As Catholics in the United States, we live in two worlds: a secular world — the state— and a religious world — the Church or comparable communities defined by religious beliefs. They are distinctively different, “separate” worlds that co- exist simultaneously. In addition to rights, customs, identifying principles and traditions, each of these worlds possesses its own system of laws established to create and preserve order for the sake of the common good. It is the search for the common good inherent in each system that enables each to regard the other with respect. Some will say that neither world should influence or affect the other directly or indirectly. I am not one of them.
El obispo David M. O'Connell, C.M., agradeció a los diez delegados de la Diócesis de Trenton que viajaron a Grapevine, Texas, para el V Encuentro Nacional. El Encuentro Nacional es el próximo paso de un proceso pastoral nacional para elaborar y desarrollar la participación y voz de los católicos hispanos/latinos en los Estados Unidos.
In his annual Respect Life Month message, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., affirmed the noble fight for human life in all its stages and encouraged his flock to be “culture warriors” for life. He writes:
La expresión, “guerrero cultural”, se usa en la conversación contemporánea para describir a personas que luchan por las causas que corren contra la corriente de los valores y preferencias, principal entre ellos, la protección de la vida humana en todas sus etapas desde la concepción hasta la vida natural. Parece muy poco que se habla o se escribe de ella de una manera positiva. Sin embargo, las personas llamadas “pro-vida”, de hecho, han luchado de una manera significativa para convencer a sus oponentes y críticos que, como el papa san Juan Pablo II afirmó, “cuando algunas vidas incluyendo a las vidas por nacer pierden su valor por las opciones de otras personas, no se podrá garantizar ningún valor ni derecho por mucho tiempo”.
The expression “culture warrior” is used in contemporary conversation to describe people who fight for those causes that run counter to prevailing cultural values and preferences, chief among those causes, the protection of human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death. It is rarely spoken or written in a positive way. And, yet, those who are labeled “pro-life” are, indeed, engaged in a significant battle to convince their opponents and critics that, as Pope St. John Paul II affirmed, “When some lives, including the unborn, are subjected to the personal choices of others, no other value or right will long be guaranteed.”
This weekend brought the beginning of autumn and cooler weather, setting the perfect atmosphere for a busy weekend in the Diocese of Trenton. People across the diocese celebrated their faith and service to others during the annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance, the NJ Charismatic Conference and the annual spiritual assembly for the diocesan St. Vincent de Paul society.
The birth of a child is usually considered a “blessed event” for parents, and so it was for Italian Catholics Domenico and Rosa Luciani Sulprizio on April 13, 1817 when a son, Nunzio, was born. It was roughly a week after Easter that year and Nunzio, who was named for his recently departed grandfather, was the bright spot in a year of widespread famine in his native Pescara, (Kingdom of the Two Sicilies), Italy. His devout parents had him baptized before sunset that same day. Three years later, they presented him to the bishop of the newly created Diocese of Sulmona for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Two months later, in mid-summer, his father died leaving a widow, Nunzio and a baby daughter Domenica. Sadly, Nunzio’s sister died five months later on Dec. 7, 1820.
In a Sept. 17 email to all pastors of the Diocese, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., advised that any parishes that wished to hold a collection in support of Catholic-based relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Florence should send all funds to Catholic Charities, U.S.A. Catholic Charities is also accepting donations from individuals through their website. The agency has committed 100 percent of donations will be dedicated to the relief effort for Hurricane Florence.
A new episode of the Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic Spanish-language television show, Cristo Para Todos, will premier, Saturday, Sept. 15 on Telemundo, Philadelphia.
The Foundation of Morris Hall-St. Lawrence Inc. will present its annual benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6, featuring the Philly Pops orchestra performing the music of Elton John. The concert, slated for the Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial, will feature vocalist and pianist Michael Cavanaugh, under the direction of Michael Krajewski, Philly Pops music director.
Please hold in prayer Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. and the priests in our Diocese who are gathering today for the Annual Convocation of Priests in Galloway; a three-day retreat of rest and renewal for the priests in the Diocese of Trenton.
La Iglesia enviada por el Señor Jesucristo a ir “por todo el mundo y anuncien las buenas nuevas a toda criatura” (Marcos 15:16) ha tenido bastante “mala noticia” este verano. Este lado oscuro dificulta el trabajo del catequista este año sin duda. Pero no es razón de dejar de catequizar. De hecho, hace que la catequesis sea aún más urgente, más emocionante, más necesaria para seguir el mandato del Señor.
El jueves pasado, el fiscal general de New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, anunció que establecerá un equipo para investigar las alegaciones de abuso sexual de menores de edad por el clero en las cinco diócesis del estado de New Jersey además de cualquieras indicaciones de intentos por sus obispos y líderes eclesiales de esconder situaciones delicadas. Su decisión sigue la publicación del reporte de una gran juria de Pennsylvania investigando acusaciones parecidas en ese estado durante un período de setenta años y las revelaciones de antes este verano en las Arquidiócesis de New York y Newark de alegaciones creíbles y sostenidas de abuso de parte del ex-cardenal Theodore McCarrick a un niño menor de edad y varios seminaristas adultos. Todas estas alegaciones son indefensibles, repugnantes y mortificantes. Han causado dañado irreparable a sus víctimas, sus familias y la Iglesia. El clero junto a los laicos justamente han reaccionado con el enojo, atropello, disgusto y la desilusión. Ha causado una duda profunda en su fe y a devastado la credibilidad del liderazgo de la Iglesia.
On this past Thursday, the Attorney General of New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, announced that he will establish a task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the five Dioceses of the State of New Jersey as well as any indications of cover-up by their bishops and leaders in the Catholic Church.
On this past Thursday, the Attorney General of New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, announced that he will establish a task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the five Dioceses of the State of New Jersey as well as any indications of cover-up by their bishops and leaders in the Catholic Church.
On this past Thursday, the Attorney General of New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, announced that he will establish a task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the five Dioceses of the State of New Jersey as well as any indications of cover-up by their bishops and leaders in the Catholic Church.
Parishes across the Diocese of Trenton will hold special catechist commissioning ceremonies and other observances of Catechetical Sunday Sept. 16, coinciding with the opening of their catechetical year. Sponsored by the USCCB’s Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, this year’s observance will fall under the theme, “Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ,” in Spanish, “Creando Testimonios para Jesucristo.”
The Church that the Lord Jesus Christ asked to “go out to all the world and tell the good news (Mark 15:16)” has had its share of “not so good news” this summer. It will make the work of the catechist this particular year harder, for sure. But it is not a reason to stop catechizing. In fact, it makes catechesis even more urgent, more compelling, more necessary to follow the Lord’s command.
Plans are well underway for the 51st annual New Jersey Catholic Charismatic Conference, “Jesus Is Lord!” to be held 7:30pm - 9:30pm on Sept. 21 and 8am - 9:30pm on Sept. 22 in St. Mary Mother of God Church, Middletown.
"¡Volver a escuela!” Se ve los signos por todos lados que nos recuerdan que de nuevo empieza el año escolar. Aunque puedan quejarse un poco, mayormente, los niños están animados volver a ver a sus amigos después de unos meses y volver a las rutinas conocidas. Los padres y madres tal vez se quejan aún menos al acercarse el primer día del año escolar. De muchas maneras, nuestra sociedad, junta con los negocios, se enfoca en la idea del “año escolar” con septiembre como el mes principal de preparación y arranque.