A message from Bishop O’Connell on the Month of Mary.

Christianity has loved Mary since the Lord Jesus’ final moments on the Cross when he said to John the Beloved Disciple, “’Behold your Mother.’  From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care (John 19: 27).”  And so he did.  And so have we.  Mary was God’s most precious, most perfect gift to Jesus, and Jesus’ most precious, most perfect gift to the Church. 

The entire month of May has been set aside by the Church for loving devotion to Mary the Mother of God for centuries. 

The darkness of winter has passed, beautiful flowers are in bloom, the Easter Season is well underway and new life is all around us. What better time could there be for loving and honoring the one who was given to us because she has given us her Son – the Light of the World, the Source of all Beauty and Goodness and Truth, the Newness and Fullness of Life.  Mary is the Mother of God and, as the Second Vatican Council proclaimed, she is the “Mother of the Church.”  

A mother’s love is unconditional and total.  It is only natural, then, that we return such love with true devotion. ‘

To read Bishop O’Connell’s full message click here.

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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointments for priests and deacons of the Diocese of Trenton, effective July 1, 2021, unless otherwise noted.

NEWLY ORDAINED PRIEST

Rev. Reginald Joy Ballacillo, to parochial vicar, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square

PRIEST RETIREMENT

Rev. Mark Crane, pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, effective May 24, 2021

Rev. Roberto Ignacio, parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton

Rev. Edward Jawidzik, parochial vicar, St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton

Rev. Edward Kwoka, parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and hospital ministry in Mercer County, effective Aug. 30, 2021

Rev. Msgr. Michael Walsh, pastor, St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell

PASTOR/ADMINISTRATOR

Rev. Jorge Bedoya, from parochial vicar, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, to administrator, Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly

Rev. Alex Enriquez, from administrator, St. Monica Parish, Jackson, to pastor, effective immediately.

Rev. Robert Holtz, from administrator to pastor, St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in  New Egypt, effective May 1, 2021

Rev. Daniel Peirano, from pastor, Christ the Redeemer Parish, Mount Holly, to pastor, St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, effective May 24, 2021, and continuing as adjutant judicial vicar and judge, Diocesan Tribunal

Rev. Stephen Sansevere, from parochial vicar, St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, to pastor

PAROCHIAL VICAR

Rev. Pierre Alabre of the Voluntas Dei Institute, to parochial vicar, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton

Rev. Joy Chacko, from parochial vicar, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro, to  parochial vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Bay Head, and St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, effective Feb. 16, 2021

Rev. Jean Felicien, from graduate studies, Washington, D.C., to parochial vicar, St. James Parish, Pennington; St. George Parish, Titusville, and St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, and adjutant judicial vicar and judge, Diocesan Tribunal

Rev. Augusto “Al” Gamalo, from parochial vicar, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, to parochial vicar, St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel

Rev. Daniel Gowen, from pastor, Jesus, the Good Shepherd Parish, Beverly, to parochial vicar, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, effective April 5, 2021

Rev. Marcin Kania, from parochial vicar, St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, to hospital ministry in Mercer County and parochial vicar, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton

Rev. John Michael Patilla, from parochial vicar, St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, to parochial vicar, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton

Rev. Cesar Rubiano, from graduate studies, Rome, to parochial vicar, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown

PRIEST SPECIAL MINISTRY

Rev. Thomas Barry, from parochial vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands, to military chaplaincy, United States Navy, 6-year term, with residence in Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish.

Rev. Pablo Gadenz, from associate professor, Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, to associate professor, Mount St. Mary Seminary and University, Emmitsburg, Md.

PRIEST LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Rev. Joseph Jakub, from parochial vicar, St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel, to leave of absence, effective March 26, 2021

NEWLY ORDAINED DEACONS

(All effective on May 20)

Deacon Philip G. Clingerman to St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown

Deacon Paul H. DeGrazia to St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown

Deacon Gene F. Lanzoni to St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville

Deacon James M. Mackintosh to St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold

Deacon Salvatore A. Petro to Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton

Deacon Paul A. Remick to St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel

Deacon Dennis J. Taylor to Resurrection Parish, Delran

Deacon Jorge T. Valente to St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold