Trenton Monitor 2015 Year in Review 8pgs

YEAR in REVIEW S-1

JANUARY 7, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com

‘Love is Our

Mission’

Impact of Papal visit to America lingers after whirlwind trip Catholic News Service WASHINGTON • Pope Francis’ U.S. visit - Sept. 22-27 - was so full, “each day was like a week,” said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Any one of his public events would have made the trip worthwhile, said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, but he noted that what will stand out the most from the visit were the Pope’s “personal opportunities to be with people that are not the influential, but the forgotten.”

The archbishop, in a Nov. 18 interview during the bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore, said the Pope brought Catholics together with a “sense of fervor and enthusiasm” that will continue to benefit both the U.S. Church and the Pope, who was “encouraged by his interaction with us.”

Pope Francis talked about how much he enjoyed the U.S. visit right away: during his Sept. 27 return flight to Rome after six jam-packed days in Washington, New York and Philadelphia on the heels of his four-day visit to Cuba. He told reporters he “was surprised by the warmth of the people” in the U.S. and how they were “so loving.”

There was certainly plenty of love on display for the Pope in crowds that lined streets in Washington, New York and

MISSION OF MERCY • After speaking to the U.S. Congress, Pope Francis met with clients and volunteers of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Sept. 24.

CNS photo/Paul Haring

Philadelphia just to catch a glimpse of him. And he returned the love right back, waving from the Popemobile or the black Fiat and personally greeting bishops, schoolchildren, prisoners, the homeless and abuse victims or in celebrating liturgies and addressing massive crowds or congressional leaders and U.N. officials.

It was his first visit to the United States and he introduced himself as

a brother, a son of immigrants and a neighbor not far from our southern border. He reminded the country’s leaders of the nation’s founding principles and he urged them to protect families and the earth from an uncertain future.

During the whirlwind visit all attention was on the pontiff who had guarded with extremely tight security.

His trip was covered by 8,000 creden-

Papal visit and World Meeting of Families

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fter months of prayerful preparation, mixed with more than a little excitement, the Diocese of Trenton welcomed Pope Francis to the United States, first to Washington, D.C.,

then New York City and then to Philadelphia where he addressed the crowds assembled for the World Meeting of Families and presided in a Mass before hundreds of thousands on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Faithful of the Diocese were eager to attend and participate in whatever way they could: attending Masses and workshops; serving as volunteers, choir members, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion or even piloting “Shepherd One,” and acting as eyewitnesses to history by posting pictures, videos and tweets using the hashtag #DOTinPhilly.

Those at home, though separated by miles, found their hearts still quickened by the Pope’s visit. Parishes, schools and individuals hosted “Pope Parties” to view his movements, hear his inspirational words, and prayerfully participate in Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States.

Here are just a few of the highlights of the Holy Father’s visit to our shores:

Washington:

Bishop O’Connell served as a commentator for CBS TV in Philadelphia during the papal visit in September. Photo courtesy of Father Jason Parzynski

Bishop O’Connell was amongst the hundreds of U.S. bishops present for a Mass held Sept. 23 in St. Matthew the Apostle Cathedral.

Father K. Michael Lambeth, pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Little Egg Harbor, was invited by President Barack Obama

to tour the White House and attend Pope Francis’ arrival in Washington.

Father Lambeth had written a letter on Memorial Day which prompted the invitation.

tialed reporters and also described in detail by tens of thousands through social media. According to the USCCB Communications Department, there were 5.1 billion impressions about the Pope’s visit on Twitter with the hashtags #PopeinUS and #PapaEnUSA. Other numbers which stand out from the visit include the crowd sizes at major events: • 1 million people attended the closing Mass in Philadelphia, Sept. 27.

• 80,000 tickets distributed to see the Pope in New York’s Central Park, Sept. 25.

• 50,000 were on U.S. Capitol grounds to see the Pope, Sept. 24.

• 25,000 people attended the canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Sept. 23.

The theme of the visit was “Love is Our Mission” and in each U.S. stop the Pope stressed the importance of reinvigorating one’s faith, serving others and living up to the founding ideals of the United States.

Pope Francis was welcomed to the White House and became the first Pope See Pope Francis • S-7 A special edition of

Monitor

Vol. 63 • No. 17A

THE

Newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, N.J.

Mission of Love and Mercy

New York City: Diocesan principals Cornelius Begley of St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, and Sister of St. Joseph Kathleen Nace of St. Rose High School, Belmar, were amonh the tens of thousands to witness Pope Francis say Mass in the Big Apple at Madison Square Garden Sept. 25.

Many from the Diocese joined those patiently lining Central Park to witness the Popemobile’s journey, or were among those lucky enough to witness a solemn ceremony at Ground Zero.

TrentonMonitor.com • OCTOBER 1, 2015

The Diocese of Trenton celebrates Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to the United States

September 23-27, 2015

Pope Francis addresses crowds along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the Festival of Families during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 26. CNS photo/Paul Haring

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reflects on the visit of Pope Francis • P3

Princeton parishioner shares experience of ‘Flying Pope Francis’ • P5

Serving the Catholic Community in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

WASHINGTON … Visit to White House • Address to Congress • Meeting with U.S. Bishops • Time with Catholic Charities • Father Lambeth goes to Washington • Canonization of Junipero Serra • CUA student shares memory • COVERAGE BEGINS P7 NEW YORK CITY … Vespers Service • Madison Square Garden Mass • Visit to School in East Harlem • Remembrance at Ground Zero • Address to United Nations • COVERAGE BEGINS P26 PHILADELPHIA …. World Meeting of Families • Arrival at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary • Mass in Basilica • Visit to Prison • Address on Immigration • Festival of Families • Closing Mass on Parkway • Diocesan Clergy in Philadelphia • COVERAGE BEGINS P16 PLUS … Pope Watch parties • Readers share photos, reflections • #DOT in Philly

The Monitor provided expansive coverage of the Holy Father’s visit to the United States in a special edition Oct. 1.

Philadelphia: Cheers of “Viva il Papa” rang out from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., during the Pope’s Sept. 26 visit. The 150 men who attend the seminary, including six from the Diocese of Trenton, were thrilled to meet with the Holy Father during his visit.

Bishop O’Connell’s expertise added both humor and depth to the CBS Philly television coverage of the events in Philadelphia. He provided commentary for a good part of the Saturday coverage, including the arrival at the airport and then St. Charles Borromeo Seminary,

as well as the Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Diocesan faithful took to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to catch just a glimpse of the Holy Father during his visit to Philadelphia visit. Many from joined in the Festival of Families on Saturday night, with even more joining in a Mass on Sunday afternoon with nearly a half-million faithful. Arriving by bus, car, and foot, pilgrims filled the social media airwaves with accounts of their sightings of the Holy Father and carried away memories of a lifetime.

S-2 YEAR in REVIEW

THE MONITOR • JANUARY 7, 2016

Pope Francis’ 2015: Family, ecology, but mostly mercy

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY • At the Vatican and on five continents in 2015, Pope Francis continued to encourage and demonstrate a style of evangelization that emphasizes walking with people, listening to them and showing them God’s mercy.

From the heart of the universal Church to the heart of Africa, the Pope showed how Christians with a joyful, living faith take calculated risks, engage in discernment and even debate, and resist the natural temptation to stay safe and cozy at home, letting everything move along like it always has.

On the 1,000th day of his pontificate, which began March 13, 2013, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica and inaugurated the Year of Mercy to help Catholics “rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father, who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them,” he said at Mass Dec. 8.

With his gestures, homilies and speeches, the first 33 months of his pontificate led toward that door in a way very much like the early years of St. John Paul II’s energetic papacy prepared him to lead the Church into the new millennium, calling Catholics to throw open the doors of their hearts to Christ.

Pope Francis’ call, building on St. John Paul’s, is for those who have experienced Christ’s love to throw open the doors of their churches and their hearts to others, welcoming them in with gestures of tenderness.

He showed a willingness to take risks to spread the message when he decided to anticipate the Holy Year far from the Vatican. Ten days before the jubilee began at St. Peter’s, he opened the Holy Door at the cathedral in violence-torn Bangui, Central African Republic, Nov. 29. Despite security concerns, the Vatican newspaper reported, he told the pilot flying him to Africa that if a landing in Bangui was not possible, “give me a parachute.”

Advancing Issues, Encouraging Debate Mercy, the family and the environment topped the list of topics repeatedly and insistently discussed by Pope Francis and Catholic leaders across the globe in 2015.

None of the topics was treated just on the level of theory. Discussing

CARE OF CREATION • Pope Francis emphasized protection for the environment and the need to mitigate climate change in his second encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” released in June. This is an aerial view of the Rio Platano nature reserve in Honduras. CNS photo/Gustavo Amador, EPA

At the United Nations in New York, at U.N. offices in Nairobi and in speeches at the Vatican, Pope Francis urged world leaders meeting at the Paris Climate Conference in December to put the needs of the earth and its inhabitants – both present and future – before desires for political or financial gain.

The world is facing a clear choice, he LEADING THE WAY • Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Vatican Dec. 8. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano,handout said: “either to improve or to destroy the environment.” concrete situations, though, set off a A Synodal Church seemingly endless series of debates, including: Are there situations where Pope Francis also drew attention justice and truth prevent some expresto internal Church matters, though sions of mercy and forgiveness? How he always said the priority was on a far can the Church go in acknowledglean, limber and listening Church busy ing and welcoming families who do not ministering to the world rather than fully live up to the Church’s ideal? Is preoccupied with shoring up its own climate change as real and as dangerous Cuba and the United States in Septemstructures. With his international as most scientists say? ber; and Kenya, Uganda and the Central Council of Cardinals, work continued Pope Francis kept saying he welAfrican Republic in late November. toward reorganizing the Roman Curia comed the discussion and debate, that Each trip featured visits to prisons, and revamping spending and budgeting it was important and a sign that the hospitals and soup kitchens or other procedures to ensure responsibility and Church is alive. However, there also places where Christian charity and mercy transparency. were times, particularly at the Synod of take their most concrete forms. He spoke And if mercy must be at the heart Bishops on the family in October, when in the halls of power, including at the of the Church’s message, “synodality” – he indicated that some of the rhetoric United Nations and at the U.S. Congress, walking together – must mark its interhad crossed the line. where he was the first Pope to address a nal relationships, he said. The themes The Pope and synod affirmed repeat- joint meeting of the Senate and House of synodality and collegiality have been edly that God’s ideal for the family is of Representatives. Whether soaked present since the beginning of Pope based on the marriage of one man and repeatedly by rain like he was in the Francis’ pontificate and featured in one woman, united for life and open to Philippines or baked by the sun like in his exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium,” having children. Without acting as if evCuba, he called on governments to put published in November 2013. But he ery form of modern family life was equal- the needs and rights of their people first, developed the notions further this year, ly valid, but also without “demonizing and he called on Catholics to bend down particularly when marking the 50th anothers,” the Pope said at the end of the with love and care to help society’s most niversary of the Synod of Bishops. gathering, the synod wanted “to embrace needy and defenseless members.

“The journey of synodality is the fully and courageously the goodness and In the document department, the journey that God wants from his Church mercy of God, who surpasses our human highlight of the year was the release in in the third millennium,” the Pope said calculations and wants nothing other June of his much-anticipated encyclical Oct. 17. “A synodal Church is a listenthan that ‘all would be saved.’” on the environment, “Laudato Si’.” ing Church, aware that listening is more Although forcefully insisting on a than hearing. It is a reciprocal listening in Global Presence need to mitigate climate change and which each one has something to learn.” clean up polluted land, air and water, Pope Francis, who celebrated his In a synodal Church, he insisted, Pope Francis’ encyclical took a broader 79th birthday Dec. 17, said from the leadership is not about power, but about view of ecology and called people to treat service. “We must never forget: for the beginning of his pontificate that he all of creation – including poor people – would not be a globetrotter and did not disciples of Jesus – yesterday, today and with respect and concern because a lack particularly like to travel. forever – the only authority is the auof respect for creation is a lack of respect But other than enjoying a restful Authority of service; the only power is the gust, though, he added more than 50,000 for God who created all that exists. power of the cross,” he said.

“The earth, our home, is beginning miles to his frequent-flyer account. He And the cross, he said opening the to look more and more like an immense visited Sri Lanka and the Philippines in Year of Mercy, is the clearest sign of pile of filth,” the Pope wrote in the January; Bosnia-Herzegovina in June; God’s mercy, love and willingness to document.

Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay in July; forgive sinners.

YEAR in REVIEW S-3

JANUARY 7, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com

Number of refugees, displaced people largest since WWII

By Tom Tracy Catholic News Service WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. • The explosive global refugee crisis – likely the top debate-generating news story of 2015 – seems destined to dominate domestic and foreign politics for years to come at a time when Pope Francis has been calling for a compassionate world response.

Early in 2015, Pope Francis again called attention to the plight of mostly Libyan refugees who perish en route to Europe during the Mediterranean Sea crossing to the southern Italian coastal island of Lampedusa. The Pope has concluded the year by confirming his intention to visit the Mexico-U.S. border during an anticipated papal visit to Mexico set for February, an action that will likely been seen as provocative by some U.S. lawmakers.

Waves of refugees have been fleeing war-torn Syria for new opportunities in the West. By year’s end a new surge of Central Americans – mainly unaccompanied minors – crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and entering the United States has added to tensions over accepting newcomers into this country.

And deadly terrorist-related shootings last fall in Paris and in San Bernardino, California, have now further strained refugee response initiatives as top politicians such as U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are facing heavy criticism and even open resistance to the resettlement of North African and Middle Eastern refugees.

Pope Francis’ U.S. visit in September and his newly inaugurated Year of Mercy for the Church worldwide are seen as further teaching moments from the pontiff on the need for mercy and compassion for migrants and refugees.

The number of refugees and internally displaced persons currently in need of protection is the largest since World War II, according to the Washington-based Jesuit Refugee Service/ USA, which serves and advocates for the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.

In 2014, there were almost 60 million refugees and internally displaced people around the globe, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Past mass migration events – including those prompted by unrest in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Colombia and the Balkans – indicate that the current crisis in the Mediterranean and Middle East may be a decade-long affair with an average time a refugee remains displaced at around 15 years, possibly longer, according to Mitzi Schroeder, director for policy for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. The agency is currently commemorating its 35th anniversary, looking back on the Indochinese boat and land crisis that led to its founding by Jesuit

WAVE OF HUMANITY • Yemeni refugees wait in line for food rations Dec. 16 at a makeshift camp in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. CNS photo/Feisal Omar, Reuters Father Pedro Arrupe, then superior general of the Society of Jesus.

The experience of responding to that situation led to the establishment of JRS’ triple mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of the forcibly displaced, Schroeder notes.

“As in the present crisis in the Mideast, the flight of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos was initially large and chaotic,” she told CNS. “Many died at sea in the process. Many victims of that crisis were never able to return to their homes, nor were offered permanent protection in the neighboring region.

Ultimately, a “Comprehensive Plan of Action” was created to guarantee immediate assistance, temporary protection and permanent resettlement of the Asian refugees to countries like the United States, which responded by taking in over a million people: The present crisis similarly requires a broad international effort to save lives, preserve the human dignity, and find durable solutions, according to Schroeder, who joined JRS in 2003. Currently, she is chair of the protection committee of Refugee Council USA, co-chair of the Humanitarian Partnerships Working Group of InterAction and co-chair of the UNHCR-NGO Urban Refugees Task Team.

The sheer size of the current refugee crisis, the difficulty in reaching suffering people within Syria because of ongoing war, and the public perception that terrorists are hiding among the refugees moving to neighboring countries, Europe and the United States multiplies the difficulty in addressing the situation.

Anti-Muslim backlash and pushback to resettling Syrian refugees in particular has resulted in local dioceses and even parishes having to respond to local parishioners who express no

“It is tragic that during this period refugee children and youth too often do not have access to education...” desire to see more Middle East refugees resettled in their community for fear of harboring terrorists.

JRS believes that those refugees who pass the U.S. screening applied to Middle Eastern asylum seekers who are chosen for their persecution and vulnerability to further harm are very unlikely to constitute a threat to the country, according to Schroeder. Syrians and other refugees seeking entry for purposes of resettlement are subject to the most rigorous security screening of any group entering the United States, she added.

“This screening extends the time they must wait for resettlement to as much as two years,” Schroeder said, noting that the situation of refugees flooding unscreened into Europe in a “self-selected” fashion does include many risks that would necessarily not be in play in the U.S. One silver lining in the crisis is that a greater awareness of the Syrian meltdown has caused the most stress on neighboring countries in the region and those countries need continued refugee response support from the rest of the world. The Syrian refugees in particular are now facing a fifth winter without adequate food, shelter, heat, medical care or access to education for their children.

“The international community has not been willing or able to come up with the resources needed to support

the growing displaced population adequately. How they would support a vastly increased number of people in so called ‘safe zones’ within Syria, given cost plus the additional logistical efforts that would entail, I do not know,” Schroeder said in response to calls for keeping the Syrian refugees closer to home instead of resettling them in Europe and the West.

In addition, Schroeder said the legal implications of establishing such a zone and the military costs and dangers – especially given the involvement of Russia in the situation – would have to be very seriously considered.

“Safe havens have not worked very well in the past. If the intent is to “contain” people who have a right to flee under international law, this would be totally unacceptable,” she added.

Meanwhile, one of the most pressing needs of Middle East refugees, both in acute crises and in protracted situations like Syria, is for education.

“Refugees can languish for a generation without the ability to rebuild their lives. It is tragic that during this period refugee children and youth too often do not have access to education which can sustain hope and provide the tools necessary for them to grow and thrive as individuals and as a community,” Schroeder said.

As an initiative of the “Year of Mercy,” Pope Francis has asked JRS to launch a new initiative that will almost double the agency’s present education programs by providing educational opportunities to an additional 100,000 refugees a year.

JRS already has begun a new effort to increase awareness of the issue of refugee education, and to raise the resources needed to reach that goal. And even the enormous Syrian crisis cannot be allowed to divert full attention to other international refugee problems affecting other populations including the Rohingya of Myanmar, South Sudanese, the people of the Central African Republic, and the displaced children of Central America and others, Schroeder noted.

“The U.S. resettlement program has been one of the most successful means of protection of refugees ever created, and has brought new life opportunities to some three million people since its inception, people who are now our friends, neighbors, family members, and fellow citizens. We should be very proud of this,” Schroeder said.

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YEAR in

JANUARY 7, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com

A look back on historyCompiled by Chris Leslie, Staff Writer

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visit by Pope Francis to our shores, the biennial pilgrimage to Washington and faith-filled ordinations, celebrations and rallies in our churches and schools all coalesced into a momentous year for the people of the Diocese of Trenton. The Monitor, whether in print or online, was there to cover it all.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.  Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., displayed an up-beat, faith-filled spirit while recovering from emergency amputation surgery on his left leg. He noted, “I’ve always said that the most important thing to me is the transmission of faith. To be in this circumstance … gives me yet a deeper, fuller opportunity to reflect on what faith means, and to be accepting of God’s will.”  Bishop O’Connell’s forthright Feb. 25 television interview with CBS3 Philadelphia’s Pat Ciarrocchi detailed his surgery, rehabilitation and long road to recovery.  Three months to the date after his surgery, Bishop O’Connell returned to public ministry as he presided over Palm Sunday Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, March 29.

Holy Year of Mercy  The Holy Father promulgated the Holy Year of Mercy which began Dec. 8, 2015, and will end Nov. 20, 2016. In his second pastoral letter, “Mercy and Truth Shall Meet,” released Sept.

14, Bishop O’Connell wrote, “When we seek the Lord’s face, we will find it most often in the face of others. When we seek and find the face of the Lord, what is it that we really see there?” The letter can be read in its entirety online at www. dioceseoftrenton.org/pastoral-letter2015, and is available for download as a PDF in English, Spanish and Creole. It also is available as a three-part podcast.  Bishop O’Connell designated 13 churches of the Diocese as places of pilgrimage with a “Holy Door of Mercy” offering a Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.  During a Mass opening the Holy Year, celebrated in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, the Bishop urged the 200 or so in attendance to seize the opportunity for a “true Representatives from parishes around the Diocese hold their parish’s Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election ceremony. At the 2015 Easter Vigil, the Diocese welcomed 671 newcomers to the Catholic faith including 165 catechumens, those who had never been baptized; 506 candidates, of which 133 had been baptized in another Christian faith tradition and were seeking to come into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Another 373 candidates had been baptized Catholic as infants or young children but had received no further catechesis. Craig Pittelli photo

moment of encounter with the mercy of God.”  On Dec. 13, Gaudete Sunday, the Church rejoiced as Holy Doors in the Diocese and across the globe were opened to mark the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which encourages the faithful to contemplate what it means to be “Merciful Like the Father.”

Diocesan Initiatives and Campaigns PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT  Faith in Our Future Launched at the beginning of Advent, the “Faith in Our Future” initiative will involve all 107 parishes of the Diocese, as well as diocesan organizations and ministries.

The event is spearheaded by Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, the episcopal vicar for diocesan planning, and Terry Ginther, executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission and director of the Department of Pastoral Planning.

The five main goals for the process are: To strengthen and enliven the parishes of the Diocese, as well as diocesan-sponsored organizations and ministries; To explore new models of leadership in parishes and ministries in institutional settings in order to address the challenges presented by the anticipated retirement of a large number of clergy and religious over the next 10 years; To improve stewardship of personnel, finances and facilities, and other parish and diocesan resources; To establish collaborative relationships among the parishes and ministries of the Diocese that will build upon the Gospel to re-evangelize the local Church; and To provide for pastoral ministry to Hispanic Catholics within parishes and organizations.  Faith to Move Mountains After much prayer and two years of discus-

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, March 29. The Mass marked the Bishop’s return to public ministry following his recovery from surgery. Craig Pittelli photo

sion with a priest advisory committee, Bishop O’Connell launched a new endowment campaign which draws its name from Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed.

The “Faith to Move Mountains” campaign, the first such effort in more than 20 years, has a goal of more than $75 million, and was created to sustain the future of the Diocese with sacrificial gifts of pledges that can be redeemed over a period of three-to-five years.

Each parish was given an assigned fiscal target.

The Diocese will allocate the funds in six categories: parishes ($22.5 million); diocesan assistance fund for parishes ($7.5 million); catechesis and evangelization ($5 million); Catholic schools ($15 million); ordained ministry ($20 million) and social services ($5 million)  Annual Catholic Appeal Bishop O’Connell launched the 2015 Catholic Appeal “Acts of Faith, Works of Love” in all parishes the weekend of Feb. 14-15, and announced a goal of $7 million.

The “Sunday to Sunday” theme of the appeal focuses on a typical week in the life of a parish with the responsibilities of liturgy and the Sacraments; catechesis, lay formation and evangelization; Catholic schools; outreach to the poor and vulnerable; ministry to families, youth and young adults, and other parish needs.

VOCATIONS  Bishop O’Connell initiated a special summer clerkship for seminarians June 8 to 12 in St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., which offered the future priests spiritual, theological and pastoral preparation integral to their leadership in parishes.  Priests of the Diocese joined in prayer, benefitted from numerous presentations and enjoyed camaraderie Sept. 15 to 17 during their annual convocation in an Avalon hotel and conference center.  The deacons who serve parish-

Rayanne Bennett, diocesan executive director of communications, interviews Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Jan. 13, just two weeks after emergency surgery to remove his lower left leg. The interview, posted to the Diocese’s websites and social media, was seen by thousands of viewers across the country, prompting an outpouring of get-well wishes and prayer pledges sent to the Bishop. DOT photo by Rose Kimball

es in the Diocese benefitted from the wisdom of Bishop O’Connell and others during their annual convocation held Oct. 23 to 24 in Plainsboro.  Pat Ciarrocchi, the former news anchor for CBS3 Philly, urged the priests of the Diocese to teach and inspire their people during the annual Advent Spirituality Day for Priests Dec. 15 in St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson. Her presentation was titled “Wife, Mother, Professional … and Catholic: What Catholic Women Need from Their Priests.”

MARRIAGE  The first diocesan Marriage Summit, sponsored by the Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life, was held May 8 and 9 in Georgian Court University, Lakewood.

About a dozen workshops, with locally- and nationally-known speakers, made up the comprehensive program, designed to provide marriagebuilding tools for all who educate, serve and minister to Catholic families.  The Marriage Summit also served as introduction of the diocesan “Plan for Strengthening Marriage,” a document of seven concrete, measurable objectives designed for all who minister to couples.

To learn more, visit dioceseoftrenton.org/ building-strong-marriages.

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making year DIGITAL MEDIA and THE NEW EVANGELIZATION  Officially charged by Bishop O’Connell to develop ways for the Diocese to bring the Good News to a broader, more connected public, the diocesan working group for Digital Media and New Evangelization held a Digital Church Conference Dec. 5 to equip users with the tools they need to more effectively reach their audiences.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT  A force of about 9,000 Catholic school students from 33 schools mobilized in acts of service to help others and make a positive difference in their communities May 1 during the first annual Diocesan Day of Service. The day was branded with the slogan “Catholic Schools Do It All.” YOUTH and YOUNG ADULTS  Kerry Bates, a ninth grader at Red Bank Catholic High School was announced the winner of the Respect Life Ministry’s Loving Life 2015 logo contest.

She was awarded an Apple Macbook, and the logo was used on all Respect Life materials, including documents, t-shirts and banners, for the year.  Kujenga +Plus, a multi-cultural retreat and leadership exercise, was held Jan. 10 in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold, for 45 students in eighth through 12th grades. Activities included guest speakers, group activities, faith sharing, prayer and self reflection.  The annual Diocesan Youth Celebration, based on the theme “Called,” was held March 22 in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville. More than 600 teens gathered for faith formation, music, presen-

Diocese come together for prayer, recreation and service to the Ocean County parish.  Realfaith TV, the faith-based television and Internet ministry produced by teens, for teens and about teens, wrapped up its 16th season and began its 17th with episodes about topics including domestic violence, sub-tweeting, facing death, academic cheating, bioethics, among others. A production of Diocese of Trenton Department of Radio and Television, Realfaith TV reaches out to those who are looking for answers to many of the issues they face in today’s world, and helps them with those issues through a Catholic faith perspective.

Milestones

 St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, was the site of a joyous Mass June 6 as Bishop O’Connell ordained five new priests of the Diocese. Father James J. Grogan, Father John Large, Father Jason M. Parzynski, Father Jarlath W. Quinn and Father Arian H. Galvis received the Sacrament of Holy Orders before more than 700 loved ones, friends and well-wishers.  In May and June, more than 1,500 young men and women graduated from parish, diocesan and private high schools, earning more than $211 million in college scholarships. JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendant of Catholic schools, noted they were “self-disciplined and self-directed learners… students who live the tenets of the Catholic faith in their responsiveness and compassion for others,” while Bishop O’Connell urged the graduates to “hold onto your Catholic faith… share [it] on the road ahead of you.”  Three priests joined the ranks of their retired brethren: Father John J. Scully, Father Robert J. Schecker, Father Michael Waites.  Anniversaries were observed by a number of priests of the Diocese.

Clergy celebrating 50 years of service included: Msgr. James H. Dubell, St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford, (who also marked his retirement this Nearly 300 couples celebrating one, 25 or 50 or more years of mar- year); Father John Renard, riage renewed their wedding vows and received Bishop O’Connell’s St. Dominic Parish, Brick; blessing during the Diocese of Trenton’s 2015 Bishop’s Anniversary Father Maurizio Nicoletti, Blessing Masses held in October. The Masses were celebrated in St. John Neumann Parish, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and St. Robert Mount Laurel; Msgr. EuBellarmine Church, Freehold. Ken Falls photo gene Rebeck, St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel; Augustintations, skits and workshops. The celebration also ian Father Dennis Gallagher, St. Catharine-St. recognized 17 young people of the Diocese with Margaret Parish, Spring Lake. the Timothy Award, honoring them as examples  Father Peter J. Alindogan, St. Charles Borof love, faith and service. romeo, Cinnaminson; Father Sheldon Amasa, St.  More than 2,000 youth from across the state’s Aloysius Parish, Jackson; Trinitarian Father Charles five dioceses, 550 of them hailing from the DioFlood, chaplain in Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, cese of Trenton, visited Six Flags Great Adventure, Hamilton, and Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, St. Paul ParJackson, for the 20th N.J. Catholic Youth Rally ish, Princeton, marked 25 years as priests.

May 17. The group attended a Mass celebrated by  Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated the Camden Diocese’s Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, and fifth anniversary of his Episcopal ordination July 30. enjoyed skits, rides, praise and worship music, food and camaraderie during the day designed to  Bishop emeritus John Smith celebrated his 80th birthday June 23. meld fun, friends and faith.  Religious of the Diocese marking 50 years of  The annual Splash event was held July 29 and service to the Church included Sister of St. Joseph 30 in Precious Blood Parish, Monmouth Beach, Trudy Ahern, Christian Brother Joseph Brienza, and Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park. The Christian Brother Charles Lackes, Sister of St. event saw nearly 100 teens from throughout the

Before a congregation of more than 800 students, along with their teachers and principals, Bishop O’Connell offers inspiring words during which he encourages students to always follow Jesus. Craig Pittelli photo

Francis Daniel Marie McCarthy, Sister of St. Francis Albert Mary McSwiggin.  Men marking 25 years in the permanent diaconate include: Frank McKenna, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River; James M. Micali, St. Clement Parish, Matawan, and Donald Miller, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.  Mercy Sister Rosemary E. Jeffries retired after 14 years as president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, in June. Dr. Joseph R. Marbach assumed the position, marking the first time in the 107-year history of the school that the university is not being led by a Sister of Mercy.  Nearly 300 couples celebrating one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage renewed their wedding vows and received the blessings of their Bishop during the Anniversary Blessing Masses held Oct. 11 and 25 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold.

In Memoriam  The Diocese mourned the loss of priests who served at one time in the four counties, including Father Leonard Lang, 68, Jan. 15, St. Leo the Great, Lincroft; Father Robert A. O’Leary, 87, Jan. 23, St. Luke Parish, Toms River; Father Robert R. Schulze, Office of Jail and Prison Ministry, 71, Feb. 24; Divine Word Father Victor Butler, chaplain in Holy Cross High School, Delran, March 7; Trinitar-

ian Father John L. Dorn, Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing, March 11; Divine Word Father Patrick Connor, 85, April 15, chaplain in Stuart Country Day School, Princeton; Cistercian Father Lino Parente, 76, June 23, prior of Our Lady of Fatima Monastery, Mount Laurel; Msgr. John N. Kennedy, 82, June 27, St. Anthony Parish, Trenton; Father Raymond S. Bianchi, June 30, St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton; Father Arthur F. Conlon, 93, Oct. 28, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Yardville; Marist Father James McGoldrick, 74, Dec. 20, St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton.  Departed deacons of the Diocese included: John D. Grant, St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell, July 15; Gerald T. Riedinger, St. Dominic Parish, Brick, Nov. 18; Conrad J. Provencher, St. James Parish, Red Bank, Nov. 28.  Tamara Seidle, long-time religious education coordinator in Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, was killed June 17.

Pastoral Assignments  Father Richard Vila, pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade • Father Robert Holtz, pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton • Msgr. James Dubell, administrator, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson • Father Michael O’Connor, administrator, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette • Father Stanley Lukasewski, Episcopal Vicar of Ocean County • Father Rene Pulgarin, liaison for the diocesan Hispanic/Portuguese communities • Father Daniel Swift, pastor, St. Mary of the Lakes Parish, Medford • Father John K. Butler, temporary administrator, St. Michael Parish, West End • Father John C. Garrett, pastor, Resurrection Parish, Delran • Father Garry Koch, pastor, St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel • Father Fernando Lopez, pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands • Father Christopher Piccolo, pastor, St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington • Father Thomas Vala, pastor, St. Clement Parish, Matawan •  Father Vincent Euk, pastor, St. Veronica Parish, Howell, and Father Joseph G. Hlubik, administrator, St. Andrew Parish, Jobstown, were named “Missionaries of Mercy” by Pope Francis.

Blessings, Dedications The Diocese launched Catholic Schools Have it All in 2015 – an awareness-building campaign about the comprehensive value of Catholic schools.

 Mount Carmel Guild dedicated “Father Jim’s House,” a newly renovated building in Trenton which houses the Guild’s Emergency Assistance Program, April 18.

See Unforgettable • S-6

S-6 YEAR in REVIEW

THE MONITOR • JANUARY 7, 2016

Unforgettable moments marked year Continued from • S-5

 The St. Anne Mausoleum in Wall Twp. was blessed April 26.  St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, blessed their new Our Lady of Victories Perpetual Adoration Chapel May 3.  Groundbreaking and blessing of the newest diocesan cemetery and mausoleum, Jesus, Bread of Life Catholic Cemetery, Mount Laurel, June 11.  A newly-restored grotto on the grounds of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, was blessed by Bishop O’Connell Aug. 14.  Bishop O’Connell performed a Rite of Dedication in Holy Cross Church, Rumson, Sept.

20 amidst more than 700 parishioners and pastor Father Michael Manning. In addition to an expanded worship space, the 22,500-foot area includes a new altar, stained glass windows, baptismal font and artwork.  Bishop O’Connell blessed the new altar and ambo of St. Veronica Church, Howell, Oct. 5.  Morris Hall Meadows, an expansion of the Morris Hall/St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, was opened Oct. 21 in Lawrenceville.

Departures  The Conventual Franciscan Friars decided to discontinue their ministry in Resurrection Parish, Delran, July 1.  June marked a farewell to three Catholic grammar schools of the Diocese, as declining enrollment and increasing fiscal difficulties necessitated the closing of St. Denis, Manasquan; Incarnation-St. James, Ewing, and Holy Family, Lakewood.  In July, Msgr. Sam Sirianni retired after 23 years of service as director of the diocesan Office of Worship. Sister of Mercy Eleanor McCann, who served as the associate director of the office for 16 years, also stepped down.

Major Events and Celebrations  The Year of Consecrated Life commenced Nov. 30, 2014. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, a decree on religious life, and Lumen Gentium, the Second

Vatican Council’s constitution on the Church. Its purpose, as stated by the Vatican is to “make a grateful remembrance of the recent past” while embracing “the future with hope.” The Year will close on the World Day of Consecrated Life, Feb. 2, 2016.  The promulgation of “Built for Worship: A Guide for the Creation of a Catholic House of Prayer,” in early January will serve as a tool for building or renovating worship spaces such as a church, oratory or place of worship in a cemetery.  Faithful from across the four counties of the Diocese joined with others around the world to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by participating in the March for Life in Washington and the Rally for Life in Trenton Jan. 22.  About 190 couples from around the Diocese celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage during the World Marriage Day Dinner-Dance Feb. 7 in St. David the King Parish, West Windsor.  The Bishop presided at the Rite of Election in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and greeted the more than 160 adults, teens and children who were preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.  Msgr. Leonard F. Troiano, representing Bishop O’Connell, was the keynote speaker at the annual Catholic Men for Jesus Christ Conference held Feb. 28 in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. About 900 men and boys from around the Diocese heard Catholic lay evangelist Jesse Romero, baseball legend Mike Piazza and EWTN news anchor Raymond Arroyo, share their stories of faith.  The Diocese celebrated the 16th annual Blue Mass for Law Enforcement April 7 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. More than 600 officers, civic officials and civilians

Some 9,000 Catholic school students used May 1, the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, to reach out to their communities during the inaugural “Catholic Schools Do It All” Day of Service. Representing 31 Catholic elementary schools and two high schools, the students participated in a myriad of activities designed to aid those in need, to thank those who have contributed to their communities and to improve their own neighborhoods. Craig Pittelli photo

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and Msgr. Thomas Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life, far right, are pictured with the five men who were ordained to the priesthood June 6. Craig Pittelli photo

witnessed Bishop O’Connell deliver a homily which melded appreciation for their service, deep concern for their welfare and faith in their devotion to their mission to protect and serve.  Five seminarians of the Diocese of Trenton were ordained by Bishop O’Connell to the transitional diaconate May 16 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The year’s class included Gregg Leo Loreno Abadilla, Christopher James Colavito, Richard Malcolm Osborn, John Michael Apelado Patilla and Daniel McKee Price.  More than 1,100 gathered in the Great Hall, Ocean Grove, for the second annual Spiritual Renewal Rally and Retreat Day June 13. The day-long event featured song, guest speakers, witness and a Mass.  The diocesan Department of Pastoral Care held its annual Spirituality/Education Day for Maturing Adults in St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, Hamilton, July 15. More than 350 heard the keynote address of Dr. Richard Johnson of the Johnson Institute and author of “The 12 Keys to Spiritual Vitality” and worshipped at Mass with Vincentian Father Martin McGeough, diocesan coordinator of Jail and Prison Ministry.  Following on the themes of the papal encyclical “Laudato Si’,” and the institution of the “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation,” Bishop O’Connell inaugurated a new diocesan day of prayer and the first “Care of Creation” Mass. The Mass was held Sept. 1 in Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel of St. Denis Parish, Manasquan, where the Bishop asked the congregation to heed the Holy Father’s call to better protect the environment.  More than 800 representatives from 41 Catholic schools filled St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Oct. 15 for the Diocese’s annual Catholic Schools Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell. In his homily, he exhorted the young students to remember the saying “What Would Jesus Do?” and follow Jesus’ example both in and out of the classroom.  “Homecoming” was the word used by Bishop O’Connell to describe the spiritual journey that some 2,500 members of his flock made to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington Nov. 7. Prayer was the common thread that held everything together during the biennial diocesan pilgrimage, “In Communion with Jesus,” which included opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, tour the crypts,

participate in children’s activities and witness a Mass celebrated by the Bishop in the Great Upper Church.

Awards and Recognition  The diocesan-produced show “Cristo Para Todos” was awarded its first Gabriel Award in the category of “Religious, National or Local Release.”  St. John’s University, Queens, bestowed the university’s Medal of Honor to Bishop O’Connell during commencement exercises May 17.  The Monitor and Peces, the Diocese’s two print publications, received four awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada during the 2015 Catholic Media Conference held June 24 through 26 in Buffalo, N.Y. Peces, Red de la Esperanza (Network of Hope) the Diocese’s Spanish-language quarterly newspaper was presented with two second place awards, one in the category of Best Online Presentation of Multi-Media Visuals, the other in the Best Coverage of Family category for its Summer 2014 issue. The Monitor won second place for General Excellence in its category, and an award for its Senior Living section in the Best Regular Special Supplement category.  Bishop O’Connell received the 2015 Humanitarian Award from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Trenton at their 26th annual Guardian Angel Dinner Dance in Princeton Oct. 4.  Realfaith TV won a Silver Davey Award for its episode entitled “Human Trafficking: Human Beings for Sale.”  Ginny Fama, the longtime coordinator of religious education in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, was presented with the 2015 “Chick” McGinty Award for Excellence in Catechetical Leadership with the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.  Brooke Panzarella, a senior in Moorestown High School and parishioner in the town’s Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, is the recipient of the Most Rev. David M. O’Connell Service Scholarship, a four-year, full-tuition award to pursue secondary studies in The Catholic University of America, Washington.

Parish and School News  The Diocese of Trenton launched a new multimedia campaign, “Catholic Schools Have See Year • S-8

YEAR in REVIEW S-7

JANUARY 7, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com

High court says it will hear HHS mandate appeals in 2016 Catholic News Service LEVITTOWN, Pa. • Religious freedom is at the heart of the debate over the Obama administration’s contraceptive mandate, according to Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik and others involved in cases the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear.

The perception this is primarily a Catholic issue because of the Church’s long-standing natural-law teaching against artificial contraception and abortion is misplaced, he said.

Although contraception is “the presenting issue,” he said he fears the regulations put in place by the Department of Health and Human Services in administering the health care law represent “a slippery slope” that would undermine religious freedom for many Americans.

Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, most religious and other employers are required to cover contraceptives, sterilization, and abortifacients -- drugs and devices that work by causing early abortion -- through employerprovided health insurance.

On Nov. 6, the U.S. Supreme Court said it will hear seven pending appeals in lawsuits brought by several Catholic and other faith-based entities against the contraceptive mandate. The justices will hear appeals from groups in Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and the District of Columbia.

In 2015 several circuit courts ruled that religious entities, such as the Denver-based Little Sisters of the Poor, are not substantially

burdened by opt-out procedures the federal government put in place for them to avoid the requirement to provide contraceptive coverage in employee health insurance. The Obama administration’s “opt-out” requires these employers to fill out a form for HHS that states their objections to providing coverage and triggers an arrangement for a third party to provide the coverage for their employees. It is a provision they still find objectionable.

Only one circuit court, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a September ruling, accepted the nonprofits’ argument that complying with the opt-out provision violates their religious beliefs.

The Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, and the Archdiocese of Washing-

ton are among numerous plaintiffs from around the country consolidated into seven cases that the court has agreed to hear -- probably in the spring -- together under the general heading of Zubik v. Burwell. Sylvia Mathews Burwell is the current HHS secretary.

Other named plaintiffs include the Little Sisters of the Poor, an international community that has served the elderly poor for 175 years, Priests for Life and a number of other Catholic and other Christian entities. Legal services are being provided by private or public-interest law firms at no cost to the plaintiffs. Many other religious bodies will be affected by the outcome of the Supreme Court case, as their cases are at various stages working their way through appeals courts.

Pope stresses importance of families, compassion in trip to United States Continued from • S-1

to address a joint meeting of Congress.

He joined leaders of other religions in honoring the dead and comforting their surviving family members at ground zero in New York. He addressed the United Nations. And, in Philadelphia, using a lectern once used by Abraham Lincoln, he called for respect for religious freedom and ethnic and cultural differences.

He ended his visit by urging Catholics to continue their enthusiasm in the faith, welcoming newcomers and caring for creation.

“Do not let your enthusiasm for Jesus, his church, our families, and the broader family of society run dry,” Pope Francis said at the Philadelphia International Airport before flying back to Rome.

The Pope always stressed that the purpose of his visit was to attend the World Meeting of Families, which took place in Philadelphia on the closing days of his U.S. visit. While there, he emphasized, in prepared text and unscripted remarks, the importance and gracefilled moments of family life.

The crowds, gathered at every turn of the Pope’s visit and willing to wait for hours to get through security lines, reflected the pontiff’s rock-star appeal but they also indicated something else, said Jonathan Lewis, director of young adult ministry and evangelization for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Lewis, who volunteered along the parade route near the White House Sept. 23, said the Pope’s appeal is also because “he points us to Christ.”

“This is a kickoff moment,” Lewis told Catholic News Service as the crowds around him vied for optimum viewing spots. “It’s easy to cheer for Francis; it takes more courage to walk with Francis.”

And after people put away their yellow and white Vatican flags or their Pope buttons and T shirts, they had the chance to put this zeal for the Pope and what he stands for into action.

According to a poll released Dec. 15 by the St. Leo University Polling Institute in St. Leo, Florida, 61 percent of Americans were motivated to donate

Gabriella Filachek of St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, was kissed by Pope Francis on his way to Independence Hall in Philadelphia Sept. 26. Getty Images.

the same amount or more to charities this year and 14.9 percent attributed this to the Pope’s visit.

The survey of more than 1,000 people online from Nov. 29-Dec. 3, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 per-

centage points, showed that Catholics intended to increase their giving this year by 24.3 percent to environmental groups, places of worship, charities, refugee causes, pro-life organizations and human rights groups this year.

“People feel compelled to do something,” said Nancy Wood, St. Leo University, assistant professor of Human Services, “whether that is donating money or donating time and volunteering.”

She also said the Pope’s message resonated with non-Catholics because it “translates into helping others.”

Since the Pope’s visit, pastors in the Washington Archdiocese have said they have seen more outreach to the most vulnerable, said Susan Timoney, secretary of pastoral ministry and social concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington.

In a Dec. 15 email to Catholic News Service, she said priests in the archdiocese also have noted that they have heard many people say during the sacrament of reconciliation that they were inspired by the Pope’s visit to “come back to church or begin to work on some of their spiritual concerns.”

Returning to the sacraments and helping the poor reflects what Timoney said is the most significant impact of the Pope’s visit: “people’s desire to continue the conversation Pope Francis started.”

S-8 YEAR in REVIEW

THE MONITOR • JANUARY 7, 2016

Year of distinguished honors, accolades Continued from • S-6

it All,” including a 13-minute video by Bishop O’Connell, billboards, posters and a dedicated website to focus on the importance of supporting Catholic schools.  Catholic schools around the Diocese marked milestone anniversaries: St. Dominic School, Brick, 50 years; St. Joan of Arc School, Marlton, 50 years; Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, 60 years, and St. Paul School, Princeton, 135 years.  Red Bank Catholic High School and St. James Elementary School enjoyed an unexpected extension of their winter break after multiple underground explosions rocked the borough’s Broad Street Jan. 4. The schools and their campuses experienced no damage.  Anne Reap, director of Trenton Catholic Academy’s Lower School, was awarded the Natl. Catholic Educational Association’s 2015 Dr. Robert J. Kealey Distinguished Principal Award by the NCEA Elementary Schools Dept.  St. Mary Parish, New Monmouth, announced Feb. 3 that Mater Dei Prep would be closed at the end of the school year due to a multi-year deficit. Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor, asked supporters to establish a “Save the Seraphs” fund to raise the $1 million necessary to keep the school open, and the formerly-parishrun school was transitioned to a private, Catholic high school led by independent governance.

It was the first time in the known history of the 134-year-old Diocese that a school has been recreated in this manner. James Hauenstein was

named the school’s inaugural president July 1.  The Diocese of Trenton welcomed eight new school principals for the 2015 - 2016 school year: Kathryn Besheer, Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly; Alfred F. Dugan, III, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, Princeton; R. Ross Fales, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; JoAnn Giordano, St. James School, Red Bank; James Hauenstein, Mater Dei Prep, Middletown; Timothy J. Lynch, Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton; Craig Palmer, St. Mary School, New Monmouth, and Kathleen Blazewicz, All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin.  The Trenton Diocesan PTA Council celebrated its 90th year of service to the Diocese Sept. 19 in a Mass and ceremony in Trenton.  Holy Cross School, Rumson, and Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, were recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the United States Department of Education and the Council for American Private Education.

This brings to six the number of schools in the Diocese to receive this designation of excellence in academics in recent years.  The schools of the Diocese received high marks and commendations as evaluators from the education accrediting agency AdvancED revealed the results of a comprehensive review in November.

Sports

 Malachi Richardson of Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, became the first basketball player in Mercer County history to be named a

McDonald’s All-American, Jan. 28.  Charles “Chappy” Moore retired from coaching football in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, after 34 years Feb. 9. Marc Lordi, a 2006 grad, was named the new coach in March.  Christian Brothers Academy swim team won their sixth straight NJSIAA Non-Public A championship Feb. 21.  St. John Vianney girls’ basketball team recorded a 16th straight NJSIAA Non-Public A basketball title March 14, while St. Rose High School, Belmar, clinched its second straight hoops title in the NJSIAA Non-Public B division the same day.  Gymnast Kristen Politz of St. John Vianney High School was crowned the N.J. All-Around State Champion Nov. 14.  Coach John McKenna, athletic performance director in Notre Dame High School, was inducted into Sports Faith International’s Hall of Fame on May 24.  Christian Brothers Academy won the NJSIAA Non-Public A baseball final at Toms River East on June 6.  The famed Stanley Cup was hoisted high at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, during a visit from 2009 alum and member of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks Trevor van Riemsdyk on July 30.  In August, Notre Dame High School announced the addition of Ken Mason as varsity girls’ soccer coach and EJ Nemeth as varsity

Former Trenton Catholic basketball star Malachi Richardson participates in a knockout competition during a day the school held in honor of Richardson being named a McDonald’s All-American. Richardson didn’t win the shootout, but he was the first basketball player in Mercer County to earn the prestigious honor. John Blaine photo

wrestling coach.  In October, RBC senior and offensive tackle Liam Smith, was named an All-American and invited to play in the fifth annual U.S. Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.  The CBA cross country team sped to victory in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions Nov. 21.  Dan Duddy, who coached Donovan Catholic football for the past decade, resigned at the end of the 2015 season, but will continue to serve as Pastoral Minister for Athletics at the school.

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