Bishop’s Homily for Respect Life Mass & Respect Life Message · Limongello receives C. McGinty award

HOMILY BY BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., DIOCESE OF TRENTON, ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, TRENTON

September 26, 2024

I was driving back from a priest’s funeral on Long Beach Island last week. Now those of you who have made that trip know that you pass through a long, monotonous stretch of New Jersey called “the Pinelands.” Driving along, my attention was drawn to a huge billboard ---appearing out of nowhere --- reaching across the pine trees, posting a picture of a mother holding her newborn child with the words, “Duty to Protect” printed across the picture in big, white letters. For the last week, knowing that this Mass was coming, I could not get that image and those words out of my mind. “Duty to Protect.”

In our document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has reminded the Church in our country that “the threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed.” Remember these words. Preeminent priority --- not the only priority but the preeminent, fundamental basis of all other priorities. Directly attacks life itself--- not some other less significant aspect of reality but LIFE.. Takes place within the sanctuary of the family --- whether both parents contribute to the decision or not, they are still parents. Because of the number of lives destroyed --- ultimately, death is the choice and outcome whatever the reasons given.

Read the full text HERE.
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BISHOP O’CONNELL HAS SHARED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE for Respect Life month.
The atmosphere in society today is charged with words and with the realities conveyed by these words: change, accountability, responsibility and, above all, hope! The people of life and for life (cf. Evangelium Vitae, n. 78) are fundamentally a people of hope! We are people of life and for life because we are a people of hope.

The hope of which I speak is not rooted or anchored in an ideal or even in a dream or vision, although the Scriptures speak of old men dreaming dreams and young men seeing visions (cf. Joel 2:28). The hope of which I speak is a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ, True God and True Man, the one and only Savior of humanity. He alone is the source of authentic and enduring hope! He is, in fact, Hope Incarnate!

Read the full message HERE.

View Bishop O’Connell’s message below. 
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LISA ANN LIMONGELLO WEARS MANY PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADER HATS. She began serving as PCL in July 2020 for the Catholic Community of Hopewell Valley Parishes: St. James, Pennington; St. Alphonsus, Hopewell; and St. George, Titusville. Just a year ago in August, she added to that a PCL position in her home parish of St. Luke, Toms River. But her experience as a catechist goes all the way back to high school, when she served as a program assistant in the office of religious education at St. Luke’s.
“I assisted Sister Peggy Russell and Teri Frassetto, both now former religious education directors of St. Luke, who taught me so much about my faith and gave me a wonderful experience growing up [here],” said Limongello.

It was that history of dedication, in part, that led to Limongello’s selection as the 2024 recipient of the “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry. Limongello was recognized during the annual Parish Catechetical Leaders Convocation Sept. 5 at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Farmingdale, an event that brought together some 64 parish catechetical leaders, who oversee parish religious education programs.

“I was extremely surprised to learn that I had been nominated … let alone named this year’s recipient,” Limongello said. “I have seen such strong women in leadership receive this award. … It is an honor to be named. I am absolutely in awe and humbled, and it makes it that much sweeter to know that both pastors in the parishes I serve nominated me for this achievement.”

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