A 12-member delegation from the Diocese of Trenton will join more than 3,000 bishops, clergy, religious and laypeople from across the country as they participate in the Convocation of Catholic Leaders July 1 through 4 in Orlando, Florida.

The delegation, approved by Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., consists of parish, campus ministry and ecclesial movement leaders, as well as diocesan staff. Together, they represent a wide range of experience and a rich diversity of religious expression.

In a letter to the delegation, Bishop O’Connell thanked the men and women for “giving your time and for bringing your talents to this meeting,” as well as expressed his hope that the time at the Convocation would be spent “not only to re-animate the Church through our conversations, but also to engage the culture in the work of evangelization.” 

In the letter’s closing, Bishop O’Connell offered his prayers for a safe and fruitful trip.

“Although I am not able to travel to Orlando with you, my prayers will accompany you on your journey,” the Bishop said. “I am eager to hear about it when you return. Travel safely and go with God!“

This summer's Convocation of Catholic Leaders comes at a time when the U.S. Catholic Church is seeking how best to respond to a changing social landscape while bringing Pope Francis' vision for a Church that offers mercy and joy to the world.

Called by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the historic convocation will focus on how the Pope's 2013 apostolic exhortation, "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel), applies in the United States. The invitation-only convocation aims to equip attendees with strategies and best practices for preaching the Gospel in a way that reaches today's culture.

Learn more about the Convocation and those representing the Diocese of Trenton in this story from The Monitor. You also can watch a live stream of the convocation on the USCCB website.