Day: January 26, 2026

Dominican pride fills Paterson church for colorful Altagracia celebration #Catholic –

On Jan. 21, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presided over Mass at St. Stephen Parish in Paterson, N.J., celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia — a major expression of Dominican faith and identity, as she is considered the protective mother of the Dominican people.

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St. Stephen’s pastor, Father Rafael Ciro, concelebrated. During the Mass, the bishop blessed an image of Our Lady of Altagracia, which was displayed alongside the Dominican flag, candles, and flowers on the altar. To honor their heritage and devotion, many churchgoers wore colorful traditional clothing.

On Jan. 21, 1691, the Spanish army, led by Antonio Miniel, defeated the French army during the Battle of the Sabana Real in the eastern part of the island of Santo Domingo. This historical victory is linked to the belief that the Spanish asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Altagracia, thereby embedding her role as a symbol of hope and protection for Dominicans, a role the community commemorates each year.

– On Jan. 21, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presided over Mass at St. Stephen Parish in Paterson, N.J., celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia — a major expression of Dominican faith and identity, as she is considered the protective mother of the Dominican people. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. St. Stephen’s pastor, Father Rafael Ciro, concelebrated. During the Mass, the bishop blessed an image of Our Lady of Altagracia, which was displayed alongside the Dominican flag, candles, and flowers on the altar. To honor their heritage and devotion, many churchgoers wore colorful traditional clothing. On Jan.

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Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s Schedule: February, 2026 #Catholic –

2/1	Sun., 8:30 a.m. Mass celebrating Catholic Schools Week – St. Anthony Parish, Hawthorne; 11:30 a.m. Mass for the Feast of St. Agnes – St. Agnes Parish, Paterson.
2/2–5	Mon.–Thu. CLI Episcopal ongoing Formation & Support Conference – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
2/6	Fri., 2 p.m. Installation Mass of Bishop Ronald A. Hicks – Archdiocese of New York; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – St. Mary Parish, Denville.
2/7	Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 9 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Pompton Lakes; 11 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Pompton Lakes.
2/8	Sun., 3 p.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Pompton Lakes.
2/9	Mon., 1 p.m. Dean’s Meeting – Chancery, Clifton.
2/10	Tue., 12:30 p.m. Pastoral Planning Meeting with Priests – St. Philip the Apostle Parish, Clifton; 5:45 p.m. Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth – Parsippany.
2/12	Thu., 10 a.m. Finance Council – Chancery, Clifton.
2/13	Fri., 12:30 p.m. Pastoral Planning Meeting with Priests – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison; 5:30 p.m. Night to Shine – St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Haskell.
2/14	Sat., 9:30 a.m. Scout Mass – Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Pompton Plains; 7 p.m. Mass – Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Clifton.
2/15	Sun. 6 p.m. 56th Murray House Dinner Dance – The Brownstone, Paterson.
2/17	Tue. 8:30 a.m. Annual Encounter with High School Youth – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison.
2/18	Wed. 9 a.m. Ash Wednesday Mass – St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson.
2/19	Thu. 7 p.m. Diocesan Pastoral Council – St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison.
2/20	Fri., all day Diocesan Leaders’ Lenten Day of Prayer – Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown.
2/21	Sat., 11 a.m. Confirmation – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Flanders.
2/22	Sun., 3 p.m. Rite of Election ceremony – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson.
2/24	Tue., 10 a.m. Board of Bishops meeting.
2/27–3/1	Fri.-Sun Vocation Discernment Retreat – Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown.

– 2/1 Sun., 8:30 a.m. Mass celebrating Catholic Schools Week – St. Anthony Parish, Hawthorne; 11:30 a.m. Mass for the Feast of St. Agnes – St. Agnes Parish, Paterson. 2/2–5 Mon.–Thu. CLI Episcopal ongoing Formation & Support Conference – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 2/6 Fri., 2 p.m. Installation Mass of Bishop Ronald A. Hicks – Archdiocese of New York; 6:30 p.m. Project Andrew – St. Mary Parish, Denville. 2/7 Sat., 8 a.m. Mass for Life & Procession – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Morristown; 9 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Pompton Lakes; 11 a.m. Confirmation – St. Mary Parish, Pompton

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Catholic Schools Week 2026: Reflecting on the ‘value’ of Catholic education #Catholic –

“Catholic Schools Week” annually provides all Catholics — whether they have children in Catholic schools or not — with the chance to think about how the faith is taught and witnessed and the “value” that Catholic schools offer to children, to parents, to families, to the Church and to society at large with respect to that faith and its influence.

Is that “value” worth the sacrifice it takes for parents and families to provide Catholic school education to their children when public school education is readily available without any extra cost required? … Having worked in Catholic education most of my life, I can state without hesitation, Catholic education is definitely worth it!”

—Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D., Catholic Schools Week

As I prepared to write about Catholic Schools Week 2026, I went online for some background, to do some research, and to hear and see how other bishops and dioceses may be promoting Catholic Schools Week. For others who would like to learn more about Catholic Schools Week 2026, I would say that the BEST place to go would be the Website of the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Paterson where you will find an excellent and informative message from our Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Mary D. Baier and much more information about Catholic Education and the Catholic Schools in our diocese.

As Bishop, Catholic Schools Week is one of my favorite weeks of the year for many reasons. One of those reasons is that it is a wonderful opportunity for me to say THANK YOU to our Superintendent Mary Baier, and all the staff in our Catholic Schools Office, as well as to thank Father Paul Manning, our Episcopal Vicar for Education (and for Evangelization). It is also an opportunity to THANK all of our Catholic School Leaders, presidents, principals, pastors, consecrated religious, chaplains and administrators, as well as all of our dedicated Catholic School Teachers, staff, and volunteers for their daily dedication, hard work, and generous sacrifices that allow us, as a diocese to continue to offer the BEST in Catholic School Education to our students, their parents, and the wider community.

I decided to begin this column by sharing a quote from our “neighbor,” Bishop David O’Connell of the Diocese of Trenton, who wrote an excellent letter for Catholic Schools Week 2026.  I have been blessed to know Bishop O’Connell since I was a college student at St. John’s University (in Queens) and “Father O’Connell” was serving as the Academic Dean of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I was a junior when Father O’Connell arrived as Dean and, although I did not have the pleasure of having him as a teacher, it was around the time of Fr. O’Connell’s arrival that I was (finally) beginning to appreciate the tremendous value of the 21! years of Catholic Education I would receive from first grade, through high school, college, and (the last five years) in the major seminary.

When Bishop O’Connell says that he has “… worked in Catholic Education most of my life…”, that is “putting it mildly.” You can read Bishop O’Connell’s Biography on the Diocese of Trenton’s website. There you will see that one of the “highlights” of his work and ministry in Catholic Education was 12 years serving as the President of the Catholic University of America.

In addition to Bishop O’Connell’s “bio,” I would also encourage you to read the full text of his brief, but inspiring letter for Catholic Schools Week 2026, in which Bishop O’Connell speaks of the role of parents, as the “first catechists” of their children and the vital importance of the parents’, “direct and active involvement in their child’s Catholic faith formation…” He goes on to articulate the great “value” of Catholic Schools and Catholic Education as well as the very significant challenges faced by “many Catholic schools throughout the country, including our own Diocese…” We face those same challenges here in our Diocese of Paterson. Yet, despite the challenges, I echo the words of Bishop O’Connell, “Catholic education is definitely worth it!”

I also agree with Bishop O’Connell when he says that Catholic Schools Week provides an opportunity for, “all Catholics – whether they have children in Catholic schools or not” to reflect on and consider the “value” of Catholic Schools and, not only the great academic education, but the “formation in faith” that our Catholic Schools provide for students, collaborating with parents in that most important responsibility of raising children in the practice of our Faith.

Another reason why Catholic Schools Week is one of my favorite weeks of the year is that I get to visit many of our Diocesan Catholic Schools for Mass and other special events that take place during this week when we try to highlight the great value of the Catholic Schools throughout our diocese, affirming and thanking parents, school leaders, teachers and ALL members of our wider “School Communities.” If you hear of a Catholic Schools Week Mass, Open House, or other event in your parish or in a neighboring parish, please consider attending and inviting others – especially parents with school-age children – to attend.

I love the choice of the Theme for Catholic Schools Week 2026: “United in Faith and Community.” The more that we are ALL, “united in Faith and Community” in the recognition and appreciation of the value of our Catholic Schools, the more that we will be able to meet the significant challenges that we face. You may recall that the theme for our Diocesan Ministries Appeal this year was, “Three Counties, One Family of Fath.” The DMA is one of many ways that we, as “One Family of Faith,” can support the Catholic Schools throughout the three Counties that make up our diocese, as we recognize and give thanks for the great value of our Catholic Schools.

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– “Catholic Schools Week” annually provides all Catholics — whether they have children in Catholic schools or not — with the chance to think about how the faith is taught and witnessed and the “value” that Catholic schools offer to children, to parents, to families, to the Church and to society at large with respect to that faith and its influence. Is that “value” worth the sacrifice it takes for parents and families to provide Catholic school education to their children when public school education is readily available without any extra cost required? … Having worked in Catholic education most of

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Bethlehem Hermits warmly welcome bishop for Mass in Chester #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney made a pastoral visit to Bethlehem Hermitage in Chester, N.J., on Jan. 17, where he celebrated Mass for the Hermits of Bethlehem and visitors in the chapel. Bethlehem Hermitage is a foundation of Catholic hermits, men and women, who live a life of prayer, penance, silence, and solitude.

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Founded on March 15, 1975, Bethlehem Hermitage sits on 18 acres of land and consists of several small wooden cottages. The hermits live in solitary cabins, combining hours of work with hours of prayer. The hermitage has guest cottages and a central building with a chapel.

– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney made a pastoral visit to Bethlehem Hermitage in Chester, N.J., on Jan. 17, where he celebrated Mass for the Hermits of Bethlehem and visitors in the chapel. Bethlehem Hermitage is a foundation of Catholic hermits, men and women, who live a life of prayer, penance, silence, and solitude. Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Founded on March 15, 1975, Bethlehem Hermitage sits on 18 acres of land and consists of several small wooden cottages. The hermits live in solitary cabins, combining hours of work with hours of prayer. The hermitage has guest cottages and

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Catholic Schools Week: Pope John announces partnership with St. John’s University #Catholic –

Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., recently announced a new partnership with St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y.,  through its College Advantage Program, giving qualified juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school coursework. This collaboration reflects shared Catholic values, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Key benefits of the program include:

• Accelerated academic progress: Students earn credits directly from St. John’s University while still in high school.
• Affordable tuition: Each course is offered at a significantly reduced cost of $325, lower than traditional undergraduate tuition.
• Long-term value and support: Students who later enroll at St. John’s University qualify for up to $6,000 per-year toward their undergraduate studies.
• College-level transcript recognition: Students receive an official St. John’s University transcript for all completed courses.

The program will begin for the spring semester. Students may take the following approved courses: Principles of Marketing, Sports Marketing, College Physics I, and College Physics II. All instructors will be certified by St. John’s University to ensure college-level rigor. Course offerings will expand for the fall 2026 semester.

“We believe deeply in forming young people who are ready to excel in college and beyond,” said Daniel O’Keefe, school president. “Partnering with St. John’s University allows us to offer a powerful advantage to our students and makes Pope John a destination as a college preparatory school.”

Eligible students should contact their guidance counselor for enrollment information and program requirements.

More information: (973) 729-6125 or geneemering@popejohn.org.

– Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., recently announced a new partnership with St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y.,  through its College Advantage Program, giving qualified juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school coursework. This collaboration reflects shared Catholic values, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to making higher education more accessible and affordable. Key benefits of the program include: Accelerated academic progress: Students earn credits directly from St. John’s University while still in high school. Affordable tuition: Each course is offered at a significantly reduced cost of $325, lower than

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