News Releases

On May 12, the New Jersey Catholic Conference released a joint statement from the state’s Catholic bishops responding to Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement in which he renews a push to expand abortion access in the state. The bishops describe this new effort as “a direct attack on the dignity and sanctity of life,” and reaffirm the Church’s commitment to help expectant mothers in need.  The statement was signed by seven New Jersey prelates, including Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., of the Diocese of Trenton.

Catholics across the globe will flock to their churches April 10 for Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Passover and the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn and sacred time in the Church calendar. With the easing of many pandemic-related concerns and restrictions that impacted Holy Week in the last two years, hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers will gather for special services and Masses in the churches of the Diocese of Trenton to give witness to the week-long retelling of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

LENTEN ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT. In accordance with Canon Law, the Lenten Friday abstinence from meat is dispensed on this Friday, March 25, 2022, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (canon 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.)

The people of war-torn Ukraine will be remembered by the faithful in the Diocese of Trenton March 31 when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates a livestreamed Mass for Peace in Ukraine at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph Church, part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport. The Mass will be livestreamed at youtube.com/trentondiocese. St. Joseph Church is located at 376 Maple Place, Keyport. For reporting on these events and ongoing coverage of the war against Ukraine, visit TrentonMonitor.com/Ukrainian-crisis

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton -- the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord -- Friday, March 25, at which time he will unite in prayer with the Holy Father as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  All are welcome to attend.  The Mass will be live-streamed on youtube.com/trentondiocese.