"On this solemn Feast of All Saints, the Church invites us to reflect on the great hope that is based on Christ’s Resurrection: Christ is risen, and we will also be with him. The Saints and Blesseds are the most authoritative witnesses of Christian hope because they lived it fully in their lives, amidst joys and sufferings, putting into practice the Beatitudes … that Jesus preached are the path to holiness" (Pope Francis, Angelus Message, Nov. 1, 2020).
"On this solemn Feast of All Saints, the Church invites us to reflect on the great hope that is based on Christ’s Resurrection: Christ is risen, and we will also be with him. The Saints and Blesseds are the most authoritative witnesses of Christian hope because they lived it fully in their lives, amidst joys and sufferings, putting into practice the Beatitudes … that Jesus preached are the path to holiness" (Pope Francis, Angelus Message, Nov. 1, 2020).
Spurred by the recent terrorist attack against innocent civilians of Israel and the escalating violence it has unleashed, Pope Francis has issued a call for a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the world on Oct. 27.
Spurred by the recent terrorist attack against innocent civilians of Israel and the escalating violence it has unleashed, Pope Francis has issued a call for a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the world on Oct. 27.
Spurred by the recent terrorist attack against innocent civilians of Israel and the escalating violence it has unleashed, Pope Francis has issued a call for a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in the world on Oct. 27.
As is so often the case, our sisters and brothers in need in our own country and throughout the world depend upon our love and generosity, prompted by our Catholic faith, and turn to us for help in times of crisis. Such is now the case in Israel. I offer some ways to respond.
These are the words you are looking for us to say and the words we cannot utter without feeling aware of their seriousness and solemnity: never again one against the other, never, never again! … never again war! Never again war! It is peace, peace that has to guide the destiny of the nations of all mankind (Pope Paul VI, “Address to the United Nations,” October 4, 1965).
I remember his October 1965 trip to the United States so clearly, as though it were yesterday. As Catholic school children, we felt so proud to watch Pope St. Paul VI arrive in New York – the first pope to visit America. All of our classrooms were suddenly furnished with television sets to view this momentous occasion. Only much later in my life would I appreciate the purpose of this trip and the Pope’s message as he addressed the United Nations:
This weekend, October 7-8, the Diocese of Trenton joins with parishes throughout the country to celebrate the second annual “Deacon Sunday.” Here in our Diocese, there are currently 188 active permanent deacons and 85 retired in our 97 parishes. A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church and, therefore, a member of its clergy. There are three groups, or "orders," of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, priests, and deacons. Deacons are ordained by the bishop as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, by virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant-Church.
THIS WEEKEND, OCTOBER 7-8, THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON JOINS WITH PARISHES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY to celebrate the second annual “Deacon Sunday.” Here in our Diocese, there are currently 188 active permanent deacons and 85 retired in our 97 parishes. A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church and, therefore, a member of its clergy. There are three groups, or "orders," of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, priests, and deacons. Deacons are ordained by the bishop as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant-Church.
Bishop O’Connell wrote: “The First Session of the Synod of Bishops 2021-2024 begins Oct. 4 and continues until Oct. 29, 2023 with the theme ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission.’ Our Holy Father Pope Francis has said, ‘Without prayer there will be no Synod.’”
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has released his Apostolic Exhortation “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”) on the memorial feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, one of history’s most popular Catholic saints, renowned for his love of nature and all of God’s creation. Clad in the only later-worn, distinctive robes of the Franciscan religious order, St. Francis is most often fondly portrayed with arms lovingly outstretched and surrounded by earth’s creatures. In a departure from the traditional list of papal names, the Jesuit Holy Father chose to be called by the name “Francis,” the first pope ever to do so. That one action, in itself, was considered to be an indication that his would be a “different” kind of pontificate from those of his predecessors. That anticipation has proved to be true.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has released his Apostolic Exhortation “Laudate Deum” (“Praise God”) on the memorial feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, one of history’s most popular Catholic saints, renowned for his love of nature and all of God’s creation. Clad in the only later-worn, distinctive robes of the Franciscan religious order, St. Francis is most often fondly portrayed with arms lovingly outstretched and surrounded by earth’s creatures. In a departure from the traditional list of papal names, the Jesuit Holy Father chose to be called by the name “Francis,” the first pope ever to do so. That one action, in itself, was considered to be an indication that his would be a “different” kind of pontificate from those of his predecessors. That anticipation has proved to be true.