Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., processes in for the Mass he celebrated for the Deacon Convocation Oct. 17, accompanied by his episcopal secretary and chancellor, Father Jean Felicien. Joe Moore photo
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
Permanent deacons of the Diocese received a pointed reminder that their vocation is not simply about what happens at the altar, but what happens when they leave it.
“The Gospel you proclaim must become the Gospel you live,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said as he celebrated Mass during the annual Deacons’ Convocation.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2026 Diocesan Diaconate Convocation
“The charity you preach must become the charity you practice,” the Bishop said. “The Christ you serve in the Eucharist must be the Christ you recognize in the poor, the suffering, the lonely and the forgotten.”
Nearly 70 deacons and 21 wives from throughout the four-county Diocese gathered Oct. 16-17 in Princeton for the convocation. The annual gathering offered encouragement from the Bishop and an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be “spiritually free to respond to Jesus’ Gospel message.”
Celebrating Mass Oct. 17, the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop O’Connell referenced the First Reading from St. Paul, whose words, he said, “speak directly to you and to your vocation as deacons: ‘Hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, I do not cease giving thanks for you.’”
“As your Bishop, I can say those same words to you today,” Bishop O’Connell said. “I thank God for your faith, for your generosity, for your commitment to the Church and for the countless ways you serve the people of our Diocese of Trenton.”
Making Christ present in the world
Bishop O’Connell acknowledged that much of the deacons’ service is visible and appreciated, but much more goes unnoticed.
He pointed to their visits to the sick, their comfort to grieving families and their encouragement of people struggling with their faith.
“These are not simple things you do,” he said. “They are expressions of who you are: men ordained to make Christ the Servant present in the world. And that is worth remembering.”
Finding interior freedom
Father Jim Grogan, pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Moorestown, and keynote speaker, centered his three-part presentation on Father Jacques Philippe’s book “Interior Freedom.”
Drawing on the themes of faith, hope and love, Father Grogan explored the need for personal reconciliation with God as a path to becoming truly free to follow the Gospel and live as Christ’s disciples.
He also discussed three saints featured in Father Philippe’s book: Sts. Augustine, Thérèse of Lisieux and Catherine of Siena.
“Each saint is discussed from the perspective of how they teach us to love in practical and pastoral ways all those we encounter,” Father Grogan said.
For the deacons, the saints’ examples offer encouragement to deepen their daily prayer lives, he said, establishing a strong spiritual foundation for their ministry of service in their parishes.
Setting Priorities
Deacon Leo Zito of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, said the convocation offered the opportunity to reflect on how deacons use their time and talents to serve others.
He noted the importance of ministering not only to parishioners, but also to their families and, at times, themselves. The gathering was also a reminder of “how much God loves us and how we should share that love with others.”
Deacon Zito said he always regards the convocation as a blessing because it brings together brother deacons and their wives, strengthening their sense of community and brotherhood.
Deacon Bob Gay of St. Barnabas Parish, Bayville, said one important takeaway was recognizing the many obstacles that can interfere with interior freedom.
“The distractions of our daily life, time, success, lack of patience all keep us from living in the present,” Deacon Gay said.
Reflecting on the need for balance, he cautioned that deacons cannot become so absorbed in their weekly responsibilities that other important parts of their lives are compromised.
“As a full-time volunteer, I’m in a unique position to take on many extra duties,” he said. He added that doing less and concentrating more on his essential diaconal responsibilities helps him appreciate those duties while preserving time for his family.