony and suffering.

CLINTON, N.J. – The women housed at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the only women’s prison in the state of New Jersey, seem to have the cards stacked against them.

As the bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, I have been blessed to travel throughout the four counties of our diocese, often meeting and praying with so many faithful disciples of Christ, each facing their own circumstances in life. Though my travels have been lessened by the pandemic, among those in the diocese whom I have been fortunate to meet on regular past visits are the women housed at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton, situated in Hunterdon County.

So that the Church of Metuchen may be spiritually one in a common observance of Lent, the following days of fast and abstinence are to be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who enjoy the blessings of good health.

As you may know, the Holy Father is participating in a virtual meeting today with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, with the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and other leaders, marking the first-ever International Day of Human Fraternity. The meeting can be viewed by visiting the Vatican News website.

PISCATAWAY – In the face of a pandemic, with many people struggling to make ends meet, Bishop James F. Checchio today announced the establishment of a new secretariat in the Diocese of Metuchen – the Secretariat for Charity.

METUCHEN – Fran Johnson is a retired schoolteacher. Frank McCann has years of experience in accounting. Both are parishioners of St. Matthias Parish in Somerset, and both were recently recognized for their efforts to support human life.

We, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, ask Catholics and people of good will to join us on Friday January 22, 2021, the 48th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, in a Day of Prayer and Fasting to end abortion. 

METUCHEN – The miracle of Christmas reminds us that Christ was born into this world to save us from spiritual darkness, the Bishop of Metuchen told the faithful of the diocese.