Cathedral Family,

The early summertime after Easter is a great celebratory time for our parish, school, and families. In the past several weeks, we have celebrated not only the academic achievements of our graduates in our community, but we have also celebrated the sacraments received by our young people for First Communion and Confirmation.  In the midst of all beautiful graces God bestows on our parish, families, and young people at this time of year, we rejoice with our Diocesan family–the gift of two young men who will be ordained for the work of ministry in the Church this upcoming weekend. 

While we await Pope Leo’s appointment of a new Bishop for our Diocese, Bishop Paul Bootkoski, retired Bishop of Metuchen, will be the prelate ordaining these two young men next weekend. On Saturday, June 20th, Bishop Bootkoski will be ordaining Rev. Mr. James Prumos to the priesthood of Jesus Christ and Mr. Patrick Rasimowicz to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Metuchen. 

Please join me in prayer over these next several days for these two young men, as they offer themselves as a free and total gift to our Lord and his Church. This Friday, June 19th, I also invite you to our Eucharistic Holy Hour for vocations at 5:00 p.m. in our Cathedral as we pray with our Diocesan family for not only Rev. Mr. James Prumos and Mr. Patrick Rasimowicz, but also that more young men may be courageous to answer the Call of our Lord to be fishers of men in the priesthood. 

In addition to praying for more vocations, it is also important that we tap with a word of encouragement to any young man we sense might have a sacred calling.  Don’t be afraid to notice and say something.  We might just end up being God’s sign in someone’s life that He is indeed calling them to the priesthood.  

God is always calling, and we pray together that young men heed the call of their Creator. Every summer, we have a wonderful program sponsored by the diocesan vocations office called “Quo Vadis.” It is a three-day opportunity for young men, from rising 8th graders to 12th graders, to learn about prayer, Christian discipleship, and virtue while also engaging with their peers in sports and other recreational activities. Young men who come are accompanied by seminarians of our diocese and newly ordained priests. It is a special time that offers young men the time to reflect on how God is working in their lives and how he may call young men to the priesthood or to married life. 

Please contact the vocation office for more information:   Father Gilbert Starcher at Diocese of Metuchen at gstarcher@diometuchen.org

As we commence in the early days of summer, let us all remember in prayer our graduates, those who have received sacramental graces, and those to be ordained for lifelong service to Christ and his Church.

In Jesus,

Father Christy