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I rarely enjoy traveling alone, whether for business or pleasure. When going somewhere, especially on a longer trip, I prefer the company of others for conversation, for the exchange of ideas, for sharing different experiences, and, quite simply, just for companionship. In many ways, I think that preference explains why I began my journey to the priesthood in a religious community where the emphasis is on life and ministry with a “band of brothers” joined together by the charism of a common founder, spirit and purpose. That is the point, really, of religious life and, perhaps a unique contribution I make to diocesan priests as their diocesan bishop. I enjoy “journeying together!”

Darlene Hanley, President and CEO of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence, Inc., an­nounced on Sept. 30 that due to changes and challenges that have impacted all skilled nursing centers, assisted living facilities and hospitals, the leadership of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Inc. will be seeking a buyer for the healthcare campus, which consists of Morris Hall Senior Care Communities and St. Law­rence Rehabilitation Center.

Mother of Mercy Parish in Asbury Park is seeking a part-time bi-lingual parish secretary/receptionist to work Monday – Thursday 9AM to 2:30PM.  Some of the responsibilities for this position include: general office duties like answering phones, greeting and referring visitors, distributing mail, and typing correspondence.  In addition, this individual will also be responsible for: maintaining mass schedules and accurately recording and filing existing parishioner.

St. Rose of Lima Parish in Freehold, NJ, is seeking a dynamic individual to be a full-time Administrative Assistant for the parish office. The Administrative Assistant is the first point of contact for parishioners and the public. This position oversees parish communications, office management, booking, coordinating sacramental and parish records, special office projects and basic clerical tasks related to the position. This individual will report directly to the Pastor.

The Catholic Church in recent years, particularly during the pontificate of Pope Francis, has become accustomed to hearing the expression “synodality” used to describe the nature of the Church in our day.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, a multi-cultural parish in Lakewood, New Jersey, is looking for a dynamic individual to serve as a Bi-lingual Parish Catechetical Leader/Coordinator of Religious Education. The Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) is mainly responsible for the Religious Education Program; in addition to supporting the overall mission of Catechesis which includes the faith formation of all individuals from “womb to tomb”. The PCL/CRE will work closely with the pastor to coordinate all aspects of the religious education program for children in Pre-K through high school. This individual will be responsible for the sacramental preparation of the children and their families and for the recruitment, training, certification, and spiritual formation of the Catechists. Qualified candidates will evaluate and determine the faith formation needs of the parish and strategically plan and implement programs under the leadership of the Pastor that meet these needs.

Holy Innocents Church in Neptune, NJ is seeking a part-time Coordinator of Religious Education. The qualified candidate will determine and strategically plan the faith formational needs for Religious Education and RCIA ministries for the community under the direction of the Pastor. The Coordinator will work closely with the Pastor to fulfill the responsibilities of organizing and implementing the faith formational needs of the community. The main responsibility will be the parish religious education program, to engage, teach, and form young Catholics, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The individual will be responsible for implementing various models of formation for families and students. The Candidate must be able to recruit, train and lead a team of catechists, which is essential to the mission of faith formation

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather virtually for the 2021 Spring General Assembly starting today, Wednesday, June 16 in a virtual format.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries in the Catholic Church. Inspired by more than 500 years of tradition, this devotion became part of the Church’s liturgy in 1670, with Mass and prayers composed by French priest St. John Eudes (1601-1680).

This weekend, when the Catholic Church in our Diocese celebrates the Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, seems like the perfect occasion to welcome all the faithful of the four counties to return to full participation in the Holy Eucharist by lifting the dispensation from the Sunday/Holy Day Mass...

The Bishops of New Jersey have ended the dispensation from the obligation to assist at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation effective June 5-6, 2021, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.  The faithful are to return to the practice of participating at weekly celebration of Mass in church.

Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointment:

The Easter Season for 2021, like 2020 before it, is unlike any others in our memory due to the impact of the worldwide pandemic. This season comes to an end on May 23 as the Church celebrates the Solemn Feast of Pentecost, traditionally called the “birthday of the Church.”

The Church of Saint Veronica’s is seeking a part-time Maintenance worker/Handyman to handle day to day maintenance of church facilities.

Although the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension has been transferred to this coming Sunday in the Dioceses of New Jersey this year, I can’t help but reflect about its meaning on Thursday, May 13, 40 days after Easter. 

After five years of educational and pastoral formation, eight laymen will advance to the Order of Deacon in service to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton May 15 when they are ordained by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the love of a mother.” St. Therese of Lisieux

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointments for priests and deacons of the Diocese of Trenton, effective July 1, 2021, unless otherwise noted.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a French Cistercian monk, theologian, preacher and reformer in the early Middle Ages who was well known – among many things – for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A civil lawsuit has been filed against the Diocese of Trenton alleging the sexual abuse of a minor in 1989-90 by Rev. Joseph Farrell, currently pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in New Egypt. The abuse was alleged to have taken place during Father Farrell’s ministry in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish in Atlantic Highlands.