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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.

Celebrated each year during Holy Week in Catholic churches around the globe, the Diocese’s local Chrism Mass will take place beginning at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.

During the Mass, Bishop O’Connell will consecrate the Sacred Chrism and bless the Oil of the Sick and Oil of the Catechumens – sacred oils used in parishes throughout the coming year for the conferral of Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick.

THE NEW JERSEY CATHOLIC CONFERENCE, in partnership with the New Jersey Catholic Dioceses, Catholic Charities agencies and Catholic Healthcare Partnership of New Jersey, will host a one-day mental health conference May 2 from 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. in St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway.