Bethlehem in Paterson brings Christmas spirit to people in need #Catholic - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bethlehem-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" /><p><strong>The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist</strong> in Paterson, N.J., had almost 200 volunteers — the largest number so far —to help spread Christmas cheer far and wide to those in need during one of its most beloved outreaches: the extraordinary annual Bethlehem in Paterson Christmas charity event, held this year on Dec. 21.</p>
<p>A Winter Wonderland was established on an adjoining street to St. John’s. There, Santa’s helpers distributed an abundance of toys, new winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves to local people in need. The guests, who included upwards of 1,700 children, also visited Santa and enjoyed tasty treats. This year, the event had something new: Mary and Joseph handing each child a piece of swaddling cloth with the words, “Please bring this back to my son on Christmas.”</p>
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<p>Bethlehem in Paterson was blessed with a visit from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who walked around greeting people with Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects.</p>
<p>The legion of supporters and volunteers included the cathedral’s Knights of Columbus Council 7254, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, the New York division of the FBI, and Knights of Columbus from other councils. Many local parishes contributed toys or monetary donations.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: -24px"><strong>BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI</strong></div>
<div> [<a href="https://beaconnj.org/bethlehem-in-paterson-brings-christmas-spirit-to-people-in-need/">See image gallery at beaconnj.org</a>] </p>
</div> - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bethlehem-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" />The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., had almost 200 volunteers — the largest number so far —to help spread Christmas cheer far and wide to those in need during one of its most beloved outreaches: the extraordinary annual Bethlehem in Paterson Christmas charity event, held this year on Dec. 21. A Winter Wonderland was established on an adjoining street to St. John’s. There, Santa’s helpers distributed an abundance of toys, new winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves to local people in need. The guests, who included upwards of 1,700 children, also visited Santa and enjoyed tasty
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., had almost 200 volunteers — the largest number so far —to help spread Christmas cheer far and wide to those in need during one of its most beloved outreaches: the extraordinary annual Bethlehem in Paterson Christmas charity event, held this year on Dec. 21.
A Winter Wonderland was established on an adjoining street to St. John’s. There, Santa’s helpers distributed an abundance of toys, new winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves to local people in need. The guests, who included upwards of 1,700 children, also visited Santa and enjoyed tasty treats. This year, the event had something new: Mary and Joseph handing each child a piece of swaddling cloth with the words, “Please bring this back to my son on Christmas.”
Bethlehem in Paterson was blessed with a visit from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who walked around greeting people with Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects.
The legion of supporters and volunteers included the cathedral’s Knights of Columbus Council 7254, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, the New York division of the FBI, and Knights of Columbus from other councils. Many local parishes contributed toys or monetary donations.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
Bethlehem in Paterson brings Christmas spirit to people in need #Catholic –
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., had almost 200 volunteers — the largest number so far —to help spread Christmas cheer far and wide to those in need during one of its most beloved outreaches: the extraordinary annual Bethlehem in Paterson Christmas charity event, held this year on Dec. 21.
A Winter Wonderland was established on an adjoining street to St. John’s. There, Santa’s helpers distributed an abundance of toys, new winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves to local people in need. The guests, who included upwards of 1,700 children, also visited Santa and enjoyed tasty treats. This year, the event had something new: Mary and Joseph handing each child a piece of swaddling cloth with the words, “Please bring this back to my son on Christmas.”
Bethlehem in Paterson was blessed with a visit from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who walked around greeting people with Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects.
The legion of supporters and volunteers included the cathedral’s Knights of Columbus Council 7254, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, the New York division of the FBI, and Knights of Columbus from other councils. Many local parishes contributed toys or monetary donations.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
![Bethlehem in Paterson brings Christmas spirit to people in need #Catholic - The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., had almost 200 volunteers — the largest number so far —to help spread Christmas cheer far and wide to those in need during one of its most beloved outreaches: the extraordinary annual Bethlehem in Paterson Christmas charity event, held this year on Dec. 21.
A Winter Wonderland was established on an adjoining street to St. John’s. There, Santa’s helpers distributed an abundance of toys, new winter jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves to local people in need. The guests, who included upwards of 1,700 children, also visited Santa and enjoyed tasty treats. This year, the event had something new: Mary and Joseph handing each child a piece of swaddling cloth with the words, “Please bring this back to my son on Christmas.”
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Bethlehem in Paterson was blessed with a visit from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who walked around greeting people with Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects.
The legion of supporters and volunteers included the cathedral’s Knights of Columbus Council 7254, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department, the New York division of the FBI, and Knights of Columbus from other councils. Many local parishes contributed toys or monetary donations.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/bethlehem-in-paterson-brings-christmas-spirit-to-people-in-need-catholic-the-cathedral-of-st-john-the-baptist-in-paterson-n-j-had-almost-200-volunteers-the-largest-number-so-far.jpg)