Superintendent: Catholic schools ‘are up to the challenge’
In a message to the Catholic school community of the Diocese of Trenton, Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent for Catholic schools, writes, “Last year, I wrote to you in the “Back to School” issue of The Monitor about what my plans were as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Trenton. My job, as I saw it, was two-fold: build on the successes that made our Catholic schools great, and work towards our students becoming even more service-oriented, if possible.
Well, I would like to think that we succeeded on both of those accounts.
Our Catholic schools remained open during a global pandemic and our programs, despite the circumstances, thrived under the “new normal.” Our academic scores held on to be very strong, our enrollments went up in many schools and our programs were filled with life. Our students were smiling and were happy to be in our schools on the many visits that I made to the schools and the events that I attended.”
Continue reading Dr. Schmidt’s message…
Bishop to lead online prayer service for 20th anniversary of 9/11
Remembrance of the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil on Sept. 11, 2001, has drawn communities together in prayer throughout the Diocese of Trenton for nearly two decades. This year as the nation marks 20 years since 9/11, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., invites the faithful and all people of good will to join in an online prayer service on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Beginning at 6 a.m. on Sept. 11, participants may visit YouTube.com/TrentonDiocese to pray with the service, which will be recorded at the Chancery chapel. The service will include prayer excerpts from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Pope Benedict XVI and a reflection by Bishop O’Connell.
September issue of The Monitor Magazine available
There appear to be no first day jitters shown by the first grader from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Asbury Park who is featured on the cover of the September issue of The Monitor Magazine, which is now available digitally for all subscribers. Decked out in all her gear, this little one introduces our special Back to School section offering readers a glimpse of what awaits students, teachers, staff and families now that a new school year has begun.
Teaching and learning is a theme you’ll find that runs throughout this new issue. With a collection of messages and essays from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and a special section dedicated to Passing on the Faith, we explore this month the responsibility that all share by virtue of our Baptism to teach the faith to the young, and to all people who need to know God.
