To all the Faithful in the Diocese of Trenton:

The contributions of women and men called to religious or "consecrated life" in the Catholic Church can never be fully appreciated.  Since the earliest days of our history in the United States, Religious Sisters and Brothers established and taught in our Catholic schools, founded and ministered in our Catholic hospitals and nursing homes, worked and served in our Catholic parishes and other organizations created to meet the needs of the poor.  More than 2800 Consecrated Religious have labored in the Diocese of Trenton alone. 

Responding to the charisms and special gifts of their founders --- some of whom have been canonized saints in the Catholic Church --- to build a Catholic Church that reached out far and wide to embrace those who needed a little more charity, a little more care, a little more instruction, a little more witness to our Catholic faith than might otherwise be available, these incredible Sisters and Brothers have given their lives to God's people, asking nothing in return. 

Now, having born the heat of the day at a time of great transition in the Catholic Church, our Sisters and Brothers face retirement, old age and declining health, without adequate support.  Those who have offered their entire lives to serve those in need now find themselves among the needy.  Can their dedication and love ever be truly measured?  I doubt it.  But the effects of what they have done for all of us in the Catholic Church in our country --- as well as for countless others who are not part of our community of faith but served nevertheless --- speak for themselves in generations of well-educated, lovingly nursed, selflessly supported and deeply faithful people.  They need us.  They never asked anything for themselves.  They never let us down.  We cannot let them down now. 

Please be generous in showing our gratitude to our Religious Sisters and Brothers in this annual collection.

Most Reverend David M. O'Connell, C.M.

Bishop of Trenton