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The Diocese of Trenton will join with sister dioceses around the nation to take up the annual Peter’s Pence Collection at all Masses during the weekend of June 30-July 1. Entitled “Be a Witness of Charity,” the collection assists the Holy Father to respond with emergency financial assistance to requests for aid to the neediest throughout the world – those who suffer as a result of war, oppression and natural disasters.

Hopes, expectations and achievements culminated in Baccalaureate Masses and commencement ceremonies throughout May and June in Catholic high schools across the Diocese of Trenton, as the Class of 2018 successfully completed their secondary education to embark on new journeys of faith. In a year that saw both triumph and adversity, more than 1,500 graduates from 11 high schools stepped forward to receive their diplomas and be celebrated by their proud loved ones and wider school communities.

La epidemia de violencia con armas de fuego ha golpeado una vez más, esta vez cerca de casa. El pueblo de Trenton se despertó esta mañana con la trágica noticia de que veinte de nuestros hermanos y hermanas, nuestras familias, vecinos y amigos, resultaron heridos durante un tiroteo masivo en la madrugada del domingo durante el festival de artes, “All Night Art Festival”. Uno de los sospechosos murió y se están investigando el motivo.

Como el obispo de la Diócesis de Trenton, yo establezco y decreto que celebraremos aquí en los cuatro condados de la Diócesis de Trenton un “Año Jubilar de la Juventud” del 1 de julio 2018 al 30 de junio 2019. Las razones y metas de este “Año Jubilar de la Juventud” serán:

A statement from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on the mass shooting in Trenton June 17, 2018 The epidemic of gun violence has struck once again, this time close to home. The people of Trenton awoke this morning to the tragic news that twenty of our brothers and sisters — our families, neighbors and friends —-were injured during a mass shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning at the city’s “All Night Art Festival.” One suspect has been killed and the motive is under investigation.

The epidemic of gun violence has struck once again, this time close to home. The people of Trenton awoke this morning to the tragic news that twenty of our brothers and sisters —- our families, neighbors and friends —- were injured during a mass shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning at the city’s “All Night Art Festival.” One suspect has been killed and the motive is under investigation.

Como muchos veteranos de la segunda Guerra Mundial que conocieron sus conflictos y la pérdida de vida, mi padre no hablaba mucho sobre lo que vio. Estaba orgulloso por su servicio naval como marinero en cinco naves de guerra en ambos océanos, Atlántico y Pacífico. De vez en cuando él mencionaba batallas en que se metían sus naves, como en la batalla del Guadalcanal.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. reflects on Father’s Day this upcoming weekend. Bishop O’Connell shares that we can take this weekend as an opportunity to express our love and gratitude for the fathers in our life.

Like many veterans of World War II who lived through its conflicts and loss of life, my Dad didn’t talk a lot about what he witnessed. He was proud of his naval service as a boatswain’s mate on five battleships in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Occasionally, he’d mention battles in which his ships were engaged, among them Guadalcanal.

In a new decree issued June 12, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has declared a Year of Youth in the Diocese of Trenton, beginning July 1, 2018 and closing on the Feast of St. Aloysius, patron saint for Catholic Youth, June 21, 2019. The Year of Youth encompasses multiple events over the next year aimed at inspiring young Catholics in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties to own their faith and act upon it.

In a new decree issued June 12, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has declared a Year of Youth in the Diocese of Trenton, beginning July 1, 2018 and closing on the Feast of St. Aloysius, patron saint for Catholic Youth, June 21, 2019. The Year of Youth encompasses multiple events over the next year aimed at inspiring young Catholics in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties to own their faith and act upon it.

The 7th Annual Bishop John C. Reiss Memorial Golf Outing, took place June 11 at the Spring Lake Golf Club, Spring Lake Heights. The proceeds from this fund were collected to benefit the Harris Family Trust for aged, infirmed and disabled priests in our Diocese. Steve Nicholl, Director for the Department of Development, and other Chancery employees were in attendance to support the annual event.

El Obispo David M. O’Connell, C.M., ha anunciado los siguientes nombramientos para la Diócesis de Trenton:

A multimedia package commemorating the Ordination of the Diocese of Trenton's four new priests has been produced and is now available digitally across diocesan media outlets. The coverage features the June 2 Ordination of Fathers Christopher J. Dayton, Michael G. DeSaye, Nicholas R. Dolan and James R. Smith by Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

El corazón ha sido un símbolo de amor desde los antiguos tiempos y las escrituras de los filósofos. En los Tiempos Medios (del siglo 12 al principio del 14), el corazón solía aparecer en las obras de arte, gradualmente ubicándose en muchas de las representaciones religiosas asociadas con Cristo. En el periodo del Renacimiento (tarde en el siglo 14 al siglo 17), las las referencias al “Sagrado Corazón de Jesús” se hicieron muy comunes.

The heart as a symbol of love dates back to ancient times and the writings of philosophers. In the Middle Ages (12th to early 14th centuries), the heart appeared in popular artwork of the time, gradually finding a place in many religious representations associated with Christ. In the Renaissance period (late 14th to 17th centuries), depictions of references to the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” became commonplace.

The heart as a symbol of love dates back to ancient times and the writings of philosophers. In the Middle Ages (12th to early 14th centuries), the heart appeared in popular artwork of the time, gradually finding a place in many religious representations associated with Christ. In the Renaissance period (late 14th to 17th centuries), depictions of references to the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” became commonplace.

Summer months begin with Faith In Our Future Implementation, New Clergy Assignments

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Farmingdale, NJ is seeking a part-time secretary to provide support and assistance to the Director of Religious Education in all aspects of the Religious Education Program. Some of the responsibilities include: receive and place telephone calls, type memos and other forms of communication including mass e-mail distributions. In addition, this individual will also be responsible for: handling of student registrations and tuitions, creating classroom and attendance reports and assist volunteer catechists; accurately maintain sacramental requirements and Virtus fingerprinting records, and prepare and organize sacramental retreats.

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, this weekend, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., reflects on this central mystery of faith. Bishop writes: "Through the words of the priest at Mass, recalling the Lord Jesus Christ’s own words at the Last Supper, unleaven bread and wine, the true fruit of the vine, is consecrated and transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This sacred action is called “transubstantiaton,” meaning the visible elements or “species” of the Eucharist — the bread and the wine — literally become the Body and Blood of Christ. How that actually happens is a mystery of the Catholic faith that has been believed and practiced since the very first Holy Thursday when Christ uttered the words “This is My Body, This is My Blood.”