Joining Catholic churches in the Archdioceses of Boston, New York and Philadelphia along with the Diocese of Brooklyn and numerous dioceses throughout the country, many parishes in the Diocese of Trenton rang their church bells at noon Dec. 30 to honor the almost 339,000 people who have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began[…]

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared prayers released at the Vatican for the newly-established Year of St. Joseph.  The special declaration took place Dec. 8, 2020 to mark the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph’s title as “Patron of the Universal Church,” Pope Francis encouraged Catholics throughout the world to join him in prayer, including the[…]

The “Christmas Season” in the Catholic Church lasts from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and includes Christmas; the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (December 27, 2020); the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1, 2021); the Solemnity of the Epiphany (January 3, 2021);[…]

Catholic parishes across the Diocese of Trenton are preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of the faithful to in-person and virtual Christmas Masses in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ this year. Pandemic restrictions and protocols limiting in-person Mass attendance and requiring sanitizing measures between each Mass will impact schedules on Christmas Eve and[…]

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. shares the following message on solitude during this Christmas season. “Sometimes, when you’re all alone – as we have often been throughout these many months of pandemic – you hear things differently, more clearly than when you’re surrounded by others in a crowded room, in a class, in an office[…]

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., continues his Advent series with a focus on Week 4, “For your reflection, meditation and prayer, drawn from the Church’s rich spiritual history.” In the newest compilation, the Bishop begins with Scripture: The Holy Spirit will come upon you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.Therefore the child to[…]

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., continues his Advent series with a focus on Week 3, “For your reflection, meditation and prayer, drawn from the Church’s rich spiritual history.” In the newest compilation, the Bishop begins with Scriptural: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.In all circumstances give thanks,for this is the will of God for you in Christ[…]

Many individuals who belong to a Catholic parish or have attended a Catholic school readily recall a religious sister or brother who had a profoundly positive impact on their spiritual journey. Very often, these sisters and brothers are fixtures in their communities, fulfilling an array of different roles and responsibilities.  Now that they have retired[…]

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shares Pope Francis’ announcement of the “Year of St. Joseph,” which the Holy Father released in his apostolic letter, “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”). Bishop O’Connell’s statement follows: Today, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Holiness Pope Francis has used the feast[…]

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 remains a holy day for Catholics, but this year, it is not a day of obligation to attend Mass due to the dispensation granted during the COVID pandemic.   Catholics may still attend Mass in person where possible, safely observing all diocesan pandemic restrictions, or via livestream.   In[…]