The Monitor

NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON,
serving the Catholic community in
Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

A message from Rayanne Bennett, Associate Publisher of The Monitor

In the 65 years that the Diocese of Trenton has published The Monitor newspaper, there have been many variations and adaptations to accommodate the prevailing needs of the day.  Later decades have seen such changes as moving from all black and white to color, and from weekly to bi-weekly in order to continue our mission of keeping our community informed of local, national and international Catholic-based news. 

In the interest of engaging and inspiring our readers, we have undertaken numerous redesigns, produced special publications and continued to pursue high-quality content and images that have captured some breathtaking and historic moments in the life of this Church.

In recent years we have taken pride that The Monitor is “everywhere you are” – in print, online and on mobile.  We have worked to develop a news resource that tells the stories of our parishes, our people and our faith.  That will continue to be the mission of this next chapter. [...click here to read more]

The latest issue of The Monitor brings to readers some of the upbeat traditional summer coverage – carnivals, festivals, youth service projects like Mission: Jersey, and other parish-led events.  At the same time we report on some hard-hitting issues as we find ourselves facing threats to human life following several shootings in this nation, and, in New Jersey, a new law that allows for assisted suicide at the end of life.

Watch for coverage on how the Church is responding to the escalating hate and violence, and our special package on how we, as Catholics, are called to provide true compassion and care to the dying.

As families begin to prepare for next month’s return to school, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued a message about the value of Catholic schools.  In the piece entitled “Catholic Schools:  ‘Our best and greatest inheritance’” the Bishop offers five reasons to support choosing Catholic schools for our children.

Be sure to look for these stories as well in the Aug. 8 issue:

• FAMILY FOCUS … We bring you coverage of a great event hosted by Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish in Hamilton to honor grandparents, and insight from national experts on how to build strong faith lives among Catholic families.  Also, don’t miss Pope Francis’ recent exhortation for families to focus on their prayer lives.

• TRUE COMMUNITY … The moving account of St. Rose High School junior Sam Jarmer, who suffered a serious spinal injury while working as a lifeguard, has mobilized his entire Belmar community to gather in prayer for his healing, and has inspired others around the nation to lend their support.  The Monitor brings you this story.

• KNIGHTS LEGACY … The annual convention of the Knights of Columbus has highlighted the group’s focus on service, charity and critical issues for the Church, such as religious freedom across the globe.  Be sure to catch that report.  

The Aug. 8 print edition has been mailed to subscribers, and the e-edition is available now at www.TrentonMonitor.com.  Please note that The Monitor newspaper is transitioning to a monthly magazine model, beginning in October.  The last issue of the newspaper will be Sept. 5, and the new magazine will be distributed the first week of October.  Consider being part of this new chapter of The Monitor by subscribing to the new magazine with full access to the digital edition and redesigned website. You may do so here  or by contacting our Business Desk at (609) 403-7131; Monitor-Subscriptions@dioceseoftrenton.org.

• Catholic Schools 'our greatest inheritance,’ Bishop O'Connell says

• Mission: Jersey volunteers find joy serving close to home

• El Centro looking for mentors to help kids find better future
   
• Bishop O'Connell reflects on 'Aid in Dying'