Diocese Announcements

MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS

Saturday will be the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, and our thoughts turn to 25 March last year, when, in union with all the bishops of the world, the Church and humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine, were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us not tire of entrusting the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace. I would therefore like to invite every believer and community, especially prayer groups, to renew every 25 March the act of consecration to Our Lady, so that she, who is Mother, may preserve us all in unity and peace.

Bishop O’Connell gives his Lenten Message:

AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BEFORE MAKING A CONFESSION:  The Diocese of Trenton has sent this link to all parishes to help parishioners before making a Confession  Examination of Conscience

Bishop O’Connell Asks Catholics for Support for Hurricane Victims

Bishop O’Connell stated “News reports indicate that the staggering devastation occasioned by Hurricane Ian is among the worst experienced in United States history.  Please join me in praying for victims of the storm and in contributing to Hurricane Ian relief efforts the Catholic Charities USA.  Thank you.”

Please note when you donate:  “Hurricane Ian Relief:  and send all donations directly to:  Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Alexandria VA 22314.

Bishop O’Connell remarks on the Roe vs. Wade recent Supreme Court Decision:

https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Default/Bishop-s-Corner/Article/Bishop-O-Connell-MESSAGE-ON-THE-ROE-v-WADE-DECISION/-3/260/31794

Link to the National Eucharistic Revival

https://www.eucharisticrevival.org

Bishop O’Connell forwards information on humanitarian aid to Ukraine

People have been calling the Chancery asking where and how they can help the people of Ukraine.  Various Catholic agencies are collecting donations to aid with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as people flee to escape Russian bombing and shelling.  Here are some places to donate (this list is not exhaustive):  The international Caritas confederation is collecting funds to help Caritas Ukraine. In the United States, that is through Catholic Relief Services. Internationally, you can donate through Caritas Internationalis.  The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia also has a link to donate.  Two pontifical agencies also are taking donations for Ukraine: Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Aid to the Church in Need. Internationally, Aid to the Church can be reached here.  The Knights of Columbus launched the Ukraine Solidarity Fund for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and through refugee sites in Poland.  Donations can also be made to Jesuit Refugee Service to support the agency’s work with those forced to flee conflict in Europe.  The Salesians also are accepting donations to help refugees

God bless the people of Ukraine.  Our Lady, Queen of peace, pray for us.

Bishop David O’Connell

Bishop O’Connell encourages prayer, financial support for tornado victims, survivors

On Dec. 14, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., conveyed an appeal from leaders in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as relief work begins in Kentucky and other states that suffered an incalculable toll from the recent outbreak of tornadoes. The Bishop shared, “Catholics are encouraged to donate to recovery efforts and financial help for tornado victims by supporting the work of Catholic Charities USA via the website: www.catholiccharities.us

In a message posted Dec. 11, Bishop O’Connell called upon the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to join in prayer for all those impacted by the devastating tornadoes that were reported in nearly a dozen Midwestern and Southern states. He stated: “We pray for the souls of those who have died; for the comfort of their grieving loved ones; for the healing of the injured, and for the strength and perseverance of all those who lost their homes and livelihoods.”

The Bishop’s message concluded, “May all those traumatized by this vast devastation find hope in God’s abiding love and be assured that they will not be forgotten.”

POPE’S MESSAGE TO GRANDFATHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS

The following is a condensed version of the Pope’s message.  The full text can be found at https://www.thehookoffaith.com/single-post/i-am-with-you-always-message-from-pope-francis-for-world-day-for-grand-parents-and-the-elderly.

Dear Grandfathers and Grandmothers, Dear Elderly Friends, “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20): this is the promise the Lord made to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They are the words that he repeats to you today, dear grandfathers and grandmothers, dear elderly friends. “I am with you always” are also the words that I, as Bishop of Rome and an elderly person like yourselves, would like to address to you on this first World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. The whole Church is close to you – to us – and cares about you, loves you and does not want to leave you alone! I am well aware that this Message comes to you at a difficult time: the pandemic swept down on us like an unexpected and furious storm; it has been a time of trial for everyone, but especially for us elderly persons. 

Tradition has it that Saint Joachim, the grandfather of Jesus, felt estranged from those around him because he had no children; his life, like that of his wife Anne, was considered useless. So the Lord sent an angel to console him. While he mused sadly outside the city gates, a messenger from the Lord appeared to him and said, “Joachim, Joachim! The Lord has heard your insistent prayer”.  

Even at the darkest moments, as in these months of pandemic, the Lord continues to send angels to console our loneliness and to remind us: “I am with you always”. He says this to you, and he says it to me. That is the meaning of this Day, which I wanted to celebrate for the first time in this particular year, as a long period of isolation ends and social life slowly resumes. May every grandfather, every grandmother, every older person, especially those among us who are most alone, receive the visit of an angelAt times those angels will have the face of our grandchildren, at others, the face of family members, lifelong friends or those we have come to know during these trying times, when we have learned how important hugs and visits are for each of us.

At this crucial moment in history, you have a renewed vocation. You may wonder: How this can be possible? My energy is running out and I don’t think I can do much. How can I begin to act differently when habit is so much a part of my life? How can I devote myself to those who are poor when I am already so concerned about my family? How can I broaden my vision when I can’t even leave the residence where I live? Isn’t my solitude already a sufficiently heavy burden? How many of you are asking just that question: isn’t my solitude already a sufficiently heavy burden? Jesus himself heard a similar question from Nicodemus, who asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (Jn 3:4). It can happen, the Lord replies, if we open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit, who blows where he wills. The Holy Spirit whose freedom is such that goes wherever, and does whatever, he wills.

In concluding this Message to you, I would also like to mention the example of Blessed (and soon Saint) Charles de Foucauld. He lived as a hermit in Algeria and there testified to “his desire to feel himself a brother to all” (Fratelli Tutti, 287). The story of his life shows how it is possible, even in the solitude of one’ s own desert, to intercede for the poor of the whole world and to become, in truth, a universal brother or sister. I ask the Lord that, also through his example, all of us may open our hearts in sensitivity to the sufferings of the poor and intercede for their needs. May each of us learn to repeat to all, and especially to the young, the words of consolation we have heard spoken to us today: “I am with you always”! Keep moving forward! May the Lord grant you his blessing.

Pope Francis

BISHOP O’CONNELL ASKS ALL PARISHIONERS TO PRAY THE ROSARY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME

For centuries Catholics have turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for her intercession in times of need by praying the Rosary. This great prayer, whose origins date before the 12th century, uses a meditative repetition of prayers that invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she leads us to consider the mysteries in the life of her Divine Son, Jesus.  History has shown this to be a powerful, effective and calming prayer that has truly changed hearts and lives over the centuries of its use.
Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said of the Rosary that it is “the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open on the substance of the next. The power of the Rosary is beyond description.”
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I invite all Catholics in the Diocese of Trenton to consider making this powerful devotion part of your daily life of prayer.  Please join with me in praying Our Lady’s Rosary every day between now and October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, for the many intentions and needs of our nation today, especially for a true respect for life in all its stages from conception to natural death; for the strengthening of marriage and family life; for an end to the COVID 19 pandemic and for all those impacted by it; for a lasting resolution to the racial tensions and injustices that have too long afflicted our country; for an end to the violence and death in our cities, especially among the young; for the victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking; for the poor, the unemployed and those who face economic hardship and for so many of the other intentions and needs that we face in our country and world.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop of Trenton

BISHOP O’CONNELL ASKS ALL PARISHIONERS IN THE DIOCESE FOR HELP WITH CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADVOCACY

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared the following message May 14 to all members of the diocesan community:  Today, the Bishops of NJ and I learned that the House Democrats released The Heroes Act, H.R. 6800, the fourth phase of economic stimulus relief or CARES 4.

H.R.6800 includes several provisions that would protect, and even expand, funding for programs that Congress established in the last CARES Act, such as an extension of unemployment benefits until January 31, 2021, expansion of the SBA payroll protection program loans to include all nonprofits regardless of size, and increased funding for the Supplemental Nutrition assistance program. However, unlike the previous CARES Act, H.R.6800 WOULD PROHIBIT NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDING OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON FROM ACCESSING ANY PORTION OF THE PROPOSED $200 BILLION INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION FOR EDUCATION.

Our Catholic schools struggle to stay open as it is, and the pandemic will impact them negatively as our neighboring dioceses in New Jersey have revealed.  Please visit njcatholic.org/faith-in-action or click here to contact our New Jersey Senators and Congressmen using the message template there.  We need to work quickly to ask their support.  Thank you and God bless you in these stressful days.

Respectfully yours in the Lord,  Bishop O’Connell

VISIT THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON WEBSITE

Follow this link to see what’s new in our diocese – http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org

UPDATE FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Catholic Charities is fully operational at a heightened state of precaution, accommodating social distancing. To access our services or learn how the changes affect our clients via the internet type Https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/catholic-charities-coronovirus-pandemic/ or call our Help Line 1-800-360-7711

New Jersey Independent Victims Compensation Program

The Diocese of Trenton – along with the other Roman Catholic dioceses in New Jersey – has established an Independent Victim Compensation Program (IVCP) to compensate those who, as minors, were sexually abused by a priest or deacon of the Diocese. The IVCP is now open to claims.

The IVCP is independently administered by experienced victim compensation experts Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros. Mr. Feinberg was the plan administrator for the Federal 9/11 victim compensation program, as well as the Boston Marathon bombing compensation program.

The IVCP will handle the submission, evaluation and resolution of individual claims, and will operate independently of the Diocese or any Church-affiliated institution.  The administrators of the IVCP will have complete autonomy to determine the eligibility of a claim with the guidelines of the established Protocol. The amount of compensation for those who make a claim will be determined by the IVCP administrators.  All victims – no matter when the abuse occurred – are eligible to participate, and all matters will be handled confidentially.

Victims of clergy sexual abuse of a minor can begin the process of utilizing the program by going to www.njdiocesesivcp.com and reviewing the Protocol for submitting a claim.

Anyone who was sexually victimized as a minor by a priest or deacon of the Diocese is strongly encouraged to participate in the IVCP.  The Diocese also asks that anyone who knows of someone who was abused to pass along this information to the victim so that he or she is aware of the IVCP.

Diocese of Trenton

THE UPPER ROOM

The Upper Room, Neptune, sponsored by the Diocese of Trenton, offers many programs. For info, go to

www.facebook.com/upperroomspiritualcenter. Then click on the Like button.

DVD of Bishop’s O’Connell’s Episcopal ordination
A professionally produced DVD of Bishop O’Connell’s Episcopal ordination, complete with both English and Spanish language commentary, is now available to purchase. The cost is $14.99. Call the “Monitor” office at the Diocese of Trenton, 609-406-7400 or go to the website www.trentonmonitor.com