COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND

August 26, 2020

I wish to express my deep personal gratitude to the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton for their characteristic generosity in contributing to the Diocese’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund during the past few months.  Although we continue to face the consequences of the pandemic and will for some time, the gradual but steady resumption of parish life has once again begun to relieve some of the financial burdens occasioned by the restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus.  Our faithful contributed a total of $41,130 to support their parishes and $21,164 to help support diocesan operations and ministry needs during this time.  I am so grateful to those who offered such wonderful assistance.  May the Lord bless you for your generosity.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on our communities, impacting our overall health and well-being, our financial stability and our entire way of life. The unavoidable cancellation of public Masses and other church services, necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions, has been very challenging for the faithful who take their spiritual sustenance from the Eucharist and the gathering each week in the presence of Jesus. 
 
At the same time, these cancellations have dealt a staggering blow to our parishes, which are primarily dependent on the weekly offertory given so generously by the faithful.  When the parishes are faced with such a sudden drop in offertory, the Diocese of Trenton is also left without a means to fund all that it does on behalf of the faithful in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
 
In response to this growing concern and in an effort to provide for the needs of the diocesan family, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has taken the unprecedented step of authorizing a COVID-19 Emergency Fund.  Because of this pandemic, many of our parishes now face financial challenges. Please support the Diocese of Trenton's COVID-19 Emergency Fund. 
 
You may designate one or both of the following areas of need:

PARISH OFFERTORY CONTINUITY

Parishes rely on the generosity of their members to cover expenses related to ministry, utilities, maintenance, staffing, community outreach programs and other pressing needs. 
Please consider making your online offertory for your parish in support of the vital ministries and services it provides. For parishes with established, e-giving programs, you may make your offering via your parish’s website, or you may select your parish name from the drop-down menu on this emergency fund form.  Please note that the designated parishes will receive 100 percent of the funds; there are no administrative fees charged using this online method.
 
Without a weekly offering, our parishes face great uncertainty. Please remember your parish at this critical time.

 
DIOCESAN OPERATIONS AND MINISTRY NEEDS

In normal times, the work of the Diocese supports parish life and the practice of faith among our Catholic community. But an emergency such as this that makes the critical role of the Diocese abundantly clear.  In a time when Masses and major events are canceled, diocesan offices and ministries work to assist Bishop O’Connell minister to his flock via online messages, videos and livestreamed Masses.  Chancery operations are being carefully managed to ensure uninterrupted health coverage in this time of worry for all parish, Catholic school  and diocesan employees.  Staff continue to work on behalf of our community, offering resources and answers to the myriad of questions flooding into the Diocese.

The needs are expanding, while the financial resources have decreased.  Help us continue to help you and your parish.
 

PLEASE REMEMBER OTHERS

The devastating effect that COVID-19 has had on those who already faced financial hardships cannot be overstated.  Across the Diocese, social service agencies, themselves facing a serious shortage of resources, continue to minister to those in need. You can learn more about these efforts, and consider making a donation, by visiting these online resources:

 

• Report on social service agencies working to overcome COVID-19 impact
• dioceseoftrenton.org/catholic-social-services
• www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org

 
WITH GRATITUDE IN OUR HEARTS
 
We believe that God will carry us through these dark days, but he still needs us to do our part!  Whether through our prayers or financial support, we need to come together to help our faith community so that it can continue to do all that it does for us.  Please support the Diocese of Trenton's COVID-19 Emergency Fund according to your needs. We thank you for your consideration.   

Thank you for "passing the basket". And we remember Bishop O'Connell's words at this time that we

"remember that the Lord Jesus is in our midst, now and always.  As he touched lives, healed the sick and ministered with love and merciful compassion throughout the Gospels, know that he will continue to do so for us.  Have no doubt about that.  “Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship, keep praying regularly (Romans 12:12).”