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“Stay awake, for you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) As we enter the holy season of Advent, the Church invites us once again to lift our eyes toward the horizon of hope. Advent is far more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a sacred journey of expectation, preparation, and renewal. It is a time when the People of God pause long enough to remember that our lives are guided not by chance, but by promise—God’s promise to remain with us and to come to us anew.

As we enter the holy season of Advent, the Church invites us once again to lift our eyes toward the horizon of hope. Advent is far more than a countdown to Christmas; it is a sacred journey of expectation, preparation, and renewal. It is a time when the People of God pause long enough to remember that our lives are guided not by chance, but by promise—God’s promise to remain with us and to come to us anew.

The Chancery in Lawrenceville will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Monday, Dec. 1, in observance of Thanksgiving. Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

The transition follows the September appointment of Bishop James Checchio by Pope Leo as Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. When Bishop Checchio was formally installed during a Mass in that See city’s St. Louis Cathedral Nov. 18, the Diocese of Metuchen became a Sede Vacante (Vacant See). The College of Consultors, an ecclesial advisory body that exists in every diocese/archdiocese, appointed to advise their bishop in various temporal and pastoral matters, then had eight days to gather and elect a priest to serve as Administrator. They held that election two days later.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118

I, Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. J.C.D., Bishop of Trenton, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, hereby issue this General Decree in accord with Canon 29 establishing the Seventh Edition of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the Diocese of Trenton.

Mindful of my responsibility as a diocesan bishop to safeguard the integrity and unity of the truths of the faith, moral principles, and ecclesiastical discipline in the works of the apostolate pertaining to health care in the Diocese of Trenton (cf. canons 392, 394, 678, and 747). I, Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. J.C.D., Bishop of Trenton, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, hereby issue this General Decree in accord with Canon 29 establishing the Seventh Edition of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the Diocese of Trenton.

Mindful of my responsibility as a diocesan bishop to safeguard the integrity and unity of the truths of the faith, moral principles, and ecclesiastical discipline in the works of the apostolate pertaining to health care in the Diocese of Trenton (cf. canons 392, 394, 678, and 747).

After four years of preparation and study, nine men will be ordained Nov. 15 as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, giving them the faculties to preach and preside over weddings, Baptisms, wakes and committals.

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF PREPARATION AND STUDY, nine men will be ordained Nov. 15 as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, giving them the faculties to preach and preside over weddings, Baptisms, wakes and committals.

CCHD, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ domestic anti-poverty program, aims to break the cycle of poverty by empowering low-income individuals to engage in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. Of the amount collected, 75 percent is sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ national CCHD office for grants and programs that foster hope in communities across the country. The remaining 25 percent is retained by each Diocese to support local anti-poverty projects.

Our faith calls us to see in every person the image of God, and to welcome the stranger as we would welcome Christ Himself. In these times, when so many families and individuals are displaced by war, poverty, or persecution, the Church must be a beacon of compassion and justice.

Our faith calls us to see in every person the image of God, and to welcome the stranger as we would welcome Christ Himself. In these times, when so many families and individuals are displaced by war, poverty, or persecution, the Church must be a beacon of compassion and justice.

WHEN BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ORDAINS NINE MEN AS DEACONS Nov. 15, their Mass of Ordination, starting at 10 a.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, will be livestreamed HERE.

The Chancery in Lawrenceville will be closed Tuesday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Regular business hours will resume Wednesday, November 12.

“We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause (Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States).”

“We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause (Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States).”

SNAP cuts have left 400,000 NJ households struggling. In Mercer County, food pantry demand is up 20% in recent weeks.

SNAP cuts have left 400,000 NJ households struggling. In Mercer County, food pantry demand is up 20% in recent weeks.