Bishop Paul’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Your excellency Bishop Paul, on this occasion of the 25th anniversary celebration of your ordination of Episcopacy, we all want to congratulate you and thank you for the wonderful service to the church that you have given these many years.

The work of the bishop in the church today is not always easy; they have many challenges to face and lots of expectations are placed upon them. But you have served the church in the Metuchen Diocese, and here in St. Catherine’s Parish so well. You were and are a guide and mentor for so many people through all these years. The great thing about Bishop Paul is that he serves with such joy and has never lost his sense of humor. He knows how to relax; he knows how to make difficult decisions and he always has time for prayer.

Now that Bishop Paul is retired from all the responsibilities the diocese requires, he is free to do what he always loved to do; to be and pray with his people in the parish. To share a meal or coffee or just to have a conversation with them. And he always does it informally; never showing any superiority; like a friend with a friend.  

Today we all thank God for all the gifts that you, Bishop Paul, have and are willing to share with our Diocese and especially with our Parish. One of those gifts is your understanding of the teachings of the church and your willingness to present them to people in a simple, logical way so that they can understand and relate to them. Your homilies are appreciated by all. Also, we all appreciate the years of your leadership qualities that you use very well.

Our Diocese and our parish have really been blessed all those years with your presence. We wish you a lot of health. We pray for you all the time. Twenty-five years is a long time, and we wish you many more. So, Happy Anniversary Bishop Paul, thanks for all you’ve done and continue to do for the Diocese of Metuchen and St. Catherine’s Parish!

Fr. Chester