Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am using my letter this week to inform the parish community that the Office will be closed on Wednesday, July 30th, in the afternoon. It feels like a number of my letters in the bulletin this summer have been vehicles for telling the community of different opportunities for me to be away; on vacation, while leading a retreat, and now this. I promise, it’s not my intention to be playing hooky from parish responsibilities, but rather various opportunities to participate in good things happening in the diocese and beyond.
So why is the Parish Office going to be closed on Wednesday afternoon? So that myself and the parish staff can participate in a special celebration that the Diocese of Trenton is putting on. Part of the celebration is the continuation of the Jubilee Year and a chance to honor and acknowledge the great work of those who work in parishes throughout the diocese. As we all know, the parish does not run without the dedicated staff members we have. Between Janet, Phil, Joeram, as well as Thomas, Mike, Michelle, and Angela, I would be lost in how to go about the day-to-day business of maintaining the parish. In many ways, they are unsung heroes, doing things that are critical to keeping me and the parish on track. And every parish has these individuals who so rarely get the spotlight or the depths of thanks they deserve. And so, part of the Jubilee Year is to celebrate them and their efforts in ministry, by bringing them together, nourishing them with a talk, with Mass, and a reception afterwards, all of which is taking place on the 30th. And so, for that one afternoon, you’ll have to excuse our absence as we celebrate the good work of these wonderful individuals.
But there is another part of the celebration on the 30th as well. It marks the 15th anniversary of Bishop O’Connell’s consecration to become a bishop. It’s incredible to consider that he’s been with our diocese so long, shepherding the flock entrusted to him with the kind of care that he’s displayed over the years. Both he and the diocese have undergone changes since 2010, some for the better, some having been more challenging along the way. Throughout it all, Bishop O’Connell has displayed the characteristics of a wonderful bishop. Truly, he is a man of prayer, he cares deeply for his people and especially his priests, he’s prudent in his decisions and acts with the best interest of the diocese in mind, even though he occasionally needs to make decisions that are difficult and unpopular. Having been at the consecration back in 2010 as a seminarian and now serving the diocese as a priest, I am so grateful that God has given the Diocese of Trenton as our shepherd of the flock. May he continue to serve his people well and know our support for him in his work!
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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