Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has issued a diocesan-wide dispensation from the Lenten obligation of abstinence from meat on Friday, March 19, 2021, in honor of the Solemn Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary, during this special “Year of St. Joseph.” He encourages the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton who wish to take advantage of this dispensation, if possible, to transfer the Lenten abstinence from meat to another day that week, to attend Mass on March 19 OR to do some special act of penance instead.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Young adults ages 18-39 from throughout the Diocese are invited to participate in a virtual retreat March 12-13 in commemoration of the Year of St. Joseph.
The retreat, themed “Not Your Average Joe,” will be based on the inspirations of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, and include a mix of online gatherings and “on your own” talks and reflections.
On March 12, the retreat begins at 7 p.m. and includes prayer, a live Q&A and a keynote address on “The Dreams of St. Joseph: Listening to God’s Call” with Father Jason Hage, director of vocation promotion for the Diocese of Syracuse, N.Y.
For more information click here.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mount Carmel Guild is a city-based social service agency that has continuously and faithfully remained staunch in its mission “to provide basic care services that preserve dignity for our neighbors in need.” – Mary Inkrot
And while the COVID-19 pandemic may have hampered last year’s centenary plans, staff, volunteers, supporters and friends of the Guild are just as excited about the celebration that’s been rescheduled for March 21 and the Founder’s Day Mass at 2 p.m. with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Hamilton.
The Mass will be livestreamed on all diocesan media outlets. Reservations are required for in-person attendance.
For the full story click here.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Solemnity of the Annunciation “offers our Church communities a unique opportunity to celebrate not only Mary’s ‘yes,’ but recognize the moment of the Incarnation of Jesus as a tiny embryo, which really is the moment that changed Salvation History forever,” said Rachel Hendricks, diocesan Respect Life coordinator. “We want to make sure that we’re offering a lot of opportunities for Catholics to grow in their understanding of the respect for human dignity that was brought forth right at that moment.”
As such, the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life is planning a daily novena in English and Spanish from March 17-25 on diocesan social media outlets and has distributed digital resources to pastors, parishes and Respect Life ministries to encourage education, dialogue and activities around the Solemnity of the Annunciation, which is March 25. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will give a brief reflection on the first day of the novena.
For the full story click here.
