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Lent, Holy Week, Easter

Trenton faith community reflects on peace of risen Christ

Nettie Davies Kollie is passionate about what the Easter Season means to her personally.
Pope: Jesus takes on human suffering to draw even closer to people

A Christian life should be filled with amazement – astonishment at the son of God suffering and dying for humanity and awe at realizing how precious and loved people are in his eyes, Pope Francis said.
Enhanced technology, new ideas pave way for fruitful Lent, Easter across Diocese

While 2020 brought the temporary closing of churches and an abrupt change in how the Lenten and Easter seasons would be celebrated across the Diocese – and indeed, the world – this year’s Holy Season brings in-person Masses and fresh livestream capabilities.
Toward Holy Week 2021: Some Things to Think and Pray About
Online templates, giving available for CRS Rice Bowl participation

Catholic faithful are encouraged to participate in the annual Rice Bowl program for those in poverty.
Virtual Lenten retreat for catechists, families Feb. 16

Catechists and families can enrich their Lenten experience by learning how to carry out the three pillars of prayer, penance and almsgiving during a virtual retreat Feb. 16.
Ash Wednesday collection for Central, Eastern Europe

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops take up a special collection every year on Ash Wednesday through its Subcommittee on Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Stream the Stations with Bishop O’Connell this Lent

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will lead a special, multimedia experience of the Way of the Cross, which will be available for streaming on the Diocese of Trenton’s YouTube channel beginning Friday, Feb. 19.
Pandemic rouses world from 'delusion of omnipotence,' preaches member of papal household

The coronavirus is not some form of divine punishment but a tragic event that, like all suffering in one's life, is used by God to awaken humanity, said the preacher of the papal household.
Vatican says public will not be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies

The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website ...
Almsgiving: Lent’s overlooked discipline

Is there any question that almsgiving is the under-practiced, under-encouraged Lenten discipline when compared with prayer and fasting?
‘Living Lent’ videos offer reflections from local priests

Ten priests of the Diocese are taking part in a new video series titled “Living Lent,” which will provide diverse spiritual reflections during the Lenten season.
Lenten Holy Hours in Holmdel

St. Catharine Parish, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel, will host Lenten Holy Hours on the following Wednesdays: March 4, March 11, March 18 and March 25 starting at 7 p.m.
For third year, parishes to uphold 24 Hours for the Lord tradition

Faithful can benefit spiritually by attending 24 Hours for the Lord during Lent, say pastors of parishes around the Diocese.
Recording artist Dana headlines Lenten program on Great Catholic Music

Great Catholic Music is partnering with Irish Catholic recording artist Dana to bring listeners the hourlong program "The Stations of the Cross," airing every Friday of Lent.
Slideshow shows beauty, reverence of Holy Week, Easter around Diocese

The Monitor was on location in more than a dozen churches throughout Holy Week and Easter, photographing the faithful movements of its parishes and people.

See how the beauty of Holy Week was celebrated by faithful around the Diocese through our hundreds of photos.
Blessing of the Baskets in Lakewood helps keep faith in the Easter feast

Hours would pass before Kasia Pawka, her husband, Jacek and their daughters Marta and Ula could breakfast on the culinary treasures that filled the woven reed basket sitting tucked between them on a pew in Lakewood’s St. Mary of the Lake Church.
Faithful around Diocese celebrate Risen Lord on Easter Sunday

The sun shone brightly on faithful from around the Diocese as thousands gathered on Easter Sunday to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord.

In two of the Diocese’s parishes – St. Joan of Arc, Marlton, and St. Isidore the Farmer, New Egypt – faith, new life and a sense of community was at the forefront of Easter messages.
Continuing Easter celebrations, Pope again prays for Sri Lanka

VATICAN CITY – On Easter Monday, Pope Francis led thousands of people in St. Peter's Square in praying for the hundreds of people who died or were injured in bomb blasts the previous day in Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis had already condemned the bombings and offered prayers April 21 after celebrating Easter morning Mass.
Only risen Christ can bring peace to world at war, Pope says at Easter

ROME – As the machine of warfare continues to churn out more dangerous weaponry, only the power and joy of Christ's resurrection can fill hearts with comfort and peace, Pope Francis said before giving his Easter blessing.
Faithful filled with anticipation of the Risen Christ during Easter Vigil

Churches across the Diocese assumed the look of a starry night during Easter Vigil Masses April 20 as candles held by thousands of faithful shone in the dark.

“This is the night,” faithful in Trenton’s nearly filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral heard as the “Exsultet,” or Easter Proclamation, was chanted. Only moments before, Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., had lit and blessed a new fire from which the newly marked Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, would process down the aisle, lighting parishioners’ candles along the way.
At Easter, the stones of sin, despair, are rolled away, Pope says at vigil

VATICAN CITY – As individuals and as a Church, it can be tempting to dwell on mistakes, failures and sins that block the fullness of life, but Easter is the proclamation that the Lord is victorious and his love will triumph, Pope Francis said.

"Easter is the feast of tombstones taken away, rocks rolled aside," the Pope said in his homily April 20 during the Easter Vigil.
On Good Friday, Bishop speaks of Crucifix as central symbol of faith

Following the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion April 19 in Holy Cross Church, Trenton, Maritza Williams said she gained a new perspective on the meaning of the Cross from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Living Stations an evangelization tool 11 years running for Browns Mills parish

Moans and wails drowned out passing traffic on Good Friday as parishioners portraying witnesses to Christ’s Crucifixion followed their “savior” as he carried his Cross to his Death.
On Good Friday, papal preacher says Cross brings hope to the oppressed

VATICAN CITY – The Cross serves as a warning to the powerful and a message of hope for the poor and oppressed, said the preacher of the papal household.

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The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.

If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline.

To report the sexual abuse of minors call our hotline 1-888-296-2965 or email us at abuseline@dioceseoftrenton.org

Please note: The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.