ST. JOHN VIANNEY IS KNOWN as the patron saint of parish priests, so it's fitting that he will soon be honored as part of a local call to prayer for those considering religious life. St. Michael Parish, West End, has for several years held a day of prayer for vocations on his feast day, August 4, and this year the Diocese of Trenton's Office of Vocations is joining the parish for a daylong event.
OCCASIONALLY, I RECEIVE LETTERS RECOMMENDING (SOMETIMES EVEN DEMANDING!) that my brother bishops and I devote less time to the topic of abortion and focus on other things. People frequently characterize abortion as a divisive “political” issue rather than the “moral” issue that it fundamentally is.
The sobering reality is that, since 1973, according to the Guttmacher Institute, more than 63 million abortions have been performed in the United States, twice the population of the entire state of Texas. In fact, most countries in the world have populations under 63 million! Contributing to these alarming US statistics is the increased availability of abortion-inducing drugs (specifically mifepristone), first made officially available by mail in December 2021.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued a call for prayer in advance of Father Garrett’s surgery. He writes, “I invite all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to join me in prayer for one of our priests, Father J.C. Garrett, who has, at long last, located a kidney donor for transplant surgery on July 22.”
The Church of St. Gregory the Great in Hamilton, New Jersey is seeking a dynamic individual to be their Parish Business Manager, reporting directly to the pastor. This individual will, manage the Parish Office and be responsible for the day-to-day administration of parish finances, operations, facilities, and human resources, working in collaboration with the pastor and Academy principal as necessary.
St. Leo the Great Parish & School in Lincroft, New Jersey, is seeking a dependable, self-motivated Facilities Maintenance Technician to help maintain our parish and school campus. The ideal candidate takes pride in creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment and enjoys working as part of a team.
The annual collection is taken up in all Catholic churches across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties, coinciding with the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus. Begun in 2022 by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., the fund supports more than 80 priests of the Diocese in their retirement housing and healthcare needs.
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and School, a vibrant Catholic parish and school in Lincroft, New Jersey, is seeking a talented and faith-filled full-time Music Director to lead and enhance the parish and school liturgical music ministry.
The Music Director is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing all aspects of the parish and school's music program, fostering active participation in the liturgy through sacred music.
THE COVER OF THIS YEAR’S LIVES OF FAITH ISSUE DEPICTS OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION, patroness of the Diocese of Trenton. She provides an apt example of perfect discipleship to whom all religious and clergy can look for inspiration and intercession.
The Parish of Saint Catharine Church is seeking a dynamic individual to provide comprehensive administrative, secretarial and operational support to both the parish office and the preschool. This dual-role professional serves as a primary point of contact for parishioners, school families, visitor and vendors. They foster a faith-filled environment while maintaining efficient office operations. We are looking for a self-motivated administrative professional who can use their talent to pivot "from maintenance toward mission."
St. Catharine Preschool is seeking joyful and inspiring Preschool Teacher to support the Catholic faith and academic excellence of our preschool working with children ages 2.5 to 5 years. Knowledge of Reggio Emilia and early childhood experience is recommended.
Presented by the diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the St. Timothy Award recognizes youth in grades 9-12 who have demonstrated outstanding acts of charity, ministry and additional outreach to their parishes and wider communities. The teens are nominated by parish youth ministers, pastors and catechetical leaders.
AS THE VERY POPULAR PASSAGE FROM ECCLESIASTES tells us in the Old Testament, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.”
That message was recently echoed by Terry Ginther, the Diocese’s outgoing chancellor and executive director of Pastoral Life and Mission, at the end of her retirement celebration on June 25. It is a prevailing truth in all things, but it seems to be particularly poignant at this time of year with so many things in flux.
BISHOP DAVID M. O'CONNELL, C.M., EXTENDS HIS CONGRATULATIONS to our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV as he receives the 38th Annual Liberty Medal on July 3, 2026, from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The award recognizes the Holy Father’s lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, ideals enshrined by America’s founders in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.