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BISHOP O’CONNELL INVITES ALL THE CLERGY, SEMINARIANS, RELIGIOUS AND FAITHFUL of the Diocese of Trenton to pray the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) “Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart” throughout this week as the USCCB celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation by dedicating the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Thursday, June 11, the Vigil of this Solemnity.”

THE MONTH OF JUNE IS TRADITIONALLY DEDICATED to the Sacred Heart. On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Catholic faith communities around the country are encouraged to join the bishops in celebrating the consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart through their own prayer and acts of devotion.

MRS. DENISE CONTINO, DIRECTOR OF CATECHESIS, has been appointed as Executive Director of Pastoral Life and Mission of the Diocese of Trenton, effective July 1, 2026.

Editor’s note: In light of Pope Leo XIV’s new encyclical on artificial intelligence, we are re-posting a pastoral reflection on the topic written by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., from last December.

Papal encyclicals have long served as a privileged means by which the Successor of Peter offers guidance to the Church and the world. Addressed primarily to bishops but intended for all the faithful, they illuminate moral, theological and social questions that require thoughtful discernment. While not typically issued as infallible ex cathedra (from the chair) teachings, encyclicals carry significant doctrinal authority as expressions of the pope’s ordinary Magisterium and often set the pastoral priorities of a pontificate.

MEMORIAL DAY IS OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES on the last Monday in May. This national holiday is widely considered the beginning of summer, a few weeks shy of the actual calendar date. Many families celebrate by displaying the flag, attending parades and carnivals, opening swimming pools, having backyard barbecues and, for many, taking a day off from work or school. Another custom regularly followed is the traditional visit to cemeteries where members of the military who gave their lives for our country are buried.

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES REMIND US THAT “the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit dwelling with us” (Romans 5:5). As we come to the close of the Easter Season and celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost – the “birthday of the Church” – we rejoice in the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to remain with us always through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki. “At its core, this is about ensuring that every child can learn in a safe environment grounded in faith, stability, and community.”

While TrentonMonitor.com provides unrestricted access to certain categories of articles and features (such as Bishop O’Connell’s messages and key diocesan news) other content requires a subscription and will be metered by the site.

During National Police Week, the Diocese of Trenton joins communities across our nation in honoring the women and men who serve in law enforcement and remembering especially those who have given their lives in the line of duty. Their work often places them in difficult and dangerous situations, requiring courage, sacrifice and a deep commitment to the common good.

NICHOLAS ALESCIO AND BENEDICT QUIAMBAO will be ordained deacons by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., May 16 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

Love for Mary is as natural to the Christian as love for one’s own mother. She is, after all, the Mother of the Lord Jesus, who is at once our Savior and our Brother. In honoring her, we do not turn away from Christ but toward him more perfectly. As St. Louis-Marie de Montfort reminds us, we never give more honor to Jesus than when we honor his Mother, for we go to her only as a sure path leading to him. We worship Christ as God; we love and venerate Mary as his Mother — and as ours.

I have been informed by a number of priests about several attempted celebrations of marriage within the Diocese of Trenton (Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean Counties) by former priests or others posing as bishops or priests who are not authorized by the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Trenton to witness or officiate at weddings, thus making any attempted marriages of Catholics performed by them invalid.

Leaders and supporters of Trenton-based Mount Carmel Guild are aiming to slap an expiration date on the hunger that impacts its community by taking on the issue of food insecurity.

The Managing Editor will be responsible for the daily operations of news content creation and curation about the Diocese and its local parishes, schools and agencies, as well as the wider Church in the United States and around the globe. He/she will take a leading role in publishing well written and edited news coverage via the monthly magazine (print and digital), the publication website, electronic newsletters and social media sites.

In a video and written message to be shared with parishes, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced the campaign, stating, “The Diocese of Trenton has been blessed with hundreds of wonderful priests throughout the last two centuries. To continue these blessings, I am announcing a ‘Called By Name’ campaign for next weekend, April 25 and 26.

THE STAFF AND SEMINARIANS IN ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY, Ambler, Pa., welcomed Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the celebration of Mass April 15 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel. After Mass, he joined the seminarians for dinner. Part of his visit included meeting with the seminarians from the Trenton Diocese who are studying for the priesthood there. Read more HERE.

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.