Coadjutor Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., went “back to school” for the first time since arriving in the Trenton Diocese with a Sept. 23 visit to Lakewood’s Georgian Court University.

In just a few hours, the former university president touched all the bases at the only Catholic institute of higher learning in the diocese, celebrating Mass with 300 students, faculty and staff in the historic casino where railroad magnate George Jay Gould once exercised his polo ponies.

Bishop O’Connell went on to tour the campus in a golf cart and on foot, sat down for an exchange of ideas with student leaders and, finally, broke bread with the Sisters of Mercy as they joined in the world wide celebration of Mercy Day in honor of their foundress, St. Catherine McAuley.

In his homily during the Mass, Bishop O’Connell invited the university community to carve out a plan for the still young school year that focused on belief and trust. “It is still early enough in the new academic year for us to make plans, for us to determine our approach, our strategy for what lies ahead,” he said.

In making that strategy, he recommended that the Georgian Court community look to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her absolute belief and trust in the Lord as a model. Speaking of Mary’s youth, he said: “If a 13-year-old girl can accept with total love and openness God’s plans for her – God’s word – how about us? You and me?

“…This afternoon we gather as a community of shared beliefs and of shared trust. In the same way that the Holy Spirit descended upon Mary and filled her with the presence of God…so too, the Holy Spirit descends upon us – the community of faith at Georgian Court.”

He concluded by describing a Catholic university or college as “a place where faith and reason meet... As we begin this new academic year, then, let’s make ‘belief and trust’ our approach so that we and everyone we meet will see ‘that the Lord’s words to us have been fulfilled.’’’ Following the campus tour, Bishop O’Connell met with a group of 20 student leaders in the McAuley Heritage Center for a Q&A session on a variety of topics, including what advice he would give students as they prepare for the future.

His response was twofold: “No matter where life takes you,” he responded, “always know God is present and he’s there, loving and caring no matter how you feel or doubt,” he said.

Then, he added: “Another thing, you only get one shot here so, you have got to believe in yourself and in your own goodness. Believe in and love God. Believe in and love yourself.”

His advice struck a chord with Azaria Valentin, executive board vice president of the Student Government Association, who attended the session.

“Bishop O’Connell was able to communicate the basic lessons one must know,” Valentin said. “He spoke of forgiveness, love, peace and especially faith.”