Like virtually all Americans, regardless of their personal religious convictions or lack thereof, I was sickened once again by the tragic, senseless loss of life resulting from the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.
A quick internet search reveals that there have been 248 such slaughters so far in 2019 at a mind-boggling rate of 1.2 shootings per day with over 1,325 victims, 979 injured and 246 killed. Absolutely unbelievable in a civilized society! And the carnage seems to know no boundaries, no respect for persons, no signs of ending. More ... Friday, August 9, 2019
As the 31 women arrived to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, July 25, they were asked to hand in their cell phones. More ... Thursday, August 8, 2019
Sandra Pinto has some advice for those looking to make a difference – start in your own backyard.
“This is our opportunity to help Trenton, to help the people who live here have a better future. You want to change the world? This is one right here,” said Pinto, client services coordinator for El Centro, which provides outreach to the Spanish-speaking community. More ... Wednesday, August 7, 2019
There are many wonderful public and Catholic schools in New Jersey that do a great job educating our kids. Parents choose “Catholic” schools BECAUSE they are Catholic. With all due respect to public schools, there is and there should be a difference.
With an eye toward equipping more women and men with the tools to establish adult faith formation offerings in their parishes, a three-part ministry training series will be held Sept. 25, Oct. 30 and Nov. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. More ... Sunday, August 4, 2019
As the Bishop of a Diocese, I am frequently asked to issue “statements” on a variety of subjects and I often do. I try to be very careful in what I write and preach, avoiding topics of a political nature, keeping in mind my responsibility to use opportunities that I have to address and teach the faithful on matters of faith and morals. I prefer to label my writings as “reflections” or “messages,” more homiletic in nature and content, designed to encourage believers to follow the Gospels of Jesus Christ and to apply the teachings of the Church to issues or events of contemporary relevance to Catholics in our Diocese.
It’s not that I don’t have political opinions – I do. We all have a right to our own opinions, political and otherwise, and a right to express them with constitutionally guaranteed protections. But I don’t consider the various pulpits that I have as Bishop to be the appropriate place to make my political opinions known. The faithful look to their Bishop for spiritual not political guidance. My proper text is the Word of God as truth; my proper text is the teaching of the Catholic Church as truth; my proper text is the Christian life as truth that these texts attempt to encourage and support.
Ask people to give accurate, off-the-cuff responses to questions such as “What is the Old Testament?” and “What is the New Testament?” and chances are they would have to take a minute … or two … or longer … and think about it. More ... Friday, July 26, 2019
It’s 8:30 a.m., and St. Benedict School is buzzing with activity as students arrive, eagerly making their way to their classrooms. They’re ready to learn, and yes, it’s July. More ... Friday, July 26, 2019
The aftermath of severe storms and damaging winds July 22 lingered several days, with just over 7,000 customers still without power at press time July 25. A significant portion of the more than 325,000 affected reside within the Trenton Diocese. More ... Friday, July 26, 2019
In response to the annual Black and Indian Mission Collection held March 10, the first Sunday of Lent, the faithful in parishes across the Diocese donated $96,923.02 to help communities build the Church and preach the Gospel among African-American, Native-American and Alaska-Native peoples. More ... Friday, July 26, 2019
The seminarians in formation for the priesthood in the Diocese of Trenton gathered for an annual retreat, held the week of July 22 in Loyola Retreat House, Morristown. More ... Friday, July 26, 2019
Some 400 older adults at the annual diocesan Senior Spirituality Day July 24 got an inspirational boost from a leading Catholic author on how to make the most of the second half of their lives spiritually, socially and practically. More ... Wednesday, July 24, 2019
This fall, internationally renowned speaker and author Jeff Cavins will visit St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, to offer his presentation “When You Suffer: Biblical Keys for Hope and Understanding.” More ... Monday, July 22, 2019
Bright and early the morning of July 18, the 140 youngsters who gathered for the 9 a.m. Mass in St. Benedict Church were very eager to answer questions such as “What is the Old Testament?” and “What is the New Testament?” More ... Thursday, July 18, 2019
Catechists in parishes of the Diocese of Trenton are invited to take part in a new diocesan event: Catechist Spirituality Day, set for Aug. 24 in St. Martha Parish, Point Pleasant. More ... Friday, July 12, 2019
Students in summer religious education programs in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, were all smiles July 11 as Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., joined the children and parish catechists for Mass. More ... Thursday, July 11, 2019
In keeping with The Monitor’s established publication schedule, there will be only one issue in July. The next issue of The Monitor will be July 25, and in addition to the usual array of news and information, the coming issue will include LIVES OF FAITH, the Diocese’s annual celebration of priests, religious and deacons who are marking special anniversaries in 2019. More ... Thursday, July 11, 2019
In his 57 years of priestly ministry, Father John V. (Jay) Bowden became known for reaching out to help people find their way to Christ in the parishes and ministries he served, especially the diocesan Cursillo.
On July 9, the vast sanctuary of St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square, reflected the success of that mission as hundreds gathered to honor Father Bowden, who died July 3 in Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, after an extended illness. He was 82.
Funeral services have been announced for Father John (Jay) V. Bowden, who died July 3 in Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, after an extended illness. He was 82.
A priest of the Diocese for 57 years, Father Bowden was born in Trenton in 1936 to John and Margaret Bowden. He grew up in Blessed Sacrament Parish (now part of Sacred Heart Parish), Trenton, where he graduated from the parish grammar school in 1950 and from Trenton Catholic High School in 1954. More ... Saturday, July 6, 2019
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has announced that Father John (Jay) V. Bowden, a retired priest of the Diocese and assistant in St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, died July 3 in Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, after an extended illness. More ... Wednesday, July 3, 2019
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will declare Blessed John Henry Newman, the 19th-century British cardinal, a saint Oct. 13. The British theologian will be canonized during a Mass at the Vatican along with a Swiss laywoman, an Indian nun, an Italian nun and a nun known as the "Mother Teresa of Brazil."
As the early morning fog lifted over the top of Mount Tammany, the crackle of twigs being snapped underfoot mingled with light conversation and prayer.
But most often, the soft sounds of the woods were enveloped in a peaceful quiet, as about 150 men of all ages hiked North Jersey’s Dunnfield Creek Natural Area to the summit in silent contemplation.
In the 65 years that the Diocese of Trenton has published The Monitor newspaper, there have been many variations and adaptations to accommodate the prevailing needs of the day. Later decades have seen such changes as moving from all black and white to color, and from weekly to bi-weekly in order to continue our mission of keeping our community informed of local, national and international Catholic-based news.
