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The Holy Father Pope Francis has approved the following revision to the Catechism of the Catholic Church recommended by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (August 1, 2018). It reflects the gradual development of the Church’s teaching that the death penalty is “inadmissible” and should be abolished.

President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Issues Statement on Course of Action Responding to Moral Failures of Judgement on the Part of Church Leaders

In a new decree issued June 12, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has declared a Year of Youth in the Diocese of Trenton, beginning July 1, 2018 and closing on the Feast of St. Aloysius, patron saint for Catholic Youth, June 21, 2019. The Year of Youth encompasses multiple events over the next year aimed at inspiring young Catholics in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties to own their faith and act upon it.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., gathered with diocesan officers May 15 to formally sign the decrees for the mergers that will create seven new parish communities out of 14.

The Diocese released a list of additional priest assignments announced April 16 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Most of the assignments take effect July 1, 2018.

"Support your local police” is a slogan often seen on billboards, tee shirts and even lawn signs. With its upcoming Blue Mass, the Diocese of Trenton is inviting the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to do just that . . . support their police by remembering them in prayer, standing with them in worship and thanking them for all that they do to keep our communities safe.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following priest assignments for the Diocese of Trenton.  All are effective July 1, 2018, except where otherwise noted.

When you enter the Great Upper Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, as the clergy and faithful of the Diocese are invited to do on pilgrimage every three years, your attention is immediately focused upon the mosaic of “Christ in Majesty” that adorns the apse behind and above the high altar. If you turn around to look back at the narthex, you will see a white bas relief that stretches from side to side across the back of the Shrine. The artist labeled his work, “ The Universal Call to Holiness.” In it you will see portrayed the Holy Spirit descending with the rays of his divine graces upon the Church, represented by the Blessed Mother and figures from every walk of life.

On any given day, in just about every Catholic school, students are involved in the effort to help others. From raising funds for worthy non-profits, to visiting nursing homes and stocking food pantries, there is no limit to the many acts of charity and kindness that are undertaken as part of the Catholic school experience.

On Easter Sunday, as an anticipated 4 million plus viewers from around the United States tune in to the national televised Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord, they will be taken to Spring Lake, NJ, and the unique church thought to be among the most beautiful sites along the Jersey Shore.

The doors to Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Trenton will open wide to hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers alike as special services and Masses lead believers through the three most holy days of the Church year – the sacred Triduum.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced Feb. 19 that the Diocese of Trenton will join the worldwide Catholic community in observing 24 Hours for the Lord, an initiative requested by Pope Francis and set for March 9 and 10. In his 2018 Lenten message, Pope Francis invited dioceses, parishes and faith communities to join him in the initiative for the second consecutive year.  He asked that at least one church in each diocese  remain open for 24 consecutive hours over the prescribed dates.  During this time, the faithful will have the opportunity to pray before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, reserved in the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance. Confessions will also be made available during this period.

With this week’s arrival of Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., recently issued his 2018 Lenten message, and instructions to his flock for a faithful observance of Lent.

As Feb. 2 marks the day when the universal Church observes World Day for Consecrated Life, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M, prepared a message in which he reflected on his own journey to the priesthood and what it means for one to discover his or her own vocation in life.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a proclamation designating the week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2018, as Catholic Schools Week in New Jersey and acknowledging the contributions of Catholic schools to the public welfare of all New Jerseyans. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

Local Catholic schools showcased as part of national celebration Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Trenton will join with others nationwide to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, with open houses, exhibits, prayer services, showcases, Mass, and a variety of other exciting activities for students, families, parishioners and community members.

In a letter sent to all U.S. bishops Dec. 20, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington announced on behalf of the Holy See that a plenary indulgence can be obtained under certain conditions and with specific intentions by the Christian faithful who are taking part in the “sacred celebrations, along with the great assembly of people, throughout the whole course of the annual event that is called ‘March for Life’...”

Over many decades, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey consistently called for the abolishment of the death penalty.

For 60 years, Holy Cross High School/Academy in Delran has been both a blessing and an important resource in the Diocese of Trenton, providing a quality Catholic education to families in Burlington County and beyond.

The Diocese of Trenton will join faithful throughout the country in supporting retired sisters, brothers and religious order priests with a collection to be held in all parishes the weekend of Dec. 9-10. The 30th annual appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office and benefits some 32,000 aging Catholic sisters, brothers and priests in religious orders across the country.