March 17, 2011
Bishop brings together more than 900 students, educators and parents to celebrate gift of Catholic schools
For the first time in recorded history of the Diocese of Trenton, representatives from all of its Catholic schools gathered in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, to participate in a Catholic Schools Mass celebrated by their bishop.
On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. greeted some 900 students, educators and parents who filled the cathedral to its capacity. Members of the congregation traveled to the capital city from schools throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The Mass was offered in thanksgiving for the gift of Catholic schools and to highlight the need for continuing support of this essential ministry of the Church. Several dozen priests, hailing from every corner of the diocese, concelebrated the inaugural Mass.
In an Opening Procession, student representatives from the 44 parish and diocesan schools and four private Catholic schools proudly walked down the center aisle of the diocese's Mother Church bearing their schools' banners. Symbols of Catholic school education - a laptop, a Bible, the papal flag, the American flag, a globe, a textbook and a diploma --- were also carried in procession and placed before the altar, illustrating the special intention of the day's Mass.The first-time Mass was originally scheduled in late January to kick off Catholic Schools Week, which took place Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. Inclement weather prompted the Mass postponement until later in the school year.
Students took part in many aspects of the Mass - the Madrigal Choir of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, provided the day's musical liturgy, and students from numerous schools served at the altar, as readers.
A highlight of the Mass was the presentation by Patrick Ratke of The Catholic University of America of the inaugural Most. Rev. David M. O'Connell Service Scholarship to an entering freshman student from the Diocese of Trenton who embodies Bishop O'Connell's dedication to service. The four-year full scholarship honors the bishop's 12 years of service as CUA's 14th president of CUA before stepping down in 2010 and soon after being named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. It also reflects Bishop O'Connell's Episcopal motto - "Ministrare non ministrari" meaning "to serve and not to be served."
This four year, full-tuition scholarship will be awarded to a student with a demonstrated record of service, and a commitment to service while at CUA and beyond. As Ratke explained, "The award is offered to one such student that has proven him or herself by being a true witness to Christ and the values of The Catholic University of America."
Joseph McQuarrie, a member of St. Ann Parish and a senior in Notre Dame High School, both in Lawrenceville, was selected to receive the award. The second of four children, Joseph is active in both his parish, where he serves as a religious education instructor, lector and altar server, and his high school, where he is active in the campus ministry program and has participated in programs to help people in need both here and abroad. McQuarrie intends to pursue elementary education, and, according to his mother Kathleen, wanted very much to continue his education at a Catholic university.
Bishop O'Connell said of the scholarship presentation, "I am honored and humbled that CUA has recognized my service this way. It is a real joy to see a student from the diocese receive this scholarship."
Since assuming the leadership of the diocese on Dec. 1, 2010, Bishop O'Connell has identified Catholic education as one of his Episcopal priorities. On Jan. 14, 2011, he announced the theme of the 2011 Bishop's Annual Appeal was to be: "Go Teach," emphasizing the important responsibility that every Catholic holds in passing on the faith to the next generation. Toward that end, he established a $1 million expansion of the Bishop's Annual Appeal goal to be dedicated toward Catholic education needs, $800,000 of which was to be earmarked specifically for tuition assistance for families that wished to send their children to Catholic school.
There are currently 17,500 students enrolled in the 36 Catholic elementary schools and the eight Catholic high schools of the diocese. In addition, there are four private Catholic schools located in the diocese serving a combined total of several thousand more students.
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