Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared a reflection on the 29th annual World Day of the Sick, which was established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992 to coincide with the Memorial Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 11.
The Bishop writes: “Our experience with the COVID pandemic throughout this past year has been a painful reminder of how deeply sickness and suffering affect the whole world. This year’s World Day of the Sick gives us all in the Church the occasion to unite spiritually with our sick and suffering and to pray for their healing and strength. We should also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who care for them so generously and so lovingly.
“As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite you to join me in praying the Rosary today for those among us who are sick.”
Our Lady of Lourdes, patron of the sick and suffering, pray for all those afflicted with illness at this time, especially those with COVID-19. Wrap your loving arms around them and their families as well as all those who care for them.
For Bishop O’Connell’s full message click here.
Also read the Message of his Holiness Pope Francis for the XXIX World Day of the Sick 2021.
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With February comes the launch of the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal, and in asking for support, the Diocese of Trenton’s shepherd recognizes that the past year has been unlike any other.
“I’m mindful that I am coming to you during a time that has been and remains very challenging. The toll that the coronavirus has had on so many of our families … has been immeasurable,” Bishop O’Connell says in this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal video, which will be launched in parishes Feb. 13 and 14.
“Through it all, we can thankfully say that we, the Church, are still here, and our mission, given to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago, remains the same,” the Bishop said.
To learn more about the Appeal, click here.
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A new website focused on encouraging and guiding men ages 15-40 through the discernment process for the priesthood has just been launched by the Diocese.
According to Father Jason Parzynski, diocesan director of vocations, the new website, godiscallingyou.org, also aims to inform the faithful about this process as they may be called upon to show support along the way.
Father Jason encourages visitors to learn more about the vocation journey of current seminarians and find out “what seminary formation is all about.”
To read an article by The Monitor on this new website, click here.
