New diocesan structure aims to enhance 'efficiency, accountability'
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Morrell | Correspondent
and staff reports
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. has implemented a reorganization of the administrative and ministerial offices of the diocese, effective July 1.
In a June 30 memo issued to the staff of the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Lawrenceville and auxiliary office sites, Bishop O’Connell cited the need for greater efficiency and accountability in service to the Church in the Diocese of Trenton.
Bishop O’Connell first informed the diocesan staff of his intention to restructure offices and departments on Ash Wednesday, March 9. He explained, “I have made these changes, in consultation with diocesan officials here, after many months of careful observation of the operations and activities of the Pastoral Center.”
While the organization has been streamlined, the new structure has retained the same major functions formerly performed by diocesan staff. The restructuring did not require employee lay-offs; reassignments to different departments were necessary for some staff.
A key component of the plan designed by Bishop O’Connell dealt with logistics. The restructuring required an extensive series of moves within the building so that offices comprising a department are able to work and function together. Nearly every wing of the three-floor Pastoral Center was involved in the new facilities plan in some way.
Bishop O’Connell said of the changes, “It is important to remember that the Pastoral Center exists in service to the Church and God’s people. What we do here, however mundane and routine at times, we do to build up the Kingdom of God, especially in, for and with the people of the Diocese of Trenton.
Diocesan administrative and ministerial offices will be structured into seven categories
The vicar general of the Diocese shared that the diocesan structure will be organized into seven functional areas constituting the whole “Diocesan Curia.”
The newly-appointed vicars and executive directors follow:
Department of Communications
In her newly-defined role as executive director of communications, Rayanne M. Bennett will further develop the work she began in 2008 when she was named the diocese’s chief communications officer and associate publisher of The Monitor by Bishop John M. Smith. In that role, she was charged with oversight of the Communications resources of the diocese – The Monitor, the website, the Offices of Radio and Television, and the Office of Public Relations, which remained under her direction. MORE...
Department of Temporal Administration
Anthony J. Mingarino was named chancellor of the Diocese of Trenton, and will supervise the department of Temporal Administration, maintaining the title and responsibilities of his former position as chief administrative officer. MORE...
Department of Catholic Education
Father Douglas Freer, former pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, has been appointed as vicar for Catholic Education. In this position, Father Freer will supervise the Offices of Catholic Schools, Catechesis and Evangelization, the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, and all formation certificate programs, as well as the Holy Innocents Society. MORE...
Department of Pastoral Life and Mission
Terry Ginther, who has served the Diocese of Trenton in a variety of capacities for more than 10 years, has been appointed executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission. She will have oversight of the offices of Youth, Marriage and Family Life; Pastoral Care; Multicultural Ministry; Pastoral Planning, including the Expansion/Restructuring Commission; as well as Campus Ministry; Movements, and Retreat Houses. MORE...
Department of Personnel in Ministry
Father Thomas J. Mullelly, former director and chaplain of the Aquinas Institute at Princeton University, has been appointed as vicar for clergy. In this position, Father Mullelly will direct the Department of Personnel in Ministry which includes the Office of Vocations; the Office of Clergy Personnel, which melds the offices of Priest Personnel and the Diaconate, and includes the delegate for Consecrated Life. MORE...
Department of Catholic Social Services
Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, who formerly served as chief executive officer and executive vice president of Catholic Charities Community Service of Orange County, New York, has been appointed as executive director for the new department of Catholic Social Services. She will serve as supervisor for Catholic Charities, Migration & Refugee Services, Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Martin House, Mount Carmel Guild, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Catholic Youth Organization. MORE...
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By Mary Morrell | Correspondent
and staff reports
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. has implemented a reorganization of the administrative and ministerial offices of the diocese, effective July 1.
In a June 30 memo issued to the staff of the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Lawrenceville and auxiliary office sites, Bishop O’Connell cited the need for greater efficiency and accountability in service to the Church in the Diocese of Trenton.
Bishop O’Connell first informed the diocesan staff of his intention to restructure offices and departments on Ash Wednesday, March 9. He explained, “I have made these changes, in consultation with diocesan officials here, after many months of careful observation of the operations and activities of the Pastoral Center.”
While the organization has been streamlined, the new structure has retained the same major functions formerly performed by diocesan staff. The restructuring did not require employee lay-offs; reassignments to different departments were necessary for some staff.
A key component of the plan designed by Bishop O’Connell dealt with logistics. The restructuring required an extensive series of moves within the building so that offices comprising a department are able to work and function together. Nearly every wing of the three-floor Pastoral Center was involved in the new facilities plan in some way.
Bishop O’Connell said of the changes, “It is important to remember that the Pastoral Center exists in service to the Church and God’s people. What we do here, however mundane and routine at times, we do to build up the Kingdom of God, especially in, for and with the people of the Diocese of Trenton.
Diocesan administrative and ministerial offices will be structured into seven categories
The vicar general of the Diocese shared that the diocesan structure will be organized into seven functional areas constituting the whole “Diocesan Curia.”
The newly-appointed vicars and executive directors follow:
Department of Communications
In her newly-defined role as executive director of communications, Rayanne M. Bennett will further develop the work she began in 2008 when she was named the diocese’s chief communications officer and associate publisher of The Monitor by Bishop John M. Smith. In that role, she was charged with oversight of the Communications resources of the diocese – The Monitor, the website, the Offices of Radio and Television, and the Office of Public Relations, which remained under her direction. MORE...
Department of Temporal Administration
Anthony J. Mingarino was named chancellor of the Diocese of Trenton, and will supervise the department of Temporal Administration, maintaining the title and responsibilities of his former position as chief administrative officer. MORE...
Department of Catholic Education
Father Douglas Freer, former pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, has been appointed as vicar for Catholic Education. In this position, Father Freer will supervise the Offices of Catholic Schools, Catechesis and Evangelization, the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry, and all formation certificate programs, as well as the Holy Innocents Society. MORE...
Department of Pastoral Life and Mission
Terry Ginther, who has served the Diocese of Trenton in a variety of capacities for more than 10 years, has been appointed executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission. She will have oversight of the offices of Youth, Marriage and Family Life; Pastoral Care; Multicultural Ministry; Pastoral Planning, including the Expansion/Restructuring Commission; as well as Campus Ministry; Movements, and Retreat Houses. MORE...
Department of Personnel in Ministry
Father Thomas J. Mullelly, former director and chaplain of the Aquinas Institute at Princeton University, has been appointed as vicar for clergy. In this position, Father Mullelly will direct the Department of Personnel in Ministry which includes the Office of Vocations; the Office of Clergy Personnel, which melds the offices of Priest Personnel and the Diaconate, and includes the delegate for Consecrated Life. MORE...
Department of Catholic Social Services
Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress, who formerly served as chief executive officer and executive vice president of Catholic Charities Community Service of Orange County, New York, has been appointed as executive director for the new department of Catholic Social Services. She will serve as supervisor for Catholic Charities, Migration & Refugee Services, Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Martin House, Mount Carmel Guild, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Catholic Youth Organization. MORE...
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