Tag Archives: Bishop James Francis Checchio

Bishop Checchio ordains 15 permanent deacons, one transitional deacon – The Catholic Spirit

Bishop Checchio ordains 15 permanent deacons, one transitional deacon – The Catholic Spirit – May 20, 2024 by Deacon Patrick Cline

“What a wonderful day for an ordination,” said Bishop James F. Checchio as he began the Mass of Ordination for 16 men to the Diaconate on May 3, the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles. He said these two saints will be “wonderful intercessors and inspiring examples for our brothers today.”

Reflecting on the lives of these two saints, Bishop Checchio told the men he was about to ordain that just as Jesus called down the Holy Spirit upon his Apostles, “the Church now calls down the Holy Spirit upon you. You are ordained today not to fulfill a role in the Church but rather to light a fire, to light a fire in our world, and in our Church.”

Bishop Checchio said St. James reminds us that faith must never be reduced to simply an abstract or verbal declaration but must always be expressed in acts. “So brothers, your ministry must be marked by good works, particularly loving the poor,” the Bishop instructed.

In the Gospel of St. John, St. Philip introduced the Apostle Nathanial to Jesus using the Lord’s own words, “Come and see.” Bishop Checchio said that St. Philip thus urges us to become closely acquainted with and fall in love with Jesus. He assured the candidates that “Jesus promises to be with you always, don’t forget that.  May your road to sainthood always be guided by him and by his Blessed Mother.”

Then Bishop Checchio questioned the candidates regarding their willingness to undertake the tasks and obligations of the diaconate. In response, the men expressed their resolve to fulfill the office of deacon in accord with the mind of Christ and of his Church.

In one of the most moving moments common to all ordination rites, to the diaconate, presbyterate and episcopacy, the 16 men prostrated themselves in the biblical gesture of humility. As they did so, they and the congregation were invited to pray the Litany of Supplication invoking “All holy men and women, Saints of God,” many by name, to pray for those men.

Bishop Checchio prayed that God would mercifully hear our prayers for his aid in sanctifying and blessing these candidates the Church has deemed worthy to be tasked with the Office of the Diaconate. Through the laying on of hands by the Bishop on each man, the gift of the Holy Spirit was conferred upon them.

After they were vested with the Stole and Dalmatic, the signs of their new office, the Book of the Gospels was presented to each Deacon by the Bishop with the admonition, “Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach.”

A recurring comment from many of the people attending the Ordination Mass was how joyful and moving the Mass was, especially when all the other deacons present exchanged the Kiss of Peace with the newly ordained men. “You could truly see the look of joy on all their faces,” said Anna Bui, wife of Deacon Tuan Bui of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville.

In addition to the men ordained to the permanent diaconate, Rev. Mr. Jerome Roxas Ocampo was ordained a transitional deacon as he continues his journey towards priesthood. Deacon Ocampo said, “Although I knew two deacons from my hospital ministry at St. Peter, I was overwhelmed by the welcome I received from all the deacons present.”

Peter Cain, the son of newly ordained Deacon Paul Cain, paid tribute to his father when he said, “ Dad has been a blessing to our family all my life and now I know that he will be a blessing to all the people of our parish,” Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville, where Deacon Cain will minister.

In his closing remarks as in his homily, the Bishop thanked everyone who had played a role in bringing the new deacons to that day, especially their wives and families.  He also expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to making that Mass such a wonderful celebration.

May 3rd was also the eighth anniversary of Bishop Checchio’s episcopal ordination and installation as the Shepherd of the Diocese of Metuchen. In a message to the people of the Diocese earlier that day he thanked everyone for their love, prayers, and wonderful cooperation throughout those eight years, “And what a blessing it has been for me!”

Deacon Patrick Cline served as associate director of Formation for the Ordination Class of 2024 and serves in St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.

ORDINATION TO THE ORDER OF THE DIACONATE by Bishop James F. Checchio/ 05.03.2024 @ 4:00PM / Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen – Please watch the video of the live streaming.

ORDINATION TO THE ORDER OF THE DIACONATE by Bishop James F. Checchio/ 05.03.2024 @ 4:00PM / Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen – Some pictures of the event.

Please click on the image to read the article from The Catholic Spirit dated May 23, 2024.

Please click here to read the whole news paper. – THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

Please click here to read the weekly bulletin of the Church of the Sacred heart, South Plainfield dated 05-19-2024 – the parish of Deacon Ketan Christian. Page 7 about his ordination.

Church of the Sacred Heart, South Plainfield – Sunday Morning Mass // 11:30am // May 5, 2024 Welcome! This morning Mass is brought to you by the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Today, we celebrate newly ordained Deacon Ketan Christian as he preaches his first homily. Our celebrant for today is Father Edmund Luciano assisted by Deacon Ketan Christian. – Video of the Live streaming.

Sunday Mass in Gujarati with Father Paresh Parmar, Episcopal Vicar, Diocese of Ahmedabad and Deacon Ketan Joseph Christian // 3:00pm // May 5, 2024. Welcome! This afternoon Mass is brought to you by the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Our celebrant for today is Father Paresh Parmar, Episcopal Vicar, Diocese of Ahmedabad, assisted by Deacon Ketan Christian. – Video of the Live Streaming.

Please click on the image below to read the article of the Ordination from the Gujarati Catholic monthly magazine “DOOT” – June 2024. This magazine was started in 1911. 

Bishop Checchio will ordain Ketan Christian, the first Gujarati as a Deacon along with 15 candidates and one other as a transitional Deacon.

Bishop Checchio will ordain Ketan Christian, the first Gujarati as a Deacon along with 15 candidates and one other as a transitional Deacon. The ordination will take place on Friday, May 03, 2024, at 4:00 PM at The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 32 Elm Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840.

Bishop Checchio will ordain Ketan Christian, the first Gujarati as a Deacon along with 15 candidates and one other as a transitional Deacon. May 03, 2024

The permanent Deacon is an ordained member of the Church who has received the sacrament of Holy Orders (as does a Bishop and Priest) and is deemed a cleric. Permanent Deacons make promises of obedience to the Bishop. They also promise to pray the Liturgy of the hours each day for all the people of God. Deacons can perform Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals. A Deacon also assists Priest or Bishop at Mass and may give the Homily.

From Left Max, Stephanie, Ketan Cristian, Bishop James Checchio, Ila Christian and Christine.

My younger brother and son of Late Mr. Joseph Beda Parmar and Late Sushila, Ketan Christian is married to Ila Christian and they are proud parents of three beautiful daughters, Christine, Stephanie and Sydney living in South Plainfield for the last twenty plus years. He and his family are the members of the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield, NJ 07080. Coincidently Bishop Checchio was ordained and installed as a fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen in the same very Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield on May 03, 2016. On the 8th anniversary of his ordination to bishop on May 03, 2024, Bishop Checchio will ordain Ketan as a Deacon. May 3rd is the Feast of Saints Philip and James.

Ketan and Family Invite to attend the ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon – May 03, 2024

Link of Live streaming – https://www.youtube.com/@CathedralofStFrancisofAssisi/stream

The video of the ordination :

Pease note Ketan and family is pleased to invite you for dinner after the ordination on May 03, 2024 at 6:30 PM at Royal Albert’s Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Rd, Fords 08863. Please RSVP by April 26, 2024 Call/Text (732)331-5192

Ketan and Family invite for dinner after the ordination on May 03, 2024

Traditionally, the beginning of the order of deacons is traced back to the story in Acts of the Apostles, Acts 6: 1-6. The time finally came during deliberations of the Second Vatican Council in 1963, calling for restoration of the diaconate as a permanent level of Holy Orders. In June 1967 Pope Paul VI implemented this decree of the Council when he published the apostolic letter “Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem” (“The Sacred Order of the Diaconate”) in which he re-established the permanent diaconate in the Latin Church.

Please click here to read: THE PERMANENT DIACONATE: A HISTORY.

Please click here to read: Diaconate A Short History of the Permanent Diaconate.

The very first time in US history five men from the Archdiocese of Baltimore were ordained as a Deacon On June 12, 1971 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

Members of the first class of permanent deacons and their wives stand outside the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in 1971. The deacons and their wives, from left to right: Charles and Janet Kruger, Hubert and Dolores Derouaux, George and Joyce Evans, Bernard and Antoinette Bak, Doris and Americus Roy, and Angelina and Richard Johe. (CR file)

Please click here to read more about the first class of permanent deacons from the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Although a resolution was already passed by the CBCI for accepting the permanent Diaconate in India as a proper and permanent state of the hierarchy in 1966, it was only in 1982 that the CBCI finally petitioned the Holy See. A year later, the CBCI received permission from the Holy See to restore and promote the permanent Diaconate in India, with a proviso that before it could be introduced in any diocese, the bishop would consult the bishops of the region. On January 22, 2006, Bombay was the first and only diocese in India to introduce the permanent Diaconate when, the then Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Ivan Dias, ordained two permanent Deacons, Mr Lloyd Dias from Sacred Heart Church, Vashi and Mr Elwyn De Souza from St Joseph Church, Juhu.

Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Ivan Dias, ordained two permanent Deacons, Mr. Lloyd Dias from Sacred Heart Church, Vashi and Mr Elwyn De Souza from St Joseph Church, Juhu.

Please click here to read more about the above.

One more Link to read more about the above.

Please click here to read about The Diaconate within the Diocese of Metuchen.

Please save the date and join: Ketan will serve as Deacon of the Mass and preach is first homily.

Church of The Sacred Heart, South Plainfield Bulletin April 14, 2024

HOLY MASS OF THANKGIVING
Sunday, May 05, 2024 @ 11:30 AM
Church of the Sacred Heart
South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Fr. Paresh Parmar, the Episcopal Vicar of The Diocese of Ahmedabad, Gujarat will be attending all above events and will offer a Mass in Gujarati as per details below:

Fr Paresh Deacon Ketan-Guj-Mass 05-05-2024N
Fr Paresh Deacon Ketan -Meet N Greet 05-05-2024

Bishop Checchio asked us to join him in prayer to Mary, Our Mother, Friday, May 1

Bishop Checchio has announced that the bishops of Canada and the United States have joined together asking us to to look to Mary, under her title “Mary, Mother of the Church” in our struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. (Please click here to read the PDF of his letter)
To help us to turn to Mary, Bishop Checchio will be praying the Rosary and celebrating Mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen (stfranciscathedral.org). This will be live streamed from the Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen, at 4:00 pm this Friday, May 1. Prior to the celebration of the Mass there will be a live streamed public recitation of the Holy Rosary at 3:30 pm.
Please participate in this event, as indeed the most important help we have comes from faith in power of the Risen Christ and the gracious help of Mary, Our Mother.
Please note we have removed the live stream link as the event has been long over. Thanks 

Holy Week with Bishop Checchio of Metuchen Diocese – Live streaming.

This year Holy Week will be unlike any we’ve experienced before. To help you decide how you would like to keep this holiest week of the year, here are some suggestions. Attached here is a PDF of suggested activities as well as Stations of the Cross for COVID-19. Please click to read.

Unfortunately, no gatherings are permitted at the church during Holy Week. There will be no confessions.

The diocese will be live streaming Bishop Checchio’s Holy Week services on the Cathedral website: https://www.stfranciscathedral.org/

We will be carrying it live here on our website too. Please scroll below:

Here is the schedule for the live stream Holy Week schedule:

Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 10:30am (blessed Palms are not to be distributed under any circumstance at this time by order of our Bishop, but may be made available for distribution at a later date!)

Monday, Evening Prayer and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, April 06, 2020 4:00pm

Holy Thursday, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, April 9, 2020 – 7:30pm

Good Friday, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, April 10, 2020 – 3:00pm

Easter Vigil, April 11, 2020 – 8:00pm – Holy water fonts are to remain empty. RCIA sacraments will be re-scheduled.

Easter Sunday, Holy Mass, 10:00am

Available services from The Church of The Sacred Heart, South Plinfield.

Traditional devotions during this week include the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. These can be viewed online at churchofthesacredheart.net at your convenience. See also the attached PDF for details on praying the Stations of the Cross at home.

Monday, April 6 – Daily Mass can be viewed online at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Tuesday, April 7 – Daily Mass can be viewed online at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Wednesday, April 8 – Daily Mass can be viewed online at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Holy Thursday, April 9 – Daily Prayer of the Church (Morning, Evening and Night Prayer) is available at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Good Friday, April 10 – Morning Prayer of the Church is available at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Holy Saturday, April 11 – Morning Prayer of the Church is available at our website, churchofthesacredheart.net

Easter baskets will NOT be blessed this year.

Easter Sunday, April 12 – The Mass of the Resurrection will be live streamed from our church and can be viewed online at churchofthesacredheart.net at 10:00 AM.

The Ecumenical Sunrise Service that normally takes place at Spring Lake Park will move to our own front doors. The brief prayer and more details will be available at the parish website, and in the Observer.

The church doors will actually be locked for the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) and Easter Sunday to keep people from gathering. Stay home, Stay safe. The Easter Season is fifty days and please God before Pentecost we will be back to celebrate joyfully and properly decorate the church at that time as well.  

Fr. John Alvarado

Cultural Diversity Ministries – Diocese of Metuchen and Friends of NJ Catholics from Asian Sub-Continent on August 18th will be celebrating The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Independence Day of India & Pakistan.

Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our kind Lord. The members of the New Jersey Knight of Columbus having their roots in the Asian Sub-Continent (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka) in association with the Cultural Diversity Ministries – Diocese of Metuchen and Friends of NJ Catholics from Asian Sub-Continent on August 18th will be celebrating The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary and Independence Day of India & Pakistan. The objective for this gathering is to pray together with our families as a One Universal Church followed by a cultural evening cum dinner.
Bishop James E. Checchio, JCD, MBA the Bishop of Diocese of Metuchen will be the main celebrant at the Holy Mass and deliver the homily and afterwards join us in breaking bread together.
Venue:  Our Lady of Peace,
1740 US Highway Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Date:    August 18, 2018
Mass:   5:30 P.M.
Cultural Program: 7:00PM
Dinner by reservation only : 7:30PM – Tickets must be purchased prior to registration deadline of July 20, 2018.  Please click on the below image to register and get your tickets. $10.00 per head for 5 years and older individual.

Fraternally, Norbert Mendes, Coordinator