About Diocese of Metuchen
The Diocese of Metuchen (Latin: Dioecesis Metuchensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church serving the four New Jersey counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren in central New Jersey. Erected by Pope John Paul II on November 19, 1981, it was carved from the Diocese of Trenton and made a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Newark. Its mother church is the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen, and its patron is the Queenship of Mary. As of 2023 the diocese served roughly 636,728 Catholics across 90 parishes, with its administrative offices housed at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway. It is currently a vacant see: Bishop James F. Checchio, the fifth bishop, was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans by Pope Leo XIV on September 24, 2025, and the Very Reverend Jonathan S. Toborowsky is serving as Diocesan Administrator.
- Diocesan Administrator
- Jonathan S. Toborowsky (Diocesan Administrator) / Sede Vacante
- Established
- 1981
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 32 Elm Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840
- Territory
- Four counties of central New Jersey: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren.
- Parishes
- 90 (as of 2023); approximately 89 parishes reported in the 2024–2025 annual report
- Province
- Archdiocese of Newark (Ecclesiastical Province of Newark)
About the Diocese of Metuchen
The Diocese of Metuchen serves the people of God in the four counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren in central New Jersey. Its mission is to evangelize all people, at all times, and in all places — proclaiming the MESSAGE of Jesus, teaching His TRUTH, and extending His LOVE to people of all ages. The diocese proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, celebrates his Sacraments, and exercises his works of mercy so that all might participate in his salvation. The administrative offices are located at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
- Established November 19, 1981 by Pope John Paul II
- Territory: Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties
- Cathedral: St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen
- Patron: Queenship of Mary
- Approximately 636,728 Catholics across ~90 parishes (2023)
Office of the Bishop
Following the Nov. 18, 2025 Mass of Welcome for Archbishop-designate James F. Checchio in New Orleans, the Diocese of Metuchen became a "Vacant See." The College of Consultors, fulfilling Canon Law, elected Vicar General Very Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky on November 20, 2025 to serve as Diocesan Administrator until Pope Leo XIV names a new bishop. Bishop Emeritus Paul G. Bootkoski continues to assist the diocese, including as principal celebrant of the Chrism Mass.
- Diocesan Administrator: Very Rev. Jonathan S. Toborowsky (since Nov. 20, 2025)
- Bishop Emeritus: Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski, DD
- Fifth Bishop (transferred): Most Rev. James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA — now Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans
History
Catholic life in central New Jersey predates the diocese by more than three centuries. French and Irish settlers in the late 1600s were served by priests traveling from Fort James, New York (around 1692). The Jesuit missionary Father Ferdinand Steinmeyer — Father Farmer — made circuit-riding mission stops across Somerset and Warren Counties in the 1700s. New Brunswick's first Catholic church (Saints Peter and Paul) was blessed on December 18, 1831, and Father John Rogers' 19th-century missions in Perth Amboy, South Amboy, and Metuchen laid the groundwork for what would become the see city.
- 1680s–1690s: First Catholic settlers in East Jersey (Middlesex County area)
- c. 1692: First recorded Mass celebrated by a priest from Fort James, NY
- 18th century: "Father Farmer" (Ferdinand Steinmeyer, SJ) on mission circuits
- 1829: Father Joseph Schneller begins monthly visits to New Brunswick
- Dec. 18, 1831: Saints Peter and Paul Church blessed in New Brunswick
- 1845–1887: Father John Rogers establishes missions incl. Metuchen
- 1881–1981: The four counties are part of the Diocese of Trenton
- Nov. 19, 1981: Pope John Paul II erects the Diocese of Metuchen
- Jan. 31, 1982: Bishop Theodore McCarrick installed as first bishop
Bishops of Metuchen
Five ordinaries have led the diocese since 1981. Bishop Theodore McCarrick (1981–1986) founded the diocese; Bishop Edward T. Hughes (1986–1997) oversaw major physical growth; Bishop Vincent DePaul Breen (1997–2002) launched the Evangelization Office, the diocesan website, and the "In Service to the Kingdom" capital campaign; Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski (2002–2016) convoked the first synod and established the Office of Child and Youth Protection; and Bishop James F. Checchio (2016–2025), formerly rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, was the fifth bishop before being named Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans.
- 1. Theodore Edgar McCarrick (1981–1986) — later Cardinal; laicized 2019
- 2. Edward Thomas Hughes (1986–1997)
- 3. Vincent DePaul Breen (1997–2002)
- 4. Paul Gregory Bootkoski (2002–2016) — Bishop Emeritus
- 5. James Francis Checchio (2016–2025) — now Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi
The mother church of the diocese is the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi at 32 Elm Avenue in Metuchen, NJ. The parish is far older than the diocese itself: in the mid-1800s it was a mission church dedicated to St. Joseph, and the current cathedral is the third church built on the parish's history. Very Rev. Timothy A. Christy, VG, serves as Rector. The cathedral offers Mass, the Sacraments, Religious Education, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the Knights of Columbus Council #3272, and a full range of Discipleship Opportunities.
- Address: 32 Elm Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840
- Rector: Very Rev. Timothy A. Christy, VG
- Website: stfranciscathedral.org
- Live-streamed Masses available via the cathedral website
St. John Neumann Pastoral Center
The administrative headquarters of the diocese is the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center at 146 Metlars Lane in Piscataway, NJ. Opened in November 2001, the center was renovated from the former St. Pius X High School with funds raised by Bishop Breen's "In Service to the Kingdom" capital campaign. It houses the diocesan offices — including Communications, Schools, Catholic Charities, the Secretariat, and the offices of the Vicar General — and includes a conference center used for retreats, deanery meetings, and diocesan events.
- Address: 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840
- Phone: (732) 562-1990
- Houses diocesan curia and conference facilities
Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools supports a network of elementary schools and one diocesan high school, all nationally accredited through AdvancED. The schools are open to students of all faiths and backgrounds and use the PowerSchool student information system for grades, attendance, and parent communication. The diocese is also part of the New Jersey Network of Catholic School Families, which advocates for public policies supporting Catholic school families. The Office can be reached at (732) 562-2446 or [email protected].
- Secretary for Catholic Schools: Barbara Stevens
- Director of Curriculum: Sr. Mary Louise Shulas, MPF
- PowerSchool student data system in use across schools
- Schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond Catholic schools, the diocese supports parish-based Religious Education programs (CCD) for children and youth not enrolled in Catholic schools, as well as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA) for those seeking to enter the Church. The Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi operates its own Religious Education program and OCIA Inquiry process and hosts parish-school catechesis for Metuchen-area families.
- Parish Religious Education programs for children and youth
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adult converts
- Cathedral School and Religious Education at St. Francis
Ministries & Outreach
The diocese supports a wide range of pastoral and social ministries developed across successive episcopates. Hispanic Ministry, Black Catholic Ministry, Pro-Life Activities, and ministry to persons with disabilities were established under Bishop McCarrick; pastoral care for persons with AIDS/ARC, the Diocesan Eucharistic League, and the Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Raritan were added under Bishop Hughes; Korean and Vietnamese ministries, the Office of Evangelization, and the Plainsboro Youth Retreat Center came in under Bishop Breen; and the Office of Child and Youth Protection was created under Bishop Bootkoski in September 2003.
- Office of Child and Youth Protection
- Hispanic Ministry, Black Catholic Ministry, Pro-Life Activities
- Korean and Vietnamese Catholic ministries
- Pastoral care for persons with AIDS/ARC
- Diocesan Eucharistic League and Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan
- Office of Evangelization and Youth Retreat Center, Plainsboro
- Catholic Center at Rutgers University, New Brunswick (opened Jan. 2010)
Catholic Charities & Social Services
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen extends the corporal works of mercy across the four counties, with parish and diocesan programs supporting families in need, the hungry, the homeless, and those facing crisis pregnancies. The diocese also operates (or partners in) healthcare and senior-care facilities, including the McCarrick Care Center and Maria Regina Residence for retired priests in Somerset, NJ.
- Catholic Charities offices throughout the diocese
- McCarrick Care Center and Maria Regina Residence, Somerset NJ
- Parish-based food pantries, outreach, and respect-life ministries
Communications & News
The diocese publishes The Catholic Spirit (founded February 29, 1996 — the diocese's first official newspaper), maintains an active presence on the diocesan website (diometuchen.org), and publishes an annual report highlighting the work of parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities. News and announcements — including the appointment of Bishop Checchio as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans and the election of Fr. Toborowsky as Administrator — are posted on the diocesan site and on the diocese's social media channels.
- The Catholic Spirit (diocesan newspaper, est. 1996)
- Annual Report published online each year
- Office of Communications & Public Relations: [email protected]
Getting Involved
Catholics in the four counties can take part in parish life, volunteer through Catholic Charities, support the Bishop's Annual Appeal ("Forward in Faith," established 1983), or join one of many parish or diocesan ministries. The diocese also maintains a presence on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram, and encourages the faithful to stay connected through the diocesan website.
- Bishop's Annual Appeal ("Forward in Faith")
- Parish ministries: Knights of Columbus, lectors, EMHCs, choirs
- Diocesan social media: Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram
- Volunteer opportunities through Catholic Charities and parishes
