Diocese’s history is focus of local exhibit; vocation videos highlighted national observance

Church history buffs, Catholic students and members of the faithful alike are invited to view an exhibit featuring the history of the Diocese of Trenton starting this Saturday, Nov. 10. “The Diocese of Trenton: This is Our Story,” will be on display for the general public Nov. 10 through Dec. 7 in The Aquinas Institute, 24 Charlton St, Princeton.

Curated by Third Order Franciscan Father Gabriel Zeis, chaplain of the Institute and diocesan vicar for Catholic education, the latest exhibit is the third of its kind in as many years. Previous exhibits have focused on the printed word and its relationship to the growth of the faith, and “Laudato ‘Si: Care for our Common Home,” an encyclical from Pope Francis on the need to protect the environment.

Highlights of the new exhibit include presentations on the earliest missionaries, the Jesuits, and their work among the Lenni Lenape native population; the beginnings of Catholicism, in what was known as West Jersey and East Jersey, and the German immigrants who labored for the Quakers in their industries of glassmaking, iron works and printing.

For more about this exhibit and the artifacts on display, read this feature story in The Monitor by clicking here.

To ensure that visitors are able to have access and spend time with the exhibit, reservations are needed to attend. “We want people to feel free to enjoy the exhibit and have time to read and reflect on the life of their Diocesan Church,” said Father Zeis.

To visit the exhibit, call 814-381-9322 to make a reservation, or e-mail [email protected] for a n appointment.
 

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The Diocese of Trenton celebrated National Vocation Awareness Week, Nov. 4-10, by looking back at a series of videos from last June’s priestly ordination, including interviews with the four new priests just prior to their ordination.
 
You can find these videos and much more by clicking here.

In his message for National Vocation Awareness Week, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., wrote, “God calls ordinary, normal, good, faithful people to love him and others in an extraordinary way as a priest, deacon or consecrated religious. Your response, your “yes” takes sacrifice, for sure. But most good and important things in life do.”  You can read more on National Vocation Awareness Week, and the full text of Bishop O’Connell’s message, or listen to it on his podcast.