JESUS OF NAZARETH LIVED MOST OF HIS LIFE IN OBSCURITY without much notoriety or attention paid to him. The Gospels tell us about his birth in Bethlehem and, later, about his appearance in the temple at age 12. Other than that, the Gospels are largely silent about Jesus of Nazareth until he appears before John the Baptist in the Jordan and begins his public ministry around age 30.
Uniformed officers filling pew after pew; heart-pounding music from bagpipers and drum corps; the dignified and disciplined cadence of color guard units, a stream of vested priests leading the congregation in prayer – these are the sights and sounds of the annual tribute to law enforcement that will unfold April 4 in the Diocese of Trenton.
Catholics throughout the Diocese of Trenton will flock to their churches March 24 for Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover and beginning the most solemn and sacred week in the Church calendar. The doors to Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Trenton will open wide to hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers alike as special services and Masses will lead believers through the week-long retelling of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced his Holy Week schedule of the parishes he will visit for the celebration of Masses and liturgical services.
On March 26, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in a case that has the potential to make a major impact in the widespread accessibility of chemical abortion (abortion pills). Chemical abortions are now the most common form of abortion in the United States.
This year, priests, deacons, religious and lay women and men from Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are invited to join Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who will celebrate the Mass on the Monday of Holy Week, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold. The Chrism Mass will also be livestreamed on diocesan social media platforms and on YouTube in English and Spanish.
THIS YEAR, PRIESTS, DEACONS, RELIGIOUS AND LAY WOMEN AND MEN from Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are invited to join Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who will celebrate the Mass on the Monday of Holy Week, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold. The Chrism Mass will also be livestreamed on diocesan social media platforms and on YouTube in English and Spanish.
FATHER DANIEL F. GOWEN, WHO SERVED IN MULTIPLE PARISHES THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE OVER MORE THAN THREE DECADES, died March 9. He was 64. Funeral services will be held in St. Denis Church, Manasquan, beginning March 14, with visitation 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated March 15 at 11 a.m. Interment will be in St. Catharine Cemetery, Wall Township.
St Catharine Church in Holmdel, NJ, is searching for an enthusiastic individual to join their team as the Coordinator of Religious Education. This is a full-time position that will include occasional evenings and weekends. The program provides faith formation, catechetical instruction, and sacramental preparation to approximately 600 students and their families in grades one through eight.
In keeping with the traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving, the Diocese of Trenton will participate the weekend of March 9-10 in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual Catholic Relief Services Collection.
Saint Mary, Mother of God Church in Middletown, New Jersey is looking for a spirit-filled Youth Minister who will be responsible for leading successful LIFE TEEN & EDGE programs. The Mission of Life Teen is to lead teens closer to Christ. The Life Teen Youth Minister will also be an active member of the parish Committee for the New Evangelization with it’s mission to “bring the Baptism in the Holy Spirit to the whole Church.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lakewood, NJ, is hiring a full-time Building and Grounds Maintenance Assistant for our school and multiple church properties, etc. This large Roman Catholic parish consists of three worship sites, a cemetery, a school, and several other buildings.
YOUNG ADULTS AGE 18-39 ARE INVITED to the Diocese’s annual young adult retreat March 2, beginning at 10 a.m. in St. Luke Parish, 1674 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River. The daylong event, hosted by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, will include lunch and the parish Mass at 4 p.m. at the retreat’s end in St. Luke Church. The retreat theme – “Flipping Tables” (to make room for God) – will be explored by Dan Palmieri and Anthony McCullough of JMJ Missions.
The Chancery offices in Lawrenceville will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, in observance of Presidents Day. Normal operations will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20.
The Diocese of Trenton is currently accepting applications for the position of Associate Director for Marriage Ministries and NFP in the Office of Evangelization & Family Life. The selected candidate will support and guide marriage, family, and life issues. Additionally, the role entails coordinating and facilitating Pre-Cana ministry in both English and Spanish, conducting Re-marriage retreats, and managing various Natural Family Planning programs.
The Chancery building in Lawrenceville will be closed today due to inclement weather. Chancery staff continue to work remotely and can be reached via email. Stay warm and safe!
BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., HAS SHARED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE for Lent 2024. Lent is traditionally a time for prayer and fasting. This year, I am especially drawn to these words from my reading: “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So, if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.”
Lent is traditionally a time for prayer and fasting. This year, I am especially drawn to these words from my reading: “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So, if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.”
Sickness is always an unwelcome guest in the “home” of our bodies. Whether its visit is brief or long, expected or unanticipated, recognized or subtle, sickness’ knock on the door is one that no one wants to answer. Try as one may to keep it out, sickness eventually finds its way in and — like an obnoxious houseguest — takes over every room, leaving its hosts to wonder if it will ever leave. The analogy here, although not very poetic, makes the point for which it is intended.