News

Jay Wright shares proven leadership lessons for Church renewal #Catholic –

By all rights, Jalen Brunson, a star point guard for Villanova men’s basketball, could have played with swagger in the Wildcats’ final game of the NCAA national championships in 2018. He had just collected most of the major awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, the day before facing Michigan on April 2.

Instead, Brunson let his teammates shine, making it easier for them to score and passing the ball rather than taking shots himself. The Wildcats beat Michigan 79-62 for their second championship since 2016. Brunson scored only nine points — well below his 16-point season average.

Jay Wright, Villanova men’s basketball head coach for 21 seasons, illustrated the success and generosity of Brunson and other former players both on and off the court during his May 6 talk, “Winning and Losing as Disciples and as a Team.” He used their examples to foster teamwork as life lessons — what he called “attitude” — as he addressed parish leaders, coaches, young adults, and others seeking to live their faith with courage and purpose in the packed auditorium at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J.

“Jalen had the opportunity to be the star during that championship game. Instead, he showed his teammates he would stay true to the team’s core values. He said, ‘It’s not about me. It’s about the team,’” said Wright, who retired in 2022 as the William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach of Villanova, a Catholic institution. Brunson is now a guard for the N.Y. Nicks in the NBA. “We want our leaders to be the most selfless and lead a team by example. Success isn’t just wins and losses. It’s about living together and treating each other well,” Wright said.

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Wright encouraged audience members to apply those core values — which he and his team summarized in the buzzword “attitude” — when building teams in their parishes or dioceses or revitalizing the Church. He said that people with “attitude” focus on teamwork, mission, dedication, work ethic, and supporting one another. Wright illustrated these principles with examples from games during his distinguished career.

“You will succeed if it’s God’s plan, but all you can control is your attitude and faith,” said Wright, who now gives motivational talks.

In addition to notching NCAA national championships in 2016 and 2018, Wright’s Villanova teams made four appearances in the NCAA Final Four.

Among his many accolades, he became the first man in BIG EAST history to be selected as the league’s Coach of the Year six times in 2018-19 and was named Associated Press men’s college basketball Coach of the Decade in 2020.

Wright and his wife, Patricia Reilly, received the St. Augustine Medal in 2017. Wright’s 2017 book, “Attitude,” was a New York Times bestseller.

Father Paddy O’Donovan, retired priest and former pastor in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., invited his friend Wright to speak at St. Paul’s. Father O’Donovan said publicly that Wright’s wisdom helped him understand leadership amid Church renewal and evangelization while leading parishes.

Wright “lives the reality” practicing the faith and evangelizing “in a very public way but also a deeply religious and personal way,” said Father O’Donovan, adding he is devoted to his wife and three children. “Jay is deeply committed to the life and mission of the Church,” Father O’Donovan said.

Villanova alumni filled St. Paul’s auditorium and posed many questions to Wright during a Q&A session after his talk. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, a sports fan, then offered a prayer.

“We have such a great team in the diocese. Tonight, as we give thanks to God for the witness [of Wright], we also pray that we have that attitude, which is Christ: to love as he loves,” Bishop Sweeney said.

Afterwards, Paul Pomykala, head coach of Passaic High School’s men’s basketball team and parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Boonton, N.J., said Wright focused on the “bigger picture.”

“Success comes when people share a mission, form a bond, and play for the team, not their own glory. It’s also about what God has in store,” Pomykala said.

Noah Anderson, a third-grader at St. Patrick School in Chatham, N.J., who plays baseball and runs track, said Wright emphasized a “positive attitude.”

– By all rights, Jalen Brunson, a star point guard for Villanova men’s basketball, could have played with swagger in the Wildcats’ final game of the NCAA national championships in 2018. He had just collected most of the major awards, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, the day before facing Michigan on April 2. Instead, Brunson let his teammates shine, making it easier for them to score and passing the ball rather than taking shots himself. The Wildcats beat Michigan 79-62 for their second championship since 2016. Brunson scored only nine points — well below his 16-point season

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Beatification candidate Fulton Sheen forged strong ties in Paterson #Catholic –

Sometime in 1974, Lo Anne Mayer, formerly of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township, N.J., received a surprise phone call. On the other end was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the world-renowned Catholic radio and TV evangelist. They met briefly after a talk he gave at another parish in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and here he was asking her, “What do you think about St. Joseph?” — the topic of an upcoming presentation.

“I realized that Archbishop Sheen called people to get their views on particular topics — the Blessed Mother or St. Joseph — to make his talks more relevant to his audience. I was impressed; I didn’t know any priest who did that,” said Mayer, who first heard him speak at Christ the King Church in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township, N.J., in 1974. “I saw Christ in Archbishop Sheen. His total dedication to the Lord was part of his persona. I felt as if I were in the presence of a saint,” she said.

So it was no surprise when Mayer, 85, now living in Manchester, N.J., heard the news on March 25 that Archbishop Sheen — now Venerable Fulton J. Sheen — is getting a step closer to sainthood. With joy, she plans to attend with her family the Mass of his beatification, where he will be designated as “blessed.” This will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo.

That first conversation in 1974 blossomed into a close family friendship. Venerable Sheen often spoke with Mayer at length on the phone and visited their home for dinner. Through Mayer, he became reacquainted with the Discalced Carmelites of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Morristown, N.J. He also baptized her and her husband Raymond’s youngest child, Michael, at Corpus Christi in 1975.

“I couldn’t be happier about Archbishop Sheen’s beatification,” said Mayer, who had started helping promote his cause before his home diocese in Peoria, Ill., opened it in 2002. “I know Archbishop Sheen would not have wanted this [beatification], but he needs to be recognized. People around the globe know him for his powerful preaching and are still interested in him,” she said.

Mayer will discuss Venerable Sheen and his beatification this Friday, May 8, his birthday, while recording an episode of the Beyond the Beacon podcast with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish. The episode will be available on all major podcast platforms on March 14, 2026.

Venerable Sheen earned worldwide renown as one of the 20th century’s leading English-speaking Catholic preachers. He used books, radio, and TV to reach a broad audience. Decades later, his program, “Life Is Worth Living,” resonates with younger Catholics through EWTN reruns. In 1979, Sheen died in New York at age 84.

“Archbishop Sheen was down to earth, speaking simply from the heart for everybody to understand,” said Mayer. She recalled how he spoke to her children before dinner, mesmerizing them with his message and presence. “As a young mother, Archbishop Sheen helped my faith. He was understanding and kind,” she said.

In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI declared Archbishop Sheen “venerable” for his heroic virtue. In 2019, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to Sheen, paving the way for beatification. The Vatican, however, paused the process to investigate — and ultimately cleared him of — allegations from Sheen’s tenure as bishop of Rochester, N.Y. Mayer remains optimistic that a second miracle will be recognized to advance him to sainthood.

In 1984, Mayer participated in the first national gathering of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation at the Madison Hotel in Madison, N.J. She later chaired the organization and now serves on its advisory board. Mayer traveled to Peoria to witness the sealing of roughly 500 pages of documents for the cause for review in Rome.

Over the years, Mayer heard Venerable Sheen speak at other local parishes. She also invited him to the Carmelite monastery in Morristown, where he delivered the homily at the dedication Mass of the chapel in 1941. He quickly became friends with the community and made subsequent visits. “He made the Carmelites happy,” Mayer said.

Previously, Venerable Sheen had another diocesan connection: Yolanda Holliger of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Wayne, N.J. He married her to his cousin, Tom, baptized their six children, and remained close to their family. Both Holligers testified in his cause and have since died.

“Archbishop Sheen had a saintly aura,” Holliger told The Beacon in a 2008 interview. “With him, you felt you were in heaven — perfect happiness.”

Mayer encourages local faithful to watch Venerable Sheen’s beatification Mass on EWTN on Sept. 24, starting at 3 p.m. EST.

– Sometime in 1974, Lo Anne Mayer, formerly of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township, N.J., received a surprise phone call. On the other end was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the world-renowned Catholic radio and TV evangelist. They met briefly after a talk he gave at another parish in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and here he was asking her, “What do you think about St. Joseph?” — the topic of an upcoming presentation. “I realized that Archbishop Sheen called people to get their views on particular topics — the Blessed Mother or St. Joseph — to make his talks more relevant

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Guardian Mass honors first responders who made ‘ultimate sacrifice’ #Catholic –

First responders are “guardian angels in uniforms, who lead us to safety, protect us, and are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney proclaimed during the inaugural Guardian Mass on May 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The bishop celebrated the Mass and led churchgoers in honoring, praying for, and thanking all first responders, their families, and guardians who lost their lives in the past year.

The first Guardian Mass was held last Saturday, establishing a new tradition in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The 25th and final Blue Mass took place last May, honoring law enforcement and their families. The Guardian Mass now includes fire, EMS, emergency communications, management, and their families, as well as law enforcement.

During the Mass, the congregation also remembered the lives lost in or as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of those tragic events.

The Mass honored guardians who died last year, including Lt. Peter E. Bruncati, SFC, William A. Casey, Sgt. Lee E. Hendrickson, SPC, Steven C. Tiboni, SFC, and Sean W. Acker of the New Jersey State Police, and Firefighter Howard Bennett of the Camden Fire Department.

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In his homily, Bishop Sweeney thanked first responders for their “patience, professionalism, training, and dedication, each day.”

“We thank and honor you today. We admire your courage and your willingness to sacrifice, placing yourself in the line of fire” — and often in harm’s way — during domestic disputes, shootings, and fires, Bishop Sweeney said. “Our Lord Jesus said, ‘There’s no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.’ You do this not only for friends but for anyone in need,” he said.

In addition, Bishop Sweeney thanked the commitment and sacrifices made by the spouses, parents, children, and other family members of first responders.

An honor guard consisting of first responders carried American flags into St. John’s during the Mass’s opening procession. First responders, families of fallen officers, and chaplains also joined the liturgy. Later, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” in remembrance of the fallen officers.

At the end of Mass, Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects, thanked everyone who helped plan and assist with the Guardian Mass. He was also a member of the planning committee and a concelebrating priest. Msgr. Sylva also serves as a chaplain for first responders.

In his remarks, Msgr. Geno also thanked first responders, especially in Paterson, “for being heroes to us.”

“You make things better. You’ve done this by saying ‘yes’ to us, to people, and to the common good,” Msgr. Sylva said. “At times, in your daily lives, maybe what you signed up for is not what you expected. But it’s important for us to remember that our God is not found in expectations. He is found when we face reality in faith, hope, and love,” the priest said.

– First responders are “guardian angels in uniforms, who lead us to safety, protect us, and are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney proclaimed during the inaugural Guardian Mass on May 2 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The bishop celebrated the Mass and led churchgoers in honoring, praying for, and thanking all first responders, their families, and guardians who lost their lives in the past year. The first Guardian Mass was held last Saturday, establishing a new tradition in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The 25th and final Blue Mass

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Paterson hits record, sending letters to seminarians through Knights #Catholic –

Seminarian John Peter Zappe sometimes feels discouraged by challenging classes and assignments, asking himself, “Why am I doing this?”

Recently, Zappe, a seminarian of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., received several faith-filled letters and cards of encouragement in his studies from local Catholic children. Among these, Nina L., of the religious education program at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish in Wayne, N.J., wrote one of these moving and inspiring letter.

“Congratulations as you begin this sacred journey into the priesthood,” Nina wrote to Zappe, 27. He is finishing his second year of theology studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, N.J. She continued, “Becoming a priest takes great courage, trust, and compassion. I hope that you will be filled with strength, comfort in prayer, and joy that your work will be making a difference in other people’s lives. May God bless you always.”

In March, as part of this ongoing support, Zappe and the diocese’s nine other seminarians received stacks of children’s letters of support, prayers, and appreciation, including from Nina A., courtesy of the Seminarian Letter Project, an annual initiative of the N.J. State Council of the Knights of Columbus.

“These days, it’s nice to get physical letters from students who write that they are praying for you, a man who is studying in seminary and is planning to go into the priesthood. The answer to ‘Why am I doing this?” is them: these young people of God, who are waiting for me to serve them in the future,” said Zappe, who emphasized that he also finds encouragement from other sources, especially from God in prayer. Additionally, he noted, “It’s also great to see that by writing these letters, the children are thinking about their own vocations.”

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This year, the Paterson Diocese set a record by sending more letters and cards to seminarians than ever before. Students in religious-education programs from four parishes provided over 100 pieces of encouragement. Statewide, Catholic school students also participated, according to John Tirado, the council’s faith director who has overseen the Project for 25 years.

In one letter, Linda, also of the Paterson Diocese, sought to motivate the seminarians by writing, “You got this and God’s got you.” Younger children drew cartoon crosses and angels on their cards.

Participating from the Paterson Diocese were: Father Joseph A. Cassidy, Council 6100 in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive, N.J.; St. John Vianney Council 12649 in the Stockholm neighborhood of Hardyston, N.J.; John Fitzgerald Kennedy Council 5486 in Lincoln Park, N.J.; and IHM Council 10206 in Wayne. These councils will be recognized at the State Knights’ convention in Wildwood, N.J., in May, Tirado said.

Throughout the state, local Knights’ council Project chairmen coordinate the letter-writing efforts with their Catholic schools and religious education programs. Tirado collects them and forwards them to each diocese. For the Paterson Diocese seminarians, the letters were delivered from the Vocations Office at the annual Chrism Mass on March 31 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J.

“The letters are fresh, inspiring, thoughtful, and honest. They are surprising in their depth, and the children’s thinking about the church and vocations. It’s a spiritual gift the seminarians respond to. You don’t get that with Artificial Intelligence,” said Tirado. He noted that their insights get deeper with each successive grade level. “They are also thinking about the men who will be there for them and their families when they get older,” he said.

This year marked the first time the Hardyston and Mount Olive councils participated. The St. John Vianney Council serves St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the Oak Ridge neighborhood of Jefferson, N.J., and St. John Vianney Parish in Hardyston.

Summing up the project’s impact, Joseph Tarallo, St. John Vianney’s grand knight and Project chairman, said, “The letters brighten the seminarians’ day. If we don’t encourage our seminarians, we won’t have priests. Writing a letter to them is easy to do. The kids enjoy it,” he said.

– Seminarian John Peter Zappe sometimes feels discouraged by challenging classes and assignments, asking himself, “Why am I doing this?” Recently, Zappe, a seminarian of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., received several faith-filled letters and cards of encouragement in his studies from local Catholic children. Among these, Nina L., of the religious education program at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish in Wayne, N.J., wrote one of these moving and inspiring letter. “Congratulations as you begin this sacred journey into the priesthood,” Nina wrote to Zappe, 27. He is finishing his second year of theology studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South

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Beyond The Beacon podcast 110: This special program equips parishioners to become better evangelists #Catholic –

On this episode, we learn about the Certificate in Catholic Evangelization and Leadership (CCE) — a unique program, taught over three years, that seeks to transform Catholics into effective evangelists and spiritual leaders, equipping them to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to their homes, parishes, and local communities.

The certificate is offered by the Office of Evangelization of the Diocese of Paterson (St. Paul Inside the Walls), in collaboration with Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology Seton Hall University.

Co-hosting with Bishop Kevin Sweeney is Vicar for Evangelization Father Paul Manning of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.

Guests:

• Dianne Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., associate dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and assistant professor of Pastoral Theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology Seton Hall University.
• Eniola Honsberger, director of the Office of Family Life of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.
• Pat Dillon, parishioner and student in the program
• Annamaria Garcia, office manager and minister to Young Adults (ages 23-39) for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. 

Listen to the episode here, or on any major podcast platform, or watch it on Bishop Sweeney’s YouTube channel.

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– On this episode, we learn about the Certificate in Catholic Evangelization and Leadership (CCE) — a unique program, taught over three years, that seeks to transform Catholics into effective evangelists and spiritual leaders, equipping them to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to their homes, parishes, and local communities. The certificate is offered by the Office of Evangelization of the Diocese of Paterson (St. Paul Inside the Walls), in collaboration with Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology Seton Hall University. Co-hosting with Bishop Kevin Sweeney is Vicar for Evangelization Father Paul Manning of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Guests:

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St. Elizabeth University event highlights Mother Cabrini’s local connections #Catholic –

St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint, significantly impacted the nation by leading efforts to care for poor Italians and marginalized people in New York City and beyond. Her extensive connections also reached into the heart of Northern New Jersey, including the Paterson Diocese.

A distinguished panel of guests highlighted Mother Cabrini’s local connections and strong advocacy for immigrants and poor communities at a discussion of “Cabrini,” the 2024 feature film about the saint. The event drew a sizable audience to the Dolan Performing Arts Center at St. Elizabeth University in Morris Township, N.J., on April 28, underscoring her local and broader impact.

This “talk back” session followed a screening of powerful and dramatic clips from “Cabrini” at St. Elizabeth’s on April 21. Both events promoted the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP), which will stop in the Paterson Diocese, N.J. at sites in Passaic and Paterson on June 14 and 15. The NEP’s Cabrini Route will travel up the Eastern Seaboard, including through the diocese, this summer.

At both the screening and the discussion, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pilgrimage stop delegate and pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., encouraged participation in the NEP events being hosted by the diocese. He also offered theological and legal perspectives on the immigrant experience. As a panelist, he noted that the Cabrini Route “underscores what Mother Cabrini means to the East Coast because we were the witnesses of that great arrival of immigrants during her day.”

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“And the plight isn’t over. We have many immigrants still trying to provide a better life for their families by coming to the country,” Father Jaramillo said. “We can see how Mother Cabrini’s powerful example brought Christ to others and is still very much alive in the many wonderful religious we have and the wonderful work they do in favor of immigrants.”

The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which Mother Cabrini founded, opened schools and orphanages for Italian immigrants despite many challenges. Mother Cabrini traveled across Europe, the Americas, and the U.S., founding 67 institutions.

Father Jaramillo also spoke about a Mother Cabrini connection in the Paterson Diocese. Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli’s mother, Eva, received religious education in New York City from the future saint. Before the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson was rededicated in 2017, the bishop commissioned a large stained-glass window of Mother Cabrini in her honor, as part of major renovations to the diocese’s mother church.

The panel included J. Eustace Wolfington, executive producer of “Cabrini” and key organizer; Gilda Bello of Cabrini Asset Management, a journalist and promoter of Mother Cabrini’s story and mission; Carol Bezak, a St. Elizabeth’s graduate, administrator of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, N.Y., and president of the National Association of U.S. Shrines; Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, retired priest of the Newark Archdiocese, author, and chaplain/consultant on the film; Sister of Charity Judy Mertz, founding director of Josephine’s Place, a women’s outreach in Elizabeth, N.J.; and Zachary DeCarlo Jr., founder and president of ZCD Advisors, who worked with Wolfington on “Cabrini.”

Sister Mertz described how the Sisters of Charity in New York City welcomed Mother Cabrini and her  Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus after their arrival from Italy around 1889, sent by Pope Leo XIII. She explained a further local connection: then-Sister of Charity Mary Xavier Mehegan, herself an Irish immigrant, traveled to Convent Station to help found the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth with several fellow religious sister. Together, they established the Academy of St. Elizabeth and later the College of St. Elizabeth, now St. Elizabeth University, demonstrating how Cabrini’s influence helped shape women’s religious life in New Jersey.

“Mother Cabrini was a great model of women in the Church at that time, who had the conviction of her calling, and a deep trust in God’s providence. She had such compassion,” said Sister Mertz. She called Mother Cabrini and Mother Mehegan “catalysts for systemic change.”

The NEP is an initiative of the U.S. bishops inspired by the Eucharistic Revival, held last year in Indianapolis, which sought to “to ignite that flame of love for Jesus in the Eucharist, especially geared to young people.” The NEP also will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Father Jaramillo said.

“Mother Cabrini’s love for Jesus in the Eucharist was without a doubt what empowered her to carry out her missionary work,” Father Jaramillo said. “We want the events of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to remind young people of her beautiful example and make them aware of how we too can exercise that same operative  charity through a deep and lasting relationship with Christ in the Eucharist.”

A former parish pastoral associate in the diocese, Bezak brought a Mother Cabrini image with a third-class relic to the “talk back.” The “Cabrini” screening and “talk-back” were possible through her friendship with one of the film’s executive producers.

Initially, Wolfington, now 93, had refused a request to make a film about Mother Cabrini, but later accepted, believing he could make a better movie about her than another film company that had signed on to do it.

“Everywhere we go with the film, there’s been a transformation. People who walk in the movie are not the same people walking out, especially the young people. It’s had an incredible effect,” Wolfington said.

For questions about events in this diocese, please contact: MMoncaleano@patersondiocese.org. For registration assistance, please contact: registration@eucharisticcongress.org.

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage activities in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., on June 14 and 15

Pilgrimage activities on June 14:

3:30–5 p.m.: Eucharist talk (English), Fr. Rafael Capo, Holy Rosary Church, 6 Wall St., Passaic, N.J.

3:30–5 p.m.: “Influenciados por la Eucaristía” opening talk (Spanish), P. Heriberto García, St. Nicholas, 217 President St., Passaic, N.J.

5–6:30 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession from Holy Rosary Church (6 Wall St, Passaic, N.J.) to Boverini Stadium (1.5 miles). The procession will end with the opening Mass.

6:30–8 p.m.: Opening Mass, Boverini Stadium, 262 River Dr., Passaic, N.J., with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.

Pilgrimage events on June 15:

3–5 p.m.: Divine Liturgy with Byzantine Catholic community at St. Michael Chapel, 415 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, N.J.

5:30–7 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession starting at the Father English Center, 435 Main St., in Paterson, N.J. and ending at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson, N.J.

7–8:30 p.m.: Closing Mass with Bishop Sweeney and homily by Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson. The municipal parking lot opens at 5 p.m. across from the Cathedral. Watch the livestream at https://rcdopcathedral.org/.

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint, significantly impacted the nation by leading efforts to care for poor Italians and marginalized people in New York City and beyond. Her extensive connections also reached into the heart of Northern New Jersey, including the Paterson Diocese. A distinguished panel of guests highlighted Mother Cabrini’s local connections and strong advocacy for immigrants and poor communities at a discussion of “Cabrini,” the 2024 feature film about the saint. The event drew a sizable audience to the Dolan Performing Arts Center at St. Elizabeth University in Morris Township, N.J., on April 28, underscoring her

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Diocese of Paterson clergy appointments: April 28, 2026 #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney announced the following appointments:

Father Manuel Cuellar
has been appointed pastor of the newly formed St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Parish, Paterson, effective April 12, 2026, Divine Mercy Sunday.

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Father Krzysztof Liwarski
has been appointed hospital chaplain at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, with continued residence at Holy Rosary Parish, Passaic, effective May 18, 2026.

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Father Pawel Tomczyk, Ph.D.,
has been appointed episcopal vicar for Evangelization with residence at St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, effective July 1, 2026.

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Father Paul S. Manning
has been appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Mendham, while continuing as vicar for Education, effective July 1, 2026.

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Father Pawel Bala
has been appointed pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Flanders (Mount Olive Township), effective July 1, 2026.

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Father Mateusz Darlak
has been appointed pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Rockaway, effective July 1, 2026.

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– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney announced the following appointments: Father Manuel Cuellar has been appointed pastor of the newly formed St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Parish, Paterson, effective April 12, 2026, Divine Mercy Sunday. Father Krzysztof Liwarski has been appointed hospital chaplain at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, with continued residence at Holy Rosary Parish, Passaic, effective May 18, 2026. Father Pawel Tomczyk, Ph.D., has been appointed episcopal vicar for Evangelization with residence at St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, effective July 1, 2026. Father Paul S. Manning has been appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Mendham, while

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Posters in Morristown celebrate achievements of noted priests, religious #Catholic –

Quick — who was the Belgian theoretical physicist and mathematician who proposed the so-called Big Bang Theory and ultimately proved Albert Einstein wrong?

It was Msgr. Georges Lemaitre, a Roman Catholic priest, who theorized that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago through expansion and cooling. Initially, Einstein and other noted scientists rejected the Big Bang Theory, but it later became the accepted explanation for the universe’s origin.

Msgr. Georges Lemaitre is one example of Catholic priests and religious who have greatly contributed to the world in areas such as science, technology, social justice, and education. Many of their stories, like Msgr. Lemaitre’s, appear on posters created by the Vocations Ministry of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J. Called “Did You Know…?” the project promotes vocations by highlighting these achievements.

Every few months, the Vocation Ministry produces two eye-catching posters featuring a priest or religious. One placard, which features a shorter story suitable for children, is displayed at Assumption School. The other, which presents a more detailed story for adults, is placed at the back of Assumption Church.

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“Priests, nuns, and religious have truly impacted science, social justice, human rights, and the founding of hospitals and universities. Catholic Thought, blending faith and reason with Jesus’ teachings, has inspired these advances,” said Kenneth Rose. He and his wife, Rosa, both ministry members, research and write each text together.

On each poster’s debut weekend, a bulletin blurb explains the “Did You Know…?” project and the story of the featured priest or religious. Parish priests also summarize the story from the ambo at Mass.

Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s pastor and director of clergy personnel of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., enthusiastically supports the Vocations Ministry and the poster project.

“The poster project is meant to encourage people to understand that there is no dichotomy between faith and science, and that in fact, many priests and religious have been scientists and have advanced scientific knowledge,” Msgr. Hart said. “I’m very proud of everybody on our Vocations Ministry. It has been bearing good fruit.”

Another poster set highlighted Sister Mary Kenneth Keller of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the first woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in computer science. She also taught math, physics, and computer languages and helped develop the BASIC computer language.

The most recent poster features Father Robert Grosseteste — a 13th-century English statesman, philosopher, scientist, and the Bishop of Lincoln, England — and Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar and philosopher. “Together, they helped lay foundations for the modern scientific method,” according to the poster. Next month, the ministry will focus on Father Gregor Mendel, an Austrian priest, biologist, and meteorologist, who is considered the father of modern genetics.

Sister of Charity Merris Larkin, principal of Assumption School, said, “People find the stories on the posters interesting.”

The principal said teaching and nursing were the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth’s original callings; their ministries have since expanded. In the diocese, the community founded St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and St. Joseph University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.

“The stories on the posters could enlighten people about the many different interests they can pursue that they might not have thought about,” Sister Larkin said.

Assumption was among the many parishes in the Paterson Diocese that started a Vocations Ministry under the direction of the diocesan Vocations Office to promote vocations. Along with the poster project, it has launched events such as World Marriage Day and programs such as the Traveling Chalice for Vocations, said Christine Myers, the ministry’s chairperson, whose son, Tom, is studying for the priesthood in Denver, Colo.

“Through the Vocations Ministry, we want to raise awareness about vocations and the significant contributions priests and religious have made to Western Civilization,” Myers said. “We hope to encourage a curiosity and appreciation for vocations.”
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Get spiritually charged joining Bishop’s October pilgrimage in D.C. #Catholic –

Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey are invited to deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus by joining Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for a spiritually exhilarating Marian pilgrimage in October. The anticipated event will offer prayer, catechesis, and worship in the sacred atmosphere of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Participants can choose a one-day pilgrimage to the basilica on Saturday, Oct. 17, featuring a catechesis on prayer in English and Spanish, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Mass with Bishop Sweeney and concelebrating priests, and an opportunity to receive reconciliation. Pilgrims can also choose a two-day trip from Friday, Oct. 16, to Saturday, Oct. 17, which includes a visit to the Museum of the Bible and a banquet dinner with Bishop Sweeney on Oct. 16 before visiting the basilica the next day for the pilgrimage.

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All participants on the one-day pilgrimage will visit the grand Romanesque-Byzantine basilica, the largest Roman Catholic church in the Americas. They will experience its impressive architecture and the world’s largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical artwork, spread throughout its more than 80 chapels and oratories.

Starting at noon on Oct. 17, the diocesan-led pilgrimage will begin in the Upper Church. Father Michael Rodak, diocesan pilgrimage director, will offer a welcome and introduction. A chosen family will then make a Presentation to Mary.

Afterward, pilgrims can choose activities during two activity sessions: 12:45-1:15 p.m. and 1:30-2 p.m. Options include a self-guided basilica tour, a presentation in English and Spanish by the diocesan Catechetical Office on the section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church about prayer, a basilica history talk, confessions in the Crypt Church, and quiet time for personal prayer.

The pilgrimage will continue at 2:15 p.m. with the praying of a multilingual Divine Mercy Chaplet, followed by a Mass in English and Spanish at 2:30 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Sweeney, with many participating priests concelebrating.

“This pilgrimage is a wonderful way for Catholics to grow in their faith, prayer lives, and relationship with God, and to honor our Blessed Mother, patroness of the Church in the United States,” said Father Rodak, who has organized several previous diocesan pilgrimages to the basilica, most recently in 2023. “It will be a great blessing to the Church of Paterson.”

The one-day experience will include bus transportation to Washington, D.C., from various parishes in the Paterson Diocese, leaving between 6 and 6:45 a.m., depending on the departure point. The cost is $70 per person, which includes bus transportation, gratuities, and activities at the shrine.

For the two-day pilgrimage, the bus will depart from St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., at 7:15 a.m., arriving at the Museum of the Bible at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is included.

The 430,000-square-foot museum offers an immersive experience of the history, narrative, and global impact of the bible through high-tech exhibits, rare artifacts, and a 1st-century Nazareth replica that engages visitors with the bible’s influence. For more information about the museum, visit.
https://www.museumofthebible.org/media-reques. While there, the diocesan pilgrims will view two films on the Old and New Testaments. Bishop Sweeney will join them. Their visit will also include an hour of free time.

The bus will depart the museum at 3:30 p.m. for the Weston Tysons Corner Hotel in Falls Church, Va. Participants of the two-day pilgrimage will join Bishop Sweeney for a banquet dinner at 7 p.m. Breakfast will be included before departure from the Westin Hotel at 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 17 for pilgrimage at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the next morning.

The two-day pilgrimage includes a bus, a banquet dinner with Bishop Sweeney, a Saturday breakfast buffet, all taxes/gratuities, and deluxe accommodations at The Weston. The cost is $395 per person for single occupancy and $325 per person for double occupancy.

“The pilgrimage is a long day. When participants arrive home, they will feel physically tired but spiritually charged,” said Father Rodak, who is also pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston, N.J. “The experience is both challenging and uplifting — a true journey of faith and hope that leaves one rewarded and spiritually renewed.”

Sign up here for either the one- or two-day pilgrimage. The registration deadline is Sept. 11 for the two-day pilgrimage and Oct. 1 for the one-day pilgrimage.

 

– Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey are invited to deepen their faith and relationship with Jesus by joining Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for a spiritually exhilarating Marian pilgrimage in October. The anticipated event will offer prayer, catechesis, and worship in the sacred atmosphere of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Participants can choose a one-day pilgrimage to the basilica on Saturday, Oct. 17, featuring a catechesis on prayer in English and Spanish, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Mass with Bishop Sweeney and concelebrating priests, and an opportunity to receive reconciliation.

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Program forming clergy, lay ministers to meet mental health needs #Catholic –

For Beth Hlabse, working in the mental health space has been something of a vocation.

“Like so many, I got into the mental health field because of ways my own life and my family’s life had been impacted by mental illness,” she said. “In my late 20s, I returned to school to become a mental health counselor. I had felt a consistent vocational tug to try to serve in this way.”

Hlabse earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Divine Mercy University and pursued postgraduate studies in Christian ethics at the University of Oxford. She went on to work for a time as a mental health counselor, supporting adolescents and adults with histories of trauma as well as adverse childhood experiences.

She was later invited to serve on a committee reviewing a proposal for what would become the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame University – and was asked to serve as its inaugural director, a role she continues to hold today.

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“The Fiat program strives to help Catholic leaders to strengthen hope and belonging within their parishes so as to better support those living with mental illness and their loved ones,” Hlabse explained. “We do so by forming priests, deacons, and lay men and women who serve at the parish and diocesan level.”

The program helps participants develop an understanding of mental illness, while supporting their discernment around how they can establish and cultivate “a culture of belonging and hope” in their faith communities.

To date, the program has formed more than 330 men and women serving in parishes and diocesan communities across the country. Those ministers have established faith sharing and support groups, and have injected education into other ministries like preparation for baptism, confirmation and marriage. They have also seen participants apply their training in efforts to reach the immigrant community, where mental healthcare can be difficult to access.

“It has been profoundly inspiring to see how they are walking with men and women in their home parishes who would otherwise be isolated and potentially experiencing the anguish of mental illness alone,” she said, adding that ordained clergy and ministers have also included what they have learned in their daily ministries. “The priests and deacons who have journeyed with us describe how they’re bringing an awareness of mental health into their homilies, and they say that the Fiat course has helped them in their pastoral care and accompaniment.”

Hlabse is one of several leading figures in the field who will be speaking at the New Jersey Catholic Mental Health conference on May 2. The program, “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church,” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., of the Archdiocese of Newark, will celebrate Mass. The cost to attend is $40 per person. Seating is limited, so visit njconf.com before registration is full.

Efforts to form faith leaders through the Fiat program are critical, Hlabse said, because they are often among the first to be approached for help by someone who is suffering.

“Many people turn first to their parish priest or to a lay parish minister when they themselves, or a family member, is impacted by mental illness,” she said. “We support these ministers in responding with compassion and care, identifying how the parish community can be a resource, and identifying referrals beyond the parish community in the mental health field. Our leaders serve as a bridge to resources internal to, and outside of, the parish community while at once being an ongoing source of accompaniment.”

Supporting those in their darkest moments is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, Hlabse said.

“Our Catholic faith upholds the belief that Christ took on our suffering to the point of death, so that we would never suffer alone,” she said. “Even in moments of desolation and darkness when we do not experience the consolation of God‘s presence, our faith affirms that God is with us. We form leaders so that they can be present with those who are suffering … and help their faith community to be this presence for one another.”

Hlabse also reflected on the “profound loneliness” of today’s society, and how loneliness can exacerbate the experiences of mental illness. She noted that many might be tempted to offer quick fixes or advice.

“As communities of faith, we can recognize that we may not be able to offer a cure,” she said, “but we can offer a supportive presence, a presence of hope and love.”

Click here to learn more about Notre Dame’s Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health. If you are experiencing a crisis, dial 988.

– For Beth Hlabse, working in the mental health space has been something of a vocation. “Like so many, I got into the mental health field because of ways my own life and my family’s life had been impacted by mental illness,” she said. “In my late 20s, I returned to school to become a mental health counselor. I had felt a consistent vocational tug to try to serve in this way.” Hlabse earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Divine Mercy University and pursued postgraduate studies in Christian ethics at the University of Oxford. She went on

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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.

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– 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

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Diocese of Paterson Migrant Pastoral Ministry launches parish leadership training #Catholic –

A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice

The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities.

The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and featured the participation of Father Duberney Villamizar, episcopal vicar for Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of Paterson.

Diocesan Coordinator Miguel Antonio presented the details of the initiative, which will unfold across three sessions. The second gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dover, N.J., and the formation cycle will conclude on May 16 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Paterson, N.J.

Comprehensive formation: Faith, justice, and accompaniment

The first session included presentations addressing both the pastoral dimension and the practical aspects of accompanying migrants.

Marilú González, representative of the national Migrant Pastoral Ministry office based in Chicago, Ill., emphasized the close relationship between this ministry and Christian commitment, stressing that this work demands long-term dedication, with the goal of channeling resources, accompanying processes, and promoting fair treatment for those facing the challenges of the current immigration climate.

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Immigration attorney Mayra Cano offered legal guidance, clarifying key issues and providing practical advice for situations involving contact with immigration authorities. In the same line,  Leslie Tejada, representing the office of Senator Cory A. Booker, along with Henrique Ferreira, director of Community Outreach, shared information about resources available at the state level.

Father Alex Gaitán, director of Migrant Pastoral Ministry for the Archdiocese of Newark, and Damaris Nostrand presented a sobering account of conditions at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, describing the circumstances faced by many individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Building a Network of Support

One of the primary goals of these sessions is the formation of parish teams that will serve as the foundation for a strong support network, built on three core pillars: service, accompaniment, and justice.

The gathering also featured firsthand accounts from parishes already active in this field. Carmen Patricia Bautista, from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., presented a resource kit developed by her community to guide those seeking assistance. Teresa Prendergast, from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, highlighted collaborative efforts among various organizations, including joint initiatives with Protestant churches in the area.

Testimonies of hope and commitment

Participant testimonies reflected the profound impact of the gathering.

José E. Sánchez, from Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., highlighted the importance of close accompaniment for migrant families and the essential role of parish leaders. Nancy Ruiz, from St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson, N.J., described the experience as deeply edifying, emphasizing the need to be formed in order to guide the community and remind people that they are not alone.

Evelyn Leiton, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Paul in Prospect Park, N.J., spoke to the reality faced by many families dealing with separation, and expressed her desire to offer close support. Brenda Sánchez, from Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, N.J., expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and her eagerness to serve the community.

Deacon Luis Carlos Méndez, from St. Christopher in Parsippany, underscored the urgent need for accompaniment, affirming that migrants need to feel loved and welcomed by the Church in their new country.

This formation cycle responds to a concrete reality: the growing need to accompany migrant brothers and sisters with dignity, faith, and commitment. The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson continues to invite the faithful to become involved, recognizing that service to the most vulnerable is a living expression of the Gospel.

The upcoming sessions will continue to prepare leaders who can serve as bridges of hope, support, and justice within their parish communities.

For more information about the Migrant Pastoral Ministry, please contact Miguel Rodríguez at MRodriguez@patersonDiocese.org

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org]

 

– A three-session formation cycle aims to prepare ministers to accompany immigrant communities with faith, service, and justice The Migrant Pastoral Ministry of the Diocese of Paterson has launched a formation cycle for future Parish Migrant Ministry leaders, as a concrete effort to strengthen support for the region’s immigrant communities. The first gathering took place on Saturday, March 21, bringing together more than 80 parishioners from eight parishes, all united by the desire to be formed and to serve in this ministry. The event was supported by Father Javier Bareño, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, N.J., and

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Deacon channels personal loss into global mental health ministry #Catholic –

When Deacon Ed Shoener lost his daughter, Katie, to suicide in 2016, her obituary did far more than announce her passing and celebrate her life.

“I am convinced that God used Katie’s obituary to deliver His message of love,” Deacon Shoener said. “It was just one small thing, but God used Katie’s obituary to help people understand that He is with them in their struggle with mental illness — and He has mercy on those who die by suicide.”

Her obituary, which spoke to the needs of those who struggle with mental illness, went viral.

“Millions of people read it, and tens of thousands of people from across the world contacted me,” he said. “Again and again, I heard from people who lamented that the Catholic Church offered little to minister to those suffering from mental illness and their loved ones.”

In response, Deacon Shoener — who serves at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Scranton, Pa. — partnered with Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix to establish the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. The lay association, which today counts more than 7,000 members across 75-plus countries, works to combat mental illness stigma and to extend resources to parish leaders around the world.

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Deacon Shoener is one of several leading figures in the field who will be featured during a one-day conference, “From Isolation to Belonging, Mental Health and the Catholic Church.” The program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on May 2 at the Saint John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. The cost to attend is $40 per person, and registration is limited. To register, visit the New Jersey Catholic Conference at njconf.com.

Bishop Dolan, who himself has lost multiple family members to suicide, will be the keynote speaker. Other speakers are mental health counselor Beth Hlabse, program director of the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at Notre Dame University’s McGrath Institute for Church Life, and Ben Wortham, vice president for Behavioral Health Integration at Catholic Charities USA.

The International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers “works to make mental health ministry an integral ministry in the Church that is available in every Catholic parish and community,” Deacon Shoener explained.

For those facing mental health struggles, a number of factors including insurance and government support might impact the ability to find good care. His organization offers assistance locating treatment and medical services in one’s own community. Spiritual support is offered to individuals struggling with mental health — and their families, too — and tools and insights are offered to clergy and lay ministers. The organization also offers resources for those interested in starting a mental health ministry.

“You do not need to be a mental health professional to offer this ministry,” he said. “All you need is a deep love of Christ and desire to help those among us with mental health challenges.”

Deacon Shoener believes pastoral care dedicated to supporting mental health has grown.

For example, Pope Leo’s prayer intention for October 2026 will be dedicated to mental health ministry. And just two years ago, Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral, Human Development, described mental health ministry as essential — and “a universal human right.”

“This ministry would not have been possible 20 years ago because there was so much stigma and shame associated with mental illness. Most people were not willing to talk about it,” he said. “But the door has cracked open a bit, and the Holy Spirit is blowing through that opening.”

To learn more about the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, visit CatholicMHM.org. If you are experiencing a crisis, dial 988.

 

– When Deacon Ed Shoener lost his daughter, Katie, to suicide in 2016, her obituary did far more than announce her passing and celebrate her life. “I am convinced that God used Katie’s obituary to deliver His message of love,” Deacon Shoener said. “It was just one small thing, but God used Katie’s obituary to help people understand that He is with them in their struggle with mental illness — and He has mercy on those who die by suicide.” Her obituary, which spoke to the needs of those who struggle with mental illness, went viral. “Millions of people read it,

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Celebrate Morris Plains carnival’s 50th anniversary with funnel cakes, faith #Catholic –

Five decades of amusement rides and sugary, savory food, while promoting a sense of community and the Catholic faith, culminate in early May in Morris Plains, N.J. St. Virgil Parish there is set to attract nearly 10,000 festival-goers to its 50th carnival, which marks the start of the Catholic festival season in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey.

“I really enjoy and respect that the carnival has been part of the parish for 50 years,” said Father Lukasz Wnuk, the parish’s pastor. “It would have been easy for it to decline or even stop at any point, especially during COVID, when the parish could not hold it. Instead, it keeps growing, and we continue to invest in it.”

The St. Virgil Carnival is set to run on the parish grounds on Wednesday, May 6, through Friday, May 8, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and on Saturday, May 9, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. The usual Saturday Mass of Anticipation at 5 p.m. will still take place inside the church.

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“We make money on the carnival, which helps keep us going as a parish,” said Terence Boyne, a 60-year parishioner at St. Virgil who has regularly volunteered since the carnival began.

Originally, one of the carnival’s purposes was to help a community recovering from a natural disaster.

Three years before the carnival started, a priest from St. Virgil’s visited the Bahamas. A natural disaster occurred in the area he visited, and the church there was badly damaged. A deacon from St. Virgil visited and reported that it would cost $10,000 to $12,000 to repair the church. According to Boyne, there was the thought that maybe St. Virgil’s could help them.

“Somebody said, ‘Why don’t we try doing a carnival? We’ll run it every year until we make up the cost.’ We ran it the first year, and they made $15,000 or $18,000. They couldn’t believe it. They sent the $10,000 to $12,000 down there, and the rest went to charities.”

The annual event has grown a lot, Boyne said. It started with 10 kiddie rides and only a few rides for older kids. Now it fills the parish property and fills the whole neighborhood with parked cars.

While the plethora of carnival rides attracts kids, the tasty food attracts thousands from across the diocese.

“I’d say the funnel cake line is never without at least a dozen people to 20 people at any given time during the carnival,” said Michael Scannelli, the carnival’s 2026 chair. He said the carnival added fried Oreos, fried pickles, chocolate brownies, and gelato, in addition to Dellano’s Food Trucks, pizza, soft pretzels, and other carnival staples.

Parish leaders emphasized that this kind of tradition doesn’t happen by accident, but through the dedication, hard work, and caring that countless people like Boyne and Scannelli have poured into it over the years.

Scannelli said the carnival allows St. Virgil’s to invite the wider community to experience the Catholic faith and the Eucharist at the parish throughout the rest of the year.

“I think the carnival-goers really see our faith-based community. I think they see all of us volunteering, coming together as one. Yes, we’re raising money, but we also feel like we’re giving back to the community and giving them a great four-day event,” said Scannelli. “You can’t help but see signs of faith like statues and crosses around St. Virgil’s, whether it’s outside the church or the Tracy Center (the parish hall). Our statue of Mary is right in the middle of where people eat and drink. You can’t help but feel some type of evangelization within the grounds itself,” he said.

Father Wnuk added, “Everyone is truly welcome. Whether you have been part of the parish for years or you are just stopping by for the first time, there’s a place for you here.”

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – Five decades of amusement rides and sugary, savory food, while promoting a sense of community and the Catholic faith, culminate in early May in Morris Plains, N.J. St. Virgil Parish there is set to attract nearly 10,000 festival-goers to its 50th carnival, which marks the start of the Catholic festival season in the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey. “I really enjoy and respect that the carnival has been part of the parish for 50 years,” said Father Lukasz Wnuk, the parish’s pastor. “It would have been easy for it to decline or even stop at any point, especially during COVID,

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‘Cabrini’ screening to boost awareness of Eucharistic pilgrimage event #Catholic –

“Cabrini,” the 2024 film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint and advocate for immigrants, will be screened Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center, St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J.

A week later, on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., executive producer J. Eustace Wolfington and his team will host a “talk-back” on the film’s creation, focusing on human rights, women’s leadership, and hope. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, who advocates for immigrants’ rights, and Mother Cabrini’s family are also scheduled to appear.

Both events at St. Elizabeth’s will focus on St. Frances Cabrini as a model of women’s leadership, especially in her work with immigrants and the poor. They also promote the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) stops in Passaic and Paterson, N.J., on June 14 and 15. The St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Route of the NEP will travel the Eastern Seaboard this summer.

Before the “Cabrini” screening, Father Cesar Jaramillo, pilgrimage stop delegate and pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., will address attendees and invite them to join the local NEP event. Members of the Communications Department of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey will also be present to distribute NEP promotional materials.

Register now to secure your spot for the pilgrimage. See the schedule below for details.

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“The pilgrimage in our diocese is an opportunity for Catholics to renew their love for Jesus and the Eucharist — a goal of the New Evangelization — and to show solidarity with immigrants,” Father Cesar Jaramillo said. “We invite all Paterson parishes and the broader community to attend and join us in this spiritual journey.”

The pilgrimage route honors Mother Cabrini, born in Italy in 1850. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII sent her and her sisters to New York. They opened schools and orphanages for Italian immigrants despite many challenges. According to the Missionary Sisters, Mother Cabrini traveled across Europe, the Americas, and the U.S., founding 67 institutions.

Father Jaramillo described “Cabrini” as telling the story of “a remarkable woman who was passionate about social justice.”

“Mother Cabrini was steadfast in giving a voice to the voiceless. Most were Italian immigrants who were ignored. The movie reflects today’s immigrant crisis in the U.S. The pilgrimage will also honor the U.S.’s 250th birthday. Immigrants built much of our country in search of the American Dream,” Father Jaramillo said.

The “Cabrini” screening and “talk-back” are possible through the friendship between Carol Bezak — a St. Elizabeth’s alumna and president of the National Association of Shrine and Pilgrimage Apostolate — and one of the film’s executive producers. Other NEP stops will also host screenings of the films, said Andrea M. Adams, director of alumni engagement and annual giving.

All are welcome to attend the two “Cabrini” film events at St. Elizabeth’s. Admission is free.

The pilgrimage, themed “One Nation Under God,” includes 18 stops from Pentecost to Independence Day in Philadelphia. It calls for renewal, unity, and mission. Nine young adult Perpetual Pilgrims and their chaplains will carry the Blessed Sacrament through the original 13 colonies, 18 dioceses, and two Eastern Rite eparchies.

All are welcome to pray before the Blessed Sacrament during the pilgrimage. Admission to events is free, but advance registration is requested to assist organizers. Please register now to reserve your spot for one or more events using the QR code on this page.

 For questions about events in this diocese, please contact:MMoncaleano@patersondiocese.org. For registration assistance, please contact:registration@eucharisticcongress.org.

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National Eucharistic Pilgrimage activities in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., on June 14 and 15

Pilgrimage activities on June 14:

3:30–5 p.m.: Eucharist talk (English), Fr. Rafael Capo, Holy Rosary Church, 6 Wall St., Passaic, N.J.

3:30–5 p.m.: “Influenciados por la Eucaristía” opening talk (Spanish), P. Heriberto García, St. Nicholas, 217 President St., Passaic, N.J.

5–6:30 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession from Holy Rosary Church (6 Wall St, Passaic, N.J.) to Boverini Stadium (1.5 miles). The procession will end with the opening Mass.

6:30–8 p.m.: Opening Mass, Boverini Stadium, 262 River Dr., Passaic, N.J., with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.

Pilgrimage events on June 15:

3–5 p.m.: Divine Liturgy with Byzantine Catholic community, St. Michael Chapel, 415 Lackawanna Ave., Woodland Park, N.J.

5:30–7 p.m.: Eucharistic Procession (loop) for communicants and local faithful at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson, N.J.

7–8:30 p.m.: Closing Mass with Bishop Sweeney and homily by Father Casey Cole, O.F.M., at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 381 Grand St., Paterson. The municipal parking lot opens at 5 p.m. across from the Cathedral. Watch the livestream at https://rcdopcathedral.org/

– “Cabrini,” the 2024 film about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, America’s first Catholic saint and advocate for immigrants, will be screened Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. at the Dolan Performing Arts Center, St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J. A week later, on Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., executive producer J. Eustace Wolfington and his team will host a “talk-back” on the film’s creation, focusing on human rights, women’s leadership, and hope. Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese in New York, who advocates for immigrants’ rights, and Mother Cabrini’s family are also

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Traveling museum spotlights powerful stories of transformation and hope #Catholic –

About 300 visitors to the People of Hope Museum, a traveling exhibit that stopped at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., on Palm Sunday and Holy Monday, experienced powerful stories of people whose lives have been transformed through Catholic Charities, which provides them with help and hope.

On March 30 and 31, Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey joined Catholic Charities agencies across the United States in hosting People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a nationwide storytelling exhibit, amplifying the profound impact of Christian service.

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Housed in a retrofitted tractor-trailer, the People of Hope Museum showcases how compassion, service, and hope are lived out through the stories and experiences of those Catholic Charities serve. The exhibits are designed to inspire visitors to embody these Christian values in their own lives. Admission is free and open to the public.

This immersive experience brings to life more than 40 professionally produced video stories from Catholic Charities staff and volunteers from across the country about clients who deeply impacted them. One of those inspiring stories is from Carlos Roldan, director of food pantries for Paterson Catholic Charities.

“This exhibit reminded us we are all called to be people of hope. As the People of Hope Museum continues its journey across America, we pray it inspires countless communities to see, serve, and become hope,” Hazel Yaptangco, director of development and public relations for Paterson Catholic Charities posted on social media after the mobile museum’s visit to St. Paul Inside the Walls. “Everyone commented on the power of the stories shared. Thank you to everyone who visited the exhibit. Your presence made it truly special,” she said.

The exhibit features interactive poverty simulation activities to help visitors understand the challenges faced by families in poverty. It also displays U.S. and state-level poverty data for local and national insights.

The People of Hope Museum launched its tour of the United States last month in New York City and will travel the U.S. for two-and-a-half years. The initiative is made possible by a 2024 grant of nearly $5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc., awarded through an invitational round of its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life.

The People of Hope Museum is an initiative of Catholic Charities USA, the national membership organization for 168 independent Catholic charities. Collectively, last year, the Catholic Charities network of agencies served more than 16 million people regardless of faith, addressing needs ranging from food insecurity and housing to disaster assistance, health care, and family support.

In a social media post, Paterson Catholic Charities thanked its staff and volunteers that helped with the museum’s visit, including young women of the Women’s Softball Team of Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J. and their coach, Nick DeGennaro; the staff of St. Paul’s Inside the Walls; and its partners from Catholic Charities USA.

Scott Milliken, CEO of Catholic Charities of Paterson, said, “The People of Hope Exhibit reminds us that every statistic represents a person with a story, a struggle, and sacred dignity.”

“We were honored to bring this powerful nationwide initiative to St. Paul Inside the Walls and invite our community to encounter the faces and voices of hope that inspire our mission every day,” Milliken said. “For more than 80 years, Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson has supported individuals and families in Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties and beyond, offering guidance, resources, and compassionate care during difficult times.”

To learn more about the People of Hope Museum, visit ccpaterson.org/POH.

[See image gallery at beaconnj.org] – About 300 visitors to the People of Hope Museum, a traveling exhibit that stopped at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison, N.J., on Palm Sunday and Holy Monday, experienced powerful stories of people whose lives have been transformed through Catholic Charities, which provides them with help and hope. On March 30 and 31, Catholic Charities of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey joined Catholic Charities agencies across the United States in hosting People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a nationwide storytelling exhibit, amplifying the profound impact of Christian service. Click here to subscribe to our weekly

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High schoolers celebrate service at Denville Respect Life gathering #Catholic –

On March 25, about 40 students from three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese, New Jersey, participated in a Respect Life Service Day at Morris Catholic High School, Denville, N.J. Combining service with the joy of helping those in need, the students prepared Care Bags for women who are served by the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women (PNCW), mostly mothers of young children.

These students originated from Morris Catholic, DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J. They filled 49 medium-sized shopping bags with baby toiletries, including shampoo, baby powder, wipes, and ointment; rosary bracelets; Respect Life magnets — 40 in Spanish and 14 in English; prayer cards, and notes of love and support, sometimes decorated with hearts, on PNCW stationery.

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Students paid for the magnets that came from LIFENET in the Newark Archdiocese. The Care Bags were delivered to the center for distribution to clients.

Susan Drew, Morris Catholic’s campus minister, coordinated the Respect Life Service Day. Alyssa Renovales, diocesan Respect Life coordinator, made the initial contact with the PNCW and spoke during Respect Life Service Day about several upcoming pro-life events, inviting the students to attend.

Father Peter Clarke, the principal of Morris Catholic, offered an introduction to the event and a prayer. Penelope Rose, district coordinator of Students for Life, delivered a presentation about Respect Life apologetics: how to talk about the subject to draw in people. Father Michael Rodak, pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston, N.J., and diocesan pilgrimage director, who also coordinates busing for the annual National Right to Life March in Washington, D.C., celebrated a Mass at the conclusion of the event.

Carmela Enriquez, a DePaul teacher, said, “Our students loved it. The presentation was helpful to the students, especially to the freshmen and sophomores. It opened their eyes.”

Philline Luz, as the coordinator of programs and services at PNCW, expressed “heartfelt gratitude for the many blessings represented in each Care Bag. We are deeply thankful for this inspiring act of love and hope.” She explained how it was “meaningful to engage the younger generation in our mission to support young mothers and their families.”

 

– On March 25, about 40 students from three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese, New Jersey, participated in a Respect Life Service Day at Morris Catholic High School, Denville, N.J. Combining service with the joy of helping those in need, the students prepared Care Bags for women who are served by the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women (PNCW), mostly mothers of young children. These students originated from Morris Catholic, DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J. They filled 49 medium-sized shopping bags with baby toiletries, including shampoo, baby powder,

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A special Easter Blessing for you from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney #Catholic –

“Do not be afraid!
I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.
He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples,
‘He has been raised from the dead…’” Mt. 28: 5-7

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter! Please know of my prayers for you, your family and loved ones, and for the whole Church of our beloved Diocese of Paterson. We hear the words of Matthew’s Gospel, “…for he has been raised just as he said…” and we reflect on the meaning of Easter Joy, the Joy of the Risen Lord, His victory over sin and death, and the promise of everlasting life in Heaven. As Lent and Holy Week have led us to this Easter Day, we give thanks for the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love and continue to pray for the gift of Peace, the true Peace, that only Jesus can give. We also rejoice with all those who have entered our Church as they received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.

Please be assured of my prayers for you, your families, and for all the faithful in our Diocese. Let us continue to pray for one another, for the whole Church, and for Peace, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday and throughout the 50 days of the Easter Season.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, DD.
Bishop of Paterson

 

– “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead…’” Mt. 28: 5-7 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Easter! Please know of my prayers for you, your family and loved ones, and for the whole Church of our beloved Diocese of Paterson. We hear the words of Matthew’s Gospel, “…for he has been raised just as he said…” and we

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Gripping Paterson Passion Play brings Christ’s sacrifice to life #Catholic –

The annual reenactment of Jesus’ agonizing journey to his crucifixion on Mount Calvary was presented by the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on Good Friday, April 3. Beginning outside the cathedral, the event moved through city streets before concluding inside, with thousands of captivated onlookers following the procession.

The Passion Play, called Via Crucis or the Way of the Cross, was performed in English and Spanish by over 100 actors from the cathedral on Good Friday. Parishioners assisted with the production. As the procession advanced along the mile-long route under sunny skies, prayers and reflections were offered at designated stops. The reenactment ended with Jesus’ crucifixion at the altar inside the cathedral.

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Following the reenactment, Bishop Sweeney led a Good Friday service, including veneration of the cross and the celebration of Holy Communion for the faithful, inside St. John’s.

– The annual reenactment of Jesus’ agonizing journey to his crucifixion on Mount Calvary was presented by the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on Good Friday, April 3. Beginning outside the cathedral, the event moved through city streets before concluding inside, with thousands of captivated onlookers following the procession. The Passion Play, called Via Crucis or the Way of the Cross, was performed in English and Spanish by over 100 actors from the cathedral on Good Friday. Parishioners assisted with the production. As the procession advanced along the mile-long route under sunny skies, prayers and reflections were

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Cathedral hosts powerful commemoration of Lord’s Passion and death #Catholic –

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in commemorating Christ’s sacrifice on the cross on Good Friday, April 3, as he presided over the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. Before the at 3 p.m. services, the Via Crucis, a reenactment of the Passion of Christ, took place in the cathedral and through the streets in Paterson.

During the service, a Passion story from the Gospel of John was read, and 10 solemn intercessions were offered. To show reverence during the solemn service, clergy, lay ministers, and the faithful genuflected before or kissed the cross, and the clergy prostrated themselves before the altar or kneeled and prayed in silence. Then, Holy Communion was distributed. St. John’s altar was stripped bare without cloth, candles, or a cross.

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No Masses are celebrated on Good Friday, a day of fasting and abstinence.

Msgr. Geno Sylva, the cathedral’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects; Father Starli J. Castanos, a St. John’s parochial vicar; and the deacons of the cathedral joined Bishop Sweeney in participating in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

– Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in commemorating Christ’s sacrifice on the cross on Good Friday, April 3, as he presided over the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. Before the at 3 p.m. services, the Via Crucis, a reenactment of the Passion of Christ, took place in the cathedral and through the streets in Paterson. During the service, a Passion story from the Gospel of John was read, and 10 solemn intercessions were offered. To show reverence during the solemn service, clergy, lay ministers,

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Holy Thursday in Paterson: Bishop embodies Christ’s servant love #Catholic –

On behalf of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney prayerfully asked Jesus, “Help us to know you, in your body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist” while presiding over a bilingual Mass of the Lord’s Supper on April 2, Holy Thursday evening, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J.

The Mass commemorates the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders by Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, Bishop Sweeney washed the feet of select faithful to symbolize the service and charity of Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve.” By example of washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service.

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During his homily in English and Spanish, Bishop Sweeney asked Christ, “Help us to love as you love, help us to watch one another’s feet. Help us to be with Mary when we share in the mystery of the cross and to know that you have conquered sin and death.” He then added, “How happy and blessed are we to be called, to be here at the supper of the Lamb.”
Msgr. Geno Sylva, the cathedral’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. Father Jared Brogan, director of the diocesan Worship Office, was the master of ceremonies.
The Mass was followed by an outdoor procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the gym, where adoration was held until midnight.

– On behalf of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney prayerfully asked Jesus, “Help us to know you, in your body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist” while presiding over a bilingual Mass of the Lord’s Supper on April 2, Holy Thursday evening, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. The Mass commemorates the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders by Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, Bishop Sweeney washed the feet of select faithful to symbolize the service

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Zoom series to give young men look at priesthood #Catholic –

“Five Conversations about the Priesthood,” a new Zoom series, will give young men ages 15–20 discerning their vocations insight into the priesthood and Catholic faith through live testimony from a priest in pastoral ministry.

This inaugural five-part series will be held on Zoom on consecutive Sundays from April 12 to May 10, at 7:30 p.m. Father Charles Lana, vocation director of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, will lead five 30-minute videoconferencing sessions about various aspects of parish priesthood. He will cover the following topics: Priestly Identity, The Eucharist in the Priest’s Life, The Sacrament of Penance, Preaching, and Parish Priesthood.

Father Lana will start each session with a 10- to 15-minute talk on the featured topic. Young participants are warmly invited to join the conversation, share their thoughts, and ask the priest questions. Ordained in 2019, Father Lana has served in parish and diocesan ministries. Guest priests or seminarians may join the sessions to offer different perspectives on priestly life, making each session an engaging experience for all involved.

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“This series is an opportunity for young men who might have a calling to begin discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Many of them may have little knowledge of the priesthood and Church tradition,” Father Lana said. “The series is designed to help these men begin to understand the priesthood through the experiences of a priest and conversations,” Lana said. “This could lead these men to deeper discernment and greater involvement in vocations-awareness activities,” he said.

The series is based on “Five Conversations about the Priesthood,” a booklet by Father Michael Pratt, and will cover the following topics:

• Priestly Identity (April 12), focusing on the priest’s purpose and identity.

• The Eucharist in the Priest’s Life (April 19), highlighting the Eucharist as central to the priesthood.

• The Sacrament of Penance (April 26), exploring the priest’s role in reconciliation.

• Preaching (May 3), examining the priest’s role as a preacher, a teacher, and proclaimer of the Gospel. It will offer practical suggestions for preparing a homily — including the goal of keeping it simple, sincere, succinct, and substantial — and for delivering it.

• Parish Priesthood (May 10), inviting participating young men to gain an authentic understanding of the daily spiritual and pastoral life of a priest.

To explore upcoming Vocation Office activities, visit https://patersonvocations.org. You are also invited to attend the office’s monthly First Saturday Day of Discernment for young adults, college-age or older, continuing Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Wharton, N.J.

To register for “Five Conversations about the Priesthood,” email vocations@patersondiocese.org.

– “Five Conversations about the Priesthood,” a new Zoom series, will give young men ages 15–20 discerning their vocations insight into the priesthood and Catholic faith through live testimony from a priest in pastoral ministry. This inaugural five-part series will be held on Zoom on consecutive Sundays from April 12 to May 10, at 7:30 p.m. Father Charles Lana, vocation director of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, will lead five 30-minute videoconferencing sessions about various aspects of parish priesthood. He will cover the following topics: Priestly Identity, The Eucharist in the Priest’s Life, The Sacrament of Penance, Preaching, and Parish

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Chrism Mass highlights prayer for peace in troubled world #Catholic –

At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity.

Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also prayed for peace in the war-ravaged Middle East and Eastern Europe and for elected leaders in the United States, armed services personnel and their families, military chaplains, and victims of war and violence in the world.

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, along with the priests of the diocese, attended to concelebrate the Mass with Bishop Sweeney, who was the homilist and principal celebrant. The priests renewed their priestly promises before the bishop and received the prayers and support of the faithful, who filled the cathedral during the liturgy, including deacons, religious, and laity.

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At the Mass, Bishop Sweeney first consecrated and blessed the Oil of the Sick, used for the Anointing of the Sick, and the Oil of Catechumens, for those preparing for baptism. He then consecrated the Sacred Chrism, which is used for baptism, confirmation, holy orders, and the dedication of altars. Once consecrated, these holy oils will be used in parishes throughout the diocese during the coming year for sacramental celebrations.

In his homily, Bishop Sweeney also prayed for and thanked everyone serving in the diocese, including priests, deacons, religious, seminarians, staff, and volunteers of the diocese and parishes.

“Tonight, as a Church united, we celebrate and give thanks for all the ways our diocese — because of each of you and many more — respond to the Lord’s great call and commission: ‘to go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them, teaching them’ — and to our Lord Jesus and the love of his sacred heart, which is with us always until the end of time,” Bishop Sweeney said.

Following the Mass, representatives from each parish in the diocese received the holy oils, which they will use for the first time at the Easter Vigil. This annual blessing by the bishop unites him with the parishes as the oils are then used during sacramental celebrations.

As the celebration of Holy Week continues, Bishop Sweeney also urged diocesan faithful at the Chrism Mass to take up their spiritual cross on the road to Calvary.

“We ask for God’s guidance in difficult times, that the cross may lead us to the resurrection and share in his victory,” Bishop Sweeney said.

– At the annual Chrism Mass on March 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney encouraged the faithful to pray to Jesus, asking him to give them — and a broken world — “healing only he can give” as they contemplate Christ’s passion and resurrection in this Holy Week for the redemption of humanity. Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Sweeney also encouraged Catholics of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey to “share that healing and peace with others” in his homily during the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in New Jersey. The bishop also

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Communities of faith prepare hearts for Christ’s resurrection Sunday #Catholic –

The 107 parishes of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey are readying their faithful for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 4, with a traditional array of spiritual events and Mass to commemorate his passion, death, and resurrection during the Paschal Triduum, from Holy Thursday on April 1 to its triumphant culmination of Holy Week on April 4, Easter Sunday.

Typically, these parishes, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. — the mother church of the diocese — and various shrines, hold a full schedule of activities, starting with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Observances continue on Good Friday with Veneration of the Cross and/or Stations of the Cross, and again on Good Friday and on Holy Saturday with the Blessing of Food and the Easter Vigil. Celebrations conclude on Easter Sunday with Masses in various languages, celebrating Christ’s resurrection for the redemption of the world. See individual parish websites for schedules.

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Additionally, many parishes of the diocese, including the cathedral, will hold special events and Masses during the Paschal Triduum. These include Living Stations of the Cross, Easter egg hunts, and Masses celebrated by visiting Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. Check parish websites, social media, and The Beacon’s “What To Do Calendar.”

On Good Friday, the cathedral will hold Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a popular street procession and reenactment of Christ’s passion, and a formal Good Friday service featuring solemn intercessions, and the Veneration of the Cross, starting outside on the streets at noon. St. John’s will also welcome Bishop Sweeney for a Passion of the Lord service that day at 3 p.m. and again on Holy Saturday for the Easter Vigil at 8 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque, N.J., will hold a Living Station at 7 p.m. on Good Friday. St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson will present the Living Stations by students of its parish school at 7:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Ministry at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Harding Township will present a Living Stations, including the 15th, at 8 p.m. on Good Friday. The multigenerational cast, narrators, and musicians tell the story of our Lord’s journey to the Cross.

In Randolph, N.J., Resurrection Parish will hold a Living Stations at 7 p.m. on Good Friday. The parish’s Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 4, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., will include Blessing of the New Fire and procession into the church with the Paschal Candle. The liturgy continues with Night Watch of the Resurrection, Liturgy of the Word, Blessing of Easter Water, Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. On Easter Sunday, Bishop Sweeney will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. in the church.

St. Jude Parish in Hardyston, N.J., will hold Seven Last Words, a service reflecting on the final seven sayings of Jesus Christ from the cross, central to Holy Week reflections, on Good Friday from 12 to 2 p.m. This will be followed by a Service of the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m. and Adoration of the Cross and Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, Holy Spirit Parish in Pequannock, N.J., will hold an Easter egg hunt for children and families on the parish school playground after the 10 a.m. family Mass, weather permitting. The rain date will be Sunday, April 12, after the 10 a.m. Mass. That day, St. Clare Parish in Clifton, N.J., will have an Easter egg hunt following the 11 a.m. Mass.

– The 107 parishes of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey are readying their faithful for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 4, with a traditional array of spiritual events and Mass to commemorate his passion, death, and resurrection during the Paschal Triduum, from Holy Thursday on April 1 to its triumphant culmination of Holy Week on April 4, Easter Sunday. Typically, these parishes, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. — the mother church of the diocese — and various shrines, hold a full schedule of activities, starting with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on

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Two Paterson churches will merge to create a vibrant St. Pio Parish #Catholic –

Located only three blocks apart, St. Bonaventure and Our Lady of Pompei (OLP) parishes brought Christ’s love to the people of the Stoney Road section of Paterson, N.J., as separate faith communities for more than 260 years combined. The churches are so close that each parish can hear the other’s church bells from its front steps.

So it might seem providential that on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, these two parishes, each with its own history and traditions, will merge into a single parish under a new name: St. Pio of Pietrelcina — also known as “Padre Pio” — Parish. The merger will streamline the administration of St. Bonaventure’s and OLP into one parish. To keep meeting the people’s spiritual and pastoral needs, St. Pio’s is ensuring that both churches will remain open and has readjusted the Mass schedules at both locations.

Father Manuel Cuellar, who will become pastor on April 12, and St. Pio’s looks forward to uniting both parishes and bringing together their (Anglo) English-speaking and growing Hispanic communities. During the past year, this merger process has unfolded in a spirit of prayerful discernment and collaboration.

On April 12, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will celebrate the establishment of St. Pio’s during a Eucharistic procession at 3 p.m. from OLP on Murray Avenue to St. Bonaventure’s on Ramsey Street. The event will start with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at OLP and conclude with Benediction at St. Bonaventure’s. Bishop Sweeney approved the merger after prayer and consultation and accompanied parishioners during the process.

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“Our Lady of Pompei and St. Bonaventure’s have four different communities, including two (Anglo) English-speaking and two Hispanic. But I want to see St. Pio become one dynamic community,” said Father Cuellar. He will remain the parochial vicar of St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson until he becomes St. Pio’s pastor. “In my homilies, I say that no matter what language we speak or where we come from, we are all children of God. We are doing this merger for the good of the people, especially for our children.”

Also attending the April 12 prayer service will be clergy from the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey, who have been instrumental in shepherding this merger. They are Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and pastor of OLP until Father Cuellar becomes pastor of St. Pio’s, and Father Alex Nevitt, diocesan episcopal delegate for parish leadership development and administrator of St. Bonaventure’s until that day.

Father Cuellar helped expand and strengthen OLP’s Hispanic community. He established the parish’s first Spanish Mass at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday in September 2024. It has grown from 12 churchgoers to more than 140. The priest united the community through a December procession through the city streets for Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Mexican Catholic devotion, and has encouraged other lively, colorful devotions, such as Our Lady of Altagracia, a Dominican devotion. He also brought the OLP parish together for a Christmas party.

Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure’s has been expanding its digital presence. The parish recently launched a young adult ministry that has attracted about 40 members and become the largest of its kind in the diocese. St. Bonaventure’s has a Spanish Mass at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Raysa Gonzalez, a lector for OLP’s Spanish Mass, was involved in roundtable discussions about the merger. A lifelong churchgoer, she didn’t feel connected to her faith until she started attending the parish’s Spanish Mass. Her son also enjoys attending the liturgy.

“In his homilies, Father Manuel relates the Gospel by giving examples from real life. It helps me understand the message of the bible,” said Gonzalez, who called the merger process “a little scary, but we have faith and pray. Everything has been wonderful. Everybody is trying to do their part to connect with each other and grow together as one family.”

Last year, parishioners voted to choose the name of the new faith community: St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Padre Pio (1887–1968) was an Italian Capuchin priest renowned for his intense prayer, stigmatization, and service to the suffering. Father Nevitt said the name “recounts Padre Pio’s bilocation, an evocative sign as we unite two churches within one parish.”

“In proposing St. Pio of Pietrelcina, we express our desire to form a community of deep sacramental life and missionary outreach — one that inspires every generation, including young people and families, through a clear witness of holiness, Eucharistic devotion, and prayerful charity,” Father Nevitt wrote in a letter about the new name to Bishop Sweeney.

Temporarily, St. Pio’s staff will work from St. Bonaventure’s offices, while clergy will live in St. Bonaventure’s rectory. Eventually, the OLP rectory will be renovated into St. Pio’s offices, and St. Bonaventure’s rectory will be renovated into St. Pio’s rectory. Father Nevitt will assist Father Cuellar, a fellow 2019 ordination classmate, with technology upgrades, a new website, and a new logo featuring a smiling St. Pio.

The two parishes represent more than 260 years of service to the area —150 at St. Bonaventure’s and 110 at OLP. St. Bonaventure’s, the diocese’s second-oldest parish, was founded when Franciscan Friars arrived in Paterson from Germany in 1876. Bishop Sweeney assigned Father Nevitt to help transition St. Bonaventure’s to a diocesan parish after the Franciscan Friars announced they were leaving, citing manpower shortages, in 2024.

In 1916, OLP was started as a mission of St. Michael Parish in Paterson to serve the Italian community. Msgr. Hundt became pastor of OLP and St. Gerard’s in July 2024, before the Franciscans left St. Bonaventure. The populations of OLP and St. Bonaventure’s were both declining, and OLP was also facing financial struggles.

Msgr. Hundt praised the decision to keep both churches open, which provides more room for St. Pio Parish. Merger discussions became more relaxed once parishioners were reassured that neither church would close, he said.

“The challenge was helping people realize we’re moving toward something important, but that it’s going to involve letting go of part of their experience of community,” Msgr. Hundt said. “There’s a certain dying that has to take place in both communities to rise to the new parish of St. Padre Pio. It takes a lot of grace for God to help us let that happen. I think they’re doing that beautifully.”

For Mass times and other information, visit piopaterson.org as of April 12.

 

– Located only three blocks apart, St. Bonaventure and Our Lady of Pompei (OLP) parishes brought Christ’s love to the people of the Stoney Road section of Paterson, N.J., as separate faith communities for more than 260 years combined. The churches are so close that each parish can hear the other’s church bells from its front steps. So it might seem providential that on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, these two parishes, each with its own history and traditions, will merge into a single parish under a new name: St. Pio of Pietrelcina — also known as “Padre Pio” — Parish.

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$2.5M gift fuels Morris Catholic fitness center project #Catholic –

Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., has received an unprecedented $2.5 million gift from an alumnus and spouse — the most generous donation in the school’s history — to build a new Health and Fitness Center. This remarkable gift transforms the school’s nearly 70-year history, inspiring hope and excitement in students, faculty, and families.

The donors, a Morris Catholic alumnus and their spouse, have chosen to keep their identities confidential at this time. Plans for the approximately 15,000-square-foot, two-story facility addition to the Morris Catholic campus have been completed, and the school is preparing to begin construction in late spring.

The new facility will represent the first physical expansion of the Morris Catholic campus since the 1960s and mark a bold investment in the school’s future and the students it serves. The center is designed to promote and support a healthy lifestyle among students.

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“This extraordinary gift reflects a deep belief in the mission and future of Morris Catholic,” said Brian Vohden, Morris Catholic president. “For nearly seven decades, Morris Catholic has formed young men and women in faith, scholarship, and service. This generosity shows the value our community places on having attended Morris Catholic and in helping today’s students.”

The facility will significantly enhance Morris Catholic’s physical education and athletic programs. Designed to serve the entire student body, the center will provide modern training space for physical education, strength and conditioning, and Crusader programs’ athletic teams. The first floor will feature new weights, benches, and equipment. of treadmills, bikes, and rowing machines on the second floor, along with a space for speed and agility work. A 25-foot-tall glass wall will offer visitors a view of the football field below.

The anonymous donors shared their heartfelt motivation: “We wanted to make an immediate impact, to help our youth rise to today’s challenges. Our greatest hope is that this gift empowers every student to thrive and embrace a future filled with possibility to impact, to prepare our youth for today’s challenges. We were especially interested in providing a high-quality, state-of-the-art facility for the Morris Catholic student to thrive physically, mentally, academically, and spiritually, resulting in a truly abundant life.”

The project includes exterior restrooms and a modern concession and retail space for visitors.
modern concession and retail space to enhance the experience for families and visitors attending
outdoor athletic events.

The project arrives during a time of excitement and renewed optimism at Morris Catholic. Guided by the school’s recently adopted five-year strategic plan, the community is uniting around initiatives that promise new opportunities and brighter futures for students and families.

For recently adopted five-year strategic plan, the community is investing in a series of initiatives designed to strengthen academics, expand student opportunities, help meet the financial aid needs of students and their families, and position Morris Catholic as a leader among premier
Catholic college preparatory schools in New Jersey.

“Catholic education and Catholic Schools are a great gift to students, families, our diocese, the
whole Church and the wider community. I am always inspired by donors’ sacrificial generosity, parents’ sacrifices for their children’s education, and the leaders, faculty, staff, and volunteers in our Catholic schools,” Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey said. “This new student health and fitness center at Morris Catholic is a concrete example of a community coming together to find unique and creative ways to support and educate the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.”

Beyond the record-setting gift, additional gifts from donors and parents are enabling the center to be built.

Mark Thomas, co-chair of the Morris Catholic Board of Trustees, said, “This enormous act of generosity will touch all students. It will equip our athletes with tools and capabilities to add to our history of excellence in athletics. The board is gratified that alumni are partnering with us in strategically important areas.”

 

– Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., has received an unprecedented $2.5 million gift from an alumnus and spouse — the most generous donation in the school’s history — to build a new Health and Fitness Center. This remarkable gift transforms the school’s nearly 70-year history, inspiring hope and excitement in students, faculty, and families. The donors, a Morris Catholic alumnus and their spouse, have chosen to keep their identities confidential at this time. Plans for the approximately 15,000-square-foot, two-story facility addition to the Morris Catholic campus have been completed, and the school is preparing to begin construction in late

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