Paterson Mass celebrates and thanks members in consecrated life #Catholic - On Jan. 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in joining the Universal Church in celebrating the 30th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life during a Mass and lunch at St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson, N.J.
That morning, 124 religious sisters, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins from 13 communities in the diocese attended the Mass—four diocesan priests, including Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and Our Lady of Pompei, also in Paterson, concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and cooperators.

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In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Sweeney recognized the gift of the Salesian charism. He expressed his deep gratitude for all the charisms of the consecrated religious in the diocese, emphasizing unity and fruitfulness, results of attentiveness to the Spirit and the needs of society.
At the luncheon after the Mass, Sister Eleanor Goekler of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC), Brother Teresiano Madrigal of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) and Sister Patrice Owens of the Sisters of Christian Charity each shared briefly about their charism and apostolic ministries in immigration support, social justice advocacy, and care for the homeless and addicted.
On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “Thanks to [Salesian] Sr. Theresa Lee, our Chancellor and Diocesan Delegate for Religious, and all who made it a prayerful and joyful gathering. Let us pray for all women and men living a Vocation to Consecrated Life, especially those serving in our Diocese & let us continue praying for an increase in Vocations to the Consecrated/Religious Life.”
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
 [See image gallery at beaconnj.org]
Paterson Mass celebrates and thanks members in consecrated life #Catholic - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConsecratedLife_1367-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" /><p><strong>On Jan. 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led</strong> the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in joining the Universal Church in celebrating the 30th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life during a Mass and lunch at St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson, N.J.</p> <p>That morning, 124 religious sisters, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins from 13 communities in the diocese attended the Mass—four diocesan priests, including Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and Our Lady of Pompei, also in Paterson, concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and cooperators.</p> <hr> <h6 style="text-align: center"><a href="https://beaconnj.org/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.</span></a></h6> <hr> <p>In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Sweeney recognized the gift of the Salesian charism. He expressed his deep gratitude for all the charisms of the consecrated religious in the diocese, emphasizing unity and fruitfulness, results of attentiveness to the Spirit and the needs of society.</p> <p>At the luncheon after the Mass, Sister Eleanor Goekler of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC), Brother Teresiano Madrigal of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) and Sister Patrice Owens of the Sisters of Christian Charity each shared briefly about their charism and apostolic ministries in immigration support, social justice advocacy, and care for the homeless and addicted.</p> <p>On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “Thanks to [Salesian] Sr. Theresa Lee, our Chancellor and Diocesan Delegate for Religious, and all who made it a prayerful and joyful gathering. Let us pray for all women and men living a Vocation to Consecrated Life, especially those serving in our Diocese & let us continue praying for an increase in Vocations to the Consecrated/Religious Life.”</p> <div style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><strong>BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI</strong></div> <div> [<a href="https://beaconnj.org/paterson-mass-celebrates-and-thanks-members-in-consecrated-life/">See image gallery at beaconnj.org</a>] </div> - <img width="150" height="150" src="https://beaconnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConsecratedLife_1367-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" loading="lazy" />On Jan. 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in joining the Universal Church in celebrating the 30th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life during a Mass and lunch at St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson, N.J. That morning, 124 religious sisters, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins from 13 communities in the diocese attended the Mass—four diocesan priests, including Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and Our Lady of Pompei, also in Paterson, concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the

On Jan. 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in joining the Universal Church in celebrating the 30th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life during a Mass and lunch at St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson, N.J.

That morning, 124 religious sisters, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins from 13 communities in the diocese attended the Mass—four diocesan priests, including Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and Our Lady of Pompei, also in Paterson, concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and cooperators.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Sweeney recognized the gift of the Salesian charism. He expressed his deep gratitude for all the charisms of the consecrated religious in the diocese, emphasizing unity and fruitfulness, results of attentiveness to the Spirit and the needs of society.

At the luncheon after the Mass, Sister Eleanor Goekler of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC), Brother Teresiano Madrigal of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) and Sister Patrice Owens of the Sisters of Christian Charity each shared briefly about their charism and apostolic ministries in immigration support, social justice advocacy, and care for the homeless and addicted.

On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “Thanks to [Salesian] Sr. Theresa Lee, our Chancellor and Diocesan Delegate for Religious, and all who made it a prayerful and joyful gathering. Let us pray for all women and men living a Vocation to Consecrated Life, especially those serving in our Diocese & let us continue praying for an increase in Vocations to the Consecrated/Religious Life.”

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI

Paterson Mass celebrates and thanks members in consecrated life #Catholic –

On Jan. 31, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led the Paterson Diocese in New Jersey in joining the Universal Church in celebrating the 30th World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life during a Mass and lunch at St. Gerard Majella Church in Paterson, N.J.

That morning, 124 religious sisters, priests, brothers, and consecrated virgins from 13 communities in the diocese attended the Mass—four diocesan priests, including Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard’s and Our Lady of Pompei, also in Paterson, concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian priests, brothers, sisters, and cooperators.


Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Sweeney recognized the gift of the Salesian charism. He expressed his deep gratitude for all the charisms of the consecrated religious in the diocese, emphasizing unity and fruitfulness, results of attentiveness to the Spirit and the needs of society.

At the luncheon after the Mass, Sister Eleanor Goekler of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (SMIC), Brother Teresiano Madrigal of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR) and Sister Patrice Owens of the Sisters of Christian Charity each shared briefly about their charism and apostolic ministries in immigration support, social justice advocacy, and care for the homeless and addicted.

On social media, Bishop Sweeney posted, “Thanks to [Salesian] Sr. Theresa Lee, our Chancellor and Diocesan Delegate for Religious, and all who made it a prayerful and joyful gathering. Let us pray for all women and men living a Vocation to Consecrated Life, especially those serving in our Diocese & let us continue praying for an increase in Vocations to the Consecrated/Religious Life.”

BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI