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One Body in Christ
Pope Francis reminds us that God is mercy, and every day, throughout the Diocese of Trenton, our parishes share God’s mercy through the many diocesan ministries made possible by your generous support.
Clergy and Religious Administration
Your appeal gift helps ensure there will be priests and deacons who strive to embody God’s mercy in all they do, to sustain and nurture the sacramental life of our parishes. Each year nearly 600 weekend masses are celebrated at our parishes! Currently 18 seminarians, 163 priests and 46 religious priests, and about 246 deacons are supported through the appeal. 48 men receive assistance in their retirement. In 2017, we have 59 Brothers, 46 priests and 248 women religious ministering in the diocese. Your gift promotes those called to serve.
Evangelization
Evangelization is the primary mission of the Church. Diocesan and parish initiatives provide opportunities to grow in faith and into intimate union with God. An expansive array of ministry programs make the spiritual works of mercy a reality for families at all stages of life in the parishes and on a diocesan level. Throughout the diocese last year we had 7,147 Baptisms, 5,937 Funerals, 1,278 Marriages and 217 Convalidations.
Our outreach for youth, the aging, family life, campus life and ministry among Hispanic Catholics enrich the everyday and spiritual lives of over 775,000 parishioners.
Your support makes it possible for the Diocese to prepare leaders at the parish level who teach over 50,000 Religious Education students each year and bring hundreds men and women annually into full-initiation with the Catholic Faith. Last year, 191 Catechumens, 120 Non-Catholics and 332 Catholics were welcomed in. In addition, there were 7,396 First Communicants and 7,433 Confirmandi throughout the diocese.Catholic Education Administration
Catholic schools are the greatest hope for the future of our Church. Donations to the ACA help to ensure that curriculum and performance standards and development of educators continue at high levels within 31 elementary schools and 7 high schools. Last year reaching out to more than 90,000 alumni increased that support to these institutions.
Catholic Social Services
Through your support of the Annual Catholic Appeal, you partner with the Diocese and your parish to make the corporal works of mercy tangible for people who are most in need through: Diocesan Parish Counseling Services, Parish Emergency Assistance Program, Diocesan Social Service Workshops, Home Health Nursing Program and Emergency Assistance.
Communication
Diocesan communication efforts through the diocesan website, radio and TV, social media and The Monitor reach out to all 775,000 parishioners in the Diocese of Trenton, as well as those who are seeking to know more about the Catholic Church. Communications is responsible for the following areas:- News Releases
- Digital Media Resources – websites, mobile communications, newsletter
- Communications Support to Diocesan Campaigns, Initiatives
- Social Media
- Spanish-language Communications
- Marketing and Creative Services for Diocesan Departments and Ministries – content development, graphic design
- Digital Communications Training and Consultation for Diocesan Departments and Ministries, Parishes and Schools
Parish Needs: 107 parishes
As part of the Annual Catholic Appeal, funds are returned to the parishes for local needs. Some parishes use these funds to provide necessary maintenance to the church or parish buildings. Others direct the dollars to their social outreach and ministerial support.PLUS... 15% of the collected goal amount goes back to the parish and 50% of the overage is also returned for repair/restoration projects, new areas of growth or ministry development, as well as other needs.