Spirit atholic C
See our Special Feature on the 25th annual Choices Matter Conference: ‘Safeguarding Human Dignity – Shining a Light on Human Trafficking’ pp 4-5
THE
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF METUCHEN
Violet Brett Schneider reacts with joy as one of 40 students and young adults welcomed into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil in St. Peter the Apostle University and Community Parish, New Brunswick. Rutgers students are formed through the OCIA process (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) at Rutgers Catholic, the University’s Catholic Campus Ministry. Read more about the draw of the Church for young people and their desire to grow in their Catholic faith on p 3. —Thomas Corzo photo/The Catholic Center at Rutgers
APRIL 30, 2026 • VOL. 31 NO. 3
Easter J oy! INSIDE Our Faith
10
Perspectives
18
Movie Review
46
Diocesan Events
47
Catholicism in Colonial America
14
First in a series for 250 years of independence