Catholic school leaders gather for annual back-to-school Mass, meeting
August 19, 2025 at 2:33 p.m.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., delivers the homily during Mass with Diocesan school administrators Aug. 18 in the Chancery chapel in Lawrenceville.Principals and vice principals from the Diocese of Trenton’s elementary and high schools gathered Aug. 18 at the Chancery in Lawrenceville for the annual back-to-school meeting with the Department of Catholic Schools.
The day opened with Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who expressed gratitude to the administrators for their service and shared his prayers for the upcoming school year.
“Thank you for saying yes to a vocation that is not merely administrative. It’s profoundly apostolic – you’re not just running a school, you’re leading souls,” Bishop O’Connell said. “May God strengthen you in the work ahead and make you wise judges, courageous leaders and faithful disciples.”
Dr. Jason Briggs, principal of St. Gregory the Great Academy, Hamilton Square, exchanges remarks with Michele L. Rivera, assistant principal, and Maureen Tuohy of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, before the start of presentations during the Diocese of Trenton’s back-to-school meeting Aug. 18 at the Chancery, Lawrenceville.Following Mass, administrators had the opportunity to network with one another before hearing presentations from Catholic schools department leaders and Chancery staff.
More to come on this story.
Robert Dougherty, principal of St. Rose High School, Belmar, confers with Dr. Vanessa Pereira, principal of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, during the Diocese of Trenton’s back-to-school meeting.Related Stories
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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., delivers the homily during Mass with Diocesan school administrators Aug. 18 in the Chancery chapel in Lawrenceville.Principals and vice principals from the Diocese of Trenton’s elementary and high schools gathered Aug. 18 at the Chancery in Lawrenceville for the annual back-to-school meeting with the Department of Catholic Schools.
The day opened with Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who expressed gratitude to the administrators for their service and shared his prayers for the upcoming school year.
“Thank you for saying yes to a vocation that is not merely administrative. It’s profoundly apostolic – you’re not just running a school, you’re leading souls,” Bishop O’Connell said. “May God strengthen you in the work ahead and make you wise judges, courageous leaders and faithful disciples.”
Dr. Jason Briggs, principal of St. Gregory the Great Academy, Hamilton Square, exchanges remarks with Michele L. Rivera, assistant principal, and Maureen Tuohy of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, before the start of presentations during the Diocese of Trenton’s back-to-school meeting Aug. 18 at the Chancery, Lawrenceville.Following Mass, administrators had the opportunity to network with one another before hearing presentations from Catholic schools department leaders and Chancery staff.
More to come on this story.
Robert Dougherty, principal of St. Rose High School, Belmar, confers with Dr. Vanessa Pereira, principal of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, during the Diocese of Trenton’s back-to-school meeting.