Category: Latest News

We Mourn the Passing of Pope Francis, 1936 ~ 2025

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, December 17, 1936

Elected Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome, March 13, 2013

Returned to the House of the Father, April 21, 2025

 

Statement of Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA, Bishop of Metuchen, on the passing of Pope Francis:

 With heavy hearts, the Diocese of Metuchen mourns the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.  From the moment of his election as Supreme Pontiff when he took the name Francis, our Holy Father has emphasized the mercy of God, embracing in his Petrine ministry the poor, the migrant, the marginalized, and all those broken by this world’s problems and concerns. We entrust his noble soul to the hands of our Blessed Mother to accompany him to our Father’s house.  In this Jubilee year in which Pope Francis called us to be Pilgrims of Hope, he has now made the ultimate pilgrimage to the embrace of our loving God.

Statement from Fr. Abraham Orapankal, our Pastor:

We, the Catholic Community of St. Matthias, are truly saddened at the loss of Pope Francis. Coming on the heels of his surprise appearance at St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday yesterday, the announcement from the Vatican this morning that “the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father” is indeed shocking. We thank God for the amazing way God used Pope Francis to shepherd the church to be a more welcoming community and be a voice of conscience for the whole world, especially on behalf of the poor and the marginalized. May our loving and merciful God welcome him into the portals of heaven with these welcoming words: “Well done, good and faithful servant….come into the kingdom prepared for you …..” (Matthew 25:34).   

A Letter Regarding an Action Alert From Bishop Checchio

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Pastors and Principals,

As you may know, the Catholic Church in New Jersey runs nearly 200 Catholic schools, which educate more than 60,000 students. To operate safely and efficiently, we rely in part on state aid, same as public schools. While we are grateful for any funding we receive as part of the state’s annual budget, there is one area in particular – nursing services – where funding has not kept pace with soaring costs, creating concern for our children to Catholic schools.

The New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC), which is the public policy arm of the Catholic Church, along with me and my brother Bishops, has been advocating to our Legislature for an increase in the appropriation for nonpublic school nursing services. To further enhance these efforts, I am writing to you with a special request.

NJCC recently published an Action Alert urging the Legislator to increase funding in this especially important area. You can view the alert by visiting www.njcatholic.org and clicking on the “Faith in Action” box.

I am asking for your assistance in asking our people to reach out to their state representatives. The process of doing so is simple. NJCC has prepared a flyer that includes a QR that directly access the alert. Once at the NJCC website, the individual can complete the process with a few clicks of a button. The entire process takes less than a few minutes. Feel free to share the NJCC Flyer with your community.

With your help, our voices become even stronger and together we can help increase critical funding for our schools so families who wish can continue giving their children the kind of religious education that only a Catholic school can provide.

Thank you in advance for your help, and please be assured of my prayers for you and your families.

With renewed best wishes, I remain

Yours in Christ,

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

 

Nursing Services Funding

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Young Catholics are a valued treasure and the future leaders of our Church. It is the responsibility of the entire Catholic community to help make our Catholic
elementary and secondary schools available, accessible, and affordable to all Catholics of every socioeconomic status.

When it comes to state funding for Catholic schools, an especially important area for these schools is school health services in the form of a state-funded nurse when students are in the building.

NJCC recently issued an Action Alert asking you to put your faith into action by contacting your representatives in the New Jersey Legislature to express your support for increased funding in this especially important area.

The process for doing so is simple and can be accomplished with a few clicks. Start by clicking HERE or by scanning the barcode below. You will then be guided through the process, which takes less than a few minutes. Feel free to use the message NJCC has crafted(which is pre-populated on the electronic form used to contact your legislators) or customize a message to express any thoughts you wish to share. With your help, our voices become even stronger, and together we can help increase critical funding for our schools so families who wish can continue giving their children the kind of value-based education that only a Catholic school can provide.

For a printable copy of this information, please Click Here.

Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

You are invited to join us as we pray the Divine Mercy Novena and Chaplet beginning April 18, 2025, Good Friday, in the Church. These are the 9 days before the feast of Divine Mercy on April 27th.

Day 1…after the outdoor Stations of the Cross

Day 2… after the Saturday morning prayer service

Day 3…Easter Sunday…pray on your own

Day 4-8…after daily Mass

Day 9… pray on your own

The novena will culminate after the 10 am Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27th, followed by the recitation of the Rosary in the Church. Remember to bring your rosary beads.

Come and learn this special prayer that Jesus gave to St. Faustina, and also to us! We hope to see you.

If you are unfamiliar with the novena and chaplet, please visit the links below to learn more:

www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet

www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/novena

 

HOLY WEEK/EASTER 2025 SCHEDULE

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Dear Friends,

The Easter celebrations this year has an added significance as we are in the Holy Year 2025 with its theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” Resurrection is the guarantee of the hope of our own resurrection. Searching for Christ’s body, the disciples were told: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6). Then, he appeared to so many! He is alive! He is risen! He is with us! He is our light and hope!  Let us truly believe that we are children of  the light  (1 Thessalonians 5:5).

I invite us all to attend our Holy Week services and celebrate the good news of the Resurrection!

Happy Easter!

Fr. Abraham

Saturday, April 12th
OCIA (RCIA) Day of Retreat: 8:30 – 3:30 PM
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Individual confessions)
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Vigil Mass—5:00 PM

Sunday, April 13th
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon

Tuesday, April 15th
Chrism Mass at St. Francis Cathedral—4:00 PM

HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 17th
Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:30 PM
Combined Choir
Procession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
(Cafeteria)
Night Prayer (Cafeteria) – 10:30 PM

GOOD FRIDAY, April 18th
Morning Prayer (Church) – 8:30 AM
Outdoor Stations (SMS parking lot) – 2:00 PM
Children’s Choir
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion—7:30 PM
Combined Choir

HOLY SATURDAY, April 19th
Morning Prayer (Church) – 8:30 AM
Blessing of Food (Cafeteria) – 12:00 Noon
Great Easter Vigil – 8:00 PM
Combined Choir

EASTER SUNDAY, April 20th
Mass Schedule
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon
Combined Choir at 10:00 AM
Handbell Choir at 12:00 PM

EASTER MONDAY, April 21st
No Mass

Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast Rescheduled for March 16th

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

The Knights of Columbus has rescheduled its annual Pancake Breakfast in honor of Past Grand Knight Robert Norland next Sunday, March 16th from 8:00 am – 12:00 noon in the school cafeteria. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit St. Matthias School Tuition Angels.  

The cost is $12.00 for adults, $5.00 for ages 10-18 and children under 10 are free.

The breakfast menu is pancakes, eggs, sausage, bagels, juice, coffee, and much more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Drive-Thru Ash Distribution is Cancelled. 

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Friends, Greetings as we begin Lent!

Unfortunately, with the rainy forecast for tomorrow, our tradition of Drive-Thru Ash distribution is cancelled.

I am very grateful to all the volunteers who showed willingness to help out. If anyone asks about the cancellation, please let them know of the four Ash Wednesday liturgies in the church (Masses at 8 am, 9 am, and 12:10 pm; and a Prayer Service at 7:30 pm.).

Have a good start of Lent with Ashes on Ash Wednesday – a day of Fasting and Abstinence.

God bless.

A Message From The Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

Dear Parishioners of St. Matthias Parish,

Father Orapankal has informed you that he will be stepping down as your Pastor this summer.  Bishop Checchio is grateful for Father’s service here at St. Matthias for more than the past 6 years and also for the support you have given him.

Bishop Checchio and the Priest Personnel Board will now take up the matter of choosing a suitable priest to succeed Father Orapankal.  Pastors are appointed by the bishop to lead local parish communities and to provide for their pastoral care. They share in the bishop’s ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and governing. With the bishop’s mandate, and with the assistance and support of other clergy and the lay faithful, the pastor has full responsibility for shepherding the local church community.

To facilitate this appointment, Bishop Checchio has initiated a consultation process to elicit input from your entire parish community, including the staff, ministry leaders, and all parishioners, to determine what the people of St. Matthias hope for in its new Pastor. This consultation process includes meetings with both parish staff and interested parishioners.

The meetings for parishioners will be held on Monday, March 3rd, at 1:00 PM and Monday, March 10th, at 7:00 PM in your parish church.  These general meetings will be facilitated by Rev. Msgr. John Fell, Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese. They will welcome staff and ministry leaders of your parish community and all parishioners—everyone is invited and encouraged to participate.

During these guided listening sessions, information will be gathered from parishioners that will assist the Bishop and Priest Personnel Board to better understand the parish’s current status and needs. Please understand that these sessions are for information gathering only and that the data collected from parishioners at these meetings will be one factor among several that the Priest Personnel Board will consider in recommending candidates and the Bishop will consider in ultimately choosing your next pastor.  This consultation is not to solicit the names of individual priests, and these will not be discussed.

For any parishioners who might be unable to attend in person, there is also an option to be heard by emailing Msgr. Fell at jfell@diometuchen.org by March 12.  If you choose this option, please reflect on the following points:

  • the nature and current status of St. Matthias Parish and its ministries, programs, facilities, etc.,
  • the qualities you feel would be most needed by the new pastor,
  • the most salient features of the parish that the new pastor should be aware of,
  • what you are most proud of at your parish, and
  • the most pressing needs that you think the new pastor must be able to address in the short term.

All parishioners are asked to join in prayer that the Holy Spirit may guide and illumine this process and are invited and encouraged to participate in person or by email to help the diocese more fully understand the status and needs of the entire St. Matthias Parish Family.

Thank you so much for your kind assistance in this important matter.

Rev. Msgr. John Fell

 

The St Vincent de Paul Society invites you to help them help those in need.

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

Might you be called to pray and work with us to help those in need?

The St Vincent de Paul ministry first and foremost is intended to immerse its members in a Vincentian spirituality – seeing the face of Christ in those we serve, while being the face of Christ to those we serve.

Our St Vincent de Paul Society Conference aims to help those in need residing in Franklin Township.  Anyone in need can come to us regardless of religious affiliation.

Based on the most recent census data, Franklin Township is the largest town by population in all of Somerset County with a population approaching 69,000 residents. The poverty level in Franklin Township is estimated to be from 4.2% to as high as 9.1% depending on the neighborhood (somewhere between 3000 to 6,279 men, women, and children).

In 2024, we assisted 200 households. Our assistance amounted to one hundred eleven thousand dollars, of which ninety-eight thousand dollars were utilized to provide housing for our Neighbors.  In addition, we have sent contributions to help the victims of the fires in Los Angeles County, and we have continued a quarterly contribution to a school in Port-au-Prince Haiti run by the Daughters of Charity, a Vincentian religious order.

All this has been made possible because of the stewardship in this community which has a history of sharing of our Time, Talent, and Treasure.  In the case of the St Vincent de Paul Society, we give of our:

  • Time – Time spent in prayer for our benefactors as well as our clients. Time spent interviewing clients either by Zoom or Face to Face meetings. Time in researching potential sources of help from the government/public sector as well as from our Conference funding.
  • Talent – bringing to the group, and to our clients our life experiences and faith that are key in problem-solving and planning to assist those in need.
  • Treasure – comes from our community in the form of financial contributions shared through special collections throughout the year, from individual contributors who have committed to regular, periodic donations, and by contributions to the poor boxes at the doors of the church.

The COVID pandemic severely impacted our client base, and the current economic situation has erased any wage progress made by our Neighbors over the past 5 years.  In addition, landlords have become intolerant of even one day’s delay in rent payments. As a result, they will attach late fees and begin the court order eviction process that includes additional legal fees billed to the Neighbor.

Over the past couple of years, our member numbers have decreased for a variety of reasons.  The work is sometimes hard but is extremely rewarding.  What we ask is for you to discern whether you might be called to pray and work with us to help those in need.

For further information, you can reach us by email at SVDPatSM@gmail.com

Bob Cherill,
Conference President
SVDP at St Matthias

Know Your Rights: Immigrants, Organizations, and Businessess

Posted on by Nathalie Godet

 

IMMIGRATION IMPLEMENTATION CONCERNS

Recently, there have been concerns about implementing the Immigration laws, creating some confusion in the general public. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement on its long-time partnership with the federal government to serve refugees:

“Faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church has a long history of serving refugees. In 1980, the bishops of the United States began partnering with the federal government to carry out this service when Congress created the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Every person resettled through USRAP is vetted and approved for the program by the federal government while outside of the United States. …” To read the full text, please visit:

https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/usccb-statement-its-work-us-refugee-admissions-program

If you need this information translated, please visit  ONA website (click on the dropdown that says “more languages” beneath each resource).

The threat of immigration enforcement raises concerns among many residents of New Jersey. It is essential to remember that every person in New Jersey—regardless of citizenship or immigration status—has rights. This guide outlines crucial information for individuals, organizations, and businesses to help navigate interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

For Individuals

In Public Spaces

  • ICE can enter public spaces without a warrant (e.g., office lobbies, restaurants, or stores).
  • You may:
    • Ask for identification and the agency they represent.
    • Ask if you are free to leave.
    • You have the right to remain silent. You may tell the immigration agent, “I choose to remain silent.”
    • You may refuse consent to searches unless there is probable cause or a valid warrant.
    • Request an interpreter if needed.

If Detained

At Home

  • ICE needs a valid judicial warrant to enter your home, except in emergencies.
    • Verify the warrant through a window or under the door. It must be signed by a judge and state “U.S. District Court” or a state court.
    • Administrative warrants (e.g., Forms I-200 or I-205) are not sufficient for entry.
  • If agents enter without consent, remain calm, state your rights, and document the interaction.

Immigration agents are permitted to enter without your permission in an emergency, such as a threat to public safety or a threat to someone’s life. However, you still have a right to remain silent and document the interaction, including recording (so long as you don’t interfere with their law enforcement activities).

For Businesses and Organizations

In Public Areas

  • Public spaces include dining areas, parking lots, or office lobbies. ICE can enter these areas but still requires probable cause or individual consent to detain anyone.

In Private Areas

  • Clearly distinguish private areas with signage (e.g., “Employees Only” or “Authorized Personnel Only”).
  • ICE cannot enter private areas without:
    • Your permission, OR
    • A judicial warrant signed by a judge, OR
    • An emergency situation, such as a public safety threat.

If ICE Visits Your Premises

  • Ask for identification and their purpose.
  • Verify the validity of any warrant presented.
  • You may refuse consent to searches without a valid warrant. If they proceed, do not resist; instead, state, “I do not consent to this search. I wish to remain silent and speak with an attorney.”
  • Document interactions, including recording (if lawful and non-interfering).

Protecting Against Fraud

Be cautious of individuals claiming to be “immigration consultants” or “notarios.” Only licensed attorneys or accredited representatives authorized by USCIS can assist with legal immigration matters.

  • Verify credentials through public attorney databases or government listings of accredited representatives.
  • Report immigration scams to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846.

Resources and Additional Information

Know Your Rights (PDF) Individuals (English)

Know Your Rights (PDF) Individuals (Spanish)

Know Your Rights (PDF) Businesses (English)

Know Your Rights (PDF) Businesses (Spanish)