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Funeral arrangements have been set for Sept. 13, with visitation from 2 to 5 p.m. in St. James Church, 115 E. Delaware Ave., Pennington. Visitation will continue Sept. 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will serve as principal celebrant and homilist.

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.

THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR ALWAYS BRINGS with it a wonderful mixture of anticipation and excitement. It’s hard to believe the time is already here again! Classrooms are prepared, schedules are finalized, books and supplies are gathered, and teachers and administrators welcome students back through the doors of our Catholic schools. There is something hopeful about beginning again.

The beginning of a new school year always brings with it a wonderful mixture of anticipation and excitement. It’s hard to believe the time is already here again! Classrooms are prepared, schedules are finalized, books and supplies are gathered, and teachers and administrators welcome students back through the doors of our Catholic schools. There is something hopeful about beginning again.

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.

Ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; earthquakes in multiple South American nations; famine in Sudan and Gaza; wildfires in vast European and U.S. regions and catastrophic disasters flooding entire villages in Nepal and Tibet. The heartbreaking news from just the last few months offers a painful reminder of the critical concerns that compelled Pope Francis to launch a worldwide initiative in 2015 to care for creation.

ONGOING WARS IN UKRAINE AND THE MIDDLE EAST; earthquakes in multiple South American nations; famine in Sudan and Gaza; wildfires in vast European and U.S. regions and catastrophic disasters flooding entire villages in Nepal and Tibet. The heartbreaking news from just the last few months offers a painful reminder of the critical concerns that compelled Pope Francis to launch a worldwide initiative in 2015 to care for creation.

ON AUG. 20, 2026, NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR MIKIE SHERRILL signed S2260/A2218 into law. According to its sponsors and the Governor's office, the legislation is intended to strengthen New Jersey's protections for individuals seeking, providing, or assisting with reproductive health care services. Among other provisions, it expands existing “shield law” protections, establishes new criminal offenses and civil remedies for certain interference with reproductive health care services, strengthens privacy protections, and provides additional protections against certain legal actions originating in other states

On Aug. 20, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed S2260/A2218 into law. According to its sponsors and the Governor's office, the legislation is intended to strengthen New Jersey's protections for individuals seeking, providing, or assisting with reproductive health care services. Among other provisions, it expands existing “shield law” protections, establishes new criminal offenses and civil remedies for certain interference with reproductive health care services, strengthens privacy protections, and provides additional protections against certain legal actions originating in other states

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.

CATHOLICS AND PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL FROM ACROSS THE STATE will gather in prayer and public witness for the unborn during a day of events Oct. 8 in Trenton at a pivotal time for the pro-life movement.