Diocese of Metuchen to begin ‘Year for Priests’

METUCHEN – Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will lead an evening prayer service on September 14, 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral to open the Diocese of Metuchen’s observance of the Year for Priests. Proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI the Year for Priests officially began in Rome on June 19.

Msgr. William Benwell, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, will deliver the homily at the diocese’s service.

In declaring the Year for Priests, the Pope said it is to help priests “rediscover the grace and the goal of priestly ministry.” He dedicated the year to St. John Vianney, also known as the Cure d’Ars, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death, and proclaimed him as the Universal Patron of Priests.

At the prayer service, Bishop Bootkoski will bless and present memorial icons of St. John Vianney to the priests of the diocese. Each pastor will receive an additional icon for placement in their church or parish center to remind the faithful of the Year for Priests.

Representative from each of the 108 parishes in the diocese are expected to attend the prayer service which is open to all.