The Catholic Spirit - NJ

11/13/2025

Nearly 400 pillars of the Church of Metuchen filled the banquet hall of the Imperia, Somerset, Sept. 18 for the annual Pride in our Priests dinner sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

As the individuals crucial in the life and work of the Diocese of Metuchen – retired and active priests, seminarians, religious and Knights – exchanged pleasantries and renewed their bonds, Knights of Columbus State Treasurer Scott Williams explained why the fraternal order hosts the event each year to honor those who pledge their lives to take up the Lord’s Cross.

To read the full story and the entire October edition of The Catholic Spirit click on the link in the comments. ⬇️

11/12/2025

More than 1,000 people gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Sept. 25 to pray for the sanctity of human life during the annual Mass for Life, drawing the lay faithful, clergy and religious from across New Jersey.

In addition to those in attendance, some 3,400 households watched the livestream of the Mass in either English or Spanish

To read the full story and the entire October edition of The Catholic Spirit check out the link in the comments.

11/11/2025

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is the new president-elect of the USCCB. He was born in Norfolk, Va., in 1955. He was ordained a priest in 1983 for the Diocese of Wichita. In 2004 he was appointed Bishop of Salina, and was later appointed archbishop of Oklahoma City in 2010. Prior to his election, Archbishop Coakley served as USCCB Conference Secretary. His episcopal motto is “Duc in Altum” ("Put out into the deep").

11/11/2025

Some desired to simply sit in solitude to pray. Others looked forward to the celebration of Holy Mass with hundreds of like-minded Catholics. Together, these faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen found their spiritual needs met with joy during the Sept. 20 Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington.

To read the full story and the entire October edition of The Catholic Spirit click on the link in the comments.

11/11/2025

Lord God, Almighty Father,
creator of mankind and author of peace,
as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces.

Give them courage, hope and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever.

Amen.

📖: USCCB

11/08/2025

11/07/2025

It is our sad duty to inform you of the death of Reverend Krzysztof Kaczynski, a priest of the diocese. He died on November 5, 2025. He was 61 years old.

Father Kaczynski was born in Poland and attended the Pontifical Academy of Theology in Krakow, where he earned a Doctorate of Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Society of St. Francis DeSales (Salesians of Don Bosco) in Krakow on June 18, 1993. He served as a missionary in Africa and taught at Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Kenya. He moved to the United States in 2000, eventually joining the Diocese of Metuchen through incardination. He served as Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception, Annandale, and St. Matthew Parish, Edison. In 2009 he was appointed Pastor of St. Edward Parish, Milford, and in 2012 Pastor of Our Lady of Victories, Baptistown. In 2023, he was appointed Pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, Califon, and St. Joseph Parish, High Bridge.

Please note that, at Fr. Kaczynski’s request, there will be no public visitation or Vigil Mass the evening before. Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ.

Let us be joined in prayer that Father Kaczynski will find the fulfillment of his faith and the reward of his priestly labors in the presence of the Risen Lord. May he rest in peace.

11/07/2025

In the spirit of the Jubilee of Youth, more than 150 Hispanic young people from across the Diocese of Metuchen came together at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, Sept. 13 for a day of praise, prayer, and encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. The event, “Living the Faith: Finding and Having a Relationship with God,” was organized by the diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization and highlighted the vitality and hope that young Catholics bring to the Church.

In the spirit of the Jubilee of Youth, more than 150 Hispanic young people from across the Diocese of Metuchen came together at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, Sept. 13 for a day of praise, prayer, and encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. The event, “Living the Faith: Finding a...

11/06/2025

The Hispanic Evangelization Office of the Diocese of Metuchen joyfully celebrated the graduation of the second class of the Hispanic Bible Course Oct. 8.

The ceremony opened with Vespers led by Father Gustavo Rodríguez, coordinator of Lay Formation, followed by reflections from Deacon Edgar Chaves, director, Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry; Father Ronal Vega Pastrana, assistant to the coordinator of Lay Formation, and Father Fredy Triana, instructor at the Hispanic Bible School.

The Hispanic Evangelization Office of the Diocese of Metuchen joyfully celebrated the graduation of the second class of the Hispanic Bible Course Oct. 8.

11/06/2025

Have you seen the October E-Edition of The Catholic Spirit? It’s now online and here’s a sneak peak! 🎥

If you’d like to start your subscription to official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, please email Mary Gregory at [email protected] to get started!

11/06/2025

U.S. bishops and other Catholic leaders are offering “prayers of support and solidarity” for world leaders who will discuss climate change at an upcoming conference.

11/06/2025