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Retired Religious collection • Save the Date • Giving Tuesday update •The December Monitor
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December 6, 2022RECOGNIZING THE INCOMPARABLE GIFT of religious sisters, brothers and priests in the lives of faithful Catholics, the Retirement Fund for Religious supports these retired ministers in the Diocese of Trenton and across the country – a crucial financial assistance that helps them meet their basic needs in their waning years.
The annual collection for the fund will be taken up Dec. 10-11 in parishes across the United States and will go toward health care and living accommodations – vital to these dedicated and faithful servants who have no lifetime income from which to draw Social Security nor personal savings.
There are nearly 250 religious men and women in several dozen religious communities currently serving in the Diocese of Trenton. When members of these communities retire, they rely completely on donations from the laity, primarily through the annual fund. Last year, the Diocese of Trenton donated $231,803.46 to the collection.
Read more HERE.
SCHEDULED BETWEEN TWO SIGNIFICANT DATES in the pro-life movement, a new diocesan Respect Life event, “Standing Together for Life,” is planned for the new year – a theme that marries Respect Life initiatives to other ministries of social concern, focusing on their common goals.
The special day will begin with Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. Jan. 20 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., along with other invited priests, followed by a luncheon and seminar featuring Dr. Charles Camosy as keynote speaker.
The event takes place between the first anniversary of the New Jersey Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act signed into law Jan. 13 (codifying the right to abortion into state law), and the Jan. 22 anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the now-overturned 1973 Supreme Court case making abortion legal at the federal level.
All are welcome to participate in the Mass, which will also be livestreamed on diocesan media. Advance registration will be required to attend the lunch and speaker seminar. Register HERE.
ON NOV. 29, THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF GIVING TUESDAY, the global philanthropic movement that follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton collectively highlighted the value of a faith-based education while appealing for community support.
Christine Prete, associate director of development operations for the Diocese, led the campaign that is a part of the Diocese’s “Catholic Schools Have It All” initiative.
“I am humbled at the outpouring of support to make our fifth Giving Tuesday in support of Catholic education a successful event! Alumni, parishioners, school staff, diocesan staff and school families came together to raise over $57,000 in 24 hours. Crowdfunding – raising small amounts of money from a large group of people – has proven to be a way to celebrate and recognize the value of Catholic Education. Funds raised will help alleviate the costs for tuition or other needs that require additional funding at the schools,” Prete said.
Read more HERE.
HOW DO WE “COME APART” FROM OUR DAILY DEMANDS and reflect on the miracle of the Christ child and what his light means to a world of darkness?
One suggestion is to spend some quiet time with the Christmas message of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., which appears in this December issue, as well as the insight and inspiration you might find in our IN FOCUS section.
Look for the reflection on finding the Lord in our world and consider the practical suggestions for adopting spiritual resolutions for Advent or dedicating time to some of the traditional activities of this wonderful season of celebration.
The December print edition has been mailed to all PREMIUM SUBSCRIBERS and the digital edition link has been sent to their inboxes. Subscribers also have unlimited access to all content on TrentonMonitor.com. Not yet a subscriber? Sign up today safely and conveniently by clicking HERE, or writing to [email protected].
