Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic –
For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.
Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career.
But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up.
Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday).
Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BTB_109-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" /><p></p>
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<p>For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.</p>
<p>Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career.</p>
<p>But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up.</p>
<p>Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday).</p>
<p><a href="https://beyond.beaconnj.org/2149965/episodes/19022940-john-fanta-sports-broadcaster-storyteller-and-man-of-faith" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Listen to the episode here</a>, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on <a href="https://youtu.be/ufmvsH50IN8?si=OomXfc3dCSNj11om" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel</a>.</p>
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<h6 style="text-align: center"><a href="https://beaconnj.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.</span></a></h6>
<hr> - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BTB_109-1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" />For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career. But his first break came when his
For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.
Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career.
But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up.
Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday).
Beyond The Beacon podcast 109 – John Fanta: Sports broadcaster, storyteller and man of faith #Catholic –
For the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon, we talk sports and faith with John Fanta, a prominent national broadcaster at NBC Sports, who attends Mass with his wife and young son at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, N.J. He joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.
Fanta went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., where he became deeply involved with the Pirate Sports Network, WSOU radio, and student journalism, and laid the foundation for his national broadcasting career.
But his first break came when his first-grade teacher recognized Fanta’s talent for singing and encouraged him to be a cantor and lector at St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, Ohio, where he grew up.
Bishop Sweeney also discusses the establishment of a new parish, Padre Pio, in Paterson, N.J., on April 12 (Divine Mercy Sunday).
