Here is a list of news stories I wrote in 2014 for The Monitor, the newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton.
TRENTON -- The state of New Jersey is "now on the road" to legalizing physician-assisted suicide, but "it is an option and a choice that we should never make," said Trenton Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M.
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Two programs produced by the diocesan Department of Radio and TV have been awarded 2014 Silver Davey Awards, which exclusively honor the “Davids” of creativity, the finest small firms, agencies and companies in the world....
11/6/2014 Diocese marks All Souls' Feast with Mass
For the Feast of All Souls, about 130 faithful came to remember and pray for the beloved deceased, and especially those who have no one to remember them, during a Mass celebrated at St. Mary Mausoleum, Hamilton....
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Those who provide spiritual care to the wounded and broken are strengthened when their own spiritual and pastoral needs are met....
To the sound of trumpets, an organ and a choir, a procession of about a dozen priests with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., entered St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, to begin the parish’s 150th anniversary Mass Oct. 26.
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10/27/2014
Service of deacons appreciated at convocation
The 2014 Convocation of Deacons, with the theme "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: A Deacon's Ministry to Self and Others," was a true community-building event for the deacons of the Diocese....
Radoslaw Dlugowski was heartened to witness the 110th anniversary celebration of St. Hedwig Parish and the 90th anniversary of the building of the church because he finds it to be “a good church and a great community.”
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The leaders of parish catechetical programs across the Diocese enjoyed camaraderie, received encouragement and learned important leadership skills at the annual convocation for catechetical leaders Oct. 16 in St. Vincent de Paul Church, Yardville....
A new statue of St. John Paul II and a chapel with new religious art in St. Hedwig Parish, Trenton, were blessed by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., on Oct. 19.
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Pastoral care workers and volunteers were empowered at the eighth annual Pastoral Care Workshop in the St. John of God Community Service Campus, Westville, Oct. 18, where they deepened their understanding of their “Journey with the Suffering”...
10/20/2014 UPDATED: The World Needs Love -- Departed mission director's parish celebrates world missions
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Hainesport, was the site for the diocesan celebration of World Mission Sunday Oct. 19, a day when Catholics around the globe recall and celebrate the rich missionary life of the Church....
10/10/2014
UPDATED:Interfaith peace vigil embraces prayer from many cultures
News of violence in the Middle East and other parts of the world led several religious communities in the Hightstown area to promote peace together in a unique way...
In a church that resonated with the joy of song, prayer and words of encouragement and thanks, St. Rose Parish Belmar celebrated “125 years of growing in faith together” with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. Oct. 5.
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Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. teaches about one of the most meaningful thresholds in the faith journey of young Catholics in a 16-minute DVD entitled “Confirmation …. Strength for the Christian Catholic Journey Through Life.”
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10/5/2014
Youth group starts with fires ablazing
The bonfire on the grounds of St. Mary of the Pines Church, Manahawkin, on Sept. 20 lit the way for a new year for the high school and junior youth groups of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat.
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Karen Dziekonska, daughter of Elizabeth Dziekonska of St. Hedwig Parish in Trenton, was one of 20 young women and men whom the Salesians of Don Bosco commissioned as lay missionary volunteers Aug. 14....
The resilient and eventful 125-year history of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, will be commemorated Oct. 5 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at noon in the church....
Many volunteers are responding to Pope Francis’ call to spread the Gospel to the fringes of society, as they pave the way in a young Jail and Prison Ministry initiative sponsored by the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care. Training for a new class of volunteers began with an orientation Sept. 20 in the Chancery in Lawrenceville....
For those serving God in ordained ministry, pursuit of one’s own happiness is not usually seen as high on the priority list. But about 170 priests of the Diocese learned during their annual convocation that happiness in the priesthood is both widely experienced and important to pursue....
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St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown invites all to pray at its Inter-Faith Peace Vigil Sept. 23 from 7-8 p.m....
In an effort to help families provide their children with a Catholic education, the Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program has awarded a total of $1.3 million to families with children in Catholic schools for the 2014-15 school year.
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With more than 76,000 alumni of Catholic schools in the Diocese contacted and over $185,000 in gifts received since the program was launched in 2012, the inaugural years of the Catholic Alumni Partnership could be considered a success.
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For some Jersey shore Catholic teens, summer vacation is more than a welcomed break from school. As part of Mission Jersey II, dozens of teens helped repair their hometowns which are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy....
Coach John McKenna and Father Brian Woodrow work as a tag team, bringing together the well-known coach’s training skills and the enthusiastic priest’s community-building skills, to form the St. John Athletic Club in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown.
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Even though July 2016 seems far off, the time to start planning for World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, is now. The Diocese of Trenton is teaming up with the dioceses of Camden and Metuchen, as well as Chris Dube of Dube Travel, to plan the pilgrimage to the native city of St. John Paul II July 22 to Aug. 1, 2016....
7/31/2014 Life Teen helps form new NET missionary
Sam Wong isn’t skipping a beat between his youth ministry formation in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton and the next journey of his life as he trains to become a missionary with the National Evangelization Teams....
“The priesthood is nothing more than the heart of Jesus Christ.”
With this single quote from St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., described the profound meaning of the priesthood for some 30 men gathered in Stella Maris Retreat Center, Long Branch, for a week of reflection, prayer and camaraderie, July 21-25.
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A Catholic young adult group takes a great deal of time, effort and coordination to organize, but as Rosanne Sacchetti and Katie Anderson can tell you, their efforts to start such a group in their Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, definitely have been worth it....
In celebrating his 50 years as a priest, Msgr. Peter J. Zaccardo is inspired by the excitement of the parishioners in the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Trenton to whom he still ministers in his retirement years.
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Some drinks go down easy, while others are known for their bittersweet stout and natural bite. The Theology on Tap talk by Matt Greeley, diocesan associate director of communications, conveyed how these qualities of beer are similar to the many and diverse flavors of life and relationships....
The Diocese of Trenton’s Department of Radio and TV video “Voices from the Storm” – which tells the story of the communities affected by Superstorm Sandy – recently received an award in the Religion/Spirituality category in the 35th Annual Telly Awards....
When Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., had the chance to spend some quality time with the soon-to-be priests of the Diocese, he told the six transitional deacons to always remember that they are “men of the Church,” and they are called to live out the virtues of faith, hope and love.
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The first national Encounter Conference for Catholic young adults may just have been the beginning of a reawakening for young Catholics.
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With May being Mary’s month, it seems fitting to end it with a Marian Crowning bringing in speakers and artists from around the country for a day of gratitude for the Blessed Mother.
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Theology on Tap in the Diocese of Trenton has been going strong thanks to a series sponsored by the Diocese and local parishes. Its success was made clear by an overflowing room reserved in the Alchemist and Barrister, Princeton J...
Six Flags Great Adventure is known for its many roller coasters and safari – among other things – but for the approximately 1,000 people from across New Jersey’s five dioceses who visited for the 19th annual Catholic Youth Rally May 18, the theme park was a place to make a lasting memory and build a community of faith.
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When words are not enough, an innovative display called the TruthBooth demonstrates the beauty of the development of human life in the mother’s womb. St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, espoused this high-tech exhibit at its Respect Life Rally April 30.
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As a bill allowing wider access to birth certificates of adoptees recently cleared its final hurdles and became state law, the New Jersey Catholic Conference is calling for immediate and broad outreach to birth parents to alert them to the law's ramifications and their rights to protect their privacy....
Back rooms in breweries and bars may be the last place one would expect to find talks on Scripture and God’s calling, but for Theology on Tap events around the Diocese of Trenton, they are the perfect setting to bring together young adults.
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St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, offered a vibrant, informative, thought-provoking Respect Life Rally April 30, where the school brought in speakers from the area who are passionate about promoting a culture of life.
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In solemn silence, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., processed down the center aisle of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, behind a dozen altar servers, then kneeled in front of the altar to begin this year’s Good Friday Liturgy April 18.
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When Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated Holy Thursday in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, April 17, many in the packed church agreed that it was a great day to be a Catholic.
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Sherry Weddell would like to introduce Catholics to someone: Jesus Christ.
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Those who attended the Diocesan Youth Celebration in Monsignor Donovan High School and St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, enjoyed the great talks, workshops, music and games, but the focal point and climax were still worshipping Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and during the celebration of Mass with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
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Msgr. Edward D. Strano was known for his many great qualities and talents, but perhaps the best testimony to his well-lived life was the great hope and joy he had when he died April 2.
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In this season of Lent, young adults from around the Diocese focused on an important aspect of drawing closer to God – forgiveness – in a rare retreat opportunity in Precious Blood Parish, Monmouth Beach, March 29.
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As the Bible teaches, God wants to connect with youth as with all people, and by the signs of the 2014 Diocesan Youth Celebration March 30 in Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River, the youth want to connect with God also.
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In Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, faculty chose to use the proceeds from the Joseph A. Mazzella Memorial Respect Life Educational Grant to sponsor a Respect Life Week with the goal of furthering the students’ knowledge and appreciation for people with special needs.
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With so much talk about the New Evangelization, it’s easy to forget that there are still areas of the world that are yet to be initially evangelized. The outlying islands of Papua New Guinea are prime examples.
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As the Winter of 2013/2014 can nearly be seen in the rear view mirror, parishes, schools and social service agencies across the Diocese of Trenton are breathing a collective, but cautious sigh of relief, happy that there will soon be an end to the significant challenges wrought by the harsh weather of the past few months....
“I hope we all live to see the day when all given life is respected from conception to natural death,” said Father Alberto Tamayo. His thoughts expressed the hopes and faith of those filling St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank, March 8 for the annual Respect Life Mass and Witness.
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The 2014 Msgr. Leonard R. Toomey Diocesan Tournament of Champions came to a climax March 9 with the championship games of girls’ and boys’ junior varsity and varsity finalist teams from the Diocese’s four counties of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean.
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Many men who were looking for a different kind of challenge found what they were looking for in the advice they were given at this year's Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference Feb. 22, in St. Mary Parish, Middletown.
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Just a few months after it officially opened, the St. Peter Claver Center is ready to begin a food pantry to fulfill its mission of serving the local community, thanks to the dedication of some volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Spirit Parish, Asbury Park....
The annual St. Aloysius School Gator Basketball Camp, which ran this year from Jan. 10 to Feb. 7, has been giving young athletes an opportunity to learn more about basketball for 10 years, while also learning sportsmanship and good manners.
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2/12/2014
Now on Tap: God and Government
If a pub thrives on the unique atmosphere it offers, then Dooney’s Irish Pub in Delran surely got a boost Tuesday night, when the Dioceses of Trenton and Camden came together to host Theology on Tap there.
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Residents of Morris Hall, St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center and Villa Vianney, the diocesan facility for retired priests, Lawrenceville, were delighted and “blessed” to have Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrate Mass for the diocesan observance of the Diocese for the World Day of the Sick Feb. 11.
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The link between faith and science is hard to see for some; but not for Don Martocello, a Princeton-bound Eagle Scout, altar server and parishioner who says his faith is what has guided his pursuits in biology and biochemistry.
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