Christmas Visit -- Bishop O'Connell and clergy from St. Thomas More Parish, Manalapan, celebrate a Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany Jan. 7 in the parish church. Bishop O'Connell was principal celebrant of the Mass and homilist. Mike Ehrmann photos
In the back of St. Thomas More Church, behind hundreds of faithful, Diana Saverino sat transfixed in the glow of the Feast of the Epiphany.
Calling it a Mass to cherish, the parishioner of 25 years was moved by the Manalapan church that was illuminated by thousands of lights and bathed in soaring music and the reverence of the homily, given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Honoring the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, young people took center stage during parish observances of the Feast of the Epiphany Jan. 7.
“We are very blessed here,” Deacon Luis Ramos said as children prepared to receive gifts from three young parishioners dressed as the Magi after Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. “People are very good to our parishioners.”
After watching, “A Christmas Carol” with her family, 15-year-old Angela Gibilisco, wanted to take the story and give it a religious twist.
“It was during the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Past that I first imagined an angel appearing to a man similar to Scrooge," said Gibilisco, member of the youth ministry in St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown.
For more than two decades, the enduring Filipino Advent tradition of Simbang Gabi – a nine-day novena of spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ – has unfolded seamlessly in coordinated diocesan-wide observances. More ... Thursday, January 4, 2018
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and some 120 priests gathered Dec. 14 in St. Joseph Parish, Millstone, for an Advent spirituality day and Christmas luncheon. The gathering featured a keynote address by Franciscan Friar of the Renewal Glenn Sodano, who led a presentation on “Spirituality Authority.” More ... Thursday, January 4, 2018
Whether it was by answering the call of church bells on a cold Christmas Eve night or rising early to joyfully sing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Christmas morning, faithful from throughout the Diocese commemorated the Birth of Our Lord Dec. 24-25 in a myriad of ways. Along with coming together in prayer and worship with their brothers and sisters in their parish communities, some also chose to spend their Christmas by bringing comfort, joy and friendship to others through works of service. At the heart of each celebration, the message resounded on giving glory to the newborn King. More ... Thursday, January 4, 2018
From life-sized Nativity scenes to poinsettias, trees and candles, beautiful symbols of faith and decorations greeted those who worshipped in parishes around the Diocese of Trenton this Advent and Christmas season.
VATICAN CITY – Christmas calls believers to see God's presence where he is often perceived as absent, especially in the "unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors," Pope Francis said Dec. 24 as he celebrated Christmas Mass. More ... Sunday, December 24, 2017
Every year, the entire world pauses on December 25 to remember the birth of a Child – not just any child but the Christ Child, the Chosen One of God, the Messiah who had been prophesied and foretold from the beginning of human history. More ... Sunday, December 24, 2017
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – A majority of Americans, 59 percent, say they prefer the greeting "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" during this season, according to a new Knights of Columbus-Marist poll. More ... Saturday, December 23, 2017
WASHINGTON –The percentage of Americans who see Christmas as a religious holiday continues to slide across nearly all demographic lines. More ... Saturday, December 16, 2017
Grief at the loss of a loved one can be a constantly evolving process.
Just ask Bob Rizzo of Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park, who has been missing his wife, Theresa, for five years. While life certainly goes on for the 85-year-old, he said he still cries for the “lady who lit up his life” since 1952.
Memories of their family Christmas celebrations are especially apt to flood back at this time of year, said Rizzo, who after his wife’s death, devoted much of his time to a bereavement ministry in his parish.
Every once in a while, at parties or dinners before Christmas, I’ve asked adults about their holiday plans only to hear some lament, “Oh, Christmas is for children.” I must confess that such a comment saddens me a bit.
As December ushered in the Christmas season, schools and parishes across the Diocese made their to-do lists and checked them twice when it came to helping those in need or bringing smiles and good will. More ... Thursday, December 14, 2017
The Vatican has released information regarding the worldwide telecasts of Christmas events presided over by Pope Francis.
On Dec. 24, Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9:30 p.m. in Rome. The Mass will be aired live on the Eternal Word Television Network at 3:30 p.m. EST. Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas blessing at noon Dec. 25. EWTN will air the blessing live at 6 a.m. EST. More ... Thursday, December 14, 2017
Since early November, youth ministries in four of the Diocese’s parishes have been working hard to ensure that impoverished children will have a merry Christmas.
“It’s just kind of unfathomable that a kid would get only one gift or no gifts at all come Christmastime,” said Andrew Scala, youth ministry coordinator in St. David the King Parish, West Windsor.
From Christmas pageants and choir concerts to Advent series discussions, parishes in the Diocese's four counties have all you need to get prepared for Christmas and the Advent season.
The Capital Singers of Trenton will be performing for the last time under founding conductor Richard Loatman for its Hanukkah and Christmas show, “Winter Songs XI.” More ... Monday, December 4, 2017
St. Rose Parish, Belmar, is welcoming the world-renowned Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale to its church to celebrate the Christmas season. Known as “America’s Ambassadors of Song," the choir will perform at 3 p.m., Jan. 7 in the church.
