Setting the beginning of Lent aside for a moment, not only do we have the traditional and long-standing annual observances and commemorations – the March for Life in Washington; Catholic Schools Week; World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life; World Day of the Sick, and World Marriage Day – we now have a new day instituted by Pope Francis: Sunday of the Word of God, which was celebrated Jan. 26. 

Information and reflections about most of these special days and weeks are included in this new issue of the diocesan magazine, which leads me to point to another annual observance in the Church – Catholic Press Month. This is the first Catholic Press Month that we are promoting as a magazine, after moving away from our newspaper of 65 years this past fall. Regardless of the change in format, Catholic Press Month reminds us that the mission remains the same – to deliver authentic Catholic-based news and perspective to our diocesan community.

This is now the fifth issue of this new magazine, and we are very grateful to all the readers who made this journey with us. So many of you have taken the time to reach out and let us know that you like the magazine format and the kind of content we are producing. On behalf of our team here, I can tell you that this has been very encouraging and instructive. We ask you to keep the feedback coming, and be sure to tell your friends and family about this faith resource. More subscribers are always welcome! 

We hope that you will also enjoy this latest issue, in which we show some of the many endeavors that the Catholic community has been involved in during this past month, and some important things that are coming up in the next month or so. With our website, TrentonMonitor.com, now the primary place for 24/7 news updates, we encourage our readers to check in online, particularly for the expanded content from what is in print. For instance, you might visit the website for expanded versions of messages and reflections from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Scripture scholar Father Pablo Gadenz, and Father Garry Koch, author of The Monitor’s The Word column. You will also find Lenten recipes from Lois Rogers’ column, “Keeping the Feast,” and other multimedia resources promoted throughout this magazine.

Though it is hard to believe that Lent is almost here again, it is, in fact, coming upon us quickly. And so, we hope you will join us in making good use of the lead-in time to consider what you plan to do this year. Bishop O’Connell has challenged us with his Lenten message, and we’ve shared a few other ideas on how to get a fresh start on a fruitful Lent.

Please know that you, our readers, are in our prayers as we continue to walk through these very busy and important days in the Church calendar.