The Lighting of a Fire
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
For many people around the world, March 17 is the day each year to celebrate the ever-popular St. Patrick of Ireland and all that the cultural custom brings.
But for the Diocese of Trenton, March 17, 2011, took on added significance as the celebration of joyful and historic firsts in the life of the local Church.
It was on this day that Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., clad in green vestments that offered a nod to St. Patrick, stood before some 900 members of the diocese’s Catholic school community who had come to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton at the bishop’s invitation. Having traveled to the capital city from 48 schools scattered across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the students, parents, teachers and administrators arrived at the cathedral by the busloads to take part in the diocese’s first ever Catholic Schools Mass.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Mass
Outfitted in their uniforms and filling the pews of the large church, the assembled students gave the appearance of a patchwork quilt of primary colors. School pride was almost palpable as banners representing each of the schools were carried by students in a steady stream that led the Opening Procession. Other symbols of Catholic school education – a laptop, a Bible, the papal and American flags, a globe, a textbook and a diploma – were also carried in procession and placed at the base of the sanctuary to illustrate the special intention of the day’s Mass.
For many of the students, it was the first time they would meet their new bishop, who was tapped to lead the diocese only a few months before. It was also the first time that the majority of the students had visited their cathedral and experienced what it was like to worship together in the Mother Church.
“As your bishop here in the Diocese of Trenton, I am so happy to be with you and to welcome you to our cathedral,” Bishop O’Connell said in extending a warm greeting. “Although you are all from different parishes around our vast diocese, this Church in Trenton, because it is the bishop’s church, belongs to everyone no matter what your parish is or where you go to church on Sunday.”
Several dozen priests who have a pastoral or leadership role in the ministry of Catholic education joined Bishop O’Connell at the altar. Together, they celebrated the Mass intended to give thanks for the gift of Catholic schools and highlight the need for continuing support of this essential ministry of the Church.
There was participation by students from a variety of schools throughout the Mass. The Madrigal Choir from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, provided the music that included a repertoire of contemporary liturgical pieces, two of which were composed by the school’s music director, Lou Gibilisco. Students also served at the altar, as readers and as ushers.
Lending significant excitement to the event was a special presentation by a representative of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where Bishop O’Connell had served as president for 12 years before coming to the Diocese of Trenton. Patrick Ratke, of CUA’s Admissions Office, came to award the university’s inaugural Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, which had been set up in 2010 for an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service. The four-year full tuition scholarship honors the bishop’s service as CUA’s 14th president and reflects Bishop O’Connell’s episcopal motto – “Ministrare non Ministrari” – meaning “to serve and not to be served.”
As Ratke announced the name of the scholarship recipient, Joseph McQuarrie of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, thunderous cheers and applause swept through the cathedral, bringing many in the assembly to their feet. Helping to present the award given in his name, Bishop O’Connell invited the student and his parents, who are members of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, to join him in the sanctuary where he warmly congratulated them. The bishop encouraged all the students gathered to keep the scholarship, which honors works of service and charity, in mind, as it will be given every year to a deserving student from the diocese.
Where Faith and Knowledge Meet
Linking the dual celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day and Catholic schools, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the legacy of the fourth century saint, describing him as an educator for the people of Ireland through his fervent desire to bring them and the “pagan nation to God.”
Noting that little is known about the saint and most of what is celebrated on his feast day is the subject of debatable myths and legends, Bishop O’Connell detailed attributes of St. Patrick, stating that he was eager to preach the Good News in faith, was willing to confront disbelief, was tested by the rejection and persecution of others, had an unrelenting capacity to sacrifice for the greater good, showed concern for the benefit of the neighbor and had an unconditional commitment “unto death for the sake of God and his holy name.”
It’s those attributes, Bishop O’Connell said, that lie at the heart of the “day we celebrate.”
The spirit of St. Patrick could be found in the day’s efforts to provide Catholic education to all, the bishop said. Pointing to a popular quote sometimes attributed to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats (other times to Ralph Waldo Emerson), he related, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
He explained, “In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus makes a similar claim when he proclaims his educational mission, ‘I have come to set the world on fire and how I wish it were blazing already’ (Luke 12:49). Jesus set the world on fire by proclaiming the Good News for all people. That’s the work of Catholic schools.
“Catholic education is not simply about values or even ‘faith values,’” said Bishop O’Connell. “Catholic education is about a vision, an investment in a vision that comes from the Gospel. (It’s the Gospel) that creates the values by which the Catholic school is known and identified and that makes its values real and alive and applicable to life.”
The bishop continued, “Catholic schools are places where faith and knowledge meet but unless that meeting inspires, unless that meeting engages, unless that meeting lights a fire, unless that meeting changes lives, our schools are simply that, ‘schools.’
“Catholic education is about passion, a vision and passion that views every young person in our Catholic schools, every parent, every teacher, every administrator, every staff member, every alumnus, every benefactor as a partner in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop O’Connell, and it’s “because of that identity, we have in our Catholic schools unambiguous and distinct opportunities to evangelize.”
Giving Thanks
Before concluding, Bishop O’Connell asked the students to take the opportunity to honor and thank the people in their lives who make their Catholic education possible – their priests, their principals and teachers, and, in a special way, their parents.
Acknowledging all those who support Catholic schools was a major objective in having the Mass, according to JoAnn Tier, superintendent of schools. Tier especially acknowledged the efforts of the Diocesan Educational Advisory Council and representatives of the Foundation for Student Achievement and the Diocesan PTA, all who were present for the Mass. She also paid tribute to the school teachers, administrators, board members and parish pastors “who continue to give of themselves.”
“The investments they have in their schools is so obvious,” said Tier. “It’s complete giving on their part and it’s not only in dollars, but their belief in Catholic education.”
She explained that the idea emerged for the Schools Mass as a way to reinforce Bishop O’Connell’s first-year priority to strengthen Catholic education. In January, the bishop announced an expansion of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal to include an additional $1 million for Catholic education and the promise that every school would remain open for the 2011-2012 school year.
The celebration was originally planned for Jan. 28 as part of a diocesan Catholic Schools Week observance but had to be postponed due to inclement weather.
Contributing to this story were Monitor staffers Mary Stadnyk, news editor; Lois Rogers, features editor, and Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher.
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For many people around the world, March 17 is the day each year to celebrate the ever-popular St. Patrick of Ireland and all that the cultural custom brings.
But for the Diocese of Trenton, March 17, 2011, took on added significance as the celebration of joyful and historic firsts in the life of the local Church.
It was on this day that Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., clad in green vestments that offered a nod to St. Patrick, stood before some 900 members of the diocese’s Catholic school community who had come to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton at the bishop’s invitation. Having traveled to the capital city from 48 schools scattered across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the students, parents, teachers and administrators arrived at the cathedral by the busloads to take part in the diocese’s first ever Catholic Schools Mass.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the Mass
Outfitted in their uniforms and filling the pews of the large church, the assembled students gave the appearance of a patchwork quilt of primary colors. School pride was almost palpable as banners representing each of the schools were carried by students in a steady stream that led the Opening Procession. Other symbols of Catholic school education – a laptop, a Bible, the papal and American flags, a globe, a textbook and a diploma – were also carried in procession and placed at the base of the sanctuary to illustrate the special intention of the day’s Mass.
For many of the students, it was the first time they would meet their new bishop, who was tapped to lead the diocese only a few months before. It was also the first time that the majority of the students had visited their cathedral and experienced what it was like to worship together in the Mother Church.
“As your bishop here in the Diocese of Trenton, I am so happy to be with you and to welcome you to our cathedral,” Bishop O’Connell said in extending a warm greeting. “Although you are all from different parishes around our vast diocese, this Church in Trenton, because it is the bishop’s church, belongs to everyone no matter what your parish is or where you go to church on Sunday.”
Several dozen priests who have a pastoral or leadership role in the ministry of Catholic education joined Bishop O’Connell at the altar. Together, they celebrated the Mass intended to give thanks for the gift of Catholic schools and highlight the need for continuing support of this essential ministry of the Church.
There was participation by students from a variety of schools throughout the Mass. The Madrigal Choir from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, provided the music that included a repertoire of contemporary liturgical pieces, two of which were composed by the school’s music director, Lou Gibilisco. Students also served at the altar, as readers and as ushers.
Lending significant excitement to the event was a special presentation by a representative of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where Bishop O’Connell had served as president for 12 years before coming to the Diocese of Trenton. Patrick Ratke, of CUA’s Admissions Office, came to award the university’s inaugural Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, which had been set up in 2010 for an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service. The four-year full tuition scholarship honors the bishop’s service as CUA’s 14th president and reflects Bishop O’Connell’s episcopal motto – “Ministrare non Ministrari” – meaning “to serve and not to be served.”
As Ratke announced the name of the scholarship recipient, Joseph McQuarrie of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, thunderous cheers and applause swept through the cathedral, bringing many in the assembly to their feet. Helping to present the award given in his name, Bishop O’Connell invited the student and his parents, who are members of St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, to join him in the sanctuary where he warmly congratulated them. The bishop encouraged all the students gathered to keep the scholarship, which honors works of service and charity, in mind, as it will be given every year to a deserving student from the diocese.
Where Faith and Knowledge Meet
Linking the dual celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day and Catholic schools, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the legacy of the fourth century saint, describing him as an educator for the people of Ireland through his fervent desire to bring them and the “pagan nation to God.”
Noting that little is known about the saint and most of what is celebrated on his feast day is the subject of debatable myths and legends, Bishop O’Connell detailed attributes of St. Patrick, stating that he was eager to preach the Good News in faith, was willing to confront disbelief, was tested by the rejection and persecution of others, had an unrelenting capacity to sacrifice for the greater good, showed concern for the benefit of the neighbor and had an unconditional commitment “unto death for the sake of God and his holy name.”
It’s those attributes, Bishop O’Connell said, that lie at the heart of the “day we celebrate.”
The spirit of St. Patrick could be found in the day’s efforts to provide Catholic education to all, the bishop said. Pointing to a popular quote sometimes attributed to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats (other times to Ralph Waldo Emerson), he related, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
He explained, “In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus makes a similar claim when he proclaims his educational mission, ‘I have come to set the world on fire and how I wish it were blazing already’ (Luke 12:49). Jesus set the world on fire by proclaiming the Good News for all people. That’s the work of Catholic schools.
“Catholic education is not simply about values or even ‘faith values,’” said Bishop O’Connell. “Catholic education is about a vision, an investment in a vision that comes from the Gospel. (It’s the Gospel) that creates the values by which the Catholic school is known and identified and that makes its values real and alive and applicable to life.”
The bishop continued, “Catholic schools are places where faith and knowledge meet but unless that meeting inspires, unless that meeting engages, unless that meeting lights a fire, unless that meeting changes lives, our schools are simply that, ‘schools.’
“Catholic education is about passion, a vision and passion that views every young person in our Catholic schools, every parent, every teacher, every administrator, every staff member, every alumnus, every benefactor as a partner in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop O’Connell, and it’s “because of that identity, we have in our Catholic schools unambiguous and distinct opportunities to evangelize.”
Giving Thanks
Before concluding, Bishop O’Connell asked the students to take the opportunity to honor and thank the people in their lives who make their Catholic education possible – their priests, their principals and teachers, and, in a special way, their parents.
Acknowledging all those who support Catholic schools was a major objective in having the Mass, according to JoAnn Tier, superintendent of schools. Tier especially acknowledged the efforts of the Diocesan Educational Advisory Council and representatives of the Foundation for Student Achievement and the Diocesan PTA, all who were present for the Mass. She also paid tribute to the school teachers, administrators, board members and parish pastors “who continue to give of themselves.”
“The investments they have in their schools is so obvious,” said Tier. “It’s complete giving on their part and it’s not only in dollars, but their belief in Catholic education.”
She explained that the idea emerged for the Schools Mass as a way to reinforce Bishop O’Connell’s first-year priority to strengthen Catholic education. In January, the bishop announced an expansion of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal to include an additional $1 million for Catholic education and the promise that every school would remain open for the 2011-2012 school year.
The celebration was originally planned for Jan. 28 as part of a diocesan Catholic Schools Week observance but had to be postponed due to inclement weather.
Contributing to this story were Monitor staffers Mary Stadnyk, news editor; Lois Rogers, features editor, and Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher.
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