Faithful around US craft World Mission Rosaries for Archbishop Sheen’s beatification #Catholic – 
JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (OSV News) — A parish-based rosary-making ministry in Kentucky is on a mission to create 1,000 World Mission Rosaries for the beatification of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen.
The apostolate, called the Brothers and Sisters of St. Edward, is among many U.S. groups whose rosaries will be donated to people attending the Sept. 24 beatification of Archbishop Sheen in St. Louis.
The Pontifical Mission Societies issued a call for rosaries on May 1, asking individuals and groups to donate 1,000 or more rosaries to the cause as a collective effort. The society’s goal is to have more than 70,000 rosaries by Sept. 15 so they can be distributed to all those present on the day of the beatification.
“The challenge is real. More than 75,000 rosaries are needed. There is no supply at that scale, and even limited inventory quickly becomes cost prohibitive,” according to the society’s website. “Whether you make 100 or 1,000, every rosary becomes part of something larger. Each one will be blessed before the Beatification. Each one will continue to be prayed long after that day is over.”
The World Mission Rosary was designed by Archbishop Sheen, who served as national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The renowned communicator announced during his “Catholic Hour” radio broadcast on Feb. 11, 1951, “Peace will come only when the hearts of the world have changed. To do this, we must pray, and not for ourselves, but for the world!” according to materials provided in the World Mission Rosary kits.
The idea to put a call out for tens of thousands of rosaries began with Sister Jude Andrew Link, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist who lives in Peoria, Illinois — the city where Archbishop Sheen was ordained a priest and where a chapel in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception houses his tomb. Sister Jude Andrew proposed the idea to Msgr. Roger Landry, Pontifical Mission Societies’ national director since January 2025, who brought the idea to fruition.
In response, rosary-making groups across the United States — from members of Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner, Louisiana, to the Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen in Hankinson, North Dakota — have invited local Catholics to make rosaries for the beatification. In Royal Oak, Michigan, the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica will offer its second two-hour rosary-making workshop Aug. 13 to help the Pontifical Mission Societies meet its goal. In Lufkin, Texas, the the Cloistered Dominican Nuns Monastery of the Infant Jesus completed 1,000 rosaries.
In the Louisville suburb of Jeffersontown, 14 St. Edward rosary makers gathered for a crafting session the morning of July 6 at St. Edward Church to work toward their 1,000-rosary goal.
As they gathered, Debbie Grisanti, a member of St. Edward Church, explained the significance of the World Mission Rosary. Archbishop Sheen asked his radio listeners to “make a tour of the world on your World Mission Rosary.”
“Each of the decades is a different color,” she said, noting that each color represents a different continent. The first decade is green, which represents the grasslands of Africa. Blue represents the oceans of the Pacific Islands. The third decade is white and represents Europe and the seat of the Holy Father. Red recalls the fire of faith that brought missionaries to the Americas. Finally, yellow represents Asia’s morning light of the East.
Dotty Pate brought the idea to a group of fellow parishioners who were already crafting rosaries through Our Lady of the Rosary Makers, a nonprofit organization in Louisville.
During the July session, Rita McCubbin sat beside Pate, who taught her — and other first-timers — the proper way to make corded rosaries. McCubbin plans to attend the beatification this fall.
A similar gathering of rosary makers is taking place 750 miles northwest of Jeffersontown in Watertown, Minnesota, where volunteers meet every Thursday in the basement of the local parish church, Immaculate Conception, to progress in their goal of producing 10,000 World Mission rosaries by September.
They are organized under Spike Ministries, an industrious and committed nonprofit organization that hopes to share its enthusiasm for the rosary with an ambitious goal of involving as many people and parish groups as possible in making and distributing rosaries to missions around the globe.
Since the group began making five rosaries a week in a member’s basement about 12 years ago, the Watertown group has reached an ongoing tally of over 225,000 rosaries, according to organizer and Spike Ministries founder Mike Miller.
Across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the St. Mary of the Lake Rosary Makers group has also been meeting regularly to create rosaries and share in the social and spiritual camaraderie of friends united in a cause. Their cause now is creating 2,000 World Mission rosaries by September.
In Clyde, Missouri, the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have committed to contributing 500 rosaries to the cause.
“Having learned of the project only in May, time has been tight,” said Benedictine Sister Lynn Marie D’Souza, according to a story posted July 24 on the community’s website,” but several of us have been steadily working on the effort ever since.”
Mary-Catherine Kinslow is a staff reporter for The Record, news outlet of the Archdiocese of Louisville. This story also drew from a report by Tim Montgomery for The Catholic Spirit, news outlet for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. OSV News contributed to this story. Reporting included in this article was separately published by The Record and The Catholic Spirit and distributed in partnership with OSV News.
– JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (OSV News) — A parish-based rosary-making ministry in Kentucky is on a mission to create 1,000 World Mission Rosaries for the beatification of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. The apostolate, called the Brothers and Sisters of St. Edward, is among many U.S. groups whose rosaries will be donated to people attending the Sept. 24 beatification of Archbishop Sheen in St. Louis. The Pontifical Mission Societies issued a call for rosaries on May 1, asking individuals and groups to donate 1,000 or more rosaries to the cause as a collective effort. The society’s goal is to have more than 70,000
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![Salesian Sister makes final vows as ‘joyful witness to youth’ #Catholic – Sister Janna San Juan made her final profession as a Salesian Sister of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on Aug. 5. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass in St. Joseph Chapel at the Salesians’ motherhouse of the Province of St. Joseph in North Haledon, N.J.
“Congratulations to Sister Janna San Juan who made her perpetual vows today. She made the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience forever, consecrating her life to Christ,” the Salesian Sisters posted on social media after Sister San Juan’s final profession. “We rejoice with you today, Sister Janna, and pray that your life continues to be a joyful witness to the young and a sign of the special love Christ Jesus has for them!” they posted.
Sister San Juan has been active in youth and campus ministry, having served in roles such as campus ministry coordination. She has regularly participated in community formation and vocations events for the Salesian family.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sister Janna earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering in 2013. While working as an engineer, she found joy in teaching faith formation classes to the young at her parish, leading her to explore religious life. Sister Janna entered the Salesians in 2016 and professed her first vows in 2020.
Currently, more than 11,000 Salesian Sisters around the world are dedicated to educating the young and being a “sign and expression of God’s foreseeing love among young people.” Places they serve in the Paterson Diocese, N.J. include Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, where they run a novitiate, St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, and Sacred Heart Retreat Center and Camp Auxilium, both in Newton.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/salesian-sister-makes-final-vows-as-joyful-witness-to-youth-catholic-sister-janna-san-juan-made-her-final-profession-as-a-salesian-sister-of-don-bosco-daughters-of-mary-help-of-c.jpg "Salesian Sister makes final vows as ‘joyful witness to youth’ #Catholic – Sister Janna San Juan made her final profession as a Salesian Sister of Don Bosco, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on Aug. 5. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass in St. Joseph Chapel at the Salesians’ motherhouse of the Province of St. Joseph in North Haledon, N.J.
“Congratulations to Sister Janna San Juan who made her perpetual vows today. She made the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience forever, consecrating her life to Christ,” the Salesian Sisters posted on social media after Sister San Juan’s final profession. “We rejoice with you today, Sister Janna, and pray that your life continues to be a joyful witness to the young and a sign of the special love Christ Jesus has for them!” they posted.
Sister San Juan has been active in youth and campus ministry, having served in roles such as campus ministry coordination. She has regularly participated in community formation and vocations events for the Salesian family.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sister Janna earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering in 2013. While working as an engineer, she found joy in teaching faith formation classes to the young at her parish, leading her to explore religious life. Sister Janna entered the Salesians in 2016 and professed her first vows in 2020.
Currently, more than 11,000 Salesian Sisters around the world are dedicated to educating the young and being a “sign and expression of God’s foreseeing love among young people.” Places they serve in the Paterson Diocese, N.J. include Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, where they run a novitiate, St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, and Sacred Heart Retreat Center and Camp Auxilium, both in Newton.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]")
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![Camp Auxilium children smile as bishop makes inaugural visit #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney made history on July 24, visiting Camp Auxilium, a summer day camp for boys and girls in Newton, N.J., for the first time and celebrating Mass for enthusiastic staff, campers, and their families during the camp’s Family Day.
That day, Bishop Sweeney delighted in meeting and talking with members of the Camp Auxilium family and receiving a tour of the facility and the various activity areas. The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, run the camp, which is located in rural Sussex County.
Activities at Camp Auxilium include swimming and swim instruction, archery, boating and kayaking, mini-golf, low- and mid-ropes courses, arts and crafts, sports, and drama. The Salesian Sisters are assisted by Red Cross-certified lifeguards, counselors, and activity specialists.
The Boys Camp accepts campers who were 4 years old by October of last year through those who have completed 6th grade. Girls Camp accepts campers who were 4 years old by October of last year through those who have completed 8th grade. This year, Camp Auxilium welcomed 225 campers over its five weeks in operation.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/camp-auxilium-children-smile-as-bishop-makes-inaugural-visit-catholic-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-made-history-on-july-24-visiting-camp-auxilium-a-summer-day-camp-for-boys-and-girls-in-newton-n-j.jpg "Camp Auxilium children smile as bishop makes inaugural visit #Catholic – Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney made history on July 24, visiting Camp Auxilium, a summer day camp for boys and girls in Newton, N.J., for the first time and celebrating Mass for enthusiastic staff, campers, and their families during the camp’s Family Day.
That day, Bishop Sweeney delighted in meeting and talking with members of the Camp Auxilium family and receiving a tour of the facility and the various activity areas. The Salesian Sisters of St. Don Bosco, also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, run the camp, which is located in rural Sussex County.
Activities at Camp Auxilium include swimming and swim instruction, archery, boating and kayaking, mini-golf, low- and mid-ropes courses, arts and crafts, sports, and drama. The Salesian Sisters are assisted by Red Cross-certified lifeguards, counselors, and activity specialists.
The Boys Camp accepts campers who were 4 years old by October of last year through those who have completed 6th grade. Girls Camp accepts campers who were 4 years old by October of last year through those who have completed 8th grade. This year, Camp Auxilium welcomed 225 campers over its five weeks in operation.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.")
![Federal court hears arguments on Oklahoma’s ban for religious charter schools #Catholic A federal court heard oral arguments on Aug. 5 about whether an Oklahoma law banning religious charter schools violates the First Amendment’s protection of the free exercise of religion.Oklahoma established a charter school system in 1999, which provides public funds for privately run K–12 schools to which parents can send their children instead of a public school operated by a school district. The law only allows “nonsectarian” applicants, which prevents any participation from schools that have a religious identity.In 2023, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board (SCSB) approved an application from a proposed Catholic charter school — St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School — which led to a legal challenge from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who opposed religious charter schools.The Oklahoma Supreme Court sided against the school, finding that charter schools are public schools and that public schools must be secular. St. Isidore appealed this to the U.S. Supreme Court, but that resulted in a 4-4 deadlock with no majority opinion because Justice Amy Coney Barrett had a conflict of interest and recused herself.Amid no clear guidance from the federal courts, a Jewish organization — National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation — filed an application to set up a charter school, which was denied. The group, represented by lawyers at the Becket Fund, filed a new lawsuit and asked a federal district court to require the SCSB to consider religious applicants.“Oklahoma makes room in its charter program for schools of all shapes and sizes, from those focused on science and fine arts to language immersion and classical education,” Daniel Chen, a Becket attorney representing the Jewish foundation, said in a statement.“The one it refuses to make room for is a faith-based school,” Chen added. “That is religious discrimination, plain and simple, and the state deserves a failing grade for it.”Chen told EWTN News that Becket is asking the federal court to immediately allow National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation to set up a charter school, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent that requires government programs to allow religious institutions the same access as secular institutions.“They’re private actors,” he said. “And because they’re private actors, they cannot be excluded from participating in a public benefits program.”Chen said the federal district court is not bound by the precedent of the Oklahoma Supreme Court because that is a state court, so it could rule in favor of the school. He also said if the case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, he hopes Barrett can weigh in to break the 4-4 deadlock.“We’re hoping that [for] our case, there wouldn’t have to be any recusals,” he said.School board’s hands are tiedAlthough the charter school board denied the application from the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation, one of its lawyers at First Liberty Institute explained to EWTN News that its hands are tied by the statute and the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision.“They’re following that order,” said Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for First Liberty and the lawyer representing SCSB. “But [they] would be happy if the federal court didn’t [require the school board] to engage in that kind of discrimination.”Sasser said the SCSB does not want to exclude an applicant “simply because it’s religious” and would rather evaluate applicants “just based on the merits.” But he said the order “makes them exclude religious schools just because they’re religious.”“They want to maximize all of the various choices and opportunities for parents,” he added.Sasser said he hopes the question goes to the U.S. Supreme Court again so “we’ll get an answer — a real answer.” He said it would provide more clarity for the school board, which “needs an answer.”John Meiser, director of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic at the University of Notre Dame and the lawyer who represented St. Isidore at the Supreme Court, told EWTN News that the question ultimately comes down to whether charter schools are private or public institutions.In Oklahoma, he said charter schools “are called public schools” and that label “introduces a confusion that I don’t think would be present if they chose any other word.”He said Supreme Court precedent is clear that religious institutions must have equal access to government programs available to private institutions, but if a charter school is a “government school,” that “doesn’t apply” because the government “doesn’t and can’t run religious schools.”In spite of the label, Meiser said charter schools in Oklahoma are “formed and designed and run by private groups” and people who work there “are private employees.” He said the structure “looks just like a government contract” and funding from the government “doesn’t turn all those private contractors into the government itself.”“The dispute is really just about, ‘Well is a charter school in some way different?’” he said.Although Meiser said he is not aware of any ongoing Catholic efforts to recreate a charter school, he said that a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s constitutional arguments for equal access “would presumably apply to all religious operators of schools, and so it would open the door to a Catholic charter school or other religiously based charter school.”Attorney general stands firmDrummond, who remains Oklahoma’s attorney general, is standing firm in opposing the creation of religious charter schools and is fighting against National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s efforts."This matter was resolved when the state Supreme Courtʼs ruling to prevent taxpayer funded religious charter schools was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year,” Leslie Berger, press secretary for the attorney general’s office, told EWTN News.Drummond has also criticized the charter school board in public statements surrounding this legal battle in March, accusing the SCSB of “playing politics with the taxpayers' money” and alleged it “manipulated the record [about why National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s application was rejected] to make that lawsuit easier to lose — not win.”"A state agency that deliberately hobbles its own legal position is not doing its job — it is betraying Oklahoma taxpayers,” he said. “I will not allow that.”Drummond has garnered support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) for opposing the creation of religious charter schools.Attorneys for FFRF are representing seven Oklahomans who oppose their tax money being used to support religious charter schools.“The federal court should rule according to constitutional principles,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a statement. “A religious public charter school has no place in our secular public education system.”It’s unclear when the federal court will issue its ruling, but National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation has asked the judge to issue a preliminary injunction against the state so it can begin operating a school while the litigation plays out.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/federal-court-hears-arguments-on-oklahomas-ban-for-religious-charter-schools-catholic-a-federal-court-heard-oral-arguments-on-aug-5-about-whether-an-oklahoma-law-banning-religious-charter-s.jpg "Federal court hears arguments on Oklahoma’s ban for religious charter schools #Catholic A federal court heard oral arguments on Aug. 5 about whether an Oklahoma law banning religious charter schools violates the First Amendment’s protection of the free exercise of religion.Oklahoma established a charter school system in 1999, which provides public funds for privately run K–12 schools to which parents can send their children instead of a public school operated by a school district. The law only allows “nonsectarian” applicants, which prevents any participation from schools that have a religious identity.In 2023, the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board (SCSB) approved an application from a proposed Catholic charter school — St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School — which led to a legal challenge from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who opposed religious charter schools.The Oklahoma Supreme Court sided against the school, finding that charter schools are public schools and that public schools must be secular. St. Isidore appealed this to the U.S. Supreme Court, but that resulted in a 4-4 deadlock with no majority opinion because Justice Amy Coney Barrett had a conflict of interest and recused herself.Amid no clear guidance from the federal courts, a Jewish organization — National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation — filed an application to set up a charter school, which was denied. The group, represented by lawyers at the Becket Fund, filed a new lawsuit and asked a federal district court to require the SCSB to consider religious applicants.“Oklahoma makes room in its charter program for schools of all shapes and sizes, from those focused on science and fine arts to language immersion and classical education,” Daniel Chen, a Becket attorney representing the Jewish foundation, said in a statement.“The one it refuses to make room for is a faith-based school,” Chen added. “That is religious discrimination, plain and simple, and the state deserves a failing grade for it.”Chen told EWTN News that Becket is asking the federal court to immediately allow National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation to set up a charter school, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent that requires government programs to allow religious institutions the same access as secular institutions.“They’re private actors,” he said. “And because they’re private actors, they cannot be excluded from participating in a public benefits program.”Chen said the federal district court is not bound by the precedent of the Oklahoma Supreme Court because that is a state court, so it could rule in favor of the school. He also said if the case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, he hopes Barrett can weigh in to break the 4-4 deadlock.“We’re hoping that [for] our case, there wouldn’t have to be any recusals,” he said.School board’s hands are tiedAlthough the charter school board denied the application from the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation, one of its lawyers at First Liberty Institute explained to EWTN News that its hands are tied by the statute and the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision.“They’re following that order,” said Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for First Liberty and the lawyer representing SCSB. “But [they] would be happy if the federal court didn’t [require the school board] to engage in that kind of discrimination.”Sasser said the SCSB does not want to exclude an applicant “simply because it’s religious” and would rather evaluate applicants “just based on the merits.” But he said the order “makes them exclude religious schools just because they’re religious.”“They want to maximize all of the various choices and opportunities for parents,” he added.Sasser said he hopes the question goes to the U.S. Supreme Court again so “we’ll get an answer — a real answer.” He said it would provide more clarity for the school board, which “needs an answer.”John Meiser, director of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic at the University of Notre Dame and the lawyer who represented St. Isidore at the Supreme Court, told EWTN News that the question ultimately comes down to whether charter schools are private or public institutions.In Oklahoma, he said charter schools “are called public schools” and that label “introduces a confusion that I don’t think would be present if they chose any other word.”He said Supreme Court precedent is clear that religious institutions must have equal access to government programs available to private institutions, but if a charter school is a “government school,” that “doesn’t apply” because the government “doesn’t and can’t run religious schools.”In spite of the label, Meiser said charter schools in Oklahoma are “formed and designed and run by private groups” and people who work there “are private employees.” He said the structure “looks just like a government contract” and funding from the government “doesn’t turn all those private contractors into the government itself.”“The dispute is really just about, ‘Well is a charter school in some way different?’” he said.Although Meiser said he is not aware of any ongoing Catholic efforts to recreate a charter school, he said that a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s constitutional arguments for equal access “would presumably apply to all religious operators of schools, and so it would open the door to a Catholic charter school or other religiously based charter school.”Attorney general stands firmDrummond, who remains Oklahoma’s attorney general, is standing firm in opposing the creation of religious charter schools and is fighting against National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s efforts.\"This matter was resolved when the state Supreme Courtʼs ruling to prevent taxpayer funded religious charter schools was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year,” Leslie Berger, press secretary for the attorney general’s office, told EWTN News.Drummond has also criticized the charter school board in public statements surrounding this legal battle in March, accusing the SCSB of “playing politics with the taxpayers' money” and alleged it “manipulated the record [about why National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s application was rejected] to make that lawsuit easier to lose — not win.”\"A state agency that deliberately hobbles its own legal position is not doing its job — it is betraying Oklahoma taxpayers,” he said. “I will not allow that.”Drummond has garnered support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) for opposing the creation of religious charter schools.Attorneys for FFRF are representing seven Oklahomans who oppose their tax money being used to support religious charter schools.“The federal court should rule according to constitutional principles,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor said in a statement. “A religious public charter school has no place in our secular public education system.”It’s unclear when the federal court will issue its ruling, but National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation has asked the judge to issue a preliminary injunction against the state so it can begin operating a school while the litigation plays out.")
![Family learns hospice bed opened as father faced scheduled assisted suicide #Catholic As New Yorkʼs Medical Aid in Dying Act takes effect amid legal challenges, one Canadian woman is sharing her familyʼs experience with physician-assisted suicide, saying it convinced her that vulnerable patients need greater access to hospice and palliative care — not assisted death.Speaking with “EWTN News Nightly” in an Aug. 5 interview with anchor Veronica Dudo, Colleen De Vos recounted the final months of her father’s life. He died through Canadaʼs medical assistance in dying (MAID) program in 2023 at age 85 after being diagnosed with terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).“My father wasnʼt very forthcoming with his intentions, unfortunately,” De Vos said. “We did see some very fragile moments during the course of his illness.”As his condition worsened, De Vos said her family worked to arrange hospice or in-home palliative care, believing those services would provide the compassionate support he needed.“We were advocating very strongly for hospice care or at-home palliative program,” she said. “He seemed to agree with that.”But the familyʼs efforts were unsuccessful.“He was turned down on two occasions, deeming that his diagnosis wasnʼt enough to warrant hospice care,” De Vos said. “That was a surprise to us because we could see he was deteriorating very quickly.”Instead, she said, a nurse practitioner overseeing his care at home spoke privately with her father about pursuing MAID as his symptoms worsened.De Vos said the contrast between accessing hospice and obtaining assisted suicide was striking.“The irony of the availability of MAID that could be arranged very quickly … sidelined us very much,” she said.She recalled receiving “literally the cardboard box in the mail” containing the drugs and supplies needed for the procedure.“Obtaining [hospice care] was very difficult,” she said. “And this was very simple.”On the day her father was scheduled to die, De Vos said the family finally learned that a hospice bed had become available.She called it “very heartbreaking” that he declined the hospice bed.“I think he proceeded because of his loss of hope,” she said. “We absolutely were prepared to provide him with round-the-clock care.”Religious freedom challenge in New YorkDe Vos' story comes as Catholic ministries in New York are challenging the stateʼs new assisted suicide law in federal court.Speaking on Aug. 5 with “EWTN News Nightly,” Adele Keim, senior counsel at Becket Fund, said New Yorkʼs law differs significantly from those in states such as Oregon and Washington.“New York has created an opt-out law,” Keim said. “The presumption is youʼre in unless you opt out.”While some providers may decline to prescribe or administer the lethal drugs, Keim argued that Catholic ministries are still required to participate in other aspects of the process.“You canʼt opt out of your obligations to counsel patients about assisted suicide and the ‘benefits’ it would provide,” she said. Nor can Catholic providers refuse to refer patients elsewhere if they object to assisted suicide on religious grounds, she said.Keim said those requirements prompted the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne and other Catholic ministries to seek relief in federal court.Hope, dignity, and the court’s decisionShe also spoke with hope in a federal judgeʼs decision to temporarily block New York from enforcing the law against the Catholic plaintiffs while the case proceeds.“The right to assisted suicide is not a fundamental right,” Keim said, noting that both the U.S. Supreme Court and New Yorkʼs highest court have ruled there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide. “But… there is a fundamental right to religious freedom.”According to Keim, the injunction ensures the state cannot enforce the law against the Catholic ministries while their constitutional claims are considered.The Catholic Church teaches that assisted suicide and euthanasia are gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person while encouraging compassionate palliative and hospice care that accompanies patients through natural death.De Vos said she hopes lawmakers instead “think about the sacred gift of life that we are given by God,” adding: “I donʼt believe that itʼs up to the lawmakers… to give someone the autonomy to end their life.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/family-learns-hospice-bed-opened-as-father-faced-scheduled-assisted-suicide-catholic-as-new-yorkcabcs-medical-aid-in-dying-act-takes-effect-amid-legal-challenges-one-canadian-woman-is-sharing-her.png "Family learns hospice bed opened as father faced scheduled assisted suicide #Catholic As New Yorkʼs Medical Aid in Dying Act takes effect amid legal challenges, one Canadian woman is sharing her familyʼs experience with physician-assisted suicide, saying it convinced her that vulnerable patients need greater access to hospice and palliative care — not assisted death.Speaking with “EWTN News Nightly” in an Aug. 5 interview with anchor Veronica Dudo, Colleen De Vos recounted the final months of her father’s life. He died through Canadaʼs medical assistance in dying (MAID) program in 2023 at age 85 after being diagnosed with terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).“My father wasnʼt very forthcoming with his intentions, unfortunately,” De Vos said. “We did see some very fragile moments during the course of his illness.”As his condition worsened, De Vos said her family worked to arrange hospice or in-home palliative care, believing those services would provide the compassionate support he needed.“We were advocating very strongly for hospice care or at-home palliative program,” she said. “He seemed to agree with that.”But the familyʼs efforts were unsuccessful.“He was turned down on two occasions, deeming that his diagnosis wasnʼt enough to warrant hospice care,” De Vos said. “That was a surprise to us because we could see he was deteriorating very quickly.”Instead, she said, a nurse practitioner overseeing his care at home spoke privately with her father about pursuing MAID as his symptoms worsened.De Vos said the contrast between accessing hospice and obtaining assisted suicide was striking.“The irony of the availability of MAID that could be arranged very quickly … sidelined us very much,” she said.She recalled receiving “literally the cardboard box in the mail” containing the drugs and supplies needed for the procedure.“Obtaining [hospice care] was very difficult,” she said. “And this was very simple.”On the day her father was scheduled to die, De Vos said the family finally learned that a hospice bed had become available.She called it “very heartbreaking” that he declined the hospice bed.“I think he proceeded because of his loss of hope,” she said. “We absolutely were prepared to provide him with round-the-clock care.”Religious freedom challenge in New YorkDe Vos' story comes as Catholic ministries in New York are challenging the stateʼs new assisted suicide law in federal court.Speaking on Aug. 5 with “EWTN News Nightly,” Adele Keim, senior counsel at Becket Fund, said New Yorkʼs law differs significantly from those in states such as Oregon and Washington.“New York has created an opt-out law,” Keim said. “The presumption is youʼre in unless you opt out.”While some providers may decline to prescribe or administer the lethal drugs, Keim argued that Catholic ministries are still required to participate in other aspects of the process.“You canʼt opt out of your obligations to counsel patients about assisted suicide and the ‘benefits’ it would provide,” she said. Nor can Catholic providers refuse to refer patients elsewhere if they object to assisted suicide on religious grounds, she said.Keim said those requirements prompted the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne and other Catholic ministries to seek relief in federal court.Hope, dignity, and the court’s decisionShe also spoke with hope in a federal judgeʼs decision to temporarily block New York from enforcing the law against the Catholic plaintiffs while the case proceeds.“The right to assisted suicide is not a fundamental right,” Keim said, noting that both the U.S. Supreme Court and New Yorkʼs highest court have ruled there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide. “But… there is a fundamental right to religious freedom.”According to Keim, the injunction ensures the state cannot enforce the law against the Catholic ministries while their constitutional claims are considered.The Catholic Church teaches that assisted suicide and euthanasia are gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person while encouraging compassionate palliative and hospice care that accompanies patients through natural death.De Vos said she hopes lawmakers instead “think about the sacred gift of life that we are given by God,” adding: “I donʼt believe that itʼs up to the lawmakers… to give someone the autonomy to end their life.”")
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![OAS council may seek emergency foreign‑ministers session over Nicaragua crackdown – #Catholic – The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) may summon hemispheric foreign ministers for an emergency session on Nicaragua after President Daniel Ortega’s vow to end elections and deepening concerns over crackdowns against the Catholic Church.At a special meeting on Aug. 5, the formal U.S. representation at the OAS presented the draft resolution, titled “Convocation of a Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Consider the Situation in Nicaragua.” The Permanent Mission of the United States’ resolution was cosponsored by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay.The Permanent Mission of the United States called for the meeting to take place before Sept. 1, when the Ortega regime is set to codify its latest policy reforms. The move would invoke one of the OAS’ highest‑level diplomatic tools, signaling that member states view Nicaragua’s political rupture as a regional concern with direct human rights implications. Ortega’s announcement, paired with constitutional changes aimed at blocking opposition figures from power, prompted the United States and Paraguay to request the extraordinary meeting.Commissioner Rosa María Payá, rapporteur for Nicaragua at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, expressed concern at the OAS Permanent Council meeting over ongoing human rights abuses against Nicaraguans, including arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances.She noted that about 838,363 Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 and that many face transnational repression. Representatives for several member states said during the meeting that the forced migration of Nicaraguans constitutes a migration crisis and a threat to national security.Payá, a Catholic of Cuban descent, also highlighted persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, citing the disappearance of Bishop Emeritus Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara of Estelí, Nicaragua. Mata was detained by police on two occasions in late June after praying for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, June 28.
Bishop Abelardo Mata. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference
“We are very concerned about the situation of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua and the persecution of the faith in general, and the practice and the exercise of the faith,” Payá told EWTN News. “We have been very vocal about our concerns and alarm about the disappearance of Monsignor Abelardo Mata Guevara.”In October 2023, the Permanent Council unanimously approved the resolution “Rejection of the Repressive Measures of the Government of Nicaragua Against Educational Institutions and the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.” Nicaragua withdrew from the OAS in November 2023.“When we talk about the Nicaraguan regime, we actually see a systematic continued behavior in the direction of violating freedom of religion, from the situation that took place with Monsignor [Rolando] Alvarez years ago — heʼs now forced to live in exile — to the situation of Monsignor Mata and many other priests and members of the Catholic communities that are afraid to practice their faith,” she said.Payá said the Ortega regime’s suspension of elections has prompted a “collapse of democracy,” which she said “creates an environment of fear that impacts people of faith.”
Commissioner Rosa María Payá, rapporteur for Nicaragua at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, on Aug. 5, 2026, converses at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. | Credit: Madalaine Elhabbal/EWTN News
“Iʼm Catholic myself and I also come from a society that has suffered the violation of human rights,” she said. “So I deeply understand what it is to to be afraid to speak your mind, what it is to be afraid of practicing and voicing your faith, which is a very primary human exercise.”Payá is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, a Catholic dissident who founded the Christian Liberation Movement (CLM), a peaceful democratic movement inspired by Catholic social teaching in 1988. He was killed during the Cuban Spring in 2012.“All of my solidarity is with the Nicaraguan people,” Payá said. “And I believe that also all the solidarity of the commission is too, and we will keep following the issue and we will keep engaging in the political dialogue with the member states.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/oas-council-may-seek-emergency-foreign-ministers-session-over-nicaragua-crackdown-catholic-the-permanent-council-of-the-organization-of-american-states-oas-may-summon-hemispheric-foreig.jpg "OAS council may seek emergency foreign‑ministers session over Nicaragua crackdown – #Catholic – The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) may summon hemispheric foreign ministers for an emergency session on Nicaragua after President Daniel Ortega’s vow to end elections and deepening concerns over crackdowns against the Catholic Church.At a special meeting on Aug. 5, the formal U.S. representation at the OAS presented the draft resolution, titled “Convocation of a Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Consider the Situation in Nicaragua.” The Permanent Mission of the United States’ resolution was cosponsored by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay.The Permanent Mission of the United States called for the meeting to take place before Sept. 1, when the Ortega regime is set to codify its latest policy reforms. The move would invoke one of the OAS’ highest‑level diplomatic tools, signaling that member states view Nicaragua’s political rupture as a regional concern with direct human rights implications. Ortega’s announcement, paired with constitutional changes aimed at blocking opposition figures from power, prompted the United States and Paraguay to request the extraordinary meeting.Commissioner Rosa María Payá, rapporteur for Nicaragua at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, expressed concern at the OAS Permanent Council meeting over ongoing human rights abuses against Nicaraguans, including arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances.She noted that about 838,363 Nicaraguans have fled the country since 2018 and that many face transnational repression. Representatives for several member states said during the meeting that the forced migration of Nicaraguans constitutes a migration crisis and a threat to national security.Payá, a Catholic of Cuban descent, also highlighted persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua, citing the disappearance of Bishop Emeritus Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara of Estelí, Nicaragua. Mata was detained by police on two occasions in late June after praying for the persecuted Church in Nicaragua during a Mass he celebrated on Sunday, June 28.
Bishop Abelardo Mata. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference
“We are very concerned about the situation of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua and the persecution of the faith in general, and the practice and the exercise of the faith,” Payá told EWTN News. “We have been very vocal about our concerns and alarm about the disappearance of Monsignor Abelardo Mata Guevara.”In October 2023, the Permanent Council unanimously approved the resolution “Rejection of the Repressive Measures of the Government of Nicaragua Against Educational Institutions and the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.” Nicaragua withdrew from the OAS in November 2023.“When we talk about the Nicaraguan regime, we actually see a systematic continued behavior in the direction of violating freedom of religion, from the situation that took place with Monsignor [Rolando] Alvarez years ago — heʼs now forced to live in exile — to the situation of Monsignor Mata and many other priests and members of the Catholic communities that are afraid to practice their faith,” she said.Payá said the Ortega regime’s suspension of elections has prompted a “collapse of democracy,” which she said “creates an environment of fear that impacts people of faith.”
Commissioner Rosa María Payá, rapporteur for Nicaragua at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, on Aug. 5, 2026, converses at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. | Credit: Madalaine Elhabbal/EWTN News
“Iʼm Catholic myself and I also come from a society that has suffered the violation of human rights,” she said. “So I deeply understand what it is to to be afraid to speak your mind, what it is to be afraid of practicing and voicing your faith, which is a very primary human exercise.”Payá is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, a Catholic dissident who founded the Christian Liberation Movement (CLM), a peaceful democratic movement inspired by Catholic social teaching in 1988. He was killed during the Cuban Spring in 2012.“All of my solidarity is with the Nicaraguan people,” Payá said. “And I believe that also all the solidarity of the commission is too, and we will keep following the issue and we will keep engaging in the political dialogue with the member states.”")
![Pope Leo XIV’s face featured on new set of Vatican coins – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s image features for the first time in a new set of commemorative euro coins for Vatican City.As announced by the Vatican City State Governorate on July 30, these coins are part of a new Vatican euro collector coin set honoring the new pontificate. This also marks the first time since 2014 that the papal image has appeared on the coins, following Pope Francis’ personal request that his face not be used.Except for the 5-euro coin, the Vatican coins can be used to buy things in the 21 European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency.A unique design in the history of Vatican coin-makingAlthough these new coins with Leo are not the first to feature the pope’s face, they are part of an entirely unique design.Leo’s coat of arms appears on the 1-cent, 2-cent, and 5-cent euro coins, while his face appears on the larger denominations.The pope’s image has appeared on minted coins since the Middle Ages, when pontiffs held temporal power over the Papal States. Shortly after the establishment of Vatican City in 1929, the sovereign state issued lira coins (the Italian currency before the euro) bearing the papal image. The Vatican stopped making lira coins after it adopted the euro in 2001.
A Vatican collector coin set to honor the new pontificate of Leo XIV. | Credit: Governatorato SCV
According to the European Central Bank, the first Vatican coins for the euro were issued in 2002 with the face of St. John Paul II. From 2006–2013, another set of coins was issued with the face of Pope Benedict XVI. The coins featuring Francis in 2014 were the last until Leo to feature the pope’s face.Francis’ refusal to be depicted on Vatican coinsFor the 2017 issue of Vatican coins, Francis personally requested that his face not be used. Instead, they featured his coat of arms.In a 2017 interview for Radio Vaticana, Mauro Olivieri, the then-director of the Philatelic and Numismatic Office for Vatican City State, explained the difficulties in accommodating his request.“[Francis] asked that he no longer appear on coins, medals in general — and especially on those issued by his state — and we did everything we could to accommodate him,” Olivieri said. “We succeeded, despite some difficulties with the EU authorities, which were later resolved, and so the 2017 coinage features the popeʼs coat of arms.”The newest Vatican coins can be purchased for 59 euros through the Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office, responsible for its coins and stamps.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/pope-leo-xivs-face-featured-on-new-set-of-vatican-coins-catholic-pope-leo-xivs-image-features-for-the-first-time-in-a-new-set-of-commemorative-euro-coins-for-vatican-city-as-ann.jpg "Pope Leo XIV’s face featured on new set of Vatican coins – #Catholic – Pope Leo XIV’s image features for the first time in a new set of commemorative euro coins for Vatican City.As announced by the Vatican City State Governorate on July 30, these coins are part of a new Vatican euro collector coin set honoring the new pontificate. This also marks the first time since 2014 that the papal image has appeared on the coins, following Pope Francis’ personal request that his face not be used.Except for the 5-euro coin, the Vatican coins can be used to buy things in the 21 European Union member states that have adopted the euro as their common currency.A unique design in the history of Vatican coin-makingAlthough these new coins with Leo are not the first to feature the pope’s face, they are part of an entirely unique design.Leo’s coat of arms appears on the 1-cent, 2-cent, and 5-cent euro coins, while his face appears on the larger denominations.The pope’s image has appeared on minted coins since the Middle Ages, when pontiffs held temporal power over the Papal States. Shortly after the establishment of Vatican City in 1929, the sovereign state issued lira coins (the Italian currency before the euro) bearing the papal image. The Vatican stopped making lira coins after it adopted the euro in 2001.
A Vatican collector coin set to honor the new pontificate of Leo XIV. | Credit: Governatorato SCV
According to the European Central Bank, the first Vatican coins for the euro were issued in 2002 with the face of St. John Paul II. From 2006–2013, another set of coins was issued with the face of Pope Benedict XVI. The coins featuring Francis in 2014 were the last until Leo to feature the pope’s face.Francis’ refusal to be depicted on Vatican coinsFor the 2017 issue of Vatican coins, Francis personally requested that his face not be used. Instead, they featured his coat of arms.In a 2017 interview for Radio Vaticana, Mauro Olivieri, the then-director of the Philatelic and Numismatic Office for Vatican City State, explained the difficulties in accommodating his request.“[Francis] asked that he no longer appear on coins, medals in general — and especially on those issued by his state — and we did everything we could to accommodate him,” Olivieri said. “We succeeded, despite some difficulties with the EU authorities, which were later resolved, and so the 2017 coinage features the popeʼs coat of arms.”The newest Vatican coins can be purchased for 59 euros through the Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office, responsible for its coins and stamps.")
![Young men embrace faith while serving others on retreat together #Catholic – Jean-Baptiste Mollet, a seminarian of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., struck up an engaging conversation on the streets of Paterson, N.J., with Mohamed, a homeless man, one day late last month. The man was drawn to a small cross around Mollet’s neck, part of an exchange that included prayer and a discussion of spirituality.
Mollet’s self-described “prayer encounter” with Mohamed and other homeless people that day was among many activities that occurred from July 27 to 30 during the second annual Service Retreat, held by the diocesan Vocations Office.
Rather than relaxing that summer week, nine seminarians and nine other young men discerning the priesthood united for a retreat that brought them deeper into Jesus’ call to every priest and Catholic. They engaged in worship, prayer, faith sharing, service to local people in need, and fellowship, while encouraging each other’s vocations. Their home base was Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J.
Mollet and the rest of the retreatants, from their teens to their 30s, shared Christ’s presence with homeless people in the neighborhood around the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson during an outreach called Jesus Run. They also distributed sandwiches they made the night before to the homeless people.
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“The homeless seemed joyful even in the midst of poverty. The Lord even works in people who are suffering,” said Mollet, 27, a second-year philosophy student at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange. “Seeing people in need lets us see things differently — a simplicity in life —because we have so much,” he said.
During the week, these men traveled to various locations throughout the diocese to perform a variety of service projects.
At one location, they volunteered at the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, part of diocesan Catholic Charities. Alongside staff and volunteers, the men stocked shelves and sorted food at the pantry, reopening after a major renovation.
Then, the men set up for two lunch periods in the kitchen at Eva’s Village, also in Paterson, which serves about 1,000 meals to community members and residents of its shelters and halfway houses. Unlike the typical buffet style, they brought meals and drinks to the seated clients like a restaurant, showing them greater dignity.
On another day, the retreatants traveled to St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., to paint three religious education classrooms. Later, they cooked and served a barbecue. There, they spoke with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and other seminarians and priests in attendance. Bishop Sweeney joined the retreatants on other activities throughout the week.
Mollet said the Service Retreat fostered an “attitude of prayer.”
“This week, I’m in good company with people who are hearing God calling them to the priesthood. They are on fire for the Lord. We shared our faith journeys, made friends and played together,” Mollet said.
Perhaps the men had the most fun volunteering at a Mary Help of Christians summer day camp for children 4 to 13 years old in North Haledon, N.J. Operated by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, the camp offers an array of activities such as boating, fishing, swimming and playing sports such as soccer.
Andrian Murrugarra, 18, a discerning parishioner of St. Therese in Paterson, said, “The kids lit up when talking about Jesus. It reminded me of Christ’s teaching that we need a childlike faith.”
Murrugarra called the retreat “a blessing of fraternity and friends.”
“The retreat is a week to give back to the community — putting others first and not worrying about ourselves. This has strengthened my call for the priesthood,” Murrugarra said.
At Loyola, the men prayed like priests, uniting for daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic adoration. After dinner, they shared their experiences of Christian service that day and socialized. One retreatant was Carlos Vargas, a seminarian, whom Bishop Sweeney ordained as transitional deacon on Aug. 1 — his last step before being ordained a priest next year.
Bishop Sweeney celebrated a closing Mass on July 30.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the participating young men, “Thank you for serving those in need in parishes and our communities.” He also urged them to continue discerning.
“When one person opens his heart to the Lord — saying, ‘Here I am; take it all’— what God can do!” Bishop Sweeney said.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/young-men-embrace-faith-while-serving-others-on-retreat-together-catholic-jean-baptiste-mollet-a-seminarian-of-the-paterson-diocese-n-j-struck-up-an-engaging-conversation-on-the-streets-of-pate.jpg "Young men embrace faith while serving others on retreat together #Catholic – Jean-Baptiste Mollet, a seminarian of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., struck up an engaging conversation on the streets of Paterson, N.J., with Mohamed, a homeless man, one day late last month. The man was drawn to a small cross around Mollet’s neck, part of an exchange that included prayer and a discussion of spirituality.
Mollet’s self-described “prayer encounter” with Mohamed and other homeless people that day was among many activities that occurred from July 27 to 30 during the second annual Service Retreat, held by the diocesan Vocations Office.
Rather than relaxing that summer week, nine seminarians and nine other young men discerning the priesthood united for a retreat that brought them deeper into Jesus’ call to every priest and Catholic. They engaged in worship, prayer, faith sharing, service to local people in need, and fellowship, while encouraging each other’s vocations. Their home base was Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, N.J.
Mollet and the rest of the retreatants, from their teens to their 30s, shared Christ’s presence with homeless people in the neighborhood around the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson during an outreach called Jesus Run. They also distributed sandwiches they made the night before to the homeless people.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
“The homeless seemed joyful even in the midst of poverty. The Lord even works in people who are suffering,” said Mollet, 27, a second-year philosophy student at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange. “Seeing people in need lets us see things differently — a simplicity in life —because we have so much,” he said.
During the week, these men traveled to various locations throughout the diocese to perform a variety of service projects.
At one location, they volunteered at the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson, part of diocesan Catholic Charities. Alongside staff and volunteers, the men stocked shelves and sorted food at the pantry, reopening after a major renovation.
Then, the men set up for two lunch periods in the kitchen at Eva’s Village, also in Paterson, which serves about 1,000 meals to community members and residents of its shelters and halfway houses. Unlike the typical buffet style, they brought meals and drinks to the seated clients like a restaurant, showing them greater dignity.
On another day, the retreatants traveled to St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J., to paint three religious education classrooms. Later, they cooked and served a barbecue. There, they spoke with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and other seminarians and priests in attendance. Bishop Sweeney joined the retreatants on other activities throughout the week.
Mollet said the Service Retreat fostered an “attitude of prayer.”
“This week, I’m in good company with people who are hearing God calling them to the priesthood. They are on fire for the Lord. We shared our faith journeys, made friends and played together,” Mollet said.
Perhaps the men had the most fun volunteering at a Mary Help of Christians summer day camp for children 4 to 13 years old in North Haledon, N.J. Operated by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, the camp offers an array of activities such as boating, fishing, swimming and playing sports such as soccer.
Andrian Murrugarra, 18, a discerning parishioner of St. Therese in Paterson, said, “The kids lit up when talking about Jesus. It reminded me of Christ’s teaching that we need a childlike faith.”
Murrugarra called the retreat “a blessing of fraternity and friends.”
“The retreat is a week to give back to the community — putting others first and not worrying about ourselves. This has strengthened my call for the priesthood,” Murrugarra said.
At Loyola, the men prayed like priests, uniting for daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic adoration. After dinner, they shared their experiences of Christian service that day and socialized. One retreatant was Carlos Vargas, a seminarian, whom Bishop Sweeney ordained as transitional deacon on Aug. 1 — his last step before being ordained a priest next year.
Bishop Sweeney celebrated a closing Mass on July 30.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the participating young men, “Thank you for serving those in need in parishes and our communities.” He also urged them to continue discerning.
“When one person opens his heart to the Lord — saying, ‘Here I am; take it all’— what God can do!” Bishop Sweeney said.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]")
![Nazareth Village priests honored during St. John Vianney Mass #Catholic – Priests living in Nazareth Village, the Paterson Diocesan priest retirement residence in Chester, N.J., on Aug. 4 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass for the Feast of St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, in Our Lady, Mother of Priests Chapel.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Brian Quinn, Nazareth Village director and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Randolph; Father Nico Quintos, diocesan minister to senior priests and pastor of St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J.; the following priest residents: Father Brendan Murray, Father Lancelot Reis, Father Joseph Anginoli, Father John Andrew Connell, and Father Stanley Barron; and Father Stephen Sniscak, a retired priest who will move in soon.
Nazareth Village recently welcomed three new residents: Father Anginoli, Father Barron, and Father Zig Peplowski, who was unable to attend the Mass.
“Bishop Sweeney celebrates an annual St. John Vianney Mass with the Nazareth Village residents to thank the retired priests for their years of service and for continuing to edify us with their ministry and presence,” Father Quintos said.
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Following the Mass, Bishop Sweeney and participating priests enjoyed a brunch prepared by the staff at Nazareth Village.
Saint John Vianney (St. Jean Vianney), also known as the Curé d’Ars, is considered the patron saint of parish priests. This French saint is known for his deep devotion to the Church and his dedication to the sacrament of confession. His life inspires all priests, as he exemplified a genuinely holy priest through his humility, selflessness, and unwavering faith, according to Franciscan Media.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/nazareth-village-priests-honored-during-st-john-vianney-mass-catholic-priests-living-in-nazareth-village-the-paterson-diocesan-priest-retirement-residence-in-chester-n-j-on-aug-4-welcomed-bis.jpg "Nazareth Village priests honored during St. John Vianney Mass #Catholic – Priests living in Nazareth Village, the Paterson Diocesan priest retirement residence in Chester, N.J., on Aug. 4 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass for the Feast of St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests, in Our Lady, Mother of Priests Chapel.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Brian Quinn, Nazareth Village director and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Randolph; Father Nico Quintos, diocesan minister to senior priests and pastor of St. Ann Parish in Parsippany, N.J.; the following priest residents: Father Brendan Murray, Father Lancelot Reis, Father Joseph Anginoli, Father John Andrew Connell, and Father Stanley Barron; and Father Stephen Sniscak, a retired priest who will move in soon.
Nazareth Village recently welcomed three new residents: Father Anginoli, Father Barron, and Father Zig Peplowski, who was unable to attend the Mass.
“Bishop Sweeney celebrates an annual St. John Vianney Mass with the Nazareth Village residents to thank the retired priests for their years of service and for continuing to edify us with their ministry and presence,” Father Quintos said.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Following the Mass, Bishop Sweeney and participating priests enjoyed a brunch prepared by the staff at Nazareth Village.
Saint John Vianney (St. Jean Vianney), also known as the Curé d’Ars, is considered the patron saint of parish priests. This French saint is known for his deep devotion to the Church and his dedication to the sacrament of confession. His life inspires all priests, as he exemplified a genuinely holy priest through his humility, selflessness, and unwavering faith, according to Franciscan Media.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]")
