As Catholic Christians, we are called to follow Christ’s commandment to “love one another.” This issue of The Monitor Magazine shares story after story of how the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton and beyond respond to that commandment.
OUR COVER image this month captures a special moment as one of the scores of couples who took part in this year’s Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Masses renew their marriage vows. The Monitor is pleased to celebrate them all with a special section that tells the story of these two events in beautiful words and photos.
Love is the foundation of this month’s IN FOCUS section, which examines some of the many ways that our Catholic brothers and sisters are working to help those in need. From reports on local efforts of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to the nationally based Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Trenton’s Mount Carmel Guild and small parish and school ministries that support community needs, the “Tradition of Care, Call to Mercy,” runs deep in the Diocese of Trenton.
Readers won’t want to miss this month’s message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who writes, “There is something about November that invites us, as Catholics, to reflect more deeply on life, death, and eternity.”
Bishop O’Connell addresses the permanence of love, stating, “Our faith assures us that the bonds of love formed in Christ are not destroyed by death.” He also tells us that our prayers for the souls in purgatory are “acts of love.”
Love is the thread that runs through the many other stories in this latest issue:
- SEASONS & CELEBRATIONS – Hundreds of students consider “how to become a saint” atAnnual Catholic Schools Mass; Diocese prepares for Guadalupe feast with lighting of Torches; Empathy affirmed at World Mission Sunday Mass
- WE BELIEVE – Co-Cathedral Parish hosts visit of St. Bernadette relics; youngest Catholics get into the spirit of All Saints’ Day
- ISSUES & ADVOCACY … RESPECT LIFE – How Catholics have experienced racism; Faithful preparation for the fourth quarter of life
- DIOCESE – Annual gatherings for diocesan PTA, Altar Rosary Society; Deacons urged to serve others with love at annual retreat; new CCDOT executive director; marriage validity alert; Immaculate Conception Parish announcement; Hispanic, Filipino priest news
- VOCATIONS – Diocesan Holy Hour for National Vocation Awareness Week; Faith at Home looks at the family as the seedbed of Vocations
- LOCAL … PARISHES … SCHOOLS – Marlton parish turns 30; White Masses for healthcare professionals; Father Wilson installed as pastor in Freehold; Bishop blesses new sensory learning center; St. Jude Novena in Trenton
The best part of this month’s LOVE STORIES is that there is always an opportunity to create your own versions. You are always invited … to learn more; to give of your time and treasure; to pray. They will know we are Christians by our love and what a beautiful reflection of Jesus Christ we are when we put that love into action.
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God bless!
Rayanne Bennett
Associate Publisher
And The Monitor team