Year of Firsts
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
For Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the diocese, 2011, as the first year under the episcopacy of the 10th Bishop of Trenton, was filled with historic events, new initiatives and memorable occasions.
DIOCESAN INITIATIVES
In a Jan. 13 news conference, Bishop O’Connell launched his first Bishop’s Annual Appeal, announcing an expanded goal of $8 million, $1 million of which would be dedicated to tuition assistance for Catholic school families. The diocese reported that appeal donors responded generously to the new initiative for Catholic education, and that the goal was expected to be reached.
With the launch of “A Shepherd’s Voice”, a monthly live call-in radio program with teaching, reflections and commentary of Church issues, March 4, Bishop O’Connell dons headphones and reaches out to his flock over the airways.
Peces, the diocese’s new Spanish-language quarterly newspaper, debuted in October with its first 16-page issue. The paper will include a mix of local, national and world news along with events unique to Hispanic Catholics of the diocese. The diocese’s Spanish-language television program, Cristo para Todos, resumed with a new format for its fifth season opener Nov. 22.
DIOCESAN EVENTS
Thousands from the diocese join others from around the world to protest the Supreme Court’s Roe V. Wade decision in marches on Washington, D.C., and Trenton for the 38th annual March for Life Jan. 24.
Bishop O’Connell was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Respect Life Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank, March 12. The annual Witness for Life culminated at the Planned Parenthood office in Shrewsbury, where pro-life Catholics recited the Rosary.
Bishop O’Connell welcomed 167 catechumens at the Rite of Election Mass March 13.
More than 900 students, parents, teachers and administrators from 45 Catholic schools converged on St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first Catholic Schools Mass March 17. Bishop O’Connell was the principal celebrant and homilist, and presided over the inaugural presentation to Notre Dame High School student Joseph McQuarrie of the Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, which had been set up in 2010 by The Catholic University of America for an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service.
Hundreds of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement officers gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton April 5 for the 12th annual Diocesan Celebration of Law Enforcement. The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell.
The second annual Re:Image Film Festival drew an audience of more than 200 movie fans to the Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan, April 16, for uplifting messages of faith. Keynote speaker and screenwriter Barbara Nicolosi shared insights on the intersection of faith and the arts in Hollywood, and was presented with the festival’s Pope John Paul II Gravitas Award.
The Trenton Diocese joined the world in celebrating Pope John Paul II’s beatification at a Mass held May 1 at St. Hedwig Church, Trenton.
Twelve men from throughout the Diocese of Trenton were ordained as permanent deacons May 14 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. A week later, five seminarians were ordained to the transitional diaconate in St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton. Neiser Cardenas, Robert Cro, Matthew Pfleger, Walter Quinceno, and Andres Serna will serve a year in this position before their priesthood ordinations in the spring of 2012. Seminarian Daniel Kirk was ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 7.
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, was the site of a joy-filled Mass May 22 which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith’s ordination. The gathering was distinguished by the presence of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington, who, as a long-time friend and mentor of Bishop Smith’s, delivered the day’s homily. The Mass was followed by a festive banquet attended by Bishop Smith’s many friends and representatives of parishes throughout the diocese.
Bishop O’Connell presided at his first priestly ordination as diocesan bishop June 4 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The six men he ordained as priests of the Trenton Diocese were Father H. Todd Carter, Father Carlos A. Florez, Father Kevin J. Kimtis, Father Fernando A. Lopez, Father Christopher P. Picollo and Father John Testa.
Bishops and Knights of Columbus from throughout New Jersey witness Fourth Degree Knight Daniel Rossi of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, receive the designation of Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Deputy in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
Msgr. John K. Dermond steps down from his position as rector at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral to pursue full-time work as judicial vicar for the diocese. He is succeeded by Father Joseph Roldan, July 1.
Thousands accompany Bishop O’Connell on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, Sept. 17. The celebration of Holy Mass, blessings of married and engaged couples, prayer, and visits to shrines reinforces pilgrims’ faith on the diocesan journey to “America’s Church”.
The diocese initiates Villanova University Center for the Study of Church Management’s Exit Interview Study to examine needs of lapsed Catholics. Findings are expected in 2012.
The first annual diocesan Mass for All in Catechetical Ministry was held in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral Nov. 12. The Mass, celebrated by Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education, aimed to unite and enervate those involved in spreading the faith on the parish level.
DIOCESAN AWARDS
The diocesan website, www.dioceseoftrenton.org, was named one of five best in U.S. by CatholicTechTalk.com, May 21.
The Monitor garnered seven Catholic Press Awards, June 24: First and Second Place, Best News Writing; Third Place, Best Stand-Alone Website; Third Place, Best Online Blog; First Place, Best Print Circulation Promotion Campaign; Second Place, Most Effective Single Piece of Print Circulation Promotion; Honorable Mention, Best Use of Art or Graphics.
Bishop O’Connell announced that Pope Benedict XVI awarded papal honors to one priest and eight lay Catholic men and women of the diocese. At a prayer service Sept. 8 at St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, Father R. Vincent Gartland was named a Chaplain to His Holiness and given the new title of Monsignor. W. James White of Divine Mercy Parish, Trenton, was conferred membership into the Knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great, while seven individuals were presented with Benemerenti Medals: Francis E. Dolan, Laurence Downes, Harry Hill, Carolyn Leaver, Judith Persichilli and Rose Anna and Angelo Romanello.
PERSONNEL IN MINISTRY
Marlene Lao-Collins was named new executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton effective March 11.
Darlene S. Hanley was appointed new president and CEO of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence, Inc., Feb. 1.
Mary Ann Dowd, a member of St. Mary of the Lake/Holy Family Parish, Lakewood, was installed as new lay director of the diocesan Cursillo, Feb. 4.
The annual Convocation of Catechetical Leaders was held Oct. 12-14 in San Alfonso Retreat House, West End. Sixty individuals received certificates indicating their completion of the program for coordinators, including Jackie Callahan of St. Catherine Parish, Middletown, who received the annual “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry.
DIOCESAN REORGANIZATION
To promote greater efficiency and accountability of service to the Church in the Diocese of Trenton, Bishop O’Connell implemented a reorganization of the administrative and ministerial offices of the diocese effective July 1. All functions within the chancery were organized into seven major areas, which together constitute the Diocesan Curia. The new offices and their victors and executive directors are: Communications: Rayanne M. Bennett; Temporal Administration: Anthony J. Mingarino; Catholic Education: Father Douglas Freer; Pastoral Life and Mission: Terry Ginther; Personnel in Ministry: Father Thomas J. Mullelly; Catholic Social Services: Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress.
The bishop announced the establishment of several diocesan bodies with specific areas of responsibilities July 27, appointing nearly two dozen priests and deacons to serve in the newly-created roles.
The recently established Multicultural Outreach and Ministry Council convened for the first time Nov. 10 as the diocese continues to enhance the way it serves the culturally diverse community across its four counties. Eight clergy were appointed as liaisons to the major cultural groups in the diocese; the Haitian, Filipino, African/African-American, Eastern European, Korean, Hispanic/Portuguese, multicultural and mainstream communities will be represented.
MILESTONES
Anniversaries were observed by a number of priests of the diocese in 2011. Clergy celebrating 50 years of distinguished service included Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith, Msgr. Hugh Ronan, Conventual Franciscan Father Richard Rossell, Father William S. O’Brien, and Divine Word Missionaries Father Vincent Burke, Father Leo Dushek, and Father John McSherry.
Priests celebrating their silver anniversaries were Father Angelo Amaral, Msgr. Richard D. LaVerghetta, Father George A. Medina, Father Marukudiyil C. Velan, and Father Richard R. Sweeny.
The religious of the diocese celebrating major anniversaries in 2011 include: 50 years: St. Joseph Sister Joan Carey; Dominican Sister Patricia Crowley, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Ann Michael Doyle, Dominican Sister Elizabeth Engel, Christian Brother Michael Finnegan, Franciscan Sister Barbara Melina Furst, Dominican Sister Elizabeth Gnam, Dominican Sister Mary Margaret Grey, Conventual Franciscan Brother Nicholas Lorson, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Catherine McGady, Sister of Providence Laura Ann McLaughlin, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Kathleen Purser, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Jean Scharf, Mercy Sister Judith Schubert, Mercy Sister Joanne Tarpey, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Donna Watson, Sister of Charity Ruth Edward Durfee.
25 years in the permanent diaconate: Thomas J. Garvey, Theodore V. Gularek Robert H. Lafond, Daniel J. Laurita, Salvatore Marcello, John W. McCabe, Walter L. Price, Charles J. Smith.
Hundreds of Filippini sisters gathered at St. Joachim Church, Trenton, to commemorate 100 years of ministry in the United States. Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith celebrated Mass on the grounds of the school where the community was founded.
Bishop O’Connell celebrates Mass at Mary, Mother of God Parish, New Monmouth, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedies. The host parish’s town, Middletown, lost 37 residents to the terrorist attacks, the second highest number in any New Jersey municipality.
Three priests of the diocese joined the ranks of retired senior priests: Msgr. Walter Nolan, Father Michael Vona and Father Francis E. Santitoro.
IN REMEMBRANCE
The diocese mourned the loss of priests and deacons who served at one time in the four counties, including Deacon Charles A. Perkins, March 19; Deacon William R. Heard, March 25; Father Edward J. Dougherty, April 14; Deacon Allan T. Parr Sr, May 22; Father John C. Petri, June 10; Msgr. George M. Brembos, June 15; Father Vincent J. Donadio, July 6; Deacon Albert J. Schwind; July 28; Msgr. Alfred D. Smith, Sept. 12; Deacon Michael P. Grogan, Oct. 2; Father William T. McLaughlin, Oct. 19; Father Stephen G. Horvath, Nov. 2; Deacon Joseph Fuoco, Nov. 5; Father John P. Byrnes, Oct. 26; and Deacon Theodore Gularek, Nov. 13.
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Events
For Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and the diocese, 2011, as the first year under the episcopacy of the 10th Bishop of Trenton, was filled with historic events, new initiatives and memorable occasions.
DIOCESAN INITIATIVES
In a Jan. 13 news conference, Bishop O’Connell launched his first Bishop’s Annual Appeal, announcing an expanded goal of $8 million, $1 million of which would be dedicated to tuition assistance for Catholic school families. The diocese reported that appeal donors responded generously to the new initiative for Catholic education, and that the goal was expected to be reached.
With the launch of “A Shepherd’s Voice”, a monthly live call-in radio program with teaching, reflections and commentary of Church issues, March 4, Bishop O’Connell dons headphones and reaches out to his flock over the airways.
Peces, the diocese’s new Spanish-language quarterly newspaper, debuted in October with its first 16-page issue. The paper will include a mix of local, national and world news along with events unique to Hispanic Catholics of the diocese. The diocese’s Spanish-language television program, Cristo para Todos, resumed with a new format for its fifth season opener Nov. 22.
DIOCESAN EVENTS
Thousands from the diocese join others from around the world to protest the Supreme Court’s Roe V. Wade decision in marches on Washington, D.C., and Trenton for the 38th annual March for Life Jan. 24.
Bishop O’Connell was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Respect Life Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank, March 12. The annual Witness for Life culminated at the Planned Parenthood office in Shrewsbury, where pro-life Catholics recited the Rosary.
Bishop O’Connell welcomed 167 catechumens at the Rite of Election Mass March 13.
More than 900 students, parents, teachers and administrators from 45 Catholic schools converged on St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first Catholic Schools Mass March 17. Bishop O’Connell was the principal celebrant and homilist, and presided over the inaugural presentation to Notre Dame High School student Joseph McQuarrie of the Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, which had been set up in 2010 by The Catholic University of America for an entering student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O’Connell’s dedication to service.
Hundreds of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement officers gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton April 5 for the 12th annual Diocesan Celebration of Law Enforcement. The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell.
The second annual Re:Image Film Festival drew an audience of more than 200 movie fans to the Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan, April 16, for uplifting messages of faith. Keynote speaker and screenwriter Barbara Nicolosi shared insights on the intersection of faith and the arts in Hollywood, and was presented with the festival’s Pope John Paul II Gravitas Award.
The Trenton Diocese joined the world in celebrating Pope John Paul II’s beatification at a Mass held May 1 at St. Hedwig Church, Trenton.
Twelve men from throughout the Diocese of Trenton were ordained as permanent deacons May 14 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. A week later, five seminarians were ordained to the transitional diaconate in St. Isaac Jogues Church, Marlton. Neiser Cardenas, Robert Cro, Matthew Pfleger, Walter Quinceno, and Andres Serna will serve a year in this position before their priesthood ordinations in the spring of 2012. Seminarian Daniel Kirk was ordained a transitional deacon in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 7.
St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, was the site of a joy-filled Mass May 22 which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith’s ordination. The gathering was distinguished by the presence of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington, who, as a long-time friend and mentor of Bishop Smith’s, delivered the day’s homily. The Mass was followed by a festive banquet attended by Bishop Smith’s many friends and representatives of parishes throughout the diocese.
Bishop O’Connell presided at his first priestly ordination as diocesan bishop June 4 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The six men he ordained as priests of the Trenton Diocese were Father H. Todd Carter, Father Carlos A. Florez, Father Kevin J. Kimtis, Father Fernando A. Lopez, Father Christopher P. Picollo and Father John Testa.
Bishops and Knights of Columbus from throughout New Jersey witness Fourth Degree Knight Daniel Rossi of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, receive the designation of Knights of Columbus New Jersey State Deputy in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
Msgr. John K. Dermond steps down from his position as rector at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral to pursue full-time work as judicial vicar for the diocese. He is succeeded by Father Joseph Roldan, July 1.
Thousands accompany Bishop O’Connell on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, Sept. 17. The celebration of Holy Mass, blessings of married and engaged couples, prayer, and visits to shrines reinforces pilgrims’ faith on the diocesan journey to “America’s Church”.
The diocese initiates Villanova University Center for the Study of Church Management’s Exit Interview Study to examine needs of lapsed Catholics. Findings are expected in 2012.
The first annual diocesan Mass for All in Catechetical Ministry was held in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral Nov. 12. The Mass, celebrated by Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education, aimed to unite and enervate those involved in spreading the faith on the parish level.
DIOCESAN AWARDS
The diocesan website, www.dioceseoftrenton.org, was named one of five best in U.S. by CatholicTechTalk.com, May 21.
The Monitor garnered seven Catholic Press Awards, June 24: First and Second Place, Best News Writing; Third Place, Best Stand-Alone Website; Third Place, Best Online Blog; First Place, Best Print Circulation Promotion Campaign; Second Place, Most Effective Single Piece of Print Circulation Promotion; Honorable Mention, Best Use of Art or Graphics.
Bishop O’Connell announced that Pope Benedict XVI awarded papal honors to one priest and eight lay Catholic men and women of the diocese. At a prayer service Sept. 8 at St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, Father R. Vincent Gartland was named a Chaplain to His Holiness and given the new title of Monsignor. W. James White of Divine Mercy Parish, Trenton, was conferred membership into the Knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great, while seven individuals were presented with Benemerenti Medals: Francis E. Dolan, Laurence Downes, Harry Hill, Carolyn Leaver, Judith Persichilli and Rose Anna and Angelo Romanello.
PERSONNEL IN MINISTRY
Marlene Lao-Collins was named new executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton effective March 11.
Darlene S. Hanley was appointed new president and CEO of Morris Hall/St. Lawrence, Inc., Feb. 1.
Mary Ann Dowd, a member of St. Mary of the Lake/Holy Family Parish, Lakewood, was installed as new lay director of the diocesan Cursillo, Feb. 4.
The annual Convocation of Catechetical Leaders was held Oct. 12-14 in San Alfonso Retreat House, West End. Sixty individuals received certificates indicating their completion of the program for coordinators, including Jackie Callahan of St. Catherine Parish, Middletown, who received the annual “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Ministry.
DIOCESAN REORGANIZATION
To promote greater efficiency and accountability of service to the Church in the Diocese of Trenton, Bishop O’Connell implemented a reorganization of the administrative and ministerial offices of the diocese effective July 1. All functions within the chancery were organized into seven major areas, which together constitute the Diocesan Curia. The new offices and their victors and executive directors are: Communications: Rayanne M. Bennett; Temporal Administration: Anthony J. Mingarino; Catholic Education: Father Douglas Freer; Pastoral Life and Mission: Terry Ginther; Personnel in Ministry: Father Thomas J. Mullelly; Catholic Social Services: Daughter of Charity Sister Joanne Dress.
The bishop announced the establishment of several diocesan bodies with specific areas of responsibilities July 27, appointing nearly two dozen priests and deacons to serve in the newly-created roles.
The recently established Multicultural Outreach and Ministry Council convened for the first time Nov. 10 as the diocese continues to enhance the way it serves the culturally diverse community across its four counties. Eight clergy were appointed as liaisons to the major cultural groups in the diocese; the Haitian, Filipino, African/African-American, Eastern European, Korean, Hispanic/Portuguese, multicultural and mainstream communities will be represented.
MILESTONES
Anniversaries were observed by a number of priests of the diocese in 2011. Clergy celebrating 50 years of distinguished service included Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith, Msgr. Hugh Ronan, Conventual Franciscan Father Richard Rossell, Father William S. O’Brien, and Divine Word Missionaries Father Vincent Burke, Father Leo Dushek, and Father John McSherry.
Priests celebrating their silver anniversaries were Father Angelo Amaral, Msgr. Richard D. LaVerghetta, Father George A. Medina, Father Marukudiyil C. Velan, and Father Richard R. Sweeny.
The religious of the diocese celebrating major anniversaries in 2011 include: 50 years: St. Joseph Sister Joan Carey; Dominican Sister Patricia Crowley, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Ann Michael Doyle, Dominican Sister Elizabeth Engel, Christian Brother Michael Finnegan, Franciscan Sister Barbara Melina Furst, Dominican Sister Elizabeth Gnam, Dominican Sister Mary Margaret Grey, Conventual Franciscan Brother Nicholas Lorson, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Catherine McGady, Sister of Providence Laura Ann McLaughlin, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Kathleen Purser, Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Sister Jean Scharf, Mercy Sister Judith Schubert, Mercy Sister Joanne Tarpey, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Donna Watson, Sister of Charity Ruth Edward Durfee.
25 years in the permanent diaconate: Thomas J. Garvey, Theodore V. Gularek Robert H. Lafond, Daniel J. Laurita, Salvatore Marcello, John W. McCabe, Walter L. Price, Charles J. Smith.
Hundreds of Filippini sisters gathered at St. Joachim Church, Trenton, to commemorate 100 years of ministry in the United States. Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith celebrated Mass on the grounds of the school where the community was founded.
Bishop O’Connell celebrates Mass at Mary, Mother of God Parish, New Monmouth, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedies. The host parish’s town, Middletown, lost 37 residents to the terrorist attacks, the second highest number in any New Jersey municipality.
Three priests of the diocese joined the ranks of retired senior priests: Msgr. Walter Nolan, Father Michael Vona and Father Francis E. Santitoro.
IN REMEMBRANCE
The diocese mourned the loss of priests and deacons who served at one time in the four counties, including Deacon Charles A. Perkins, March 19; Deacon William R. Heard, March 25; Father Edward J. Dougherty, April 14; Deacon Allan T. Parr Sr, May 22; Father John C. Petri, June 10; Msgr. George M. Brembos, June 15; Father Vincent J. Donadio, July 6; Deacon Albert J. Schwind; July 28; Msgr. Alfred D. Smith, Sept. 12; Deacon Michael P. Grogan, Oct. 2; Father William T. McLaughlin, Oct. 19; Father Stephen G. Horvath, Nov. 2; Deacon Joseph Fuoco, Nov. 5; Father John P. Byrnes, Oct. 26; and Deacon Theodore Gularek, Nov. 13.
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