A message from Most Rev. David M. O'Connell, C.M. Bishop of Trenton
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The Year of Faith was not yet a month old when the Diocese of Trenton experienced two life-changing and historic events – our first Eucharistic Congress that took place Oct. 12 to 14 and the arrival of Superstorm Sandy on Oct. 29.
As this special State of the Diocese issue looks back on the last year and reports on the priorities that will define the coming year, our attention, understandably, is drawn to these two monumental events and the impact they’ve made on our lives. One event – the congress – was extraordinarily significant in the life of the diocese for very different reasons than was Superstorm Sandy, but together, they represent the focus of much of our efforts, energy and resources.
The Eucharistic Congress was our diocese’s first observance of the Year of Faith, and preparing for this multi-faceted celebration engaged scores of our diocesan staff and parish and school representatives for the better part of a year. With nearly 20,000 individuals coming out for some part of the three-day gathering in the PNC Bank Arts Center, there could be no question that this effort was all that we’d prayed it would be. I continue to receive grateful letters from all over the diocese – people whose lives were touched by those three days of faith in the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus, with and among us. I believe this moment in the history of our diocese will be remembered for years to come.
Our enthusiasm and sense of celebration from the congress barely had time to wane when we were confronted with one of the worst disasters ever experienced in the region – talk about your highs and lows! Hurricane Sandy (now Superstorm Sandy) impacted us all in some way, and spurred an inestimable number of people and communities to get involved in relief and long-term recovery. Virtually every parish and Catholic school in this diocese got involved in some way, and while it is impossible to have mentioned them all by name, I will say how deeply grateful I am as your bishop.
While few events, programs and initiatives will ever take on the sense of history and notoriety as the congress and the storm, the other work and ministry undertaken in the diocese as reported in this State of the Diocese issue is also important. We send this special issue to you so that you can avail yourselves of our annual financial report, and review the upcoming Bishop’s Annual Appeal as we prepare to launch it. The articles published here identify priorities that we as a diocese are pursuing as we embrace the New Evangelization in this Year of Faith.
The theme for the appeal, and for much of our efforts this year is “Faith Forward in Christ.” I encourage each of you to accept the challenge issued by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to take steps to deepen your faith, and to put your faith forward, letting the world know the impact it has had on your life.
Please know that you are all in my prayers.
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The Year of Faith was not yet a month old when the Diocese of Trenton experienced two life-changing and historic events – our first Eucharistic Congress that took place Oct. 12 to 14 and the arrival of Superstorm Sandy on Oct. 29.
As this special State of the Diocese issue looks back on the last year and reports on the priorities that will define the coming year, our attention, understandably, is drawn to these two monumental events and the impact they’ve made on our lives. One event – the congress – was extraordinarily significant in the life of the diocese for very different reasons than was Superstorm Sandy, but together, they represent the focus of much of our efforts, energy and resources.
The Eucharistic Congress was our diocese’s first observance of the Year of Faith, and preparing for this multi-faceted celebration engaged scores of our diocesan staff and parish and school representatives for the better part of a year. With nearly 20,000 individuals coming out for some part of the three-day gathering in the PNC Bank Arts Center, there could be no question that this effort was all that we’d prayed it would be. I continue to receive grateful letters from all over the diocese – people whose lives were touched by those three days of faith in the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus, with and among us. I believe this moment in the history of our diocese will be remembered for years to come.
Our enthusiasm and sense of celebration from the congress barely had time to wane when we were confronted with one of the worst disasters ever experienced in the region – talk about your highs and lows! Hurricane Sandy (now Superstorm Sandy) impacted us all in some way, and spurred an inestimable number of people and communities to get involved in relief and long-term recovery. Virtually every parish and Catholic school in this diocese got involved in some way, and while it is impossible to have mentioned them all by name, I will say how deeply grateful I am as your bishop.
While few events, programs and initiatives will ever take on the sense of history and notoriety as the congress and the storm, the other work and ministry undertaken in the diocese as reported in this State of the Diocese issue is also important. We send this special issue to you so that you can avail yourselves of our annual financial report, and review the upcoming Bishop’s Annual Appeal as we prepare to launch it. The articles published here identify priorities that we as a diocese are pursuing as we embrace the New Evangelization in this Year of Faith.
The theme for the appeal, and for much of our efforts this year is “Faith Forward in Christ.” I encourage each of you to accept the challenge issued by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to take steps to deepen your faith, and to put your faith forward, letting the world know the impact it has had on your life.
Please know that you are all in my prayers.
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