From the most solemn to the most jubilant time of the Church year, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined his flock April 13-20 to commemorate Christ’s Passion and Death and celebrate his Resurrection. Traveling across the Diocese to five of its parishes, including both St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, and St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, the Bishop imparted his episcopal wisdom and blessings on all who made that spiritual journey from Calvary to the empty tomb.
On Palm Sunday April 13, Bishop O’Connell joined the community of St. George Parish, Titusville, to mark the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the Gospel account of the Passion of the Christ. The following day he celebrated the Chrism Mass in the Co-Cathedral, an annual event in which he blessed the holy oils that will be used in parishes for the coming year during the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Ordination.
For the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 17, the Bishop celebrated with St. Aloysius parishioners in Jackson, marking Christ’s institution of the Holy Eucharist. Good Friday Liturgy April 18 saw Bishop O’Connell in St. Mary’s Cathedral, with a midday commemoration of Jesus’ Death that encompassed Veneration of the Cross and reading of the Passion from the Gospel of John.
Michael Ehrmann
The parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Hainesport, joined the Bishop for the Easter Vigil Mass April 19, marking Christ’s triumph over the grave and welcoming candidates into full communion with the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation. On Easter Sunday, Bishop O’Connell celebrated Mass for the parish of St. Mary, Colts Neck, sharing the joy of the Resurrection.