Author: Nathalie Godet

Dear Friends,

Over one billion Catholics all over the world observe today as World Mission Sunday. This annual observance was instituted in 1926 by a Papal decree issued by Pope Pius XI. Every year since then, the universal Church has dedicated the month of October to reflection on and prayer for the missions. On World Mission Sunday, Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist and to contribute to a collection for the work of evangelization around the world. This annual celebration gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of the Church. It reminds us that we are one with the Church around the world and that we are all committed to carrying on the mission of Christ, however different our situations may be. Pope Francis, in his message for 2022 World Mission Sunday, reflected on the words of Jesus: “You shall be my witnesses”, “to the ends of the earth” and “you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Pope said, “When it comes to Christian witness, the observation of Saint Paul VI remains ever valid: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41). For this reason, the testimony of an authentic Christian life is fundamental for the transmission of the faith. On the other hand, the task of proclaiming Christ’s person and the message is equally necessary.” It is good to read the whole message at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/missions/documents/20220106-giornata-missionaria.html

The mission of Jesus is not limited to the care of our souls but also of the mind and the body. Christianity is for holistic salvation as we focus on the health of each person’s mind, body and soul. While we do care for the body and soul, it is easy to neglect our mind. Mental health is a matter of great importance and we see the pervasive nature of mental illness around us. We don’t need statistics to prove it as we ourselves are witnesses to a multitude of problems associated with mental illness amongst and around us: depression, anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, etc. That is why it is very commendable that our Parish Vocations Committee has taken the initiative, in collaboration with our NeXt Level youth ministry, to organize a free three part zoom series of seminars titled “Healthy Minds, Healthy Futures.”

These sessions are intended for parents, grandparents, teachers, catechists and all those who are concerned about our youth. The topics will certainly catch your attention and interest:

• October 26, 8 pm: The anxious depressed Child/Adolescent.
• November 2, 8 pm: How the Parental Relationship with God is Formative of the Child’s Spiritual Life.
• November 9, 8 pm: Risk Factors for Addictive Behaviors in Children/Adolescents

The presentations are by experts in this field and so I would request you not only to attend, but also spread the word and invite others to join this zoom session from the comfort of your home. For more info, see the flyer posted on our website, in our bulletin, and elsewhere on social media. We all long for mental health for ourselves and for all those who are near and dear to us as well as for our communities. Let us benefit from this timely offering.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Dear Friends,

The theme for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. At the Saturday 1 pm Mass this weekend, we highlight the Hispanic presence in our parish with a bilingual Mass presided by Rev. Ron Machado, Pastor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Perth Amboy. You may have read the first part of an article, in our bulletin last week, on Hispanic presence and history in the USA. Today in the second part of that article, I have focused on the Hispanic contribution to the US Catholicism. You can read it on page 6 in the bulletin.

Nationally, the Hispanic presence is transforming parish life. According to evangelization statistics: Hispanic Catholics are about 40 percent of the approximately 78 million Catholics in the country; Hispanics account for 71 percent of the growth of the Catholic population in the United States since 1960; and 60 percent of Catholics under the age of 18 are Hispanic. Hispanics are a major force in the ongoing evolution of the U.S. Catholic parish from the ethnic enclave to the shared or multicultural congregation.

Though we, here at St. Matthias, may not experience such a transformation, there are some parishes in our Diocese and in our neighborhood, with strong Hispanic presence.

Our Diocesan Office of Hispanic Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry promotes the participation and integration of Hispanics in the life of the Church. This is accomplished by training lay leaders, providing pastoral assistance to parishes, and responding to the pastoral needs of Hispanics where needed. You may remember that Bishop James F. Checchio ordained 15 men to the permanent diaconate on May 14 this year at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. That was the first-ever fully Spanish-speaking class of diaconate candidates to be ordained for service in the Diocese of Metuchen.

Last year’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Mass at the Diocesan level, at our Cathedral Church of St. Francis in Metuchen, was attended by  more than 15 priests and 700 parishioners from our 24 Hispanic parishes. Although there is an obvious large Hispanic/Latino presence in parts of the diocese such as Perth Amboy and New Brunswick, there are several parishes in more rural areas that have a significant Hispanic/Latino community. A highlight of that Mass was a procession of Marian images. One by one, as their countries of origin were announced, men and women in ethnic costume strode forward, holding aloft a picture of the Blessed Mother unique to their Central or South American country. They lined the communion rail proudly, displaying the differently hued manifestations of the Blessed Mother.

One of the points you will read about the Hispanics in this bulletin is that the Hispanics have the largest percentage of lay Catholics in faith formation and pastoral leadership programs. How wonderful if more of our parishioners were to take note of that! I have a great desire to see a good number of our parishioners attending the Annual Catechetical Conference that the Diocese is organizing on 29th of this month. Can you spare that Saturday to attend this faith formation Conference at the Pastoral Center in Piscataway? See article on page 8 for details. So no cost to you. Remember, even the apostles had to ask Jesus, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5). We are no exception!

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal

Dear Friends,

Our church pew refurbishing should be completed in another week. It had to be slowed down as we needed to make the church available for funerals, School prayer service etc. Thank you to the many who expressed their joy at the pleasing sight of the rows of pews already refurbished.

Today we begin the Interpreted Masses for the deaf. I am very grateful to Msgr. Joe Curry who helped coordinate these signed Masses in four churches once a month as follows:
o First Sunday – St. Peter’s, New Brunswick, 12:00pm
o Second Sunday – St Matthias, Somerset, 10:00am
o Third Sunday – Immaculate Conception, Spotswood, 11:00 am
o Fourth Sunday – Mary Mother of God, Hillsborough, 10:30 am
Kindly spread the word to those you know will benefit.

Did you know that October is a month for many national observances? Here’s just a sampling out of so many:
–          Adopt a Shelter Dog Month to promote the adoption of dogs from local shelters.
–          Antidepressant Death Awareness Month to remember those who have been injured or killed as a result of antidepressant use and to work to prevent such tragedies.
–          National Church Library Month to shine a light on the periodicals, books, and resources available to our parishioners to continue their faith formation beyond the Sunday sermon.
–          National Eat Better, Eat Together Month to encourage families to gather and enjoy their main meals together for better health of mind, soul and body.
–          Emotional Wellness Month to take stock of our stress levels and to use resources to lower them.

There are also many cultural heritage observances in October such as the Filipino American History Month, German American Heritage Month and the Italian-American Heritage Month. We also have the Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 10. The Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) is one such observance that we here at St. Matthias celebrate. (See an article on page 6 in this bulletin). Next Saturday 5 pm Mass will be celebrated as a bilingual Mass.

Every culture has its own beautiful heritage and meaningful practices. It will be nice if parishioners from the different cultural/ethnic backgrounds could send me a brief description about their cultural/religious heritage, our whole parish could benefit reading it in our bulletin.

From a Catholic perspective, the month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Two weeks ago, Msgr. Brennan had written a meaningful column on Holy Rosary. Today, as the church and the world face many crises, the healing we need must be accompanied by prayer. The rosary has proved to be a powerful weapon for fighting the evils that have engulfed the church and the world in the past, and it has been the cradle for healing. Our Altar Rosary Society continue their efforts to promote this devotion. Do you pray the Rosary? If not, will you give it a try?

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Abraham Orapankal