From Monitor staff reports
Over the span of more than 30 years in journalism, Lois M. Rogers had interviewed several world faith leaders and covered local visits from a pope and a future saint, the Ordination of a bishop and countless stories about the parishes and people of the Diocese of Trenton.
Ms. Rogers’ notable career and her affable, witty personality are how former colleagues, friends and readers are remembering the former features editor of The Monitor, who died March 5 in Wilmington, Del., at the age of 81.
Ms. Rogers, who wrote for the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years and served as features editor of The Monitor for more than 10 years before retiring in 2013, had built an extraordinary reputation and a loyal base of readers. Over the years she established relationships with countless individuals, from the most prominent leaders to everyday parishioners who made prayer shawls and stocked food pantries.
Fondness and Respect
Upon learning of Ms. Rogers’ passing, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said he was saddened by the news and remembered how Lois, “for so many years was a fixture in the work of the Diocese’s Monitor.”
“I always enjoyed reading her articles and bylines and, even more so, conversing with her at various diocesan events,” the Bishop said. “She had an easy, quick wit which she shared generously and always with a twinkle in her eye.”
“She was a wonderful journalist and colleague and I pray that she will rest within the Lord’s peace,” the Bishop said, then quipped, “It wouldn’t surprise me if she asks him for an interview. God love you, Lois!”
Monitor staff also shared fond memories of their friend and colleague.
Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher, shared that going to work was never boring “with Lois in the office.” She added, “She kept things lively and she made us laugh. But she never strayed from her iron clad journalistic drive and integrity.”
“We are all the better for having worked with her,” Bennett said.
Mary Stadnyk, The Monitor’s associate editor, looked back on her long friendship and association with Ms. Rogers. “The first time I met Lois was on, what I would call, one of the Diocese’s most glorious and unforgettable days – June 18, 1995. That’s when Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, where she attended Mass with Bishop John C. Reiss and spoke on vocations to the priesthood.
“Lois was covering the story for the Asbury Park Press and I was writing for The Monitor. We chatted and I can remember her saying how thrilled she was to not only write the story but to witness this wonderful event of faith.
“Little did I know that seven years later, Lois would join The Monitor staff and bring with her a treasure trove of journalistic gifts and a tremendous interest in and love for her Catholic faith that she wanted to share with our readers through the written word. She did that and so much more during her 11 years on staff and as a freelancer after she retired.
Witness to Church history
Ms. Rogers was born in 1944 in Newark, N.J. Her family lived in Laurence Harbor until they settled in Point Pleasant Beach in 1957 where they joined St. Peter Parish. Over the years, Ms. Rogers continued to live in Ocean County and was most recently a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, before relocating to Delaware more than two years ago.
Ms. Rogers graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Montclair State College, Montclair, in 1966. In the early years of her long journalistic career she wrote for several newspapers, one of which was the Daily Observer. She then joined the staff of the Asbury Park Press in the 1980s, where during her 20-year tenure, she worked on numerous beats, including as a religion writer.
“I was around people of faith all of the time,” she said of the invaluable experience she gained through encountering those of various faith traditions. Some of her major stories included interviewing the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dalai Lama, covering Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s June 18, 1995 visit to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, and Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States in October 1995.
Ms. Rogers would share that it was her writing about religion while a secular press reporter that helped to strengthen her love for her own Catholic faith. When the opportunity came for her to combine her passion for writing and her faith by working for The Monitor in 2002, it was one she couldn’t let pass by.
Topping the host of headlines which Ms. Rogers regarded as a privilege to witness and report on during her years with The Monitor are two papal transitions and the episcopal Ordination of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in 2010. She also enjoyed making countless visits to the parishes and schools throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties and sharing the precious stories of Catholic faithful who called the parishes their spiritual homes.
Additional points of pride are two columns she introduced – Keeping the Feast and At Issue — and having her work acknowledged on a national level with several awards from the Catholic Press Association.
At the time of her retirement, Ms. Rogers reflected on her work with The Monitor, saying “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it is that the universal nature of the Church manifests itself right within the four counties of the Diocese.”
“It’s like a banquet, a movable feast of people and tradition,” she said, referring to the many cultures of people who comprise the Church of Trenton. “I loved every minute and relished coverage and writing about these various experiences.”
Ms. Rogers was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Lois (Pellington) Rogers and her two brothers, Peter and Mark. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Kate Rogers of Newark, Del.; four nieces and nephews; several grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as cousins and many close friends.
Funeral services will be held at a future date. The Monitor will post details when they become available.