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Recently, I contacted the sponsors and co-sponsors of some proposed legislation here in New Jersey to express my concerns about its negative impact upon the Catholic Church and other religious entities. For many decades, the Catholic Church has been a strong advocate for comprehensive health care reform. That advocacy was captured in a letter that the U.S Catholic Bishops sent to members of Congress 10 years ago – in 2009:

On Aug. 21, The Monitor went live with its newly redesigned website – TrentonMonitor.com. The new design will afford users a more simplified and streamlined approach to accessing content, and provides for greater integration of photos, videos and slideshows in posted stories, according to Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher.

Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. has released a message in response to the Pew Research Study released August 5 which shared that "only 31%" of Catholics "believe that the bread and wine consecrated at Mass BECOME AND ARE the Body and Blood of Christ."

The Church of the Holy Cross, Rumson, is in immediate need of a principal organist/choir director for weekend liturgies.

Sí, este jueves, 15 de agosto, la Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Bendita Virgen María al Cielo y la fiesta patronal de la Diócesis de Trenton, ES un día santo de obligación. Es decir que los católicos estamos obligados asistir a Misa en la vigilia (la noche antes) o en el día mismo. En lugar de enfocarnos en “la obligación” que está descrita en las provisiones del derecho canónico (cifras 1246 y 1247) y apoyadas por la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB por sus cifras en inglés) para nuestro país, tal vez debemos considerar las razones que tienen que ver con nuestra fe acerca la obligación.

Yes, this Wednesday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven and the Patronal Feast of the Diocese of Trenton, IS a holy day of obligation. In other words, Catholics are obliged to attend Mass either on the vigil (the evening before) or on the day itself. Rather than focus on the “obligation,” which is described in the provisions of canon law (cc. 1246 and 1247) and supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for our country, perhaps we should consider the reasons of faith behind the obligation.

Como casi todos los estadounidenses, a pesar de sus diferentes convicciones o falta de, me fue un gran choque ver una vez más la perdida trágica de vida después de los tiroteos en El Paso, Texas, y Dayton, Ohio. Una investigación rápida por el internet revela que hemos visto 248 matanzas semejantes hasta ahora en 2019 que resulta ser 1.2 tiroteos por día con más de 1,325 víctimas, 979 heridos y 246 muertos. ¡Absolutamente increíble en una sociedad civilizada! Y parece que las matanzas no respetan ninguna frontera, nada de respeto por las personas, sin vista de ningún fin.

Like virtually all Americans, regardless of their personal religious convictions or lack thereof, I was sickened once again by the tragic, senseless loss of life resulting from the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. A quick internet search reveals that there have been 248 such slaughters so far in 2019 at a mind-boggling rate of 1.2 shootings per day with over 1,325 victims, 979 injured and 246 killed. Absolutely unbelievable in a civilized society! And the carnage seems to know no boundaries, no respect for persons, no signs of ending.

Today, Bishops from three committees at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed their deep concern about racism and xenophobia that apparently motivated this weekend’s massacre in El Paso and that have motivated numerous other recent mass shootings in the United States. The Chairmen called on our elected officials to exert leadership in seeking to heal the wounds that these shootings have caused and to deal with the scourges of racism, xenophobia, and religious bigotry, including refraining from expressing hurtful, painful, and divisive rhetoric that dehumanizes and polarizes people on the basis of their race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.

There are many wonderful public and Catholic schools in New Jersey that do a great job educating our kids. Parents choose “Catholic” schools BECAUSE they are Catholic. With all due respect to public schools, there is and there should be a difference.

WASHINGTON— Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, and President of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane, of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development have issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting in Dayton, Ohio.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement in response to the tragic shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas.

Como el Obispo de una Diócesis, frecuentemente personas me piden escribir o declararme sobre una variedad de asuntos y, a menudo, eso lo hago. Intento tener mucho cuidado con lo que escribo y predico, evitando temas políticas, manteniendo siempre en mente mi responsabilidad de usar las oportunidades que tengo para dirigirme y enseñar a los fieles sobre asuntos de la fe y los morales. Prefiero calificar lo que escribo como “reflexiones” o “mensajes”, escrituras más homiléticas en cuanto su perspectiva y contenido, diseñadas para animar a los creyentes a seguir los Evangelios de Jesucristo y aplicar las enseñanzas de la Iglesia a los asuntos o eventos relevantes contemporáneos para los católicos en nuestra Diócesis.

Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. shares a reflection about the "Aid in Dying" Law

Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M. shares a reflection about the "Aid in Dying" Law

Due to a power outage in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, the Senior Spirituality Day, will be moved to St. Dominic Parish, Brick; This fall, speaker and author Jeff Cavins will visit St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, to offer his presentation “When You Suffer: Biblical Keys for Hope and Understanding", and Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. paid a visit to the students enrolled in the summer religious education programs of St. Joesph Parish, Toms River July 11 and St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel July 18.

Sunday, July 21 kicked off National Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week 2019 in the Diocese of Trenton and in dioceses across the United States.

The Diocese of Trenton’s Catholic Spanish-language television show, Cristo Para Todos, will be premiering a new episode on Saturday, July 20 at 11:30 a.m. and the annual magazine supplement, LIVES OF FAITH 2019, will be included in the July 25 print edition of The Monitor.

St. Catharine School, a PreK-8th Catholic Elementary school located in Spring Lake, NJ is now accepting applications for anticipated openings for the 2018-2019 school year.