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I, Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M. J.C.D., Bishop of Trenton, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See, hereby issue this General Decree in accord with Canon 29 establishing the Seventh Edition of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services as particular law in the Diocese of Trenton.

After four years of preparation and study, nine men will be ordained Nov. 15 as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Trenton. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, giving them the faculties to preach and preside over weddings, Baptisms, wakes and committals.

Sponsored by the New Jersey Catholic Conference and pro-life offices of each New Jersey diocese, the Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who will be joined by other New Jersey bishops and priests. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, will be the homilist.

The Diocese of Trenton will join with dioceses across the nation to take up a collection for The Catholic University of America in Washington, the only institution of higher education founded and operated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, at all Masses Sept. 6-7. The university, established in 1870, is a national research institution with more than 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in more than 250 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels across 12 colleges and 32 research facilities. It is a research institution devoted to the service of the national and global Church.

As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton and a life-long Catholic educator, I call upon all clergy and faithful of the Diocese to unite in prayer for the victims, families, and entire community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, who now face the unimaginable in the wake of yet another school shooting.

The canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Church’s first Millennial saint, will be celebrated in the Diocese with a Mass on Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Dominic Church in Brick, home of the Diocesan Shrine of Carlo Acutis.

Entitled "Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation," the day will include a "Hope For Creation Prayer Walk" at 3 p.m. in which attendees will pray as they walk around the parish grounds. At 4:30 p.m., Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate a Mass for Creation in St. Anselm Church.

Concerns recently surfaced about possible financial improprieties committed against the parish. A preliminary investigation conducted by the parish and officials of the Diocese of Trenton confirmed a basis for these concerns, and the parish and Diocese took immediate steps to address them. These allegations were reported to both local and state law enforcement and civil remedies are being explored in connection with all misappropriated funds. The parish and Diocese are continuing to investigate this matter and have committed full cooperation with law enforcement efforts. As this is a subject of a law enforcement investigation and civil litigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.

History was made recently when Planned Parenthood and other big abortion businesses were banned from receiving federal Medicaid dollars for a period of one year. However, Planned Parenthood sued, and a preliminary injunction was granted by the court that requires taxpayer funding to continue.

Given 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.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., invites all individuals and parish communities in the Diocese of Trenton to take a spiritual journey with him Sept. 13 to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, Pa. Dubbed “The Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope,” the day-long event is designed to be an uplifting, informative and faith-filled experience at the holy site renowned as the home of the famous “Black Madonna” painting.

As we have often experienced before, the fact the something is declared legal or permissible does not necessarily mean that it should be done or followed. This I.R.S. decision is such a case.

Announced by Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, diocesan vicar general and chair of the Bishop George W. Ahr Endowment Foundation, each organization will receive $2,500 toward a project or initiative that serves poor and vulnerable populations in the Diocese.

Ten women serving in catechetical ministry in their parish communities were honored for having completed the diocesan Parish Catechetical Leadership Program. A Mass was celebrated June 12 in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Farmingdale, by Msgr. Sam Sirianni, rector of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will ordain Rev. Mr. Alan Bridges to the priesthood for the Diocese of Trenton May 31 during a 10 a.m. Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Rev. Mr. (Deacon) Bridges, a native of New Jersey and a product of Catholic schools in Middlesex County, spent seven years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves. While serving in the military, the self-described “regular guy” began to discern God’s call to the priesthood, leading him on a journey that will culminate with his Ordination.

Fulfilling a vital role in the Church’s evangelization efforts, Catholic media keep the faithful informed of local and global events of import and help to spread the faith. Each year, as part of the Church’s commemoration of World Communications Day, the faithful are asked to support the essential work of Catholic media, especially in their local dioceses.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., responded to the news of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost’s election to the papacy with the following message: Today, the Diocese of Trenton rejoices and gives thanks to God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the Church, filled with hope and renewed commitment to our faith.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will gather today with the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton for a special Mass to commemorate the death of Pope Francis. The Mass will take place in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton beginning at 12:10 p.m.

Catholics will soon flock to their parishes to mark the solemnity of Holy Week and the Easter joy that follows. The doors to Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Trenton will open wide to hundreds of thousands of parishioners and newcomers alike as special services and Masses will lead believers through the week-long retelling of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.