CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK begins Sunday, January 29 and concludes Saturday, February 4. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has shared this message for Catholic Schools Week 2023.
One of the greatest contributions of the Catholic Church in our country remains the establishment of Catholic schools. Millions of young Catholics (and numerous non-Catholics) have been educated in Catholic schools since the very foundation of the United States. In the face of unrelenting obstacles and widespread social opposition, colonial Franciscan missionaries, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and her sisters, St. John Neumann and his co-workers, laid the foundation for the most extensive Catholic school system in the world. It is their legacy that we commemorate during Catholic Schools Week.
This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” More than merely a tagline or slogan, these words present a statement of the identity, purpose, and mission of our Catholic schools. Here in the Diocese of Trenton, these words come to life in the Catholic schools throughout our four counties.
Read the entire message HERE.WHEN DAVID MILECKI SOUGHT A PRAYER OPPORTUNITY to serve the needs of a physically challenged group of faithful Catholics, his search landed on the Holy Innocents Society: a ready resource of the Diocese of Trenton that is mostly tasked with providing religious education for special needs children. In recent months, the HIS had begun to explore the idea of helping adults with special needs and welcomed the inquiry from Milecki to offer a virtual prayer opportunity for those combatting the degenerative condition ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease for the baseball player diagnosed with it.
Supported by Milecki and other advocates, the ALS Prayer Group prayer program is now being offered throughout the Diocese on Mondays at 10 a.m. online. Access to the one-hour program can be gained by emailing [email protected]; Milecki, group facilitator, who has ALS himself, will respond to emails and provide the Zoom login link.
While the format varies weekly, participants are greeted with Christian music beginning at 9:30 a.m. The prayers that follow may include recitation of the Rosary with intentions offered by participants, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Scripture reading and discussion, dialogue about different saints and books associated with suffering, guest appearances, testimonies and more.
“With the support of Bishop O’Connell, as HIS president, [its] board of trustees has reasserted a commitment to its broader purposes and has begun to explore other activities to put its full mission into practice,” said Brenda Rascher, executive director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, and Bishop’s delegate for the HIS board of trustees. “HIS has also recognized that service and support are needed at all levels of life for those who struggle with intellectual and/or physical challenges,” she said.
Read the full story HERE.THE DIOCESE CONTINUES TO OBSERVE YEAR 1 OF THE EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL by hosting two events in 2023 for people who serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion in their parishes or those who bring the Eucharist to the homebound and hospitalized. These events follow those that were offered last November.
The first of the upcoming events is a morning of reflection scheduled for Feb. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in St. Benedict Parish, 165 Bethany Rd., Holmdel.
With the theme, “Reveal the Healing Love of Jesus to Those in Need,” the morning will include a Mass celebrated by Father Garry Koch, St. Benedict pastor. Father Koch will preach on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which the Universal Church celebrates that day. After receiving Communion, participants will have time of reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. The remainder of the morning will include light refreshments and a break-out session for stories and sharing.
The second event is a Lenten evening of recollection planned for March 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
Observing the theme, “Biblical Images of the Eucharist,” the evening will be led by Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Co-Cathedral rector and will offer an opportunity to deepen participants’ spirituality by reflecting on some of the images found in holy Scripture and how they can lead the faithful to Christ present in the Eucharist.
Participants are encouraged to select any or all of the opportunities that best fit their schedule. Registration is available at dioceseoftrenton.org/EMreflection. Or by contacting Terry Ginther, diocesan chancellor and executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, at 609-403-7143 or [email protected]. Youth of the Diocese of Trenton will once again reconnect at the annual Diocesan Youth Conference, set for Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Donovan Catholic High School, 711 Hooper Ave., Toms River.
Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, the event is open to all youth in the Diocese in eighth through 12th grades. The day will conclude with Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell.
Mixing the excitement of a concert-like atmosphere with the power of a retreat, the DYC invites teens to connect with each other and with Jesus in a new way. It’s also an opportunity for youth to connect with their peers from other parishes and schools of the Diocese, witness dynamic presentations, music, workshops and more.
Keynote speaker and musician for the day will be Steve Angrisano, international Catholic speaker and composer. Having traveled the world for more than two decades incorporating humor, storytelling and music into his presentations, he has been featured at 10 World Youth Days and emceed three National Catholic Youth Conferences, and many other venues. Beyond these larger events, Angrisano presents parish missions, leads groups to the Holy Land and composes music for Oregon Catholic Press, as he has for 25 years.
Angrisano holds a master’s degree in theology as well as a graduate specialization certificate in sacramental and liturgical theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife Jenni have three children and four grandchildren.