Year: 2021

Marie Terese Tobin, mother of Cardinal Tobin, dies

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared the sad news that Marie Terese (Kerwin) Tobin, the mother of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Newark, passed away May 23.  Bishop O’Connell asks the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to remember Mrs. Tobin and the Cardinal’s family in their prayers.  To view Mrs. Tobin’s obituary and[…]

Bishop O’Connell celebrates mass for the Feast of St. Rita

For 114 consecutive years, thousands of faithful have traveled to South Philadelphia over the course of nine days, from May 13 and May 21, to participate in the various novena services leading up to the Feast of St. Rita of Cascia.  This year, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was among the faithful who made a[…]


ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW JERSEY BISHOPS

Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society. Therefore, we the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of[…]

Bishop ordains eight new deacons • Appointment announced

Hundreds of loved ones and well-wishers celebrated the Ordination of eight new deacons for the Diocese of Trenton May 15.  The Mass and Ordination Rite were led by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton and were livestreamed on diocesan media. In his homily, Bishop O’Connell focused on[…]


Bishop responds to Pope’s establishment of ‘lay ministry of catechist’ • Faithful asked to support Catholic communications

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I welcome the apostolic letter issued today “motu proprio” (“on his own initiative”) by His Holiness Pope Francis, “Antiquum Ministerium” (Ancient Ministry), officially establishing the “lay ministry of Catechist” in the Church. Tracing the existence of the broadest participation of the entire Church – bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated religious and baptized lay[…]

Clergy appointments announced

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced the following appointments: • Rev. Michael G. DeSaye, parochial vicar of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, NJ, and Catholic chaplain at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, has resigned from ministry in the Diocese of Trenton effective immediately to pursue his vocation elsewhere. • Rev. Cesar Rubiano, graduate studies, Rome, to Catholic[…]

A Mother’s Day message….

May 9, 2021  “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the love of a mother.” St. Therese of Lisieux  With my prayerful, best wishes, I will remember all mothers in the Diocese of Trenton, both living and deceased, in my Rosary and Holy Mass today.  May our Blessed Mother draw you ever closer to[…]

Diocese comments on changing status of St. Francis Medical Center

The Diocese of Trenton learned today, May 6, that Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care systems in the nation and owner of St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, has announced its intention to merge St. Francis into Capital Health, relinquishing St. Francis’ long-standing Catholic identity.  Founded by the Sisters of St.[…]