Diocese of Trenton Bishop holding masses for Peace in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the War in Ukraine when Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to attack the neighboring country, there have been calls and prayers for peace and an end to the conflict by people across the world.

Within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has called on the community of believers and everyone around the globe to join together in solidarity to pray for an end to the war and attacks taking away so many lives.

On Twitter recently, Pope Francis said, "I invite every community and all the faithful to unite with me on Friday 25 March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, for the Solemn Act of Consecration of humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, so that she, the Queen of Peace, may help us obtain peace."

The Diocese of Trenton, which oversees nearly 700,000 Catholics across 97 Catholic parishes in Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington, and Mercer Counties, will have masses available for everyone to come and pray together on Friday and next week as well.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will lead prayer services and mass for everyone to come together and pray for peace and the people of Ukraine, starting on Friday at 12:10 p.m. with mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral at 151 North Warren Street in Trenton -- the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.

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You can attend the Mass in Trenton, but if you can't go in-person, you'll be able to watch on live-stream, the Diocese of Trenton said, on their YouTube channel.

The prayers and masses for peace will continue at your local parish as well, as Bishop O’Connell has invited the priests of the Diocese to take part in the consecration in their own parish churches.

In a statement shared by the Diocese of Trenton from the Vatican, Matteo Bruni, who is the director of the Vatican press office said last week: "Pope Francis has invited the bishops of the whole world, along with their priests, to join him in the prayer for peace and in the consecration and entrustment of Russia and of Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

In addition to the mass on Friday, Diocese of Trenton Bishop David O'Connell will hold a Mass for Peace in Ukraine on March 31 at St. Joseph Church, part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, in Keyport at 7:00 pm, located at 376 Maple Place.

You're invited to attend in-person here as well, but if you can't, this mass will be live-streamed on the Diocese of Trenton YouTube channel.