St. Augustine Students Make Pilgrimage to Diocese of Metuchen

By Maureen Quigley, President, HSA, St. Augustine School

On Oct. 3, the students of St. Augustine of Canterbury School in Kendall Park grades five through eight made a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, commemorating the school’s 50th Anniversary.  

Mass was celebrated by St. Augustine Pastor, Reverend Robert G. Lynam, KCHS, along with Reverend Edmund Luciano and Deacon Michael Murtha of St. Cecilia’s Parish, Monmouth Junction, NJ. 

Father Luciano, a 1997 graduate of St. Augustine School, inspired the students in his homily as he depicted the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Lynam described the history and significance of the Cathedral and its connection to St. Augustine School as a member of the Diocese of Metuchen.  

Father Lynam spoke eloquently of the Cathedral’s new statue and relic of the Blessed John Paul II.  Students expressed their pride through song, led by Music Director, Mr. William R. Berg and Leader of Song, Ms. Daria Dragan.

Upon conclusion of Mass, the students traveled to the Pastoral Center for the Diocese of Metuchen in Piscataway for a celebratory luncheon.  The students were greeted by Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Ellen F. Ayoub and Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Donna Kanowitz.  

Students were led in small groups in tour of the Diocesan Center to understand the many facets of the Diocese in which they are educated.  

Students viewed portraits of bishops, including present Bishop, the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski.  Students were most enthralled by the picture of their Pastor, Father Lynam, taken nearly thirty years ago. 

Father Lynam assumed leadership of St. Augustine Church and School in 1995. 

“A special day in the history of our school, and we were a part of it,” commented a student.  

Learning about the diocese gave the students a vibrant feeling of correlation of their faith, education and significance of community.