Mass/March for Life· CCHD grant· New assoc. director· Anniversary Blessings· Bishop’s message

Anticipation is growing as pro-life advocates from across New Jersey prepare to convene in the state capitol as peaceful witnesses for New Jersey’s first annual Mass for Life and March for Life Sept. 26.

New Jersey joins 14 other states that have held or plan to hold large-scale Marches for Life since the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. In previous years, the Mass for Life and Rally/March at the New Jersey State House was held near the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade. With a move to September and a wider invitation to all New Jersey pro-life advocates as well as Catholic parishes and schools across the state, organizers expect a much larger turnout.

At least 12 bishops are expected concelebrate the Mass for Life at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark as main celebrant and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as homilist. A livestream of the Mass will be available in English and Spanish on the diocesan YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/trentondiocese . The bishops will be joined by at least 16 priests of the Diocese of Trenton and additional clergy from the co-sponsoring Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen and Paterson.

Read more HERE.
__________________________________________________________________________The Catholic Campaign for Human Development-Diocese of Trenton is currently accepting grant applications throughout September from Catholic agencies and parish social service outreach programs located in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.Grants are usually awarded in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Priority will be given to new or continued initiatives taken up by parishes or agencies that enhance or provide a foundation of self-sufficiency for those persons served by the program and offer a “hand up.” Applications will only be accepted from recognized Catholic social service agencies and parish social service outreach programs within the Diocese of Trenton.

For more information visit HERE.
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In his new role as associate director of Marriage Ministries and Natural Family Planning for the Diocese of Trenton, Nicholas Petrillo hopes to bring his varied Catholic experience to bear, noting in particular that “married life is the best life I’ve lived!”
“I look forward to engaging with couples, sharing the joys of a sacramental marriage, and seeing those fruits lived out,” he said. “God is so good, and he cannot be outdone in generosity.”

Read more about Nicholas Petrillo HERE.
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Married couples from throughout the four-county Diocese who are marking milestone anniversaries – one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage – can still register to attend the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass in October. 
The Masses will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, for couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties.

During the Masses, the couples will renew their wedding vows and the Bishop will bestow his episcopal blessing on them. Masses will be followed by receptions. Family members and friends of the couples are welcome to attend.

Read more  HERE.
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Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. delivers a message to Catholics on faithful citizenship. The church does not tell Catholics how to vote nor endorse candidates for public office. It does offer resources to help Catholics form their conscience.
Watch the video HERE.