By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

As he has since arriving in the Trenton Diocese in 2010 as coadjutor, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. touched all the bases during his annual day long Mercy Day visit to Georgian Court University Sept. 23.

There, he celebrated Mass for hundreds of students, faculty, staff and the public at large, exchanged concerns, hopes and ideas with student leaders and broke bread with the Sisters of Mercy.

Throughout the special day, which marks the opening in 1827 of the first "House of Mercy" by Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Bishop O'Connell focused on the ongoing, tireless mercy exemplified by the order through the multitude of ministries created for the poor, sick and uneducated that spans the globe.

And, he encouraged all to reflect on what it means to have a share in that Mercy ministry today in a world where fear, homelessness, poverty and anxiety are as real as they ever were in Catherine McAuley's day.

In his homily, the bishop began by noting the threefold purpose of the day: to ask God's blessing on the new academic year in Georgian Court "which is upon us"; to reflect on the fact that the day was also the memorial feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina who "spent his whole life inviting people to come into relationship with Jesus" and the "celebration" of mercy.

He described mercy as "love in the extreme" and a "deep down thing" which "puts us into a relationship with Jesus" who "asks us all to love one another."

Urging everyone to remember the Mercy tradition summed up in the Mercy Core Values of respect, justice, compassion, integrity and service.

Noting the signposts along the entry way into the campus, he said, "they aren't mere words, but a way of life at Georgian Court where the emphasis is on hearing the Word of God and acting on it in mercy."

The Mass unfolded in the large indoor arena where once the wealthy Gould family held large social events and exercised their prized polo ponies. At the Mass, the Sisters of Mercy in attendance renewed their vows in religious life before Bishop O'Connell.

Afterward, the bishop met with student leaders in the ballroom near the front entrance where programs and discussions are often held.

There, in a round table format, the students got to share an exchange of insights and views with the bishop who encouraged them to speak their minds about their concerns and hopes.

"What worries you," he asked directly about a world beset by "wars in Syria, ISIS terrorists, Fergueson, the economy, ebola -- how do you feel about the future?" He asked what they feel they will be able to contribute to make things better.

In response, they shared their concerns about a wide range of issues -- from the homeless people in Lakewood and "what has become of them" since the municipal officials closed down Tent City, to sicknesses including Ebola around the world to the shootings of the State Troopers in Pennsylvania, to the shortage of young people in Church to the possibility of getting drafted.

He asked what gives them the greatest hope and they shared stories they knew of people overcoming adversities now and in the past.

"Hearing struggles of other generations who had the ability to endure," and the love and support of their families, others remarked.

He urged them to focus on the concept that "no matter how dark the clouds on the world's horizon, God is always with you. ... God is always with you. You are never actually alone. Even though it is a tough, scary world, a world that doesn't emphasize love and care. God is always with you."

When asked by the young people what concerns him, the bishop replied forthrightly: "what worries me the most is making sure you stay connected to the Church.  ... Don't let anything separate you. ...

Keeping young people  interested in the Church is the most important thing."

 When the students asked how they can share their faith with others in this skeptical world, he responded: "share with the person on the right and the left that (faith) is not a bad thing. That it is not a bad thing to be a believer." he urged them to "develop muscles" when it comes to defending and sharing the faith and "stand up and be counted."

As the long session came to its conclusion, students shared their observations with The Monitor saying they took heart from the sit down with their spiritual leader.

"I appreciated very much being asked what we wanted to do and what our worries are," said Ayomide Adebayo, Sayerville, a sophomore majoring in digital design.

Junior Edwanna Hallowanger, a member of Blessed Sacrament-Our Lady of the Divine Shepherd Parish, Trenton, who is majoring in psychology and criminal justice, said he appreciated hearing the bishop's insights.

Nick Ciccone, member of St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant, is a freshman nursing student. He focused on the bishop's homily, saying he appreciated the exhortation to love your neighbors as you love yourself.

And Lindsay Taft, St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, who is president of the Student Government Association, said the session with the bishop gave the students encouragement.

"He stressed how important it is to be true to yourself. You need to hear that. ... In today's world, especially with social media, it is so easy to think any type of behavior is OK. His points were so relevant. So on the forefront."