MyMonitor

Triumph for all ages

Dear Reader,

With spring ushering in a season of renewal, the April issue of The Monitor Magazine offers stories that capture the fresh energy and celebrates the revitalized faith emerging across our Diocese.

This month’s In Focus feature, Recovery and Resurgence, provides an encouraging look at in-person Sunday Mass attendance. After more than two decades of decline — exacerbated by the profound challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — parishes are now witnessing a hopeful resurgence. Across the Diocese of Trenton and the country, attendance numbers are climbing, with many parishes even meeting or exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to the Diocese’s annual Mass counts.

In this issue:
BISHOP O’CONNELL: Bishop shares his Easter message; recaps a recent visit to Washington, D.C., for events with The Catholic University of America and the USCCB
WE BELIEVE: Blessed Carlo Acutis’ anticipated canonization generates excitement around shrine named in his honor; an ecumenical event is also featured, inspired by the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea
FAITH FORMATION: A powerful diocesan-wide conference encourages ministry leaders to remain hopeful and steadfast in their vocations
LENT, HOLY WEEK AND EASTER: Highlights include the Rite of Election, Holy Week preparations and Easter celebrations in the Diocese and parishes
DIOCESE: Coverage includes mental health outreach; CRS Rice Bowl efforts; MCG Founders’ Day Mass; the Jubilee Blue Mass; tributes to Father Cioffi and Harry Hill, and recognition for longtime diocesan employee, Maureen Fitzsimmons
LIVING THE GOSPEL: Celebrations such as Girl Scout Sunday and Sister Carole MacKenthun's Citizen of the Year honor
LOCAL: Belmar’s celebration of the feast of St. Joseph; The Cross & Shamrock’s 40th anniversary; dedication of Adoration Chapel in Marlton parish; pilgrimages to Italy; and the groundbreaking of a new building at St. Dominic ParishAlso featured: updates on Pope Francis’s health, special gatherings marking 20 years since the passing of St. John Paul II, Spanish-language content, columnists, Gospel reflections and more.

The April print edition has been mailed to all PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS (those who receive both the print and digital editions). Not yet a PREMIUM subscriber? Upgrade now by clicking HERE or writing to Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org

Your digital edition is available HERE. Remember that every subscriber has unlimited access to all content at TrentonMonitor.com. Please let us know if you require any help to access the site and the content.

On behalf of our entire team here at The Monitor and the Office of Communications and Media, I wish all of our readers a beautiful and blessed Holy Week and Easter. God bless you all.

Rayanne Bennett, Associate Publisher
And The Monitor team

Our Catholic witness to a world in need
Speaking to the immense congregation in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first statewide Mass for Life Sept. 26, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., expressed a belief he has shared many times in the past: “To be Catholic is to be pro-life.”
The Bishop emphasized the preeminent priority for Catholics to protect human life in the womb, but he did not leave his message there. As he is also known to say with regularity, “Ours is a duty to protect all human life. Every human life. From conception to natural death.”
This issue of The Monitor Magazine points readers toward the many ways that their prayers and faithful action can affirm the dignity of human life in all its stages and needs. Look for this special content:
RESPECT LIFE MONTH – A message from Bishop O’Connell and reporting on the statewide initiative that brought more than a thousand pro-life advocates to Trenton to pray, rally and march to end abortion. Also … information on a Respect Life Novena.
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – In the run-up to the presidential election, Bishop O’Connell’s message on our call to political responsibility in the light of our Catholic faith; Pope Francis’ assessment on the U.S. election, and the importance of dialogue.
HURRICANE RELIEF – Taking stock of the enormous need following one of the deadliest storms to hit the southeastern region of the country; find out how you can help.
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL – The Church’s call to end the violence and release the hostages, as Catholic agencies work to serve the suffering as the war spreads.
Readers will also find reports on some of the Church’s major initiatives:
SYNOD ON SYNODALITY – Look for a recap of what to expect in the second Synod of Bishops now underway in Rome, and meet the young correspondent from the Diocese who is covering it for The Monitor.
2025 HOLY YEAR – What are Jubilees in the Church all about and how can the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton engage in the celebration?
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY – A message from the Bishop on helping the Church where it is ‘young, suffering and threatened’ and the annual report on how the Diocese’s faithful support the missions.
DON’T MISS … THE ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE and an inspiring collection of local stories about our parishes and people.
The October print edition has been mailed to all PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS (those who receive both the print and digital editions). Not yet a PREMIUM subscriber? Upgrade now by clicking HERE or writing to Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org
Your digital edition is available HERE. Remember that you have unlimited access to all content at TrentonMonitor.com (currently no sign-in is required). Don’t hesitate to reach out to the email address above or call (609) 403-7169 if you need any assistance.
Blessings,
Rayanne Bennett
Associate Publisher
And The Monitor teamSpeaking to the immense congregation in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for the first statewide Mass for Life Sept. 26, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., expressed a belief he has shared many times in the past: “To be Catholic is to be pro-life.”
The Bishop emphasized the preeminent priority for Catholics to protect human life in the womb, but he did not leave his message there. As he is also known to say with regularity, “Ours is a duty to protect all human life. Every human life. From conception to natural death.”
This issue of The Monitor Magazine points readers toward the many ways that their prayers and faithful action can affirm the dignity of human life in all its stages and needs. Look for this special content:
RESPECT LIFE MONTH – A message from Bishop O’Connell and reporting on the statewide initiative that brought more than a thousand pro-life advocates to Trenton to pray, rally and march to end abortion. Also … information on a Respect Life Novena.
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP – In the run-up to the presidential election, Bishop O’Connell’s message on our call to political responsibility in the light of our Catholic faith; Pope Francis’ assessment on the U.S. election, and the importance of dialogue.
HURRICANE RELIEF – Taking stock of the enormous need following one of the deadliest storms to hit the southeastern region of the country; find out how you can help.
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAMAS ATTACK ON ISRAEL – The Church’s call to end the violence and release the hostages, as Catholic agencies work to serve the suffering as the war spreads.
Readers will also find reports on some of the Church’s major initiatives:
SYNOD ON SYNODALITY – Look for a recap of what to expect in the second Synod of Bishops now underway in Rome, and meet the young correspondent from the Diocese who is covering it for The Monitor.
2025 HOLY YEAR – What are Jubilees in the Church all about and how can the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton engage in the celebration?
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY – A message from the Bishop on helping the Church where it is ‘young, suffering and threatened’ and the annual report on how the Diocese’s faithful support the missions.
DON’T MISS … THE ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE and an inspiring collection of local stories about our parishes and people.
The October print edition has been mailed to all PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS (those who receive both the print and digital editions). Not yet a PREMIUM subscriber? Upgrade now by clicking HERE or writing to Monitor-Subscriptions@DioceseofTrenton.org
Your digital edition is available HERE. Remember that you have unlimited access to all content at TrentonMonitor.com (currently no sign-in is required). Don’t hesitate to reach out to the email address above or call (609) 403-7169 if you need any assistance.
Blessings,
Rayanne Bennett
Associate Publisher
And The Monitor team