WE THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW JERSEY express our deepest gratitude for the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health. This decision ends a very dark chapter in American history and now is the time for our nation to move forward to heal wounds and social divisions. As the largest, private social service provider in the world, the Catholic Church offers many life-affirming programs. From pregnancy centers to numerous programs that provide clothing, food, housing services, and access to other basic needs, the Catholic Church stands ready to assist every mother, expecting or parenting.
For almost 50 years, pro-life Catholics and people of good will in the United States have prayed fervently, lobbied hard, participated in marches and raised their voices consistently that the fateful 1973 decision of the Supreme Court “Roe v. Wade” would be overturned. Given the strident and unrelenting advocacy of those who have supported abortion over the years, it seemed an almost unreachable goal. Today, that goal has been achieved.
FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS, PRO-LIFE CATHOLICS AND PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL in the United States have prayed fervently, lobbied hard, participated in marches and raised their voices consistently that the fateful 1973 decision of the Supreme Court “Roe v. Wade” would be overturned. Given the strident and unrelenting advocacy of those who have supported abortion over the years, it seemed an almost unreachable goal. Today, that goal has been achieved.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops once again sponsors “Religious Freedom Week” this year, June 22-29, 2022, with the theme “Life and Dignity for All,” and the encouragement to “Pray. Reflect. Act.” As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite all the clergy, religious and faithful to join Catholics and people of all faiths throughout our nation to gratefully celebrate the religious freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America as we publicly live out our faith in service to the common good.
In a few days, the “10th World Meeting of Families” will take place in Rome. Such a gathering, called by the Vatican, has taken place every three years since 1994. This meeting, originally scheduled for last year, was postponed until this year due to the pandemic. Its theme, announced by Pope Francis, is “Family Love: A Vocation and a Path to Holiness.” Although every diocese throughout the world cannot attend the events in Rome, every diocese has been asked to participate by hosting its own meeting. And, so, we gather here to celebrate family life in the Diocese of Trenton.
THIS WEEKEND ACROSS THE NATION, Catholics will celebrate The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ and the start of the Eucharistic Revival on June 19. The Diocese of Trenton is devoting an entire weekend to the launch of the Eucharistic Revival. It’s the goal that both days will provide occasions for families to come together for some fun and to celebrate their Catholic faith.
A bishop in the Catholic Church is called a “successor of the apostle.” To me, that is one of the most powerful and, yet, most humbling titles I can imagine. Through the laying on of hands by other bishops and the prayer of consecration, the authority to teach, to govern and to sanctify as a bishop is handed on in an unbroken line of succession from the apostles themselves 2,000 years ago.
In his meeting with a few thousand members of the Cursillo Movement in Italy at the end of May, our Holy Father Pope Francis encouraged the group to move toward “communion and mission” in all their activities, two words, two directions that Pope Francis uses frequently in his talks and homilies to groups within the Church.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., is spending the week of June 6 giving the annual retreat to seminarians of the Diocese. Each day will feature talks by the Bishop, and Mass celebrated by several different priests. The seminarians will also have free time to spend in personal prayer and group activities. Check back to TrentonMonitor.com for a full report and photos from this annual event.
“The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit dwelling with us (Romans 5: 5).” The Easter Season comes to an end as the Church celebrates the Solemn Feast of Pentecost, traditionally called the “birthday of the Church.” Before returning to his Father, Jesus promised in the Gospel of John that he would send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him (John 7: 39); that he would ask the Father to give us another, the Advocate, to be with us forever — the Spirit of Truth (John 14: 16-17); that he would not leave us orphans: “I will come to you (John 14: 18);” that when the Spirit comes, “he will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26);” that “he will guide you into all Truth (John 16: 13).” As Jesus ascended into heaven, described in the Gospel of Matthew, he proclaimed, “Behold, I will be with you always, even until the end of time (Matthew 28: 20).”
“The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit dwelling with us (Romans 5: 5).” The Easter Season comes to an end as the Church celebrates the Solemn Feast of Pentecost, traditionally called the “birthday of the Church.” Before returning to his Father, Jesus promised in the Gospel of John that he would send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him (John 7: 39); that he would ask the Father to give us another, the Advocate, to be with us forever — the Spirit of Truth (John 14: 16-17); that he would not leave us orphans: “I will come to you (John 14: 18);” that when the Spirit comes, “he will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26);” that “he will guide you into all Truth (John 16: 13).” As Jesus ascended into heaven, described in the Gospel of Matthew, he proclaimed, “Behold, I will be with you always, even until the end of time (Matthew 28: 20).