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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will ordain Rev. Mr. Alan Bridges to the priesthood for the Diocese of Trenton May 31 during a 10 a.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Rev. Mr. (Deacon) Bridges, a native of New Jersey and a product of Catholic schools in Middlesex County, spent seven years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves. While serving in the military, the self-described “regular guy” began to discern God’s call to the priesthood, leading him on a journey that will culminate with his Ordination.

WITH AN AIM TO ENCOURAGE TANGIBLE SUPPORT for pregnant women in need, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee on Pro-Life Activities released a new promotional video in May.

Since 2022, the solemn feast of the Ascension has been celebrated in the dioceses of New Jersey on the weekend of the 7th Sunday of Easter rather than on its traditional Thursday date, 40 days after Easter. Although some U.S. dioceses have maintained the Thursday placement on the liturgical calendar (Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Hartford and Omaha), the Bishops of New Jersey --- after consultation with some of their pastors --- determined that the change to the 7th Sunday of Easter fostered greater participation of Catholics at Mass, allowing for more Catholics to reflect on the significance of Christ’s Ascension. Sunday is already a “day of obligation.”

SINCE 2022, THE SOLEMN FEAST OF THE ASCENSION HAS BEEN CELEBRATED in the dioceses of New Jersey on the weekend of the 7th Sunday of Easter rather than on its traditional Thursday date, 40 days after Easter. Although some U.S. dioceses have maintained the Thursday placement on the liturgical calendar (Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Hartford and Omaha), the Bishops of New Jersey --- after consultation with some of their pastors --- determined that the change to the 7th Sunday of Easter fostered greater participation of Catholics at Mass, allowing for more Catholics to reflect on the significance of Christ’s Ascension. Sunday is already a “day of obligation.”

Fulfilling a vital role in the Church’s evangelization efforts, Catholic media keep the faithful informed of local and global events of import and help to spread the faith. Each year, as part of the Church’s commemoration of World Communications Day, the faithful are asked to support the essential work of Catholic media, especially in their local dioceses.

ON MAY 31 REV. MR. ALAN BRIDGES WILL BE ORDAINED BY BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., at an Ordination Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The ordination will be livestreamed on the diocesan YouTube channel www.youtube.com/trentondiocese.

This weekend, we pause to remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the extraordinary dedication and selflessness of those who fought to protect our freedoms, ensuring that generations to come may live in liberty and peace.

This weekend, we pause to remember and honor the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the extraordinary dedication and selflessness of those who fought to protect our freedoms, ensuring that generations to come may live in liberty and peace.

We read these words in the Gospel of St. John: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you (John 15:16).” That is a profound thought for anyone considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in the Catholic Church today. It is God who chooses us for his purposes.

We read these words in the Gospel of St. John: “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you (John 15:16).” That is a profound thought for anyone considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in the Catholic Church today. It is God who chooses us for his purposes. As a seminarian many years ago I remember reading in Thomas Merton’s great book “No Man is an Island,” that “for each one of us, there is only one thing necessary: to fulfill our own destiny, according to God’s will: to be what God wants us to be.” He wrote: “Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice “out there” calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice “in here” calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God.”

Our Mothers are one of God’s greatest gifts to us. They love us unconditionally and without hesitation, asking precious little in return. We honor them with a special Sunday in May once a year, but every day that we enjoy the breath of life should be a day to honor our mothers who, with God’s grace, gave us life.

THE DAY AFTER POPE LEO XIV WAS ELECTED TO THE PAPACY, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., was interviewed for a May 9 segment on CNN’s The Situation Room. During the interview with Wolf Blitzer, co-anchor of The Situation Room, Bishop O’Connell fielded questions and offered observations of the Holy Father and the direction he believes the Pope has for the future of the Church; the reason for the Holy Father’s choosing the name Leo and what it says about his priorities, and political challenges the Holy Father is likely to encounter in his papacy, namely the immigration issue and his being the first pope from the United States to be elected.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., responded to the news of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election to the papacy with the following message: Today, the Diocese of Trenton rejoices and gives thanks to God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Church, filled with hope and renewed commitment to our faith.

Today, the Diocese of Trenton rejoices and gives thanks to God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Church, filled with hope and renewed commitment to our faith.

TODAY, THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON REJOICES and gives thanks to God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Church, filled with hope and renewed commitment to our faith.

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M. HAS SHARED THIS MESSAGE for the month of May. Love for and devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, is as natural to the Christian as love for one’s own mother. Mary is, after all, the Mother of the Lord and he is, at once, our Savior and our Brother. “We never give more honor to Jesus than when we give honor to his Mother and we honor Her simply and solely to honor Him all the more perfectly. We go to Her only as a way leading to the goal we seek, Jesus Her Son (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).” We worship him as God. We love and venerate her as his Mother.

Love for and devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, is as natural to the Christian as love for one’s own mother. Mary is, after all, the Mother of the Lord and he is, at once, our Savior and our Brother. “We never give more honor to Jesus than when we give honor to his Mother and we honor Her simply and solely to honor Him all the more perfectly. We go to Her only as a way leading to the goal we seek, Jesus Her Son (St. Louis Marie de Montfort).” We worship him as God. We love and venerate her as his Mother.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has shared this prayer ahead of the conclave beginning May 7.

BISHOP DAVID M. O'CONNELL, C.M., HAS SHARED THIS PRAYER AHEAD of the conclave beginning May 7.

TO MARK THE 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA, a statewide ecumenical prayer gathering has been planned May 3 at 11 a.m. to gather members of the Western and Eastern rite Churches on common purpose: to pray together the Creed establishing the beliefs of Christianity.