By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor
Taking advantage of the carpool karaoke craze on the Internet, the Diocese’s very own Bishop decided to grab a few friends and rock out to some popular jams.
In a video coordinated by the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life and produced by the Diocese’s Department of Multimedia Production, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Father Martin O’Reilly, diocesan chaplain of youth ministry, and Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Father Sebastian Kajko take a drive from the Chancery in Lawrenceville to the site of the March 4 Diocesan Youth Conference – St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square.
Watch: Carpool Karaoke with Bishop O’Connell
Along the way, the trio spend some time talking about faith, friendship and the DYC – as well as a little Justin Timberlake.
As they pull away from the Chancery, “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara floats out of Father Kajko’s speakers.
“This song reminds me of a time in my life where I definitely felt my scars,” Father Kajko says in the video, continuing on to talk about loneliness and the words of St. Thomas Aquinas “that the single greatest thing in life is true friendship.”
“It’s an important thing to put before people’s minds, especially young people … just to realize they’re never alone,” Bishop O’Connell agrees. “And who’s their best friend?”
“Jesus!” they shout.
“Let’s not get too serious,” Bishop O’Connell says, changing tones as he asks Father Kajko to cue up Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” from the animated movie “Trolls.”
“Bishop, for an old guy, you have nice stuff!” Father O’Reilly says with a smile as Bishop slips on a pair of sunglasses and the three men start dancing in their seats.
Cristina Imparato, ministry assistant in the Department of Evangelization and Family Life, said she hopes the video promotes DYC in a new and exciting way.
“What better way than to have our Bishop, Father O’Reilly and Father Kajko come together to talk about some real struggles and the joy they find in Jesus,” she said.
“It’s a great piece that invites the youth to be a part of this day,” she added. “It’s to show that the DYC is going to be fun but also be a time to be transformed.”
Visit the Trenton Diocese YouTube channel to view the video.