In new message, Bishop describes time of suffering, sacrifice; Diocese offers Faith At Home resource
May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, will be a special day of prayer in the Diocese of Trenton, as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced a Mass for all workers, followed by a prayer service to reconsecrate the United States to the Blessed Mother.
During the noon Mass, Bishop O’Connell will offer prayers for the intentions of all workers – from the employed, unemployed and seeking work and the retired. The Mass will be livestreamed without a congregation from the chapel of St. Joseph Church, Toms River. Bishop O’Connell will be the main celebrant and homilist.
Later the same day, Bishop O’Connell will join bishops from across the United States and Canada in reconsecrating the two nations to the care of the Blessed Mother under the title “Mary, Mother of the Church.” Bishop O’Connell will lead a prayer service at 3 p.m. from Mary, Mother of the Church, Bordentown, which will also be available to view on diocesan websites and social media.
During this COVID-19 crisis and until further notice, Holy Communion can only be distributed to the faithful as Viaticum for the dying in the Diocese of Trenton.
Both events can be viewed on the diocesan YouTube channel, and will be available for viewing after the event. To read more about these events, click here.
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In a new message to the faithful, Bishop O’Connell describes the decisions to cancel public Masses and close the churches as “difficult and painful.” But he points to the importance of taking the appropriate steps to keep parishioners safe. Emphasizing the critical role of public health officials and governmental leaders, the Bishop writes, “I have followed their advice and our churches will remain closed until it is safe to reopen them to the public. I will not put the faithful at risk.”
At the same time, Bishop O’Connell calls upon his flock to “find some spiritual good coming from this difficult sacrifice we have been asked to make.”
