I was driving back from a priest’s funeral on Long Beach Island last week. Now those of you who have made that trip know that you pass through a long, monotonous stretch of New Jersey called “the Pinelands.” Driving along, my attention was drawn to a huge billboard ---appearing out of nowhere --- reaching across the pine trees, posting a picture of a mother holding her newborn child with the words, “Duty to Protect” printed across the picture in big, white letters. For the last week, knowing that this Mass was coming, I could not get that image and those words out of my mind. “Duty to Protect.”
Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., has shared this message for Respect Life month. The atmosphere in society today is charged with words and with the realities conveyed by these words: change, accountability, responsibility and, above all, hope! The people of life and for life (cf. Evangelium Vitae, n. 78) are fundamentally a people of hope! We are people of life and for life because we are a people of hope.
I was driving back from a priest’s funeral on Long Beach Island last week. Now those of you who have made that trip know that you pass through a long, monotonous stretch of New Jersey called “the Pinelands.” Driving along, my attention was drawn to a huge billboard ---appearing out of nowhere --- reaching across the pine trees, posting a picture of a mother holding her newborn child with the words, “Duty to Protect” printed across the picture in big, white letters. For the last week, knowing that this Mass was coming, I could not get that image and those words out of my mind. “Duty to Protect.”
Catholic faithful and pro-life advocates from across the state will gather in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral Sept. 26 for the first statewide Mass for Life ahead of the NJ March for Life in Trenton. Thousands are expected to convene in the state’s capitol to pray at Mass, hear speeches at a rally and offer peaceful witness to the sanctity of unborn life while they march along a one-mile trek through the city.
CATHOLIC FAITHFUL AND PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS THE STATE will gather in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral Sept. 26 for the first statewide Mass for Life ahead of the NJ March for Life in Trenton. Thousands are expected to convene in the state’s capitol to pray at Mass, hear speeches at a rally and offer peaceful witness to the sanctity of unborn life while they march along a one-mile trek through the city.
Our Lady of Fatima Church in Keyport is looking for a Director of Music to develop and lead a music ministry that enhances the overall worship experience at our Church. The position requires the individual to possess competent organ and piano skills, strong choral skills and organizational skills that will assist in their direction of an adult choir.
Anticipation is growing as pro-life advocates from across New Jersey prepare to convene in the state capitol as peaceful witnesses for New Jersey’s first annual Mass for Life and March for Life Sept. 26.
It has become almost normative these days for political candidates of every stripe to end their speeches at campaign appearances, town halls or rallies with some form of the expression “God bless you and/or God bless the United States of America.” Perhaps you, too, have noticed its appearance more frequently than in the past. I actually wait for it now while watching television broadcasts of these events, especially in this election year.
A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ON FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
It has become almost normative these days for political candidates of every stripe to end their speeches at campaign appearances, town halls or rallies with some form of the expression “God bless you and/or God bless the United States of America.” Perhaps you, too, have noticed its appearance more frequently than in the past. I actually wait for it now while watching television broadcasts of these events, especially in this election year.
As Bishop O’Connell and the priests of the Diocese of Trenton gather together for their annual convocation, they offer their Mass and prayers on the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, for the victims, their families and all those impacted, especially those from within our Diocese.
I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at the Chancery for all the principals of our 31 Catholic schools in the Diocese on August 19, joined by superintendent Dr. Vincent Schmidt and assistant superintendents Daniel O’Connell and Bonnie Milecki from our Department of Catholic Schools. It was wonderful to experience their excitement and enthusiasm for the coming school year.