Bishop Bootkoski celebrates fifth anniversary
By Scott Alessi
Staff Writer
PISCATAWAY — Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski celebrated the fifth anniversary of his installation as Bishop of Metuchen with a Mass March 19 at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center Chapel. He was joined by concelebrants Msgr. Richard A. Behl, Father Robert W. Medley, Father Sylvester J. Cronin and Father Randall J. Vashon. Deacon David A. DeFrange, director of the Office of the Diaconate assisted the bishop.
The bishop noted that having his installation on the feast of St. Joseph was an appropriate choice since he was educated by the Josephites, who instilled in him an appreciation for Joseph’s role in the church. In his homily, Bishop Bootkoski discussed the challenges that Joseph faced in his life and the lessons from it that we can apply to our own lives today.
Joseph found that God’s plan for him was different from what he expected, the bishop said, leaving him with more questions than answers. Like Joseph, Bishop Bootkoski said that many people find that life does not work out the way that they had anticipated.
“God tests each and every one of us in our spiritual life and in our journey,” Bishop Bootkoski said. “It never seems to work out the way we expect it to.”
Bishop Bootkoski reflected on the difficult situations he has faced as bishop, including the decision to close of St. Peter the Apostle High School in New Brunswick and the recent death of Msgr. Liam Minogue, pastor of Mary Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough. In such trying times, the bishop said that one must turn to God and seek his guidance through prayer.
“The job of bishop, hopefully for all bishops, brings you to your knees because you know that you need the wisdom of God in so many situations,” Bishop Bootkoski said. “And so I have learned a lot in five years.
“Hard decisions have to be made, but they must be made in a prayerful situation,” he said. “They must not be arrived at easily. Prayer is so essential to all of our lives, to all of our ministries and to all that we do.”
The bishop thanked the members of the diocese who joined in his anniversary celebration for supporting him throughout the last five years and for devoting so much of themselves to their ministries. “We walk together,” Bishop Bootkoski said. “For five years we’ve been walking that road. It has not been an easy period.”
The bishop encouraged those who have come with him on his journey to continue follow Joseph’s example by trusting in the promise of God.
“Joseph lived by God’s promises, not by his answers,” Bishop Bootkoski said. “So we too live by God’s promises. He promised to be with us to the end of time. He has promised to be there walking with us…We don’t have all the answers, but we do have the promise and we walk together.”
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law