Each year, the pastors and administrators of parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton present parish sacramental books, registers and records for review and signature by diocesan officials to fulfill canonical requirements.
At the signings, which are held separately for Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the sacramental registers are reviewed and signed by the Bishop or his delegate – the vicar general or county vicar – to ensure information is properly recorded and well maintained. The Bishop or his delegate also approves the election of pastors as secretary-treasurer and the election of parish lay trustees.
In this photo, Bishop David M. O‘Connell, C.M., Msgr. Thomas Gervasio, vicar general, and Msgr. Michael Walsh, episcopal vicar of Mercer County, sign record books Oct. 23 in Morris Hall, Lawrenceville.
Pictured with them from top of photo are Father Gerard Lynch, O.SS.T., pastor of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville (partially visible); Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton; Father Thomas Morris, O.SS.T., pastor of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, and Father Gene DaGuplo, pastor of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton.