Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated the annual Catholic Schools Mass Oct. 15 at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold, bringing together students from 33 Catholic elementary and secondary schools across Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Twenty Diocese of Trenton priests attended the liturgy. Students from St. Charles Borromeo School in Cinnaminson formed the choir and led the music. The Mass was also livestreamed on the Diocese of Trenton’s YouTube channel.

O’Connell described the gathering as his “favorite event of the year.” He counseled students to pray and said Jesus is always listening.

“It’s not enough just to talk about loving God. We have to show that love in the way we live,” O’Connell said.

The bishop also asked the school community to pray for Pope Leo XIV’s recovery from recent cancer surgery and for peace in the world.

During the event, the Department of Catholic Schools presented the diocesan Lumen Gentium Award to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown and St. Paul in Princeton. The award recognizes a Catholic school that fulfills its mission statement, demonstrates academic and personal growth, and models Christ’s light.