On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Diocese of Trenton is participated in #GivingTuesday, an international day of charitable giving. The 2018 campaign in the Diocese aimed to support Catholic education in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
During this global social media movement, donors were able to visit
www.catholicschoolshaveitall.org, where they had the option to help Catholic schools in the Diocese in three ways: make a secure, tax-deductible contribution; volunteer their time or say a prayer.
One-hundred percent of the funds raised went to the schools directly; donors could give to a school of their choice or to a general assistance fund. Some schools indicated what the monies were going to be used for, such as a general fund, tuition assistance or a specific project/program.
“The kindness and generous spirit of many create a positive impact for our students,” said JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Giving is investing in the future of tomorrow’s leaders. This is an investment marked by continuous returns.”
To donate to the Catholic school of your choice, click here. On Nov. 21, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. celebrated Mass in the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia, Pa., concluding the annual solemn novena for the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, held Nov. 12-20. In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana in St. John’s Gospel, and urged the hundreds of people attending to take the words said by the Blessed Mother to heart.
“'Do whatever he tells you’…We need to listen to those words over and over again throughout our lives…We turn to Mary and she offers us her Son through her Miraculous Medal and she whispers to us: ‘Come to the foot of the altar’ .... ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ He and he alone can turn the water of our tears into the wine of Christ’s comfort and consolation and patience and peace.”
The shrine is located in the city’s historic Germantown section and is staffed by Vincentian priests and brothers. Each year, thousands of people journey to the shrine to participate in the various novena services. Although the actual feast of the Miraculous Medal is observed Nov. 27, the shrine, in an effort to keep consistent, schedules the feast day Mass to be celebrated on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.