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A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on the need to restore funding for Catholic schools in the State FY2019 Budget

A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on the need to restore funding for Catholic schools in the State FY2019 Budget

Representing Catholic schools in the Trenton Diocese, Frances Koukotas testified April 9 before a joint meeting of the State Assembly and Senate education committees, expressing the pressing need for security funding for Catholic schools.

Representing Catholic schools in the Trenton Diocese, Frances Koukotas testified April 9 before a joint meeting of the State Assembly and Senate education committees, expressing the pressing need for security funding for Catholic schools.

When we encounter evil in the world --- and there is plenty of it --- our response might be to turn away from God, to reject God, even to doubt God’s existence. We may think or ask ourselves, “How can God exist if he lets such terrible things happen?” Murder. Assault. Rape. Drug abuse. Gang violence. Burglary. Rampant disregard for life at all its stages, hatred for other people, for property, for the environment? These are just some of the things that the women and men in law enforcement face each day and the experience can be, often is, very dark.

The Diocese of Trenton invited the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to support law enforcement personnel by remembering them in prayer, standing with them in worship and thanking them for all that they do to keep our communities safe during the 19th annual Blue Mass.

The newly linked parishes of Sacred Heart in Bay Head and Saint Pio of Pietrelcina in Lavallette are seeking an energetic manager with proven leadership skills to oversee all aspects of business operations for the two parish campuses. The successful candidate will be responsible for financial administration, human resources and physical plant oversight. Responsibilities will also include planning, budgeting, financial analysis, technology, legal concerns, communications, purchasing, stewardship/development, and volunteer coordination. This individual will also serve as a resource for the parish Financial Councils at both parishes.

The Diocese released a list of additional priest assignments announced April 16 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Most of the assignments take effect July 1, 2018.

The Diocese released a list of additional priest assignments announced April 16 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Most of the assignments take effect July 1, 2018.

"Support your local police” is a slogan often seen on billboards, tee shirts and even lawn signs. With its upcoming Blue Mass, the Diocese of Trenton is inviting the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to do just that . . . support their police by remembering them in prayer, standing with them in worship and thanking them for all that they do to keep our communities safe.

The Diocese released a list of priest assignments announced April 9 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Most of the assignments take effect July 1, 2018 with a few exceptions. Click here, for the full list of the assignments released April 9.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following priest assignments for the Diocese of Trenton.  All are effective July 1, 2018, except where otherwise noted.

When you enter the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, as the clergy and faithful of the Diocese are invited to do on pilgrimage every three years, your attention is immediately focused upon the mosaic of “Christ in Majesty” that adorns the apse behind and above the high altar. If you turn around to look back at the narthex, you will see a white bas relief that stretches from side to side across the back of the Shrine. The artist labeled his work, “ The Universal Call to Holiness.” In it you will see portrayed the Holy Spirit descending with the rays of his divine graces upon the Church, represented by the Blessed Mother and figures from every walk of life.

In a reflection issued April 9 on Pope Francis’ newly-released apostolic exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., writes: “Pope Francis has issued an apostolic exhortation on this topic today, April 9, 2018, “Rejoice and Be Glad (Gaudete et Exsultate).” An apostolic exhortation does not carry the doctrinal weight of an encyclical but, rather, expresses an encouragement of the Pope to the Church community.

When you enter the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, as the clergy and faithful of the Diocese are invited to do on pilgrimage every three years, your attention is immediately focused upon the mosaic of “Christ in Majesty” that adorns the apse behind and above the high altar. If you turn around to look back at the narthex, you will see a white bas relief that stretches from side to side across the back of the Shrine. The artist labeled his work, “The Universal Call to Holiness.” In it you will see portrayed the Holy Spirit descending with the rays of his divine graces upon the Church, represented by the Blessed Mother and figures from every walk of life.

On any given day, in just about every Catholic school, students are involved in the effort to help others. From raising funds for worthy non-profits, to visiting nursing homes and stocking food pantries, there is no limit to the many acts of charity and kindness that are undertaken as part of the Catholic school experience.

The national televised broadcast of the Easter Sunday, which was taped last fall in St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, will air on ABC affiliates April 1 and will be available on the Diocese’s websites. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who serves as principal celebrant and homilist, is joined by several concelebrating priests and more than 300 worshipers who gathered from around the Diocese of Trenton.

On Easter Sunday, as an anticipated 4 million plus viewers from around the United States tune in to the national televised Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord, they will be taken to Spring Lake, NJ, and the unique church thought to be among the most beautiful sites along the Jersey Shore.

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 lead believers through the three most holy days of the Church year – the sacred Triduum.

A highlight of Holy Week, the diocesan Tenebrae Service was held March 28 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake. Father Harold Cullen, St. Catharine pastor, presided over the service, which was live video streamed by the parish, and available for viewing on DioceseofTrenton.org and TrentonMonitor.com.