On October 30, we, Consolata Missionaries community in New Jersey, were blessed to have the visit of their bishop. Bishop Checchio presided over the Eucharist and then stayed for dinner.
At the homily, he commented on the Gospel of the day and showed how challenging Jesus’ words are, especially for those who are called to the priesthood. There is the danger for us – he pointed out – that the great Mystery celebrated every day in liturgy is taken for granted, while Mass is an invaluable occasion to deepen a personal relationship with Christ that solely sustains each priest’s mission.
At the dinner, all missionaries shared with the Bishop about some meaningful moments of their ministries spent in several countries. Besides the members of North Brunswick community, Fr. Paolo, Fr. James and Fr. Timothy, the celebration was joined also by Fr. Van Hager, who is spending some time of rest in his home country, from his mission in Colombia.
The Bishop was glad to hear of the way the community offers religious services in different parishes of his diocese, like, on a regular basis, at St. Augustine of Canterbury, Kendall Park, at St. Matthias, Somerset, at Our Lady of Peace, North Brunswick, at St. Cecilia, Monmouth Junction, at Queenship of Mary, Plainsboro, at St. Agnes, Stockton; and, when needed, at others.
The community expressed its deep gratitude to the Bishop for the help his diocese and the American Church gives to the universal mission of the Church, to which the Consolata missionaries, with their over seventy years old presence in the USA, give witness.