Bishop O’Connell urges Catholic educators to form disciples

Bishop David M. O’Connell told Catholic educators that their mission involves forming disciples who live out the Word of God rather than just learning it. Speaking during a Mass on Oct. 10 at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold, the bishop addressed members of the Trenton Diocesan Council of Parent Teacher Associations.

O’Connell said Catholic education should help children understand their identity as children of God before they focus on being students, athletes, or musicians. He used a Gospel passage regarding those who hear and observe the Word of God to describe the goal for parents, teachers, and schools.

The Mass was part of the 101st annual conference for the council, which featured a breakfast program themed "New Beginnings." The gathering included school principals and PTA board members from Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.