Night of solidarity and hope for our immigrant brothers and sisters held #Catholic – 
The community of Our Lady of Fatima & St Nicholas Church in Passaic experienced a deeply moving evening during the Night of Solidarity and Hope for Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The celebration brought together parishioners, community leaders, and several priests from the Diocese of Paterson for a moment of prayer, gratitude, and commitment to justice.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, and the homily was given by Father Gary Graf, who is currently undertaking an extraordinary pilgrimage on foot from Chicago to New York—thousands of steps under sun and rain—in support of immigrant rights and human dignity.
At the beginning of the celebration, Bishop Sweeney reminded the faithful that we are “two days before Thanksgiving, asking for blessings, peace, and justice for our country, the United States.”
He warmly welcomed Father Graf, highlighting that “he has been walking for seven weeks from Chicago to Passaic and will continue on to the Statue of Liberty in solidarity with the immigrant community, raising his voice with love and peace but also asking for justice, for respect for every human being; we are all children of God.”
The bishop also expressed gratitude to Father Rolands Uribe, the pastor of the church, and the priests present, including Father Duberney Villamizar, vicar for Hispanic Affairs, and Father Yojaneider García, director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation, who extended the invitation to Father Graf to share this special evening.
Father Graf began by highlighting “the good relationship Bishop Kevin has with his priests,” which he described as a beautiful example for the entire diocese.
He then spoke about the richness of cultural heritage: “Many years ago, our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents built the incredible churches and cathedrals.”
He also focused on the present, emphasizing that young people are an essential part of the future of our communities.
With great humility, he shared: “I walk very little compared to all that you have walked, from so many countries (including the priests), leaving land and family.”
He encouraged everyone to keep their identity alive: “Keep alive our culture, heritage.”
Father Graf expressed deep affection for priests, saying, “No one is loved more than a priest. The world esteems us, loves us, receives us.”
And he offered a heartfelt message to his brother priests: “Fall in love with your people, because the priest who does not fall in love with his people… what poverty, what sadness!”
Referring to his long journey, he added, “Walking 50 days is nothing.”
Father Graf shared how this pilgrimage has been both a human and spiritual experience. “Along the way, I have met so many people of goodwill who love immigrants very much, because they know they were immigrants, or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were. Sometimes one forgets, and so it was very important for me to stand up and express that truth and tell that truth.”
He added that this truth is not often heard in Washington: “We are not hearing from Washington that we are an immigrant people; it is a blessing.”
He reflected on the roads he has traveled—“the highways of Indianapolis, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey”—and asked: “Who built those roads, those buildings, if not immigrants?”
With conviction, he said: “We are a nation of immigrants, we are so proud of our heritage, and that’s what I came to celebrate with all of you… and remind ourselves that the greatest sin is the sin of forgetfulness, when we forget where we came from — and we lost.”
With affection, he encouraged everyone to honor the sacrifices of their families: “It is our responsibility to work hard like our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and [honor] the sacrifices they made every step of the way from their countries.”
To the teenagers present, he offered a simple but profound task: “When you get home tonight, thank your parents and grandparents and ask them what was their story, their sacrifices.”
At the end of the celebration, Father Villamizar offered thanks to the communities of Passaic, Morris, and Sussex County and shared an exciting announcement: as a result of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the Hispanic Community, one of the priorities identified was the need for a Pastoral Migratoria program.
He joyfully announced that, after months of dialogue with the Chicago Pastoral Migratoria, the Diocese of Paterson is ready to begin this important work, and that Miguel Rodríguez will serve as the liaison with the Archdiocese of Chicago.
“Little by little, we will begin planting this pastoral ministry in the parishes of our diocese,” he said.
Finally, Father Graf spoke with great emotion about Our Lady of Guadalupe, reminding everyone that she accompanies us in our identity and in our faith. He emphasized that she “invites us, allows us to see ourselves as sons and daughters of that great Mother of ours here on our continent.”
The evening ended with this comforting truth: under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we walk together as one people—loved, guided, and sustained by God.
PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ
– The community of Our Lady of Fatima & St Nicholas Church in Passaic experienced a deeply moving evening during the Night of Solidarity and Hope for Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The celebration brought together parishioners, community leaders, and several priests from the Diocese of Paterson for a moment of prayer, gratitude, and commitment to justice. The Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, and the homily was given by Father Gary Graf, who is currently undertaking an extraordinary pilgrimage on foot from Chicago to New York—thousands of steps under sun and rain—in support
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![Florham Park Catholic helps coordinate law school’s first Eucharistic procession #Catholic - Before Nov. 23, no one at Ave Maria Law School in Naples, Fla., a Catholic institution, had ever seen such a glorious sight: an outdoor Eucharistic procession of 100 young students crossing the campus and praying behind the Blessed Sacrament carried under an embroidered canopy.
On that sunny day, Ave Maria Law’s first-ever Eucharistic procession graced Catholic men and women on campus with the opportunity to gather in prayer for the Feast of Christ the King. The event started with Mass and concluded with Benediction. Michael Ippolito, a law student there and parishioner of Holy Family in Florham Park, N.J., proposed the idea and helped organize and participated in the procession.
Ippolito, 24, is part of a growing movement of young U.S. Catholics deepening their commitment in strong faith communities. A Harvard University Cooperative Election Study showed a jump in Gen Z Americans identifying as Catholic, from 15 percent in 2022 to 21 percent in 2023, with young men leading the trend. Ippolito’s faith has blossomed into evangelization — bringing Christ into the world — as an active community member and writer.
Ippolito said he was “honored” to take part in the procession, helping students celebrate and reclaim their Catholic heritage in public.
“It was a moving experience that allowed Christ to be brought to the depths of the law school. The moment captured the essence of the law school’s mission of Fides et Ratio [Faith and Reason]. I hope that the law school will continue this tradition, and continue in its mission of forming great lawyers and Catholic disciples,” said Ippolito, in his second year of law school with a concentration in Natural Law.
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Raised in a devout family, Ippolito began his faith journey in earnest in his teens, when “God was an afterthought,” and grew through several milestones. While a student at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J., he encountered Christ in theology classes and at a men’s retreat, where he spent “intimate time” with him in prayer and worship, and was inspired by the testimonies of students and teachers.
“I learned that Jesus loved me and how to bring my faith into the world. It was a ‘Come to God moment’ for me,” Ippolito said.
Later, Ippolito found a community of fellow young Catholics serious about their faith as a student of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He experienced a deeper conversion attending the Traditional Latin Mass in a faith that remains constant.
“In our generation, nothing is stable. We are told lies about careers and relationships, including non-marital sex. People wrongly say, ‘God is a loving God, so I don’t have to change,’” said Ippolito, who was in the Knights of Columbus at Catholic University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in politics with minors in history and theology in 2023. “In college, I began questioning, ‘Am I living life the way God wants me to live?’”
At Ave Maria Law, Ippolito belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, and St. Thomas More Society. He suggested the procession to Father David Pignato, the school’s chaplain. The priest said he “supports the Catholic revival at Ave Maria Law.”
Ippolito also has written about history and contemporary politics from a Catholic perspective for publications such as Crisis Magazine and The Daily Signal to get his opinion “out into the larger conversation.”
Growing up, Ippolito attended weekly Mass at Holy Family with his family: his father, Tobi, an internist; his mother, Anne, a master’s degree candidate in systematic theology at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.; his brother, Tony, 27, a medical student; and his sister, Jessica, 23, a college student. Tobi is studying for the permanent diaconate of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey and anticipates being ordained next year.
“I’m inspired by the fact that my dad has taken up the duty to serve the Church. His diaconate studies have been a gift. As a family, we are now all closer to our faith,” Ippolito said.
Follow Ippolito on @mikeipps and Substack@michaeljippolito](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/florham-park-catholic-helps-coordinate-law-schools-first-eucharistic-procession-catholic-before-nov-23-no-one-at-ave-maria-law-school-in-naples-fla-a-catholic-institution-had-ever-se.jpg)
![A dream realized: 6 years after the fire, Straight and Narrow dedicates new state-of-the-art building #Catholic - Blessing and ribbon-cutting of drug and alcohol rehab honors longtime leader of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson
“We will rebuild.” That’s what Msgr. Herbert Tillyer said to Scott Milliken, CEO of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Paterson, on Aug. 19, 2019, after a six-alarm fire had destroyed the main building of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, Straight and Narrow. The two had been in the Paterson Fire Department’s command center mobile trailer all day with Angela Nikolovski, executive director of Straight and Narrow. They were assured by officials that everyone had escaped safely, and thanks to the American Red Cross and St. Joseph’s Hospital, clients had been cared for and relocated.
Milliken shared the story on Dec. 8 as over 200 community leaders, lawmakers, volunteers, and supporters gathered for a blessing and ribbon-cutting of the new state-of-the-art facility, fittingly named the Monsignor Herbert K. Tillyer, P.A. Rehabilitation Center in honor of the former chairman of the board of Straight and Narrow and longtime leader of Catholic Charities organizations. With Msgr. Tillyer’s vision and wisdom, said Milliken, they have rebuilt the premier, best building they could for rehabilitation.
Nikolovski, executive director of the comprehensive social service nonprofit, said the grand opening is a testament to what can be achieved when people work together on a shared vision. “We have transformed our vision into a reality and reimagined what recovery and treatment can look like in our community.” This will allow Straight and Narrow to expand, she said, reaching and serving more individuals and families, providing “innovative, compassionate care in a space designed for healing.”
The $30 million project, a 50,000 square-foot facility, features a 50-bed halfway house for men, a state-of-the-art food-service dining and commercial kitchen to serve approximately 3,000 meals a day, men’s and women’s clinical and outpatient services, pastoral care, and administrative offices. The building is located next door to other Straight and Narrow buildings, not affected by the fire. Straight and Narrow also offers a Mommy and Me program, a Wellness Center featuring a CrossFit trainer, and Gymboree for clients’ children. Plans are underway to develop a halfway house for women, including women with children, and renovations are underway for the medical adult daycare center.
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“I have always said that working in Passaic County as a leader is a special network of people,” said Milliken. The dream was realized because of many generous, skilled individuals, said Milliken as he thanked NK Architects, Natoli Construction, the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees led by Father Martin Glynn, the Catholic Charities team, lawmakers including Congresswoman Nellie Pou and State Sen. Benjie Wimberly who helped secure New Jersey State budget funding, Paterson mayor André Sayegh, Passaic mayor Hector Lora, Ron Jampel, a volunteer, who guided them through the New Market Tax credit procedure, New Jersey Capital, AFLI-CII Housing Investment Trust and Valley Bank. The agency also received support from the Diocese of Paterson’s Diocesan Ministries Appeal, $1.6 million from the American Rescue Plan through the City of Paterson for an HIV program, and a grant from the Moglia Foundation to build a Wellness Center.
Kerry Alys Robinson, president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, attended the event and shared how she was delighted to receive a letter from Pope Leo XIV in October at their annual convention. One line from the Holy Father’s message touched her heart: “Through your 168 Diocesan Catholic Charities agencies, you become agents of hope for the millions of people who approach the Church in the United States of America seeking compassion and care.” Robinson said, “The men and women of Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson are the very agents of hope about whom the pope wrote. Indeed, the Monsignor Herbert Tillyer Rehabilitation Center is a beautiful living testament to the fact that hope cannot be extinguished.”
Msgr. Tillyer led the gathered in a prayer expressing gratitude and joy to God. “We rededicate ourselves to the saving mission of providing life-saving help to every person who will be served in this new rehabilitation center. Doing this faithfully and well under your guidance, dear Lord, will enable us to create genuine hope in the hearts and the minds of our precious clients and their families… we humbly and confidently ask you Lord for your guiding hand in every therapeutic intervention, in all the work that will take place here for many years and decades to come, even into the next century.”
The Diocese of Paterson’s Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney said the project has been an example of great teamwork and the good that can happen when community leaders work together. “We are all God’s children, and we believe as Christians that God calls us to see the presence of God in each and every person, especially our brothers and sisters who are most in need.” Pointing out that they were holding the event on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and that the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was to be celebrated on Dec. 12, the Bishop led the blessing, praying that Our Lord through the intercession of Mary, St. Joseph and all the angels and saints would bless the new facility and “all those who have made it possible, all those who will come to work here, to serve and to receive the gifts of healing and hope.”
Milliken encouraged guests touring the space to look at the quality of the craftsmanship guided by Natoli Construction and “made in America by our local unions.”
Many who worked on and supported the project were delighted to be in attendance.
“These types of projects make work amazing. You come here, and you feel the impact, and you know that you are making a difference,” said Harpreet Peleg, CEO of Building America and chief financial officer of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust.
“It’s a really exciting day. To rebuild this…and see how beautiful it is and how many lives it is going to change; it’s extremely rewarding,” said Tom Kelly, president, Passaic Central Labor Council.
“For decades, Straight and Narrow has offered a lifeline to men and women struggling with substance use and addiction, said Congresswoman Nellie Pou. “It restores dignity, rebuilds families, and renews hope before despair can take root. Every day, the staff and volunteers here carry out the Gospel’s call to lift our neighbors up, offering compassion and clinical excellence in equal measure. With the opening of this new center, that mission continues, stronger and broader but imbued with the same unwavering commitment to the inherent worth of every man and woman.”
“We are here to celebrate a city of second chances, and a center that will give people a second chance … this is a building of mercy,” said Paterson Mayor André Sayegh.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/a-dream-realized-6-years-after-the-fire-straight-and-narrow-dedicates-new-state-of-the-art-building-catholic-blessing-and-ribbon-cutting-of-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-honors-longtime-leader-of-cathol.jpg)
![Prayers honor immigrants at Clifton’s Noche De Las Velitas #Catholic - On Dec. 7, almost 100 faithful of the Paterson Diocese prayed the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary in English and Spanish for the immigrant community facing difficult times during the diocese’s annual “Noche de las Velitas” (“Night of the Candles”), held on the grounds of Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, N.J. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney participated in the event, a Latin-American tradition that honors the Immaculate Conception.
Adults and families with children from parishes of the diocese joined the bishop and the Benedictine monks who run Holy Face for an outdoor evening candlelight procession on monastery grounds. The faithful prayed the rosary and sang traditional songs to the Blessed Virgin Mary while a few participants recited reflections. The diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry organized the event.
Maria Moncaleano, director of Hispanic Ministry, said, “On this second Sunday of Advent, we heard in the Gospel how John the Baptist cries out in the desert against unfairness and injustice. It may seem unusual, but part of preparing for the birth of Jesus means pointing out what is wrong and unfair in the places where we live. That is how we can begin to create the communities of kindness, love and justice that Jesus desires.”
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Moncaleano continued, “In these days of Advent, let us especially reach out to migrants and refugees who also are greeted with responses of ‘there is no room’ as Joseph and Mary encountered. May we demonstrate the love that we have for Jesus to create a better world where all people feel welcome.”
The Night of the Candles dates back to Dec. 7, 1854, when Pope Pius IX published his apostolic constitution “Ineffabilis Deus,” which defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. People in Colombia lit candles and paper lanterns in celebration of the announcement. It is an annual tradition that Colombians and other Latin-American countries have observed ever since.
Moncaleano thanked the Benedictine monks for their hospitality and the many volunteers who helped her decorate the pathway for the procession. She especially thanked Father Yohan Serrano, chaplain for Hispanic Ministry, for his presence and support.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/prayers-honor-immigrants-at-cliftons-noche-de-las-velitas-catholic-on-dec-7-almost-100-faithful-of-the-paterson-diocese-prayed-the-glorious-mysteries-of-the-rosary-in-english-and-spanish.jpg)
![Rockaway parish continues 150-year legacy of faith, holiness #Catholic - On Nov. 22, St. Cecilia Parish in Rockaway, N.J., rejoiced in recalling its 150-year legacy of faith, service, community, and as an “incubator for vocations,” foremost among them the late Bishop Frank J. Rodimer, the sixth bishop of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.
During an anniversary Mass that afternoon, worshippers who filled the church also celebrated the current faith community — a population with young people and families strengthening St. Cecilia’s rich legacy of religious devotion, holiness, and spirituality. The Mass was held on the feast of the parish’s patron, St. Cecilia.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Zig Peplowski, pastor of St. Cecilia’s for the past 16 years; Father Mateusz Darlak, the parish’s parochial vicar; Msgr. John Hart, pastor of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., and a former pastor of St. Cecilia’s, and many priests who had been associated with the parish under Father Peplowski’s leadership.
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“St. Cecilia’s is a beautiful parish. Parishioners continually amaze me with their holiness,” said Father Peplowski. He said families of the parish, “an incubator for vocations,” have so far helped produce seven priests, eight religious sisters, and a religious brother. “The parish has strong Mass attendance. The people find holiness in their embrace of the sacraments, including penance, which restores their faith and commitment to Christ the Savior,” he said.
During the Nov. 22 Mass, Bishop Sweeney blessed a new wooden statue of St. Cecilia for the church, made in Italy and made possible by an anonymous donor.
The Morris County Parish also stays youthful with its school, Divine Mercy Academy (DMA). St. Cecilia School opened in 1958 and closed in 2016, when it merged with Sacred Heart of Jesus School, also in Rockway, to form DMA, which is located on the former St. Cecilia School site.
St. Cecilia’s lives out Christian service with food and coat drives and support to local organizations and diocesan Catholic Charities. The parish offers religious education for children and adults and hosts devotional activities, such as a Padre Pio Prayer Group.
St. Mary Parish in Dover, N.J., established a mission in Rockaway and built a church on Academy Street in 1869. After 1875, chaplains of St. Francis Health Resort in Denville, N.J., provided services. In 1881, St. Cecilia’s mission was advanced to parish status. In 1896, the church was moved to a new site on Church Street. A new church was built in 1955.
The Nov. 22 Mass concluded a yearlong series of 150th anniversary events, including an opening Mass last year with Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, a mission, and a talk about St. Cecilia’s history by Msgr. Raymond Kupke, diocesan archivist; a 40-hour Eucharistic devotion; and the parish’s first-ever carnival.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/rockaway-parish-continues-150-year-legacy-of-faith-holiness-catholic-on-nov-22-st-cecilia-parish-in-rockaway-n-j-rejoiced-in-recalling-its-150-year-legacy-of-faith-service-community-and-a.jpg)
![Honorees recognized for service at Catholic Charities’ Caritas Gala #Catholic - Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey honored five people whose exceptional contributions are giving help and hope to improve the lives of people who are in need during its Caritas Gala 2025 at The Meadow Wood in Randolph, N.J., on Nov. 13. This year, two priests, a lay woman, and a married couple were recognized.
At the event, Catholic Charities celebrated the impact of its 70 programs and services, which promote dignity, well-being, and independence to thousands of people in need. The agency also honored its outstanding volunteers, supporters, and staff. Financial support of the Caritas Gala will make a difference in the lives of those Catholic Charities serves.
That evening, Scott Milliken, Catholic Charities’ CEO; Hazel Yaptangco, development director; and Father Martin Glynn, board president and pastor of St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J., delivered their remarks. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney gave the invocation. In place of a physical Missing Man table display, Ariel Jacob Luna, Catholic Charities Veteran Partner of the Year, presented a video honoring Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and reflecting on the symbolism of the Missing Man Table.
“We pray that our gratitude to Almighty God and our celebration of the work of our honorees will strengthen each of us in God’s service and make us ever more committed to caring for those in need of your generous, open hearts,” Bishop Sweeney wrote in the gala program.
Bishop Sweeney presented Paul and Anne Krump of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, N.J., parents of three and grandparents of five, with the Diocese of Paterson Bishop’s Award for promoting Catholic education and supporting the renovation of the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, N.J. Locally, they have been involved with the Tri-County Scholarship Fund and Assumption College for Sisters in Denville. The Krumps are active in their parish and the Order of Malta.
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Father Owen B. Moran, pastor of St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J., received the Msgr. Mark Giordani Award for more than three decades of pastoral service, social outreach, and spiritual leadership. He initiated a collaborative effort among St. Vincent’s parishioners to help struggling families in Paterson and Dover. He established food pantries at two previous parishes. Father Moran is an Order of Malta chaplain and ministers to the Morris County Correctional Facility, hospice patients, and bereavement groups.
Msgr. John E. Hart, pastor of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J., and diocesan director of Clergy Personnel, was honored with the Father Jack Wehrlen Award, “recognizing his priestly heart that reaches out to the brokenhearted and marginalized, giving them hope born of unshakable zeal,” Bishop Sweeney wrote. Msgr. Hart served in many diocesan positions, including as chancellor and in the Tribunal. He is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Harpreet Peleg received the Father Norman James O’Connor Award for “her visionary efforts in the world of finance that build up communities which need new life and hope,” according to the bishop. She is the CEO of Building America CDE and the CFO of the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, a leader in impact investing. Formally Building America’s CFO, Peleg played a critical role in its successful allocation of $263 million in New Markets Tax Credits to 31 projects to date.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/honorees-recognized-for-service-at-catholic-charities-caritas-gala-catholic-catholic-charities-of-the-paterson-diocese-in-new-jersey-honored-five-people-whose-exceptional-contributions-are.jpg)
![Faithful invited to close Jubilee Year with bishop in Paterson #Catholic - Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney invites the faithful of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to unite in gratitude to God on Sunday, Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, to close the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., at 3 p.m.
The Jubilee Year of Hope Closing Mass will be the final diocesan event in observance of the Jubilee, which the Universal Church is celebrating. Bishop Sweeney will be the principal celebrant and homilist of the liturgy, which will open with a short procession into the cathedral, the mother church of the diocese. The holy year has been a time for Catholics to have a personal encounter with Jesus and be renewed as Pilgrims of Hope.
“This is the Jubilee Year of Hope. We are Pilgrims of Hope. Our world needs hope, and we can share it — the hope that we receive from our faith and love,” Bishop Sweeney has said when inviting the faithful to be part of diocesan Jubilee celebrations.
At the Mass, participating faithful will also have the opportunity to receive a Jubilee plenary indulgence, the complete remission of temporal punishment for forgiven sins for oneself or deceased loved ones.
The Mass will start at 2:45 p.m. with a short procession of two to four representatives from each of the diocese’s 107 parishes carrying banners of their faith communities from the Rodimer Center and into the cathedral. All other faithful are asked to be seated in St. John’s for the 3 p.m. Mass.
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The Prayer of the Faithful will be prayed in various languages to highlight the diocese’s cultural diversity. Readers will be asked to dress in native clothing. Families from the diocese’s three counties — Morris, Sussex, and Passaic — will present the Gifts of bread and wine.
In accordance with Vatican directives that “attention to the poor can be made concrete…[with] authentic acts of charity that can continue after the closing of the Jubilee Year,” the Offertory collection will directly benefit our diocesan Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, N.J., and the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women. The faithful can contribute with a cash offering or through Venmo using the special QR code provided in the liturgical booklet for the Mass.
After Holy Communion, Bishop Sweeney will lead the congregation in a hymn of thanksgiving, Te Deum, also in accordance with a Vatican directive. At this Mass, he will recognize all the pilgrims who participated in the local pilgrimages and those who went with him to Italy.
With the words “Spes No Confundit” — Latin for “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), the late Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year of Hope for 2025 with a Bull of Indiction on May 9, 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The pope rang in the holy year by opening the holy doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome last Christmas Eve.
In the diocese, Bishop Sweeney opened the Jubilee with a Mass at the cathedral on Dec. 29 last year, the Feast of the Holy Family, in accordance with the pope’s invitation to all bishops worldwide. The diocese held 26 events to help the faithful experience God’s grace.
Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, and Brian Honsberger, formerly of St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., worked with seven committees to coordinate the diocese’s jubilee observances.
“It is truly a marvel when we consider that this Holy Year was begun by a pope [Francis] who has guided the Church in reclaiming her roots of living synodal spirituality as Jesus did for our times today and it will be concluded by another pope [Leo XIV] who has from the first words of his pontificate proclaimed peace and unity,” Sister Lee said. “This spirit of goodness, generosity, sacrifice, joy, and the hard work that is needed at times in our journey of holiness has been so evident throughout our diocese, thanks in great part to our local shepherd, Bishop Sweeney, our pastors and priests, and all the faithful who have entered into the Jubilee Year and brought along friends and family.”
Sister Lee added, “I am positive that the graces and fruits of this Jubilee Year will continue long past Dec. 28.”
Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, who helped coordinate the liturgy with Sister Lee, said, “The closing Mass will be a time for us to thank God for all he has done for us in this Jubilee Year, a special year of prayer, conversion, penance, and grace.”
There is free parking for the Mass.
All Jubilee point persons Parish representatives need to register for the procession by Dec. 26.](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/faithful-invited-to-close-jubilee-year-with-bishop-in-paterson-catholic-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-invites-the-faithful-of-the-paterson-diocese-in-new-jersey-to-unite-in-gratitude-to-god-on-sunday-de.jpg)
![Night of solidarity and hope for our immigrant brothers and sisters held #Catholic - The community of Our Lady of Fatima & St Nicholas Church in Passaic experienced a deeply moving evening during the Night of Solidarity and Hope for Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The celebration brought together parishioners, community leaders, and several priests from the Diocese of Paterson for a moment of prayer, gratitude, and commitment to justice.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, and the homily was given by Father Gary Graf, who is currently undertaking an extraordinary pilgrimage on foot from Chicago to New York—thousands of steps under sun and rain—in support of immigrant rights and human dignity.
At the beginning of the celebration, Bishop Sweeney reminded the faithful that we are “two days before Thanksgiving, asking for blessings, peace, and justice for our country, the United States.”
He warmly welcomed Father Graf, highlighting that “he has been walking for seven weeks from Chicago to Passaic and will continue on to the Statue of Liberty in solidarity with the immigrant community, raising his voice with love and peace but also asking for justice, for respect for every human being; we are all children of God.”
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The bishop also expressed gratitude to Father Rolands Uribe, the pastor of the church, and the priests present, including Father Duberney Villamizar, vicar for Hispanic Affairs, and Father Yojaneider García, director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation, who extended the invitation to Father Graf to share this special evening.
Father Graf began by highlighting “the good relationship Bishop Kevin has with his priests,” which he described as a beautiful example for the entire diocese.
He then spoke about the richness of cultural heritage: “Many years ago, our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents built the incredible churches and cathedrals.”
He also focused on the present, emphasizing that young people are an essential part of the future of our communities.
With great humility, he shared: “I walk very little compared to all that you have walked, from so many countries (including the priests), leaving land and family.”
He encouraged everyone to keep their identity alive: “Keep alive our culture, heritage.”
Father Graf expressed deep affection for priests, saying, “No one is loved more than a priest. The world esteems us, loves us, receives us.”
And he offered a heartfelt message to his brother priests: “Fall in love with your people, because the priest who does not fall in love with his people… what poverty, what sadness!”
Referring to his long journey, he added, “Walking 50 days is nothing.”
Father Graf shared how this pilgrimage has been both a human and spiritual experience. “Along the way, I have met so many people of goodwill who love immigrants very much, because they know they were immigrants, or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were. Sometimes one forgets, and so it was very important for me to stand up and express that truth and tell that truth.”
He added that this truth is not often heard in Washington: “We are not hearing from Washington that we are an immigrant people; it is a blessing.”
He reflected on the roads he has traveled—“the highways of Indianapolis, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey”—and asked: “Who built those roads, those buildings, if not immigrants?”
With conviction, he said: “We are a nation of immigrants, we are so proud of our heritage, and that’s what I came to celebrate with all of you… and remind ourselves that the greatest sin is the sin of forgetfulness, when we forget where we came from — and we lost.”
With affection, he encouraged everyone to honor the sacrifices of their families: “It is our responsibility to work hard like our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and [honor] the sacrifices they made every step of the way from their countries.”
To the teenagers present, he offered a simple but profound task: “When you get home tonight, thank your parents and grandparents and ask them what was their story, their sacrifices.”
At the end of the celebration, Father Villamizar offered thanks to the communities of Passaic, Morris, and Sussex County and shared an exciting announcement: as a result of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the Hispanic Community, one of the priorities identified was the need for a Pastoral Migratoria program.
He joyfully announced that, after months of dialogue with the Chicago Pastoral Migratoria, the Diocese of Paterson is ready to begin this important work, and that Miguel Rodríguez will serve as the liaison with the Archdiocese of Chicago.
“Little by little, we will begin planting this pastoral ministry in the parishes of our diocese,” he said.
Finally, Father Graf spoke with great emotion about Our Lady of Guadalupe, reminding everyone that she accompanies us in our identity and in our faith. He emphasized that she “invites us, allows us to see ourselves as sons and daughters of that great Mother of ours here on our continent.”
The evening ended with this comforting truth: under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we walk together as one people—loved, guided, and sustained by God.
PHOTOS | JESSICA MARTINEZ
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![Secret Service chaplain marks Golden Anniversary in Washington Township #Catholic - With great jubilation, Msgr. Raymond Lopatesky reflected on the “magnificent adventure” of his 50 years as a priest so far during a well-attended Mass to commemorate his Golden Anniversary on Nov. 11 at St. Luke Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J.
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Msgr. Lopatesky, who serves in law enforcement ministry as a full-time chaplain to the U.S. Secret Service’s Newark Division and director of the Morris County Police Critical Incident Debriefing Team, was the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Several fellow priests concelebrated the liturgy, including Father Michael Szwarc, pastor of St. Luke’s. Msgr. Lopatesky is also a retired priest of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey and a weekend assistant at St. Luke’s.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
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![Pastor installed at N.J.’s oldest parish in West Milford #Catholic - St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, New Jersey’s oldest Catholic faith community, marked three major milestones during a Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on Nov. 16: the parish’s 260th birthday, the 120th anniversary of its current church, and the installation of its new pastor, Father Jakub Grzybowski.
The rural 300-family Passaic County parish lives that long legacy of faith through liturgical, spiritual, and religious-formation activities, social justice outreaches, and improvement and historical preservation projects. St. Joseph’s is also the oldest Catholic parish in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.
St. Joseph Church was filled as Bishop Sweeney served as the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass. Many priests concelebrated, including Father Grzybowski and Father Zig Peplowski, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Rockaway, N.J., and a former pastor of the parish. A diverse congregation of current and former members of St. Joseph’s attended the liturgy.
Bishop Sweeney also installed Grzybowski as pastor during the Mass. The priest was named the parish’s administrator in 2019 and its pastor on March 19 this year.
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“Becoming pastor of St. Joseph’s fills my heart with profound gratitude and humility,” the Polish-born Father Grzybowski said. “What stands out about this parish is its beauty and its quiet, prayerful atmosphere. I love this church, its history, and the way it holds the memories of so many generations. Although it has suffered fires and undergone significant changes during various periods of reformation, the people today are working with tremendous dedication to restore the original character of the oldest church in New Jersey. Their love for this place is visible everywhere, and it inspires me daily.”
St. Joseph’s has embarked on projects to honor its history, such as reinstalling rediscovered altar rails from the earliest days of the current church, which opened in 1905, and installing new side altars to replace those removed years ago, as well as a new ambo. The parish also renovated its pastoral center.
The parish lives out its faith through Masses, Friday Eucharistic adoration, various religious devotions, Bible study, Generations of Faith religious formation, a food pantry, and Disciples of Christ, an evangelization and service group.
In 1765, German immigrants founded the Catholic settlement that became St. Joseph’s upon their arrival in the U.S. In time, Jesuit Father Ferdinand Farmer, also born in Germany, began riding horseback from his parish, St. Joseph in Philadelphia, Penn., to West Milford. In between his twice-yearly visits, these pioneers gathered in their homes to pray. Father Farmer stopped visiting in 1786, and no Masses were celebrated in the area for 25 years. Yet, the faithful continued to pray and catechize.
In 1829, the first church, dedicated to St. Luke, was built. Back in 1880, the renamed St. Joseph was considered a mission church, part of St. Anthony Parish in Butler, N.J., and was administered by Franciscan friars. They would include Father Mychal Judge, St. Joseph’s pastor from 1979 to 1985, and chaplain of the New York City Fire Department, who died in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
In 1887, a larger church was built, but it was burnt to the ground in 1904. The current church opened in 1905. In 1956, the Sisters of Charity arrived to administer the parish school, which opened that year. The Franciscans returned the parish to the Paterson Diocese’s administration in 2003. The school closed in 2006.
“To now be installed as pastor in this Jubilee year celebrating 260 years of the parish and 120 years since the church’s rebuilding is meaningful,” Father Grzybowski said. “It feels like stepping into a living story of faith, resilience, and God’s ongoing presence.”
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
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![Paterson parishes offer busy confirmation students convenient Zoom classes #Catholic - Most students in virtual confirmation classes for two Paterson, N.J., parishes this past summer were able to join from the comfort of their homes, with little or no distractions. But some took part wherever and however they could — from young mothers caring for their children to late-night workers closing their office doors to concentrate.
Raysa Gonzales of Our Lady of Pompei (OLP) Parish in Paterson often joined the first-time confirmation classes of OLP and St. Gerard Majella Parish, also in Paterson, from her office. Over the summer, she was one of 28 adults who took advantage of the convenience of attending 8 to 10 90-minute English-language classes on Tuesday evenings via Zoom.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney confirmed these Catholics during a Mass at St. Gerard’s on Oct. 12, the feast of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, canonized by Pope Leo XVI in Rome on Sept. 7. Students attended eight classes for confirmation prep and twice more for first Holy Communion prep, followed by an in-person retreat.
“I was happy that we [students] could see and interact with each other and express our thoughts — like being in a classroom,” said Gonzales. A Paterson resident who returned to attending Mass, she works full time, started her own business, and is a parent to Elijah, 8, and an OLP lector. “Going to church makes me feel peaceful. I want to teach Elijah the faith. I have more knowledge but have more to learn.”
The classes consisted of 18- to 40-year-olds who wanted to complete their sacraments to get married, become godparents, or enter full communion with the Church. Participants hailed from as far away as New York State and Princeton, N.J., through word of mouth. Jan Figenshu, who volunteers at her parish, St. Gerard’s, coordinated the course.
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“There is a need for this type of formation. The Zoom classes make sense for people with family commitments, those who work late, or those who don’t have time for a long commute. It was beautiful to see their dedication,” Figenshu said. “Some brought their friends and family to the classes. One person found the program by asking Chat GPT ‘Where can I prepare for confirmation?'”
Each class consisted of an opening prayer, a time when students described a “holy moment” of God’s grace they experienced that week, a lesson on the week’s topic, small-group discussions, a review of the Sunday readings, and a closing prayer.
“I promote the joy of being Catholic and in a faith community. I also encourage the students to go to church without nagging them. Some have gotten more involved in their faith,” Figenshu said.
The course ended with a retreat at St. Gerard’s, which concluded with the Sacrament of Penance presided over by Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of both Paterson parishes, and Father Manuel Cuellar, parochial vicar. Many participants got to know each other. The process has led Msgr. Hundt to help some couples convalidate their civil marriages in the eyes of the Church.
Figenshu started a Zoom confirmation course when Msgr. Hundt previously was pastor of St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J.
Stacey Strover, who was confirmed in the Easter Vigil earlier this year, helped lead small-group discussions on Zoom.
“Getting students involved on Zoom was challenging. We asked open-ended, interactive questions to encourage participation. Sometimes, they would come up with their own questions,” Strover said.](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/paterson-parishes-offer-busy-confirmation-students-convenient-zoom-classes-catholic-most-students-in-virtual-confirmation-classes-for-two-paterson-n-j-parishes-this-past-summer-were-able-to-join.jpg)
![NJ’s longest-running group home opens doors at new location #Catholic - Christmas came early at Murray House in Clifton, N.J.
“Welcome home!” Joanna Miller, executive director of the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD) of Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese in N.J., and her staff exclaimed as they greeted clients of Murray House, a group home for men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Murray House staff and clients joined diocesan and community leaders, family members, and volunteers for the blessing and ribbon-cutting celebration of the group home’s new location on Nov. 14. DPD is part of Catholic Charities.
Opened in 1971, Murray House was the first group home for men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Garden State. The home is named in honor of Jimmie Murray, who had a developmental disability and died in 1969. DPD aims to make the move to the new location by Christmas.
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Residents were excited to tour the home and see their bedrooms freshly painted in the colors they selected. Laura Beahm said her sister, a resident of Murray House for 14 years, is looking forward to moving in.
“My sister called me every day about it. The house is beautiful. I love the garden, the ramp. It makes you feel so safe,” Beahm said.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the blessing and prayer.
“We thank God for the gift of life and the gift of family. And the family needs a home. And we’re so grateful to all those who have made this moment possible. We pray that every family would know peace and happiness in a safe home,” Bishop Sweeney said.
During the ribbon-cutting, Miller presented a plaque to the Murray family for its dedication, in partnership with DPD, for more than 50 years in making the home “a beacon of compassion and dignity.”
Jimmie’s brothers, Dennis Murray, vice president of the board of Catholic Charities, and Patrick Murray, officer in charge of the Paterson Police Department, and other family members, celebrated the milestone with residents and the community. The late Father Jack Wehrlen, founder of DPD, and the Murray family opened the first Murray House in 1971.
Bishop Sweeney thanked community and government leaders for their support, including U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou and State Sen. Kristin Corrado, both of whom attended the event.
“This is a sign of hope in this Jubilee Year of Hope for the Church. Look what we can do when we work together as neighbors and as a community,” Bishop Sweeney said.
The lawmakers applauded the Murray family and the DPD staff for their commitment to helping the residents flourish and grow. They wished the residents much happiness in their home.
“All of you will become one family. That is what we all want,” Pou said.
Corrado noted that there was a time when homes like Murray House were not available for “our most special and wonderful residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” It takes a village, said Corrado, adding, “Every person in this room is part of that village.”
Scott Milliken, CEO of Catholic Charities, said it has been their dream to relocate Murray House so that the residents can age in place.
“It’s a testament to our belief that every person deserves to age with dignity, independence, safety, and comfort. This fully accessible ranch-style home in Clifton will ensure they can continue to thrive safely in the place they love. Murray House has set the standard for compassionate, person-centered care for over five decades. This relocation honors that legacy while securing their future,” Milliken said. “This is your home, and you can stay here for a very long time. Enjoy it, live well, and prosper.”
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, DPD operates 10 group homes and one supervised apartment program, with a new group home scheduled to open in Morris County in 2026, to help individuals live with dignity and respect. DPD has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation since 1986 and is the only provider in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field in New Jersey to hold this accreditation.
Miller also said it was essential to the Catholic Charities staff to keep Murray House in Clifton because the residents have been part of the community’s fabric, and their day and support programs are nearby.
“They’re engaged in many activities. They worship there. They shop there. They take part in recreational activities and all the different activities that make Clifton a great place for them,” Miller said.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
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![In Madison, hearts break for late Jets great, Delbarton coach #Catholic - Nick Mangold loved being in the thick of the action. There he was having fun presiding over the spring fundraiser for St. Vincent Martyr School in Madison, N.J., while wearing a tuxedo T-shirt under a jacket and a backwards cap.
“Nick made sure everybody had a good time and was patient as people came up and wanted to take pictures with him,” Msgr. George Hundt, former pastor of St. Vincent’s Parish, said Mangold, who was a retired center for the Jets — and a local celebrity.
On Nov. 4, family, friends, and members of the Jets and Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J., gathered for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent’s Church to honor the faith, kindness, generosity, and work ethic of Nicholas Allan Mangold, who unexpectedly died on Oct. 25. He died of complications from liver disease. He was 41.
Still in shock, mourners attending the liturgy remembered Mangold as a larger-than-life figure — a big man with a big heart — who loved above all his faith, family, and football — in that order. Since retiring from the NFL in 2018, he poured his passion into his family: his wife, Jennifer, and their four children. He was an active parent at St. Vincent’s School and a volunteer at St. Vincent’s Parish and in Madison, where he lived. Mangold had been the offensive line coach for Delbarton’s varsity football since last year.
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“Nick understood that the blessings he was given weren’t meant to serve himself [but] to share with his family, friends, and every community,” Msgr. Hundt, now pastor of St. Gerard Majella and Our Lady of Pompei parishes, both in Paterson, said in remarks at the end of the Mass. “That’s why we can be assured today that as Nick steps into heaven, he’s hearing those words we all want to hear one day: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Come into the place that I have prepared for you.'”
Msgr. Hundt joined Father Owen Moran, current pastor of St. Vincent’s; Benedictine Father Michael Tidd, headmaster of Delbarton; and Father Jose Zuniga, St. Vincent’s parochial vicar, in celebrating the funeral Mass. Father Moran delivered the homily. Members of the Jets and Delbarton communities participated in the liturgy. Also that morning, the rest of the Delbarton community remembered Mangold at its annual Mass with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
Demonstrating leadership and grit, Mangold had 11 well-respected seasons with the Jets, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and a spot in the Jets’ Ring of Honor. The Ohio native is now a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Earlier, Mangold helped the Ohio State Buckeyes clinch a National Championship in 2002.
Far from the NFL, Mangold and his wife were raising their four children — Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte — in the Catholic faith and making memories with them. They attended weekly Mass. The children attended Catholic school. Mangold coached some of their sports and cheered them from the sidelines. They also took trips around the world, including to Disney.
Mangold also supported causes such as the Madison PBA and the Special Olympics.
“Forty-one is too young [to die], but when we present our lives to God, at the end of our lives, however old we will be, it’s not a matter of how old we are. What did we do? What difference did we make? How did we love? How did we forgive, if necessary? How did we bring others to God? How did we reflect God’s love by our lives? Nick ticked all those boxes — and more,” Father Moran said. “Today, Nick invites all of us to live our faith well. He put God first, used his gifts, and enjoyed the ride.”
St. Vincent’s School honored Mangold on social media. The community recited the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary in tribute.
“We asked that the same light of Christ that shone during these mysteries also surround Nick and his family. Nick will never be forgotten. His kindness, generosity, and light will remain in our hearts always,” St. Vincent’s posted on social media.
The standing-room-only attendance at Mangold’s funeral “reflected how many people Nick touched,” said Alan Faneca, a retired NFL guard who played with Mangold on the Jets from 2008-09. He delivered a reflection at the end of Mass.
“It’s the way Nick made people feel. You felt seen, cared for, and valued because of his genuine heart. He’d make your day better with a joke or smile,” Faneca said.
Delbarton varsity football honored Mangold on Nov. 1 during its first game since his death. On their helmets, players wore #74, his Jets number, and passed out hats with #74 and green ribbons. Mangold made his mark by bringing his extensive NFL experience and mentorship skills to the high school level.
Head Coach Brian Bowers told NJ.com about the difficulty of keeping the players focused in the wake of Mangold’s death.
“Our kids have done a great job really supporting one another. It’s difficult for teenagers to go through any loss, let alone the loss of someone they love so much like Coach Mangold,” Bowers said.
When he came to Delbarton, Mangold was humble despite his NFL successes. He was “like a sponge,” soaking up knowledge and wanting to learn more about high school coaching. His son, Matthew, plays freshman football, said Tony Negrin, Delbarton’s athletic director.
“Nick was professional but also passionate and competitive,” Negrin said. “He was the first in to work and the last to leave. He was larger than life, but the players treated him like any other coach. Nick wanted to be part of the community.”](http://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/in-madison-hearts-break-for-late-jets-great-delbarton-coach-catholic-nick-mangold-loved-being-in-the-thick-of-the-action-there-he-was-having-fun-presiding-over-the-spring-fundraiser-for-st-vinc.jpg)
![It’s official! New pastor installed at Chatham parish #Catholic - St. Patrick Parish in Chatham, N.J., gathered with great joy on Nov. 1 as Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney installed Father Peter Steven Glabik as the faith community’s new pastor. The bishop appointed Father Glabik as pastor, effective Sept. 1.
Father Glabik previously was pastor of St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J. He is currently the vice chair of the Presbyteral Council and vice chair of the College of Consultors for the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.
Bishop Sweeney celebrated the Mass, which was concelebrated by several priests, including Father Robert Mitchell, a retired diocesan priest, former pastor of St. Patrick’s, and current temporary administrator of St. Rose of Lima Parish in East Hanover, N.J.
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On Oct. 31, 2007, Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli ordained Father Glabik to the diocesan priesthood. Born on Feb. 27, 1976, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Father Glabik first studied with the Vincentians, Congregation of the Mission, from 1998 to 2003, and professed first vows, but then discovered his call to the diocesan priesthood.
Father Glabik earned a bachelor’s degree in religion at Niagara University, Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a master’s degree in theology at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington, N.Y. He completed priestly studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, N.Y.
As a priest of the diocese, Father Glabik served his first assignment as a part-time parochial vicar of St. Cecilia Parish and Sacred Heart parishes, both in Rockaway, N.J., while also serving as part-time campus minister at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J. In 2009, he became a full-time parochial vicar of St. Cecilia’s and Sacred Heart.
The following year, Father Glabik was named the temporary priest-secretary to Bishop Serratelli and the diocesan vice chancellor and master of ceremonies. He began pursuing postgraduate studies at the former Ss. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Mich., in 2011.
In 2012, Father Glabik was appointed administrator of St. Catherine of Bologna Parish in Ringwood, N.J., and later that year became pastor. He was named pastor of St. Clare’s in 2015.
In the diocese, Father Glabik also served as dean of northern Passaic, vocations director for recruitment, a member of the Clergy Personnel Board, and Clifton dean.
On social media, St. Patrick School posted, “May God bless Father Peter as he guides our parish and school with wisdom and grace.”
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
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![Filipino priest joyfully installed as pastor of Parsippany parish #Catholic - St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., delighted in the installation of its new pastor, Father Nico Quintos, by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney during a Mass the bishop celebrated in the church on Oct. 25.
In May, Bishop Sweeney named Father Quintos pastor of St. Ann’s, effective July 1, while continuing as an auditor and advocate of the Marriage Tribunal of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey and as minister to the retired senior priests. The new pastor previously served as parochial vicar of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J. Bishop Sweeney ordained him to the diocesan priesthood on Aug. 1, 2020.
Bishop Sweeney celebrated the Oct. 25 installation Mass, which was concelebrated by many fellow priests and was assisted by deacons.
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Born in Malolos City in the Province of Bulacan, Philippines, Father Quintos earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and communications from St. Paul Seminary in Cavite, the Philippines, in 2013 and a master’s degree in divinity and a master’s degree in moral theology from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., in 2020.
Father Quintos is pursuing a master’s degree in professional counseling at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.
“He is an engaging speaker who considers the Christian life an adventure of the most exhilarating kind and a pilgrimage that moves onward and upward. His preaching invites us on a renewed journey toward God and encourages us to deepen our relationship with Jesus,” St. Ann’s bulletin stated about Father Quintos.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
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![Hispanic ministry directors conference hears from Paterson officials #Catholic - Two Spanish-speaking officials from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey spoke at this year’s annual conference of the National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors of Hispanic Ministry (NCADDHM), held in Newark, N.J., from Oct. 21 to 24. The theme was “Walking with Joy. Anchored in Hope,” inspired by the Universal Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
Maria Moncaleano, director of Hispanic Ministry in Paterson, gave a speech welcoming the participants on Tuesday, Oct. 21. She is NCADDHM’s vice president, chairperson of the conference planning committee, and is a representative of Episcopal Region 3 of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Freddy Garcia, Paterson Diocesan associate coordinator of evangelization and a campus minister, spoke about “Communion, Participation, and Mission: The Path of the Young Adult” on the conference’s third day, Oct. 23.
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“I shared my personal story about how I embraced a life of faith in my young adulthood and grew committed to the mission of the Church,” Garcia told BeaconNJ.org after the conference. “The goal in the end was to offer insights on how to achieve objectives from the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, specifically regarding young adults, Hispanic and Latino.”
Of the conference’s 265 participants, 14 were bishops and 30 were priests, along with religious, and young adults, including several faithful from the Paterson Diocese. Episcopal Region delegates came from the Newark Archdiocese, Paterson Diocese, Metuchen Diocese, and Trenton Diocese in New Jersey and the Allentown Diocese and Harrisburg Diocese in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Gerardo Salazar, NCADDHM’s COR manager, called this year’s event “the best attended conference in the last 33 years.”
One attendee from Paterson, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., posted about the national gathering on social media, “Feeling inspired and encouraged by such a cloud of wonderful witnesses and amazing presenters at this year’s conference.”
NCADDHM’s purpose is to create a collaborative ministry. The association engages in reflection and planning of Hispanic ministry. It provides continuing formation for diocesan directors serving in the United States.
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