Parishes across the Diocese of Trenton will have the opportunity to show their support of the only institution of high education founded by the U.S. bishops and chartered by the Vatican by Pope Leo in 1887 during the weekend of Sept. 8-9 with the annual National Collection for The Catholic University of America, Washington, at all Masses.
Contributions to the collection will help support its 12 schools and 23 research centers which provide an exceptional Catholic education to almost 7,000 students annually. Its many programs, including those in ethical business practices, social service and Catholic bioethics, allow its students to respond to the many issues facing the Church and society today. Through its national seminary and other programs, CUA educates hundreds of priests, brothers, sisters and seminarians each year, and about 12,000 alumni are serving the Church as priests or in religious vocations.
In 2017, parishioners of the Diocese of Trenton donated $111,240 to the annual CUA collection, allowing thousands of students to obtain an education rooted in faith.
Bishop O’Connell earned a licentiate at CUA in 1987 and a doctor of canon law degree in 1990. He served as CUA’s 14th president for 12 years from 1998 to 2010 when he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Trenton Diocese by Pope Benedict XVI.