In and Around the Diocese

Open Your Heart and Home to a Foster Child.
Catholic ChariƟes, Diocese of Metuchen is seeking loving families to foster children of all ages, who have been abused, neglected or have had mulƟple out of home placements, through its Treatment Family Homes Program, contracted by New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families. Applicants must have adequate space for a child and complete a home study which includes background checks, references, interviews, and a home inspection. All Catholic ChariƟes licensed families receive iniƟal and ongoing specialized training, 24 hour emergency access to staff, respite services, monthly reimbursement for the child’s expenses and support from experienced families. For more informaƟon about the program, please visit www.ccdom.org or contact Miguelina Nunez at 866-247-HOME (4663) or at mnunez@ccdom.org..


How to Report Sexual Abuse
If you were sexually abused by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or you know of someone who was, you are encouraged to report that abuse to local law enforcement, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency at 1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873) or 1-800-835-5510 (TTY/TDD for the deaf), and also the Diocesan Response Officer at (908) 930-4558 (24 hours/7 days a week). For more information on how to report abuse, visit our diocesan website: diometuchen.org/healing.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen
Please consider supporting our local poverty relief services by donating gently used clothing, shoes, household items and small appliances to Catholic Charities-Diocese of Metuchen. Clearly marked donation boxes are available in more than 30 locations throughout our four-county diocese. For a complete list of drop-off locations, visit https://ccdom.org/clothing-donation-drop-boxes. If you have an item that is too big to fit in a donation box, call 877-343-3651 to arrange for a free pick up at your home.

Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund

We offer our prayers to those families who have witnessed and suffered from the devastating impacts of natural disasters, among them Hurricane Laura and the California wildfires. The U.S. Bishops are inviting all to participate in a special collection for the humanitarian, long-term recovery, and Church needs arising from these calamities. The funds collected in this special appeal will become part of the Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund and will be used to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church.   Click the following link to donate: online donation

Pray for vocations!
Bishop James F. Checchio recently ordained five men to the priesthood during a Mass of the Rite of Ordination. Please pray for our new priests Rev. David Edward Keyes, Rev. Thomas William Lanza, Rev. Gustavo Andres Rodriguez-Perez, Rev. Gilbert Zachariah Starcher and Rev. John Fredy Triana-Beltran, C.O. as they begin their priestly ministry and please pray for a continual increase of vocations in our Church.


Volunteer to Make Pocket Rosaries for Law Enforcement
The Office of Family Life is pleased to announce the creation of the Blue Rosary Guild. The purpose of the Guild is for community members of all ages to make pocket Rosaries for law enforcement officers, providing them with support and spiritual strength and promoting devotion to the Rosary among all the faithful. All materials and instructions will be provided and a Zoom virtual tutorial will also be scheduled. Anyone interested should contact Cristina D'Averso-Collins, Director of the Office of Family Life at cdaverso@diometuchen.org.

Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to participate in one-to-one activities and become a mentor to the youth of Middlesex County and Franklin Township. Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life? Have a minimum of three hours a week to offer to a child? If you are interested in this great program, contact Jeanette Cullen at 732-738-1323.