A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly” (Acts of the Apostles 4:31). The Easter Season for 2021, like 2020 before it, is unlike any others in our memory[…]
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[…]
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[…]
In a message for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. writes: Although the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension has been transferred to this coming Sunday (May 16) in the Dioceses of New Jersey this year, I can’t help but reflect about its meaning on Thursday, May 13, 40[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
Arthur J. O’Connell, Jr., 73, brother of Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., Bishop of Trenton, and Daniel O’Connell, Associate Director for Curriculum and Instruction in the Diocese of Trenton’s Department of Catholic Schools, died April 24. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kathleen; his children and their spouses: Sean (Meagan), Ryan[…]
