News - September 2026 RSS Feed

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.