To Know, Love, & Serve God
Highlights from 2010
State of the Diocese
March 20
April 13
April 11 & 18
April 17
The Diocesan Catechetical Conference – “Proclaiming Christ to All” is attended by 600+ in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. Bishop’s annual anniversary blessing for those celebrating 25, 50 or more years of marriage draws more than 300 couples to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Bishop Smith presides over the 11th annual Blue Mass for Law Enforcement in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. Young people are encouraged to enliven their faith during the third annual diocesan Hispanic Apostolate gathering, “Atrevete a Seguir a Jesus (Dare to Follow Jesus) in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown.
April 21
John Boucher, director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Parish Development, and wife Therese receive the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership’s “New Wineskins” award for their development of the Christmas Carol Festival. The program, which uses traditional faith-based Christmas songs as an evangelization tool, draws record crowds to parishes in the Advent season.
April 24
The diocese hosts the first annual Re:IMAGE Film Festival in Asbury Park, featuring guest speaker John Crowley and screening an array of films containing faith-inspired messages.
May 8 & 15
May is a banner month for ordinations in the diocese with Bishop Smith ordaining 14 men to the permanent diaconate in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption on May 8 and seven men to the transitional diaconate May 15 in Mary, Mother of God Church, New Monmouth.
May 8
The Third Annual Firefighters and Emergency Services Mass is held in St. Benedict Church, Holmdel.
June
After 22 years as executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, Francis E. Dolan announces his retirement from that position effective March 11, 2011. The Monitor wins seven Catholic Press Awards at the 2010 Catholic Press Association Conference in New Orleans.
June 4
Pope Benedict XVI appoints then Vincentian Father David M. O’Connell as coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, to succeed Bishop John M. Smith upon his retirement.
June 5
Five men are ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Smith in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral.
June 23
Bishop Smith celebrates his 75th birthday, the age at which bishops are required by canon law to submit their resignation.
July 30
Bishop Smith, joined by four cardinals and more than 40 bishops and archbishops, ordains Bishop O’Connell to the episcopacy in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
Aug. 27- 29
Fifth Annual Hispanic Charismatic Revival in St. Joseph Church, Trenton draws between 600900 each day.
Oct. 10
With a new name and a new co-host, the diocesan Hispanic Apostolate’s television show, “Cristo Para Todos” premiers.
Dec. 1
Bishop O’Connell succeeds Bishop Smith as 10th Bishop of Trenton upon Pope Benedict XVI’s official acceptance of Bishop Smith’s resignation.
Dec.12
A class of 15 men and women are commissioned as lay ecclesial ministers. 38 | J anuary 13, 2011
The Monitor