A message from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. on All Saints Day and All Souls Day Many times during the course of the year, I visit the graves of my parents. I bring flowers or small plants to place there in loving memory as I pray for them. Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays bring me there, as well as other days with no particular significance. As memories flood my mind, I sometimes smile, and other times, shed a few tears. Their graves remind me how much I miss them and love them still. In faith, I know they are not “there” but their remains rest in that sacred place. I always feel a real “communion” with them.
La tragedia devastadora en Pittsburgh y la pérdida incomprensible de vida en la Sinagoga Árbol de Vida lo hace recontra claro una vez más que los efectos del odio y la violencia nos sentimos cada uno de nosotros aquí en casa y por el mundo.
Following the tragic shooting this morning at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for prayer and action to put an end to violence.
I have written before of my admiration for Pope Paul VI (1897-1978). With his recent canonization — one of only eight popes in the 2,000-year history of the Church — much attention has been given to him and his papal teachings. He was, of course, the pope who presided over the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council (1962-65). Many of the writings he authored both during and after Vatican II are considered “landmark” documents for the Church in the modern world. To me, one of the greatest legacies of his pontificate (1963-78) is the attention he devoted to the role of the laity in the Church. Unfortunately, the lay faithful have too often been simply described as the “non-ordained.” True, the laity do not share in the Sacrament of Holy Orders but their significance and place in the Church cannot be defined by a negative.
There are all kinds of “movements” in the Church that people join: the Catholic Charismatic Movement, the Legion of Mary, Catholic Action, Cursillo, Catholic Athletes for Christ and so on. Some large and international, others smaller and regional, people of all ages are drawn to the special things that these movements represent. The Focolare Movement was founded in 1943 in Trent, Italy, by a Catholic lay woman named Chiara Lubich. The world was at war when Chiara and a few of her friends, after attending Mass one day, began talking about bringing people together in peace and unity through a shared faith in Jesus Christ.
The Monitor has just released its annual High School Showcase profiling Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Trenton. The 16-page guide has been sent to all eighth graders in the Catholic schools of the Diocese to provide helpful information as they consider their choice for Catholic high school. The showcase is also included in the Oct. 18 issue of the Monitor.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Annually, the next-to-last Sunday of October marks the Church’s Eucharistic celebration for the Missions, World Mission Sunday. In his message for this year’s celebration on October 21, Pope Francis explains that “life is a mission.” “Each one of us is called to reflect on this fact: ‘I am a mission on this Earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world’ (Evangelii Gaudium 273),” he writes. Focusing on young people, he notes: “In speaking to you, I also address all Christians who live out in the Church the adventure of their life as children of God.”
The long-awaited, official launch to the Year of Youth is finally here! The Year of Youth Fest is set for Sunday, Oct. 14 in St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin. Youth throughout the Diocese of Trenton are encourages to bring friends and family members to the Mass and following festival.
St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold was filled to capacity Oct. 11 as more than 700 representatives of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton gathered for the annual Catholic Schools Mass. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant and homilist for the annual celebration that brought the school community together in prayer, to give thanks for the gift of Catholic schools.
On Thursday, Oct. 11, students, educators, priests and volunteers from around Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties will gather for the annual Catholic Schools Mass at 10a.m. in the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold.
The Diocese of Trenton ushered in Respect Life Month by announcing the 2018-19 Respect Life Poster, Essay and Photo-Meme Contest, open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Submissions are now being accepted for the contest, which has adopted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2018 Respect Life theme, “Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent.”
Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York and Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement today for Respect Life Month. New resources have been developed around the theme "Every Life: Cherished, Chosen, Sent" and are available at www.usccb.org/respectlife. Respect Life Sunday is October 7.
Proving pastoral care to those battling drug addiction, seeking God’s blessings for those involved in the legal profession, and affirming the men and women who support Catholic schools through the PTA were front and center as members of the diocesan community took part in several events during the last weekend of September.
Calling it “an extraordinary accomplishment for the Diocese,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., congratulated five Catholic schools of the Diocese of Trenton that received word Oct 1 that they had achieved the coveted “2018 National Blue Ribbon Schools” designation from the U.S. Department of Education.
Obispo David M. O'Connell, C.M., Obispo de Trenton, felicita a las cinco escuelas católicas de la Diócesis de Trenton reconocidas hoy de parte del departamento de educación de los Estados Unidos con el premio "Blue Ribbon".