Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., delivered the following homily for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, following his joining in the worldwide Consecration of Russia, Ukraine and all of humanity to the Immaculate Heart of Mary March 25 in St. Mary of Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will lead the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton in two livestreamed events to pray for peace and the people of war-torn Ukraine. On March 25, Bishop O’Connell will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton -- the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord -- at which time he will unite in prayer with Pope Francis as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are welcome to attend the Mass in Trenton, which will also be livestreamed on youtube.com/trentondiocese. The Cathedral is located at 151 N. Warren Street.
LENTEN ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT. In accordance with Canon Law, the Lenten Friday abstinence from meat is dispensed on this Friday, March 25, 2022, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord (canon 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.)
The people of war-torn Ukraine will be remembered by the faithful in the Diocese of Trenton March 31 when Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates a livestreamed Mass for Peace in Ukraine at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph Church, part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport. The Mass will be livestreamed at youtube.com/trentondiocese. St. Joseph Church is located at 376 Maple Place, Keyport. For reporting on these events and ongoing coverage of the war against Ukraine, visit TrentonMonitor.com/Ukrainian-crisis
BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton -- the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord -- Friday, March 25, at which time he will unite in prayer with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are welcome. The Mass will be livestreamed on youtube.com/trentondiocese.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate the 12:10 p.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton -- the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord -- Friday, March 25, at which time he will unite in prayer with the Holy Father as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are welcome to attend. The Mass will be live-streamed on youtube.com/trentondiocese.
BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ANNOUNCED THAT the Diocese of Trenton will once again participate in Pope Francis’ Lenten initiative “24 Hours for the Lord,” a call to the Church at large to set aside an entire day for the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
IN HIS LETTER TO MOST REVEREND BORYS GUDZIAK, ARCHBISHOP OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY OF PHILADELPHIA, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., writes: As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I write to express my own prayerful support and that of my Diocese for you, the clergy and faithful of your Archeparchy and Ukraine. We are honoring the request of the Holy Father that we devote our prayers and fasting today as we begin the holy season of Lent for the cause of peace in Ukraine. I will offer noon Mass in the Cathedral here for that special intention. Read all of Bishop O’Connell’s letter HERE.
IN HIS LETTER TO MOST REVEREND BORYS GUDZIAK, ARCHBISHOP OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC ARCHEPARCHY OF PHILADELPHIA, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., writes As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I write to express my own prayerful support and that of my Diocese for you, the clergy and faithful of your Archeparchy and Ukraine. We are honoring the request of the Holy Father that we devote our prayers and fasting today as we begin the holy season of Lent for the cause of peace in Ukraine. I will offer noon Mass in the Cathedral here for that special intention.
I remember with great fondness my visit to Ukraine during my tenure as president of The Catholic University of America and my tour of the Catholic University you served so well there. I remain grateful to you for that cherished memory which has created a special bond in my heart with Ukraine and its people in these difficult days.
IN HIS 2022 MESSAGE FOR LENT Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reflected on the true meaning and value of this period of penitence and preparation, saying: As adult Catholics, we understand that Lent is more, much more, than just giving up candy for 40 days as we did in our childhood. Lent is a period that the Catholic Church sets aside each year for us to prepare
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics will gather in churches across the four counties of the Diocese of Trenton March 2 to commemorate Ash Wednesday, receive their ashes and begin the 40-day penitential season of Lent. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, beginning at 12:10 p.m. Ashes will be distributed to the congregants. All are welcome.