News - April 2026 RSS Feed

I have been informed by a number of priests about several attempted celebrations of marriage within the Diocese of Trenton (Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties) by former priests or others posing as bishops or priests who are not authorized by the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Trenton to witness or officiate at weddings, thus making any attempted marriages of Catholics performed by them invalid.

Leaders and supporters of Trenton-based Mount Carmel Guild are aiming to slap an expiration date on the hunger that impacts its community by taking on the issue of food insecurity.

The Managing Editor will be responsible for the daily operations of news content creation and curation about the Diocese and its local parishes, schools and agencies, as well as the wider Church in the United States and around the globe. He/she will take a leading role in publishing well written and edited news coverage via the monthly magazine (print and digital), the publication website, electronic newsletters and social media sites.

In a video and written message to be shared with parishes, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced the campaign, stating, “The Diocese of Trenton has been blessed with hundreds of wonderful priests throughout the last two centuries. To continue these blessings, I am announcing a ‘Called By Name’ campaign for next weekend, April 25 and 26.

THE STAFF AND SEMINARIANS IN ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY, Ambler, Pa., welcomed Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the celebration of Mass April 15 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. After Mass, he joined the seminarians for dinner. Part of his visit included meeting with the seminarians from the Trenton Diocese who are studying for the priesthood there. Read more HERE.

Rachel’s Vineyard retreat is a chance to focus on this painful time in your life through a supportive, non-judgmental process, in an atmosphere of confidentiality, understanding and compassion.

WARM BIRTHDAY WISHES ARE EXTENDED to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as we give thanks for his faithful leadership and dedicated service to the Diocese of Trenton. May God continue to bless him with strength, wisdom and peace as he shepherds the faithful with care and compassion.

In recent days, many of the faithful in the Diocese have reached out to me as Bishop and Shepherd of the local Church with concern, confusion, sorrow, and, in some cases, even anger regarding public comments made by President Donald Trump about our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as well as the Holy Father’s measured response. Moments like these can unsettle hearts, especially when the unity of the Church and the dignity of her mission appear to be drawn into the turbulence of political discourse.

IN RECENT DAYS, MANY OF THE FAITHFUL IN THE DIOCESE have reached out to me as Bishop and Shepherd of the local Church with concern, confusion, sorrow, and, in some cases, even anger regarding public comments made by President Donald Trump about our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, as well as the Holy Father’s measured response. Moments like these can unsettle hearts, especially when the unity of the Church and the dignity of her mission appear to be drawn into the turbulence of political discourse.

VATICAN CITY – Warning against an increasingly unpredictable and aggressive “delusion of omnipotence” threatening the globe, Pope Leo XIV called on world leaders and individuals to empty their hearts and minds of hatred and violence, and to start serving life.

Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has asked all the Catholic faithful to join him in a “Prayer Vigil for Peace” at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome this Saturday, April 11 at 12 noon EST (6 pm Rome time).

BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING PRIEST PERSONNEL CHANGES

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will be principal celebrant and homilist and will be joined at the altar by priests from around the Diocese. Bagpipers, pipe and drum corps members and color guard processions will be part of the day’s tribute. Representatives of the law enforcement community will participate in the Mass as readers and in singing of The National Anthem.

That first Easter Sunday morning at the tomb was just such an occasion. All four Gospel accounts describe the women coming to the tomb but finding it empty. They arrived to mourn and to anoint Jesus’ body but it was not there. We can be sure a thousand thoughts raced through their confused and frightened minds in an instant as they peered into the burial space to see the funeral cloths lying there but no body.

That first Easter Sunday morning at the tomb was just such an occasion. All four Gospel accounts describe the women coming to the tomb but finding it empty. They arrived to mourn and to anoint Jesus’ body but it was not there. We can be sure a thousand thoughts raced through their confused and frightened minds in an instant as they peered into the burial space to see the funeral cloths lying there but no body.

THE MOST SOLEMN AND SACRED DAYS OF THE CHURCH YEAR have arrived as hundreds of thousands of Catholics prepare to take part in Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday Masses and observances.

Record-breaking number of converts to fully enter Catholic Church at Easter Vigil The most solemn and sacred days of the Church year have arrived as hundreds of thousands of Catholics prepare to take part in Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday Masses and observances.

THE CHANCERY OFFICES IN LAWRENCEVILLE will be closed Thursday, April 2, through Easter Monday, April 6. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, April 7.