A Multicultural Mass with the theme “Diverse in Culture, United in Faith” will be celebrated Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be principal celebrant for this diocesan-wide liturgical celebration hosted by the diocesan Department of Multicultural Ministry, which will highlight the unity of faith amid the rich cultural diversity of the diocese.

The Mass will feature an entry procession of the diocese’s major cultural groups, music from various cultures, and readings and prayers in several languages. The multicultural liaison priest council members will concelebrate with Bishop O’ Connell, and symbols of each cultural group will be incorporated into the liturgical environment at the cathedral. Altar servers, deacons, readers, music ministers and choirs will reflect the various cultural groups as well.

“A Multicultural Mass would be both a prayerful celebration of the Paschal Mystery in the midst of a diverse congregation, as well as a visual and multi-sensory experience of the beauty and richness that cultural diversity brings to the Church of Trenton,” said Deanna Sass, director of the diocesan Department of Multicultural Ministry.

Many ethnic communities of the diocese will be represented at the Mass, including the Slovak, Filipino, Polish, African and African American, Hispanic, Haitian and Korean communities.

The purpose of the Multicultural Mass is to affirm and build up each of the diocese’s major cultural groups’ presence within the diocese, demonstrate the bishop’s appreciation and love for each of the groups, and foster increased awareness and greater unity by bringing diverse groups together in prayer.