As Catholic Schools Week 2019 neared its end, student representatives and school officials from Catholic schools around the state were recognized Jan. 31 in the New Jersey State House in Trenton for all that they contribute to their state and communities.

During this celebration in the State Courthouse, winners of the annual Catholic Schools Week poster and video contest, themed “Catholic Schools Care for Our Earth”, were recognized. Joining winners from Catholic schools around the state were several from the Diocese of Trenton, including: James Kopack and Sage Farina, seventh graders in St. Joseph School, Toms River, who presented their study of clean water needs in Nicaragua; and Dashka Delva and Alex Nappi, seniors in St. Rose High School, Belmar, whose video project followed their school’s efforts to clean up their local environment, highlighting projects ranging from a composting program and community gardening to raising funds to replace school drinking fountains with water bottle filling stations which helps reduce plastic water bottle consumption.

You can read the full report from this annual day in the state capitol in this Monitor article.

Click here to see photos from Catholic Schools Day at the State Courthouse.

Another successful Catholic Schools Week has finished, following scores of special events that engaged thousands of current and prospective students and families. Throughout the Diocese of Trenton, Catholic schools hosted special Masses, welcomed visitors for open houses, and participated in annual fundraising events to benefit Catholic education.

For a wrap up on Catholic Schools Week 2019, visit TrentonMonitor.com and watch for a colorful news package in the Feb. 7 print edition of The Monitor. Also, be sure to check out this video of Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., at the beginning of Catholic Schools Week.

On a very sad note, Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne, president of Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, passed away Feb. 3 after an illness.

Funeral services are scheduled for Feb. 7 in the Sisters of St. Joseph convent located at 9601 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A viewing will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at which time a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Sister Dorothy dedicated much of her life to Catholic education. She had served as associate superintendent in the Diocese of Trenton’s Department of Catholic Schools, represented the Diocese on the National Catholic Educators Associate Planning Committee and served as a trustee for the Mount Carmel Guild. She was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award, the highest medal awarded to the laity by the papacy, in October 2012 at the Eucharistic Congress.

Continue to check back with TrentonMonitor.com in the coming week for updated information about Sister Dorothy.