Bishop's Corner and Diocese News
We encourage the faithful of our Diocese to join in praying a universal novena for Pope Francis beginning Saturday, April 26, 2025. Please go to https://www.usccb.org/resources/novena-pope-francis-ENG.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ0vwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0R25xckIwNjhIZWxsOEkzAR7vzfaj-kyYUwW8jRXLiip0sJ04wG6jYc3oVGipBVlDPRo9WHlYzTNMwZYLXw_aem_8S1TtQ4Il-_FtsulqztqCQ
Bishop Williams has asked us to share this information with all our friends and family members.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT THE VATICAN
The rites will occur according to the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificus (Funeral Rites for the Roman Pontiff). These were developed by Saint Pope John Paul II and used at his funeral in 2005. Pope Benedict XVI modified them and they were used at his funeral in 2022. And Pope Francis simplified them further in 2024. [ I hope you recognize the similarity to the usual three stations of the Order of Christian Funerals – [Preparation of the Body and] Vigil, Funeral Mass, Committal.]
April 21
The Pope’s body was vested, laid in a simple wooden coffin, and taken to the chapel at Sancta Marthae Chapel. A Liturgy of the Word was led by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Camerlengo [Chamberlain] of the Vatican.
April 23
Cardinal Farrell will lead the procession from Sancta Marthae Chapel, to Saint Peter’s Square, to St. Peter’s Basilica. Public viewing will begin at 9:00 AM Vatican Time (that is 3:00 AM Eastern).
April 25
A late night prayer service and closing of the coffin.
April 26
Funeral Mass for Pope Francis 10:00 AM (4:00 AM Eastern). Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside.
At the request of Pope Francis, burial will take place in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major). The last pope to be buried there was Pope Clement the IX in the seventeenth century.
The simple stone will be at ground level and will bear the word “Franciscus.”
April 27
A Mass originally scheduled as a Jubilee Mass for Adolescents will become one of eight memorial Masses for the Pope.
May 6-12
To be announced: The Conclave begins 15-21 days after the Pope’s death.
The Diocese of Camden announced on March 17, 2025
Bishop Joseph Andrew Williams
Appointed Nineth Bishop of the Diocese of Camden
About Bishop Williams
Bishop Williams was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in 2002. His episcopal ordination took place January 25, 2022, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Prior to his appointment as auxiliary bishop and current assignment as moderator and priest-in-solidum of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Saint Paul, he served as pastor of Saint Stephen in Minneapolis (2008-2022); parochial administrator of Holy Rosary in Minneapolis (2020-2022); ministered as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul (2002-2004) and at Divine Mercy in Faribault (2004-2005). He was pastor of Saint Mathias in Hampton and Saint Mary in New Trier (2005-2008). He has also served as coordinator of the Archdiocesan Outreach to Persons with Disabilities (2003-2005).
He was appointed the Archdiocesan Vicar for Latino Ministry in 2018. He is a member of the board of trustees for The Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary. He has served as chaplain of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Born May 2, 1974, to Dr. Gary and Mary McDonald Williams, Bishop Williams is the third of nine children. He grew up in Stillwater, where he attended Saint Croix Catholic School and Stillwater High School. His brother, Father Peter Williams, ordained in 2004, is a priest of the Archdiocese, and is Pastor of Saint Ambrose in Woodbury, Minnesota.
Bishop Williams holds a B.A. in biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris, graduating summa cum laude in 1996. He studied philosophy and pre-theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, from 1996-1998 and attended The St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul from 1998-2002, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest at age 28.
Bishop Williams is known for his longtime ministry to Latino and Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, beginning in Faribault, where he and other parish leaders worked to bring healing to a Latino community that had been wounded by drug raids. Members of both of his most recent parishes are predominantly Latino, and he has worked to change negative cultural perceptions of undocumented immigrants. He has led neighborhood-based evangelization efforts, which include knocking on doors and inviting people to Mass and faith formation.
Diocesan Podcasts and YouTube Resources
Additional Diocese Live Stream Options
Diocese Employment Opportunities
https://www.camdendiocese.org/category/c555-human-resources/c467-employment/
Directory of Select Support Groups and Agencies in the Camden Diocese
National Suicide Prevention Mental Health Crisis Lifeline 800-273-8255
For the Contents below go to:
Microsoft Word - Support Groups Directory 12.2021 (camdendiocese.org)
Bereavement/Grief Support
Spanish Bereavement Support
English Bereavement Support
General Bereavement Support
Specialized Bereavement Support
Cancer Care Ministry
Support for Those Affected by Addictions
Drug and/or Alcohol Addiction
Sexual Addictions page
Co-Dependents Anonymous
Debtors Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous
Divorce Care Ministry
Other Support Groups and Services
Abortion Recovery
Camden Center for Law & Social Justice
Catholic Charities
Child Abuse/Neglect
Domestic Violence
Emotions Anonymous
Family Support
Gun Violence Survival
Health Care and More
VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services & Stephen Ministry
Housing
Marriage and Reproductive Help
Material Help
Meals and More
Moms in Need (pregnancy, family, mother and child services)
Breast Milk Donation