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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. 

“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).

Although the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension has been transferred to Sunday in the Dioceses of New Jersey, I can’t help but reflect about the feast we traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter.  This great feast – whenever its placement in the Catholic Church calendar occurs – commemorates our belief that the Risen Lord Jesus, gathered with his disciples on Mount Tabor near Jerusalem, ascended body and soul into heaven, returning to his Father.  

Lifting up in prayer the souls of the children and teachers killed Tuesday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and united in grief with their parents and families, the words of St. Matthew’s Gospel account of the massacre of the holy innocents in Bethlehem come to my mind: “A voice was heard in Rama, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel was weeping for her children and she would not be consoled, since they were no more (Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 3:15).”

Hate is an ugly emotion and even uglier when acted upon.  There is no other way to describe the vandalism of the church property of St. David the King Parish in West Windsor than to call it a “hate crime,” an intentional act of evil.  I had hoped that our Diocese would be spared the recent hate-filled experiences of other dioceses and churches throughout the country.  Sadly, today’s incidents put an end to that hope.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and its Committee on Pro-Life Activities have encouraged the dioceses of the United States to join in fasting and prayer for a renewed national commitment to the sacredness of all human life from conception through natural death this Friday, May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese to pray the Rosary this Friday, May 13, for this intention.  Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued the following message: Recent events prompt me, as Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, to write once again to ask the all clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese to reaffirm our commitment as Catholics to uphold the sacredness of all human life in each and all its stages, from conception to natural death, and to pray especially for an end to abortion in our time

“Religious Brothers Day,” celebrated on 1 May 2022, is an opportunity to celebrate and offer gratitude for the gift of religious brotherhood, a special vocation and call to men who offer their life in the service of God’s people through vows, prayer and the charisms of various religious orders.

Jesus said to Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!” ​​​​​​​ This line from today’s Gospel according to John catches my attention every time I hear it.  We are all familiar with the Gospel account of Thomas the Apostle who we refer to as the so-called “doubter.”  He is known as “doubting Thomas” and that expression has even found its way into our everyday conversation when we encounter those who don’t believe in something.

I was a freshman in high school when I first heard the word “ecology.” Our science teacher distributed a copy of a February 1970 TIME magazine article about American environmentalist Barry Commoner and his efforts to raise consciousness about the environmental crisis confronting the world. A few months later, the same science teacher spoke to us enthusiastically about the establishment of the first annual “Earth Day” in the United States on April 22, 1970.

St. Paul wrote, “If there is no Resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Cor 15: 13-14).” Those are some pretty big “ifs,” especially as we grapple with the damage from a lengthy pandemic and the reality of a war with worldwide ramifications.

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.

In nostalgic moments, Catholics of my generation and older reflect on their experience of the Catholic Church while growing up. It would be no exaggeration to say that the scene looks very different now from that of the 40s, 50s and early 60s. When Catholics of my “vintage age” get together, it is not uncommon that these memories surface – good and/or bad – in conversation.

As the attention of the entire world is riveted on the unfolding military crisis in Ukraine, I ask all the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to pray fervently for peace in that region of the world and the protection of our Ukrainian sisters and brothers there. In his General Audience in Rome on Wednesday, our Holy Father spoke of “the great pain in my heart because of the worsening situation in Ukraine.” 

With the Christmas Season behind us, Catholics enter into a period referred to as “Ordinary Time” in the Church’s liturgy.  In our vernacular usage, the word "ordinary" describes what is commonplace, "everyday" or without uniqueness or special distinction. 

Sickness is always an unwelcome guest in the “home” of our bodies.  Whether its visit is brief or long, expected or unanticipated, recognized or subtle, sickness’ knock on the door is one that no one wants to answer.  Try as one may to keep it out, sickness eventually finds its way in and --- like an obnoxious houseguest --- takes over every room, leaving its hosts to wonder if it will ever leave.  The analogy here, although not very poetic, makes the point for which it is intended.

This year, the Church in our country and in our own Diocese celebrates “National Marriage Week” (Feb. 7-14) and “World Marriage Day” (Feb. 13) in tribute to husbands and wives as the foundation of the family, the basic unit of society. When we think of marriage, words like love, faithfulness, trust, sacrifice, forgiveness and perseverance and many other values come to mind. For us in the Church, the idea of Sacrament and covenant embraces all those expressions as we consider the loving and graced relationship of one man and one woman in a union that is faithful, fruitful and forever. No other partnership equals this blessed gift of our Creator, present from the beginning of the world.

After Christmas this year, I was able to take a few retreat days for some prayer, spiritual reading and reflection.  One of my traditions on retreats is to re-read the Gospels. Each of the four sacred texts has a unique character and tone, some passages complimentary while others seem to relate similar accounts in different ways. I don’t consider myself a “Scripture scholar,” but I have read and studied the Gospels and commentaries about them many, many times throughout my 40 years as a priest. The “story” they tell never gets old for me. In fact, each time I read them, something stands out that I may not have previously paid much attention to or noticed.

Each year, the Diocese of Trenton joins dioceses throughout our country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week.  At a time when dioceses, including our own, are experiencing the unfortunate circumstance of having to close a school or schools for a variety of reasons, we need to support Catholic education more than ever.