Top photo caption: Kindergarten students listen to their teacher on the first day of school Sept. 8 at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown. Mike Ehrmann photo
By Rayanne Bennett, Associate Publisher
As both the calendar and the cover of this magazine issue attest, this is the time each year when we focus our attention on the return to school. This month’s BACK TO THE CLASSROOM coverage by The Monitor includes news and photos of the new academic year for both our Catholic schools and our parish religious education programs.
We are especially pleased to share with you the bright and hopeful stories about the many projects and activities that our Catholic schools have been working on to make the coming year the best yet. Look for news from schools who have created new spaces and adopted new programs for specialized instruction; enhanced technology; student wellness, athletics and much more.
This coverage would not have been possible without the school staff members and volunteers who handle communications and worked with us during a very busy time. They are an example of the type of individuals who faithfully dedicate themselves to the Church’s many forms of ministry, some of whom are profiled in this month’s issue. We encourage readers to spend some time learning the stories of:
- Marlene Lao-Collins, outgoing executive director of Catholic Charities, Trenton, as she prepares to retire
- Sixteen seminarians who have just returned to classrooms of their own
- New diocesan staff, including Director of Catechesis; Associate Superintendent of Schools; Diocesan Liaison for Hispanic Ministry; Coordinator of Jail and Prison Ministry;
- This year’s new Catholic school principals
- This year’s new Parish Catechetical Leaders
We are both profoundly sad and privileged to bring you the stories of two very special people in ministry who have just passed away – Father James Conover and Msgr. Michael J. Walsh. It would be difficult to fully convey the impact that these good priests had on the tens of thousands of the faithful who were blessed to know them over the years. Their inspiring stories are told by some of the many people who knew and loved them.
Just like any family, the Catholic community of the Diocese of Trenton welcomes new arrivals, celebrates those who will begin new chapters, and honors those who pass from us. We are a people of God, and we have many stories to tell.
May this month’s sense of newness and hope impact all of us in the best ways possible. God bless!