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Bishop's Corner

A summer gathering . . . ‘When the brothers dwell together as one’

It was a beautiful summer evening Thursday July 22 as the priests of the Diocese of Trenton gathered together in St. Robert’s Co-Cathedral Parish for dinner!
Seniors: A New Vocation

I woke up one day only to discover I was a senior citizen! Where did the time go?
A Pro-Life Message from Bishop O'Connell

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I encourage all our Catholic clergy, religious and lay faithful ...
Bishop acknowledges Pope Benedict's priesthood anniversary

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., offered a congratulatory message to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the occasion of his 70th anniversary of priestly ordination:
The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself

At the recent virtual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Apostolic...
A Father's Day message....

JUNE 20, 2021 • “Every family needs a father — a father who shares in his family’s joy and pain, hands down wisdom to his children and offers them firm guidance and love.” Pope Francis
Bishop O'Connell: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the human heart of the priest beat as one

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries ...
In Ordination homily Bishop tells new priest: ‘You were chosen for this gift … strive to be holy’

Deacon Ballacillo, consider the life and mission you are about to undertake by the laying on of my hands as Successor to the Apostles and by the consecratory prayer as a gift. Use it well.
A note of thanks

My heartfelt thanks to all the clergy, religious and faithful members of the Diocese of Trenton for your prayers and the many expressions of good wishes sent to me during my recent hospitalization.
With joyful hearts, we return

This weekend, when the Catholic Church in our Diocese celebrates the Solemn Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, seems like the perfect occasion to welcome all the faithful of the four counties to return to full participation in the Holy Eucharist ...
‘I Will Send Another, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate’: The Solemnity of Pentecost

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly” (Acts of the Apostles 4:31).
The Month of May: The Month of Mary

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was well known for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
‘He Was Taken from their Sight’: the Ascension of the Lord

Although the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Ascension has been transferred to this coming Sunday in the Dioceses of New Jersey this year, I can’t help but reflect about its meaning on Thursday, May 13, 40 days after Easter.
Bishop O’Connell welcomes Holy Father’s establishment of ‘lay ministry of catechist’

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I welcome the apostolic letter issued today “motu proprio” (“on his own initiative”) by His Holiness Pope Francis, “Antiquum Ministerium” (Ancient Ministry), officially establishing the “lay ministry of Catechist” in the Church.
A Mother's Day message....

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the love of a mother.” St. Therese of Lisieux
Bishop O’Connell: ‘God’s call to vocation comes in the ordinary moments of daily life’

The Word of God reminds each of us in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: “You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Do not be afraid for I am with you” (Isaiah 41: 9-10).
You Are Witnesses

I do not consider myself to be a Scripture “scholar” but, rather, a Scripture “reader.” I do enjoy reading the Bible, especially the Gospels, and coming to know the Lord Jesus through the sacred texts.
Bishop O'Connell reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s 94th birthday

Today, Friday April 16, is Pope Benedict XVI’s 94th birthday, making him the oldest Successor to St. Peter in history.
‘Jesus, I trust in you’

Is there any more powerful expression of love on earth than showing mercy to others?
The Easter Duty of Catholics: A Precept of the Church

In addition to the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses as found in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21) that oblige Jews and Christians to this very day, the Catholic Church has established its own set of particular commandments or “precepts” that bind the baptized Catholic faithful.
Easter 2021: ‘Behold, I make all things new’

The three days before Easter Sunday are, indeed, instructive. They speak of commitment to something great, of sharing our very selves with one another, of the sacrifice that comes with love ...
Toward Holy Week 2021: Some Things to Think and Pray About
St. Joseph: Guardian of the Redeemer and his Church

If it were not for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, and her “yes” to God, the world would have never heard of Joseph, the “carpenter of Nazareth.” And, yet, this man of whom the Holy Scriptures say so very little is the Universal Patron of the Catholic Church.
Lent at the midpoint: Stay in your lane

Here we are at the midpoint of our Lenten journey with the finish line now in sight. How has it been going?
A Pastoral Letter on the Presence of God

It comes as no surprise that our “social distancing” or, when necessary, “quarantining” from one another can and does increase our feelings of isolation, even if only temporarily.

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