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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.

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.

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.

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. For individuals who cannot attend, the Diocese will livestream 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.

Open to young adults ages 21 and older, the event will feature Catholic trivia, witness stories and opportunities for questions and discussion.

THE CHANCERY OFFICES IN LAWRENCEVILLE will be closed Friday, August 14, in honor of the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, which is Saturday, August 15. Regular office hours will resume Monday, August 17.

​ Bishop O'Connell encourages the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to financially support the people affected by the devastating earthquake in Columbia with donations made through Catholic Relief Services along with our continuing prayers.

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY into heaven falls on Saturday August 15 this year and, although this year it is NOT a day of obligation, it remains a pre-eminent Marian feast that should be honored and remembered as a holy day. In the Diocese of Trenton, Mary Queen of the Assumption is our diocesan patroness and the name of our Cathedral. Please, permit me to share some reflections about this solemn feast with you.

Hosted by the diocesan Department of Vocations, the retreat will be led by Father Alan Bridges, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, and will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, reflections, Mass and a Eucharistic procession. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

On our cover, young Catholics from across the Diocese show what it means to be “Mission Driven.” Some 125 teens took time away from their typical summer activities to participate in MISSION: Jersey, serving people in need at sites in Brick, Freehold and Trenton. From tending community gardens and stocking food pantries to preparing lunches and helping create colorful hospital gowns for young patients, these teens put the Gospel into action in meaningful ways.

The Bishop stated, “As of this writing, we are aware that the earthquake has taken dozens of lives and impacted thousands of people who are injured, displaced and terrified. We are especially concerned about the families and other loved ones of some of our Colombian-born priests serving here in the Diocese.

On Sept. 1, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate a Mass for the Care of Creation at 7 p.m. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel at St. Denis Parish, Manasquan. The celebration echoes the Diocese’s inaugural Mass for the occasion, which Bishop O’Connell celebrated there in 2015. Since then, many parishes throughout the Diocese of Trenton have established their own annual observances of the Season of Creation, celebrated each year from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY IS KNOWN as the patron saint of parish priests, so it's fitting that he will soon be honored as part of a local call to prayer for those considering religious life. St. Michael Parish, West End, has for several years held a day of prayer for vocations on his feast day, August 4, and this year the Diocese of Trenton's Office of Vocations is joining the parish for a daylong event.