Upcoming Activities

Praying for the October Synod in Rome

Bishop O’Connell has asked us to pray for success and inspiration for the Synod of Bishops gathered in Rome. The first session of the Synod will be held at the Vatican on October 4-29, 2023, and the second session is scheduled to be held in October 2024.

More than 100 of our parishioners gathered in small groups in early 2022 to provide input and comments for this Synod, a process that took place throughout the entire world and involved hundreds of thousands of Catholics. The final report from our own Diocese of Trenton can be found here, and the discussion document that the Synod will be using to guide its deliberations is here. The working document centers on the main themes of the Synod – communion, participation, and mission – and these three main priorities are then explored in greater detail through a series of fifteen worksheets aimed at supporting the discernment of possible next steps for the Church.

The voting members of the Synod include both bishops from around the world and a number of non-bishop members. The representatives of the United States are:

  • Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas
  • Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archdiocese of New York
  • Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • Bishop Robert E. Barron, Diocese of Winona-Rochester
  • Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
  • Archbishop William C. Skurla, Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
  • Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archdiocese of Chicago
  • Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, Archdiocese of Seattle
  • Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Archdiocese of Washington
  • Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, Diocese of San Diego
  • Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archdiocese of Boston
  • Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, CSsR, Archdiocese of Newark
  • Rev. James Martin, S.J.
  • Cynthia Bailey Manns, D.Min, Adult Learning Director at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community in Minneapolis
  • Richard Coll, executive director of the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
  • Rev. Ivan Montelongo, priest of the Diocese of El Paso
  • Wyatt Olivas, a student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming
  • Julia Osęka, an international student from Poland attending St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia
  • Sr. Leticia Salazar, ODN, Chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino

Prayer for the Synod – English

We stand before You, Holy Spirit,
as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us,
make Yourself at home in our hearts.
Teach us the way we must go
and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful.
do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance
lead us down the wrong path
nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we
may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth
and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work
in every place and time, in the
communion of the Father and the Son,
forever and ever. Amen.

Oración para el Sínodo – Spanish

Estamos ante ti, Espíritu Santo,
reunidos en tu nombre.
Tú que eres nuestro verdadero consejero:
ven a nosotros,
apóyanos,
entra en nuestros corazones.
Enséñanos el camino,
muéstranos cómo alcanzar la meta.
Impide que perdamos
el rumbo como personas
débiles y pecadoras.
No permitas que
la ignorancia nos lleve por falsos caminos.
Concédenos el don del discernimiento,
para que no dejemos que nuestras acciones se guíen
por perjuicios y falsas consideraciones.
Condúcenos a la unidad en ti,
para que no nos desviemos del camino de la verdad y la justicia,
sino que en nuestro peregrinaje terrenal nos esforzemos por alcanzar la
vida eterna.
Esto te lo pedimos a ti,
que obras en todo tiempo y lugar,
en comunión con el Padre y el Hijo
por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

Sign Up Now for Fall 2023 Bible Study

Fall Bible Study Groups

Bible study groups will be meeting in person and/or via Zoom this fall. Enjoy warm fellowship in person at St. David the King, or just open your computer, click on a link, and enjoy lively discussions in the comfort of your own home.

Register online at www.stdavidtheking.com/bible or by contacting Dorothy Soi at dtkbiblestudies@gmail.com or by phone or text at (609) 439-7477.

 


Parents of Faith Group (for parents of young children)

Monthly Meetings (date and time to be determined by the group) – via Zoom only
Facilitator: Jeffrey Pinyan (japhy.734@gmail.com or 609-216-3992)
Study: God’s Word on the Family
Preparation Time: None
Enjoy lively discussions based on inspiring family-oriented Scripture passages. As we learn more about God’s Word, we’ll grow in our faith, share our thoughts and enjoy moments of laughter, too. Whether you participate with or without your spouse, you’ll feel comfortable in this friendly group. And no apologies are ever necessary for interruptions by little ones or pets! We understand that parents have busy schedules. Join us when you can!

Young Adult Bible Study Group (Ages 20s and 30s)

Tuesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM – Meeting in the Spiritual Reading Room and via Zoom
Facilitators: Brandon and Kate Dolly (brandon.m.dolly@gmail.com)
Study: Letter to the Galatians
Preparation Time: None
Join us as we dive into St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. This season we’ll take a close look at the depth of love God has for each of us, how Christ’s sacrifice unlocked our salvation, and what we must do as His followers to unite our lives to his sacrifice so that we can enter fully into Him. Please join us as we grapple with this question: “What must I do to be saved?”

Men’s and Women’s Bible Study: Mondays

Mondays, 1:30 – 3:00 PM – Meeting in the Spiritual Reading Room
Facilitator: Joe DiLiberto (609-890-9530 or joediliberto@optonline.net)
Study: When You Pray: A Clear Path to a Deeper Relationship with God – Ascension study by Edward Sri
Preparation: Weekly readings, questions for reflection and Scripture meditations. Workbook required. Preview here.
This study will assist you in starting your prayer journey, revitalizing your prayer life, and strengthening your relationship with God so you can give God your whole heart. What God did in the lives of countless saints, He wants to do in the lives of ordinary people like us. And that’s what this study is about: the journey of prayer God wants to take us on. 7 Sessions (October 16 to November 27).

Men’s and Women’s Bible Study: Fridays

Fridays, 7:30 – 9:00 PM – Meeting in the Spiritual Reading room and via Zoom
Facilitator:  Anne Clifton (609-936-0596 or ARZClifton@gmail.com)
Study: Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life Part 1an Ascension study by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Jeff Cavins, and Edward Sri
Preparation:  Weekly readings and reflection questions
This study, anchored in the Gospels, will explore the entirety of Jesus’ life to help us know and love Him more deeply. The Part 1 topics are Jesus and History, In the Beginning, the Desert Way, Discipleship, and the Truth About God. Part 2 (during Lent) will cover the remaining five sessions. At each session, we will discuss reflection questions, then watch a wrap-up video lecture filmed in the Holy Land. Workbook required.

Women’s Bible Study: Tuesdays

Tuesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM – Meeting via Zoom only
Facilitator:  Dorothy Soi (609-439-7477 or dtkbiblestudies@gmail.com)
Study: James—Applying God’s Word to Our Everyday Lives
Preparation:  None
James offers practical guidance on issues that measure our true faith and spiritual fruitfulness. He calls all believers to live a life that demonstrates faith marked by godly behavior. This warm and welcoming group is ideal for beginners and offers optional opportunities for in-person fellowship and prayer.

Women’s Bible Study: Thursdays FULL

Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM – Meeting in the Spiritual Reading Room
Facilitator:  Barbara Bocchino (609-799-0850 or BNEB1@msn.com)

Study:  The Eucharist in Scripture – a Little Rock Scripture Study by Clifford M. Yeary
Preparation:  Weekly readings and questions for reflection.
Our study explores the biblical theme of meals shared in faithful fellowship and in covenant relationship with God. Old Testament meals, the Last Supper, the “Bread of Life” discourse, and the early church’s practice of “breaking bread” are also covered. Workbook required.

Women’s Bible Study: Fridays

Fridays, 10:15-11:45 AM – Meeting via Zoom only
Facilitator:  Lynn Morris (609-731-9688 or lynnmorris@aol.com)
Study: Finding Unshakable Hope in God’s Promises
Preparation:  Weekly readings and reflections via e-mail
Please join us as we discover renewed and unshakable hope in God’s promises! Part I of this two-part study will begin on October 13 and continue for 6 consecutive weeks. Part II will take place during our Lenten Bible Study session in 2024.

 

Have You Lost a Loved One Recently?

Loss is a normal part of life… and grief is the normal human response to a loved one’s death. St. David the King invites you to a four-week overview of “Loss and Grief” and how it changes lives. Each session will address specific aspects of loss and how to slowly integrate the loss you have experienced, and the grief that comes with it, into your life. No pre-work or reading is required. The sessions are very conversational.

Both daytime and evening sessions will be held at St. David the King:

Daytime: Mondays, October 16, 23, 30 and November 6 at 10:00 to 11:15 am
Evening: Mondays, October 16, 23, 30 and November 6 at 6:30 to 7:45 pm

Registration is required as seating is limited. For more information, please email Al Martella at affal@stdavidtheking.com OR leave a message at 609.785.1118 (Google Voice)

A past participant wrote: “I had no idea what to expect from this group, but even after the first night I knew I was on the right path…with the right people. I am already comforted and know I am among friends. God is certainly in that room with us all.”

Interested in Becoming a Catholic?

Have you ever thought about joining our church? Do you have a friend or relative who might like to explore this? We would like to have a conversation with you!

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the doorway through which adults seek initiation into the Catholic Church through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. The RCIA involves a process of study and conversation, regular involvement in parish worship, and developing fruitful relationships with other Catholics who can serve as mentors.

Generally, the sacraments of initiation for adults are celebrated each spring at the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday). However, there are unique situations when they can be observed at other times. We welcome people with a wide variety of backgrounds and levels of preparation.

Please feel free to share this with others you know who might be considering joining our church.

Please get in touch with Nanci Bachman at 609-275-7111 ext. 311 or nbachman@stdavidtheking.com to start the conversation. Fall activities begin in early October. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

An Invitation to Serve at the Altar

From our youth minister and liturgical ministries coordinator Matthew Simms:

I began altar serving in eighth grade and continued to volunteer throughout high school. I served at my parish and high school around three to four times a week. Although altar serving plays a vital role in preparing the Mass and help it run smoothly, it does not end there. For me, altar serving elicited a curiosity about the faith. Suddenly, I became more concerned about my spirituality because of my position.

For many young people, the period of leaving the church and becoming a non-practicing Catholic is around the middle and high school years. It is because of altar serving that I remained a practicing Catholic and was able to root myself in my faith during the period when faith is challenged most. Although I was inundated with homework, competing as a student athlete, as well as involved in numerous clubs and organizations, once I started to serve at daily and Sunday Masses, it became easier to go in the future. It is beneficial being close to the Lord during Mass on weekdays and not just Sundays, receiving extra grace from the Liturgy to continue steadfast throughout the week.

Serving kept me oriented and focused on better improving my spirituality. I invite all the young people to come serve at the Lord’s altar. The Sunday 4:00 pm Family Youth Masses are a perfect opportunity to get involved. You will see your faith flourish the closer you are to the altar, to Jesus.

“The closer you are to the altar, the more you will remember to speak with Jesus in daily prayer; the more you will be nourished by the word and the body of the Lord, the better able you will be to go out to others, bringing them the gift that you have received, giving in turn with enthusiasm the joy you have received.” – Pope Francis

To get involved or request more information, please contact Matthew Simms at msimms@stdavidtheking.com.

7:00 Sunday Mass Extended Another Month

Due to popular demand, the 7:00 pm Mass has been extended through Sunday, September 24. Beginning on October 1, our Sunday evening Mass will be at 4:00 pm for the winter months, and then back to 7:00 pm next summer.

The Diocese of Trenton’s news publication The Monitor did a feature story on this new parish offering, and here it is if you’ve missed it. It includes plenty of photos of some of this summer’s congregation.