Important messages · Catechetical Sunday · Father Frambes obituary · Family pilgrimage

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ON FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
It has become almost normative these days for political candidates of every stripe to end their speeches at campaign appearances, town halls or rallies with some form of the expression “God bless you and/or God bless the United States of America.” Perhaps you, too, have noticed its appearance more frequently than in the past. I actually wait for it now while watching television broadcasts of these events, especially in this election year.

Certainly, it is an admirable sentiment with which to conclude their comments, since phrases like “In God we trust,” one nation under God,” “endowed by their Creator,” “so help me God” have long been an important part of the American vernacular throughout history. 

Is it a prayer, a religious wish or “just something to say” to audiences in a country founded upon Judeo-Christian principles? I regularly wonder about it, especially when the speech that precedes it contains elements that advocate policies or positions that hardly seem reflective or consistent with our divine origins, the goodness of God or the religious faith of any and all believers, not even to mention the tone and tenor of some remarks that lack basic civility.
Read Bishop O’Connell’s message HERE.
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A MESSAGE FROM DR VINCENT DE PAUL SCHMIDT, SUPERINTENDENT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Living in New Jersey, the students in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Trenton each summer enjoy the shore, with its sandy beaches or perhaps time relaxing at the swimming pool, but the Department of Catholic Schools remains busy. There are meetings to plan, policies to review or update to make sure our schools are ready for the new year, newly formatted report cards to upload to the parent portal, school board trainings, summer enrichment programs, an even deeper design of the platform for our teachers to work within for their respective professional development needs and more.  

The Department of Catholic Schools, and the Catholic schools themselves, are always working to improve the Catholic communities we serve.

Read Dr. Schmidt’s message HERE.
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A MESSAGE FROM DENISE CONTINO, DIRECTOR OF THE DIOCESAN DEPARTMENT OF CATECHESIS
Catechetical Sunday is a day set aside by the Church each year to celebrate the individuals who serve in the ministry of catechist.

“The Catechist is a Christian who receives a particular calling from God that when accepted in faith, empowers him for the service of the transmission of the faith and for the task of initiating others into the Christian life” (Directory for Catechesis, 112).

This year we celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 15, in accord with the theme: “Lord, when did we see you hungry?” from the Gospel of Matthew 25:37.  Reflecting on this verse from scripture, I was reminded of the needs of the family.  The image that accompanied this year’s theme is the Holy Family portrayed as immigrants in a modern world, a reminder that all families are called to holiness. 

Read more from Denise Contino HERE.
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THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED CATECHETICAL SUNDAY, which is always celebrated on the third Sunday in September, to recognize and celebrate the gift that catechists give to their parish community by volunteering their time for the faith formation of children. The day also reminds all Catholics to consider ways we are witnesses for Jesus Christ. During commissioning ceremonies held in parish churches throughout the country, all Catholics have the opportunity to rededicate themselves to the mission of passing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel as a community of faith.
For this year’s Catechetical Sunday observance on Sept. 15, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has selected the theme of “Lord, when did we see you hungry?” The theme comes from chapter 25 of St. Matthew’s Gospel, when Christ explains the kingdom of God through the parable of the sheep and the goats. In the parable, God rewards those on his right, for they saw him hungry and gave him food. When they question, the Lord then says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Read more HERE.
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FRANCISCAN FATHER JOHN FRAMBES, who served as parochial vicar in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Long Beach Island, died unexpectedly the morning of Sept. 10.
Father Frambes joined the Franciscans of the Holy Name Province in 1973. More than half of his priesthood has been serving in higher education, working in student affairs at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y. He served in campus ministry at Siena and at Guilford College, Greensboro, N.C. and University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Later he was pastor of St. Joseph Church in Wilmington, Del. He came to Long Beach Island after spending time living in a Trappist monastery. He has served as parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Parish since 2014.

For funeral arrangements visit HERE.
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“THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER” is the theme of a family pilgrimage the Diocese is hosting to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Rd., Doylestown, on Sept. 14.
The pilgrimage, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will begin with a concert that will be followed by an 11 a.m. Mass and procession. Pilgrims will also have an opportunity to participate in praise and hear worship music, take part in activities geared for families and visit the shrine’s various chapels. At 2:30 p.m., a bilingual Rosary will be prayed in the Rosary Garden.

The event is free and families are to bring their own lunch.

For more information, call 609-403-7133 or visit  https://dioceseoftrenton.org/pilgrimage