From St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to a food pantry in Trenton, young Catholics are living examples of the hope that can only come through faith in Christ. This month, The Monitor recounts the recent Jubilee of Youth as some one million young people gathered in Rome to celebrate with Pope Leo XIV.
We also do a deep dive into the blessings of youth ministry in the Diocese of Trenton with reporting on the popular service project Mission: Jersey; the conferral of the St. Timothy Awards; local teens’ experience of “radical change” at a national conference, and three new or revisioned parish youth programs. And Dan Waddington, who heads up the Diocese’s Youth and Young Adult efforts, offers insight on the value of this ministry in a Q and A interview.
The understanding of Jubilee as a time of grace and renewal is revealed in coverage of the Jubilee of Parish Personnel, a time for the Diocese to honor those who work tirelessly to keep our parishes running. This event also afforded the hundreds of parish and diocesan staff who attended a way to celebrate the 15th episcopal anniversary of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Other key pieces you will want to read:
New law will help families access America’s Catholic schools – Bishop O’Connell, as chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, reflects on the benefits of the nation’s first federal school choice tax credit
Blesseds Acutis, Frassati canonizations – To commemorate Pope Leo XIV’s canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Church’s first Millennial saint, Bishop O’Connell will celebrate Mass Sept. 7 in St. Dominic Church in Brick, home of the diocesan Shrine of Carlo Acutis.
Milestone for Mary’s Assumption — The Feast of the Assumption is Aug. 15. The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus,” in which the dogma was officially declared.
A Decade of Laudato Sí’ – Bishop will celebrate Mass Sept. 6 in St. Anselm Parish, Tinton Falls, to mark 10 years since the encyclical’s release and St. Rose Parish, Belmar, is planning a Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation Sept. 21.
Viewpoints and Issues – Ending the atrocity against humanity in Gaza and a call for daily prayer to stop taxpayer funding of abortion
Be sure to check out more stories onlocal people and places: Multiple parishes celebrate grandparents and the elderly; Dr. Carly York releases second Gregorian chant EP, and other LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS.
Your favorite columns and features round out your August magazine: Father Garry Koch explores the realities of faith in Scripture; Mary Morrell ponders “homes as sacred places”; Question Corner looks at bringing Precious Blood to the sick, and Faith at Home offers help to connect children to Scripture.
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Happy summer and God bless!
Rayanne Bennett
Associate Publisher
And The Monitor team