Essays and Messages

The long-overdue and historic overturning of the landmark 1973 “Roe v. Wade” decision of the United States Supreme Court by the same body (different justices) in last year’s “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization” represents the end of one tragic era and the beginning of another.

The deadly terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 are as fresh in the minds and memories of those alive at the time as though they happened yesterday. Simply referred to as “9/11,” the events of that horrific day deeply affected not only our nation but also the entire free world.

Church collections in dioceses and parishes have long been the butt of good-natured humor and jokes among the Catholic clergy and faithful. I don’t know too many bishops or priests who actually enjoy asking parishioners for their hard-earned money. The generosity of the faithful – and the clergy as well – however, has been and remains a principal source of support for dioceses and parishes and an investment in their ministries, activities and abilities to reach out to those in need. That has been true throughout the history of the Catholic Church since the very beginning.

Each year, organizations that work to promote public health and well-being observe September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Bishop O’Connell’s essay on this topic follows: I read with alarm and deep concern the recent report of the Centers for Disease Control that the number of suicides in the United States reached an all-time high last year. 

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has announced that he will publish an apostolic exhortation on the environment on Oct. 4, the memorial feast of St. Francis of Assisi, as a follow up to his landmark encyclical on Care for Creation, Laudato Si’ (May 24, 2015).

Three words loom large around this time every year: BACK TO SCHOOL!  It seems like just yesterday the radio was blasting the 1972 classic “Schools Out for Summer” by Alice Cooper to the delight of kids (and teachers!) everywhere!  That didn’t last long. 

I was looking in the cupboard for a cereal bowl the other morning and found a large mug with the words “choose happy” written on the side. I was more interested in my oatmeal than the inscription at first but as I sat down for breakfast, I read the words on the mug and started thinking about the advice imparted there. “Choose happy.” Who would imagine finding “wisdom” on a coffee mug so early in the morning?

Yes, Tuesday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven and the Patronal Feast of the Diocese of Trenton, IS a holy day of obligation.  In other words, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass either on the vigil (the evening before) or on the day itself. Rather than focus on the “obligation,” which is described in the provisions of canon law (cc. 1246 and 1247) and supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for our country, perhaps we should consider the reasons of faith behind the obligation.

Genuine excitement is felt among young Catholics throughout the world as World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 begins in Lisbon, Portugal, August 1 through August 6. Originally scheduled for last year at this time but postponed due to the pandemic, approximately 677,000 young people from 126 countries on five continents will gather for the celebration of the Catholic faith.

With a call to honor and never abandon grandparents, 86-year-old Pope Francis issued his third annual Message for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on the weekend of July 22-23, close to the feast of Jesus' own grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.