Religions & Spirituality

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Rev. Gregg Alan Mast, Ph.D., president emeritus of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and General Synod Professor emeritus of the Reformed Church in America, died Monday afternoon at Albany Medical Center Hospital in New York after being ill with the COVID-19 virus for several weeks.

He was 68.

Mast was called in 2006 to serve as the 14th president of ...

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – Rev. Gregg Alan Mast, Ph.D., president emeritus of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and General Synod Professor emeritus of the Reformed Church in America, died Monday afternoon at Albany Medical Center Hospital in New York after being ill with the COVID-19 virus for several weeks.

He was 68.

Mast was called in 2006 to serve as the 14th president of ...

METUCHEN, NJ – As the nation continues to battle the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop James F. Checchio, the spiritual leader of the Diocese of Metuchen, will turn to Mary, Mother of the Church in prayer on May 1, joining the U.S. and Canadian bishops all seeking her protection and help.

“I was so grateful to learn through the United States Conference of ...

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ -- Singing Jewish hymns is part of his very being, but Cantor Matt Axelrod of Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains had never done it in a TV miniseries before.

Axelrod lent his talents and authenticity to the successful HBO production of The Plot Against America, which is based on the best-selling novel by Philip Roth. It presents an alternate ...

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - These are tough times for the both the body and the soul.  As a resource, local clergy persons have provided access during this time of social distancing, especially during this week of hope and liberation among so many religious people.

The following is a list of clergy members, websites, and video access to East Brunswick's religious community:

Clergy Council ...

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN, NJ - In an unusual step that recognizes the ongoing abstinence being practiced by members of the Diocese of Metuchen  who are in the midst of addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bishop has ordered a change to a centuries-old practice.

In a Twitter post today, the Most Rev. James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, stated "I have granted a dispensation from ...

According to various reports from the Vatican and Italy's media: 

Pope Francis spoke from the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican today March 18, 2020, asking Catholics and every religious community, to spiritually unite in prayer amid worsening conditions relative to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Pope Francis urged people wherever they are, to join and unite in ...

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN, NJ - In directives just released by Bishop Checchio, he asked that all public Masses throughout the Diocese of Metuchen be temporarily suspended beginning no later than March 18 and resume no earlier than April 3, 2020, when the situation will be re-evaluated as circumstances unfold:

"Our Lord is with us through this all. As the coronavirus pandemic evolves, we must ...

NEW JERSEY - As public gatherings are being canceled and postponed across the Garden State in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, area Catholics are faced with a dilemma as Easter quickly approaches. The Most Rev. James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, announced on Friday that masses within Diocese of Metuchen will continue. However, parishioners are not obligated to attend in person until the ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ  – Amid growing national concern over the spread of the coronavirus, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen has enacted measures in parishes across its four counties as a precaution.

The Most Rev. James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, has issued the following directives on liturgical practices being observed in all parishes, institutions and organizations ...