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DUE TO THE CURRENT STATE OF EMERGENCY, the Annual Parish Pastoral Council Convocation scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at St. Veronica Church will now be held virtually. We apologize for the short notice and any inconvenience this change may cause, and we appreciate your understanding. Registered participants should check their email or visit the link above for details on how to participate virtually. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

DUE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY (see below), I will issue a dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation for Monmouth and Ocean Counties this weekend. If further cancellations are necessary, pastors can make and announce those decisions.

DUE TO THE GOVERNOR'S DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY (see below), I will issue a dispensation from Sunday Mass obligation for Monmouth and Ocean Counties this weekend. If further cancellations are necessary, pastors can make and announce those decisions.

The Masses will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties, and Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, for couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

THE WHITE MASS COMMEMORATES THE FEAST OF ST. LUKE, patron saint of physicians and medical personnel who dedicate their careers to caring for the physical health and well-being of their patients. This year, two White Mass opportunities will be available in the Diocese of Trenton.

DEACON GEORGE CHEMALY, WHO SERVED THE FAITHFUL in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, died Sept. 21. He was 64. Visitation will be held Sept. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Rd., Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ANNOUNCED that Father Kerly Francois, parochial vicar of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, has been incardinated a priest of the Diocese of Trenton effective Sept. 21. Father Francois arrived from the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. In top photo, Father Francois, second from right, is congratulated by Father Jean Felicien, diocesan chancellor, left, Father Christopher Dayton, pastor of St. Paul Parish, and Bishop O’Connell. Staff photo

IN A STATEMENT TO MARK NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK SEPT. 21-27, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, urged U.S. officials and lawmakers to enact policy that upholds the “God-given human dignity” of migrants and prevents the separation of families.

WHEN IT COMES TO PASSING ALONG THE CATHOLIC FAITH, who bears responsibility? Every Catholic, by virtue of his or her Baptism. Catechetical Sunday brings that obligation front and center. “Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each of us plays in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel,” said Michelle Angelo-Santoro, associate director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis.

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY, bringing fresh opportunities to learn, grow and put faith into action. The September issue of The Monitor Magazine shares how students, educators and faithful throughout the Diocese are beginning a new season with hope and purpose.

AS BISHOP OF THE NEIGHBORING DIOCESE, I write to extend our congratulations and prayerful best wishes to the new Bishop of Metuchen, the Most Reverend Michael Saporito, 64, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark. Bishop Saporito was ordained a priest of the same Archdiocese in 1992 and subsequently consecrated auxiliary bishop in 2020. Congratulations, Bishop Saporito, as you assume your new responsibilities in the Diocese of Metuchen.

Funeral arrangements have been set for Sept. 13, with visitation from 2 to 5 p.m. in St. James Church, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington. Visitation will continue Sept. 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist.

In an email informing priests of the Diocese, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said that “it is with deepest sadness that I announce the death of our beloved brother Msgr. Michael Walsh.” Bishop O’Connell noted that Msgr. Walsh’s sister and friend, Ann, were with Msgr. Walsh when he died. The Bishop also acknowledged two priests – Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan episcopal vicar of clergy and consecrated life and director of seminarians, and Father Stanley Lukaszewski, a retired priest of the Diocese, who visited Msgr. Walsh regularly.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass set for Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, Middletown. Priests and deacons from across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties will also participate in the Mass. For individuals who cannot attend, the Diocese will livestream the Mass.

THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON WILL JOIN DIOCESES ACROSS THE NATION in holding a collection at all Masses Sept. 5-6 for The Catholic University of America, Washington, the only institution of higher education founded and operated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

THE CHANCERY IN LAWRENCEVILLE will be closed, Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, September 8.

“Eleven years ago, Pope Francis reminded the world in Laudato Si’ that creation is God’s work and God’s gift, placed in our hands to guard,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily. “Here in New Jersey, that truth is close to the surface. We live in a beautiful state of oceans and rivers, forests and farmlands. And we know its fragility,” he said, then referred to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

AS SEPTEMBER ROLLS AROUND and summer begins to fade, nature introduces us to the beginning of the Fall season: The air begins to change; days grow shorter; the brilliant greens of summer slowly yield to the golds, oranges and reds of autumn. We recognize, once again, that God has woven change into the fabric of creation. Nothing remains exactly as it was, yet nothing is outside His loving providence. As one season ends, another begins, inviting us to embrace what God is preparing. And so it goes.

As September rolls around and summer begins to fade, nature introduces us to the beginning of the Fall season: The air begins to change; days grow shorter; the brilliant greens of summer slowly yield to the golds, oranges and reds of autumn. We recognize, once again, that God has woven change into the fabric of creation. Nothing remains exactly as it was, yet nothing is outside His loving providence. As one season ends, another begins, inviting us to embrace what God is preparing. And so it goes.

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ANNOUNCED Aug. 28 that Father James A. Conover, a priest of the Diocese for 48 years and pastor emeritus of St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, had died that morning. Father Conover was 77.