From staff reports

A young adult singer-songwriter with roots in the Diocese of Trenton is returning for a performance after an evening of worship, Adoration and music in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

Faithful of all ages are invited to the event July 26 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. as Dana Catherine, who has ties in the St. Robert Bellarmine faith community, will perform in the church at 61 Georgia Road. The evening is being hosted by the parish Youth Group-LIFT team.

Jeanne Marinello, youth ministry coordinator in the Freehold parish, explained the impetus behind the event.

“Young people love music – it sets the tone and mood to all they do,” Marinello said. “I met Dana Catherine last October at an event, and a lightbulb went off in my head.”

Marinello continued, “Dana Catherine’s praise and worship adoration was my inspiration for how we ended our Confirmation retreat this year. It was a big success every step of the way. This is the missing piece of the puzzle.”

Dana Catherine, a Freehold native who was baptized in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, now serves as a youth minister in Raleigh, N.C., and travels throughout the United States to encourage and inspire others with her songs and witness. She independently released her debut album, “Glorious Horizons,” in 2015; after signing with the Christian record label Rekindle Records, she released her first single, “My Savior in Me,” which she penned after leading praise and worship adoration one night.

Marinello is excited about Dana Catherine’s return visit to the Diocese of Trenton in the family-friendly event, noting, “Her message is universal. For people to know [Dana Catherine] came from the same seats they are in will make them realize anything is possible.”

For more information, contact the parish office at 732-462-7429. For more information on Dana Catherine, visit www.danacatherinemusic.com.