Catholic schools gather as one for first-ever Mass with Bishop O'Connell
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
“Not everyone gets to go to the Bishop’s Mass in the cathedral. It’s a special opportunity.”
That’s how 13-year-old Michael Miller put it as he sat amidst 900 students, educators and parents who filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, waiting for Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to celebrate the first-ever, diocesan Catholic Schools Mass.
Members of this particular congregation traveled to the capital city from schools throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties for the March 17 event.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Mass
The Mass was offered in thanksgiving for the gift of Catholic schools and to highlight the need for continuing support of this essential ministry of the Church. Several dozen priests, hailing from every corner of the diocese, were on hand to concelebrate the Mass.
From his vantage point in the front of the cathedral, Miller, an eighth grade student in St. Mary School, Bordentown, was able to spend the moments before the Mass commenced taking in every detail of the vast nave and sanctuary. “This is the first time I’m seeing the cathedral,” he said, focusing in keenly on the rear wall of the sanctuary where statutes of the four evangelists seem suspended in time.
“Those are the Gospel writers,” he said with a wide smile when asked if he could identify the statutes. “I know my stuff,” said Miller, crediting his Catholic school education for his bank of knowledge.
He was just one of the students who said they were very excited to be at the cathedral with Bishop O’Connell and happy to be in the first wave of those who will follow them in attending the newly minted annual event.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Bishop O’Connell again,” he said. “This is my first time in the cathedral but not my first time meeting the bishop. I met him during Catholic Schools Week at an event in Holy Cross High School (in Delran).”
At the end of the previous event, Bishop O’Connell challenged Miller, who stands 6’3”, to see who was taller. When Miller was declared the obvious winner, the bishop “put his hat on my head” for a minute, which he described as a real thrill.
Like many students yesterday, he was disappointed when the Mass, originally scheduled to kick of Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 – the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of students – had to be canceled because of snow.
Raymond Zuhowkski, a sixth grade student from St. Joseph School, Toms River, spoke of his disappointment at the earlier cancelation. “I was very upset,” he said. “But, we’re here now, so I’m happy.”
Young John Kinneavy, a seventh grade student in St. Dominic School, Brick, and classmate Maura Cahill, said they were thrilled to be Catholic school students and thrilled to have been selected to be at “the bishop’s Mass.”
“You get a good education at Catholic school,” said Cahill. “And it’s wonderful to be here in this beautiful, very beautiful church,” said Kinneavy. “The choir is amazing,” he said as the clear voices of the Madrigal Choir of Notre Dame High School rang out over the vast nave.
Realizing that it may have been the first time that many had ever set foot into the diocesan cathedral, Bishop O’Connell opened his greeting with a warm welcome and brief explanation about the cathedral’s significance.
“As your bishop here in the Diocese of Trenton, I am so happy to be with you and to welcome you to our cathedral,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Although you are all from different parishes around our vast diocese, this Church in Trenton, because it is the bishop’s church, belongs to everyone no matter what your parish is or where you go to church on Sunday.”
The fact that it was the feast of St. Patrick did not go unrecognized, especially by Bishop O’Connell, who paid special tribute to the patron saint of Ireland and one of Christianity’s most recognizable figures.
Though the bishop noted that little is known about the saint and most of what is celebrated on his feast day is the subject of debatable myths and legends, he highlighted the fourth century saint as being an educator for the people of Ireland through his fervent desire to bring them and the “pagan nation to God.”
Bishop O’Connell detailed attributes of St. Patrick, noting how he was eager to preach the Good News in faith, was willing to confront disbelief, was tested by the rejection and persecution of others, had an unrelenting capacity to sacrifice for the greater good, showed concern for the benefit of the neighbor and had an unconditional commitment “unto death for the sake of God and his holy name.”
It’s those attributes, Bishop O’Connell said, that lie at the heart of the “day we celebrate.”
In following the example set by St. Patrick, Bishop O’Connell said, “This is what our world needs now, more than ever – not just the Irish, but everyone no matter what their background or national origin.”
The bishop then directed his homily on the mission of Catholic education and what distinguishes it from that of a public school education.
While it’s common to hear the distinction between public and Catholic education expressed in terms of values, Bishop O’Connell said he believes that what distinguishes the two forms of education is much greater.
“Catholic education is not simply about values or even ‘faith values,’” said Bishop O’Connell. “Catholic education is about a vision, an investment in a vision that comes from the Gospel. (It’s the Gospel) that creates the values by which the Catholic school is known and identified and that makes its values real and alive and applicable to life.
“Catholic education is about passion, a vision and passion that views every young person in our Catholic schools, every parent, every teacher, every administrator, every staff member, every alumnus, every benefactor as a partner in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop O’Connell, and it’s “because of that identity, we have in our Catholic schools unambiguous and distinct opportunities to evangelize.”
“That is where the vision and the passion come in,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Evangelization, Catholic education, is about having a vision and passion for excellence.”
A highlight of the Mass was the presentation by Patrick Ratke of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., of the inaugural Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship to an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service.
The four-year full scholarship honors the bishop’s 12 years of service as CUA’s 14th president before stepping down in 2010 and soon after being named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton.
It also reflects Bishop O’Connell’s Episcopal motto – “Ministrare non ministrari” meaning “to serve and not to be served.”
The four-year, full-tuition scholarship came as an “unbelievably great” boon to Joseph McQuarrie, a member of St. Ann Parish and a senior in Notre Dame High School, both Lawrenceville.
McQuarrie, the son of Joseph and Kathleen McQuarrie, said that he wanted very much to go to a Catholic college but had worried about balancing the cost against his chosen profession of teaching.
“The Catholic University of America was my first choice,” said the young man after the Mass. He talked about how profoundly the experience in Notre Dame had affected him.
“I went to public school before high school and I had a good experience,” he said. But at Catholic high school, he was able to experience his faith on a much higher plane.
“When you get to Catholic high school and you can pray and go to Mass and have religious education and there are Crucifixes in every room, it is so different and so wonderful.
“I wanted to go (to CUA) so much but I know that teaching won’t be highly rewarding financially… I just thought I’d be in debt for a long time. This is huge!”
The second of four children, Joseph is active in both his parish, where he serves as a religious education instructor, reader and altar server, and in his high school where he is active in the campus ministry program and participates in programs to help those in need locally and abroad.
One of the reasons he wanted to attend Catholic University, he said, is that he intends to continue reaching out to those who are less fortunate and CUA is well known for its service opportunities.
McQuarrie wants very much to teach but hasn’t decided yet whether he will major in English, history or religion. “I want to teach because… I’ve been one of the luckiest people in the world and I know it. My family, my education at Notre Dame, has all been wonderful. I want to pay it forward… I want to give back.”
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“Not everyone gets to go to the Bishop’s Mass in the cathedral. It’s a special opportunity.”
That’s how 13-year-old Michael Miller put it as he sat amidst 900 students, educators and parents who filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, waiting for Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., to celebrate the first-ever, diocesan Catholic Schools Mass.
Members of this particular congregation traveled to the capital city from schools throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties for the March 17 event.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Mass
The Mass was offered in thanksgiving for the gift of Catholic schools and to highlight the need for continuing support of this essential ministry of the Church. Several dozen priests, hailing from every corner of the diocese, were on hand to concelebrate the Mass.
From his vantage point in the front of the cathedral, Miller, an eighth grade student in St. Mary School, Bordentown, was able to spend the moments before the Mass commenced taking in every detail of the vast nave and sanctuary. “This is the first time I’m seeing the cathedral,” he said, focusing in keenly on the rear wall of the sanctuary where statutes of the four evangelists seem suspended in time.
“Those are the Gospel writers,” he said with a wide smile when asked if he could identify the statutes. “I know my stuff,” said Miller, crediting his Catholic school education for his bank of knowledge.
He was just one of the students who said they were very excited to be at the cathedral with Bishop O’Connell and happy to be in the first wave of those who will follow them in attending the newly minted annual event.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Bishop O’Connell again,” he said. “This is my first time in the cathedral but not my first time meeting the bishop. I met him during Catholic Schools Week at an event in Holy Cross High School (in Delran).”
At the end of the previous event, Bishop O’Connell challenged Miller, who stands 6’3”, to see who was taller. When Miller was declared the obvious winner, the bishop “put his hat on my head” for a minute, which he described as a real thrill.
Like many students yesterday, he was disappointed when the Mass, originally scheduled to kick of Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 – the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of students – had to be canceled because of snow.
Raymond Zuhowkski, a sixth grade student from St. Joseph School, Toms River, spoke of his disappointment at the earlier cancelation. “I was very upset,” he said. “But, we’re here now, so I’m happy.”
Young John Kinneavy, a seventh grade student in St. Dominic School, Brick, and classmate Maura Cahill, said they were thrilled to be Catholic school students and thrilled to have been selected to be at “the bishop’s Mass.”
“You get a good education at Catholic school,” said Cahill. “And it’s wonderful to be here in this beautiful, very beautiful church,” said Kinneavy. “The choir is amazing,” he said as the clear voices of the Madrigal Choir of Notre Dame High School rang out over the vast nave.
Realizing that it may have been the first time that many had ever set foot into the diocesan cathedral, Bishop O’Connell opened his greeting with a warm welcome and brief explanation about the cathedral’s significance.
“As your bishop here in the Diocese of Trenton, I am so happy to be with you and to welcome you to our cathedral,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Although you are all from different parishes around our vast diocese, this Church in Trenton, because it is the bishop’s church, belongs to everyone no matter what your parish is or where you go to church on Sunday.”
The fact that it was the feast of St. Patrick did not go unrecognized, especially by Bishop O’Connell, who paid special tribute to the patron saint of Ireland and one of Christianity’s most recognizable figures.
Though the bishop noted that little is known about the saint and most of what is celebrated on his feast day is the subject of debatable myths and legends, he highlighted the fourth century saint as being an educator for the people of Ireland through his fervent desire to bring them and the “pagan nation to God.”
Bishop O’Connell detailed attributes of St. Patrick, noting how he was eager to preach the Good News in faith, was willing to confront disbelief, was tested by the rejection and persecution of others, had an unrelenting capacity to sacrifice for the greater good, showed concern for the benefit of the neighbor and had an unconditional commitment “unto death for the sake of God and his holy name.”
It’s those attributes, Bishop O’Connell said, that lie at the heart of the “day we celebrate.”
In following the example set by St. Patrick, Bishop O’Connell said, “This is what our world needs now, more than ever – not just the Irish, but everyone no matter what their background or national origin.”
The bishop then directed his homily on the mission of Catholic education and what distinguishes it from that of a public school education.
While it’s common to hear the distinction between public and Catholic education expressed in terms of values, Bishop O’Connell said he believes that what distinguishes the two forms of education is much greater.
“Catholic education is not simply about values or even ‘faith values,’” said Bishop O’Connell. “Catholic education is about a vision, an investment in a vision that comes from the Gospel. (It’s the Gospel) that creates the values by which the Catholic school is known and identified and that makes its values real and alive and applicable to life.
“Catholic education is about passion, a vision and passion that views every young person in our Catholic schools, every parent, every teacher, every administrator, every staff member, every alumnus, every benefactor as a partner in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop O’Connell, and it’s “because of that identity, we have in our Catholic schools unambiguous and distinct opportunities to evangelize.”
“That is where the vision and the passion come in,” said Bishop O’Connell. “Evangelization, Catholic education, is about having a vision and passion for excellence.”
A highlight of the Mass was the presentation by Patrick Ratke of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., of the inaugural Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship to an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service.
The four-year full scholarship honors the bishop’s 12 years of service as CUA’s 14th president before stepping down in 2010 and soon after being named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton.
It also reflects Bishop O’Connell’s Episcopal motto – “Ministrare non ministrari” meaning “to serve and not to be served.”
The four-year, full-tuition scholarship came as an “unbelievably great” boon to Joseph McQuarrie, a member of St. Ann Parish and a senior in Notre Dame High School, both Lawrenceville.
McQuarrie, the son of Joseph and Kathleen McQuarrie, said that he wanted very much to go to a Catholic college but had worried about balancing the cost against his chosen profession of teaching.
“The Catholic University of America was my first choice,” said the young man after the Mass. He talked about how profoundly the experience in Notre Dame had affected him.
“I went to public school before high school and I had a good experience,” he said. But at Catholic high school, he was able to experience his faith on a much higher plane.
“When you get to Catholic high school and you can pray and go to Mass and have religious education and there are Crucifixes in every room, it is so different and so wonderful.
“I wanted to go (to CUA) so much but I know that teaching won’t be highly rewarding financially… I just thought I’d be in debt for a long time. This is huge!”
The second of four children, Joseph is active in both his parish, where he serves as a religious education instructor, reader and altar server, and in his high school where he is active in the campus ministry program and participates in programs to help those in need locally and abroad.
One of the reasons he wanted to attend Catholic University, he said, is that he intends to continue reaching out to those who are less fortunate and CUA is well known for its service opportunities.
McQuarrie wants very much to teach but hasn’t decided yet whether he will major in English, history or religion. “I want to teach because… I’ve been one of the luckiest people in the world and I know it. My family, my education at Notre Dame, has all been wonderful. I want to pay it forward… I want to give back.”
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