Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day, to celebrate its Spanish-language Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The bishop brought several bags of donated toys for the children of St. Margaret’s and the families it serves.
Ask Father Michael Rodak how many times he’s been to the national March for Life in Washington, D.C., and he’ll concede that his memories of the events have started to run together. “Twenty-five. No, wait, it could be 26. Or 27.”
The Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated Mass on Dec. 30, the Feast of the Holy Family, in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Rest Home in Paterson, which the religious sisters sponsor and operate.
Family and friends of organ and tissue donor Tyler Rodimer of Stillwater, N.J., recently gathered at the Hudson Farm Club for the unveiling of a floragraph memorial portrait of Tyler that was featured on the 2023 Donate Life Rose Parade float during the 2023 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan 2, 2023.
Many have said that the last three Pontiffs have been the tangible expression of the theological virtues for our contemporary world. St. John Paul II symbolizes hope, while Benedict XVI represented faith, and Pope Francis conveys love or charity. In other words, St. John Paul II taught us the «what» of our faith, while Benedict focused on explaining the «why», and currently, Francis teaches us «how» to live out that faith in our Christian lives.
The faith community of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic on Dec. 20 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who presided over the 7 p.m. bilingual Mass. Concelebrating with the bishop were Father Hernan Cely, pastor, and Father Jose M. Zuniga, parochial vicar.
On Dec. 23, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presided over the final Mass of the diocesan celebration of Simbang Gabi, a Filipino celebration of nine days of novenas and votive Masses in preparation for the birth of Jesus, held that night at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany.
From a lighted stage in St. Jude the Apostle Church in Hardyston, the Blessed Virgin Mary drops the bombshell revelation for all eternity. Played by Nicole Wasniowska, the Blessed Mother tells her husband, Joseph, startling news: she is pregnant with a baby that isn’t his and is the Son of God.
A Diocesan Memorial Mass in honor of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI that Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led was held on Jan. 2 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson. During the Mass, the bishop spoke in English and Spanish about the legacy of Pope Benedict, who died in Rome on Dec. 31, and censed a portrait of him. Concelebrating priests, religious and laity from around the diocese attended the liturgy.
When Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI met a seminarian in Rome, he always remembered his name and what diocese he was studying for. So recalled some priests of the Diocese of Paterson who studied in Rome under the reign of the late pontiff, who died in his residence in Rome on Dec. 31 at 95.
When I heard the news on Saturday morning that Pope Benedict had died, even though we had known his health was failing, it was still a shock, and it was sad to hear this news. After hearing the news, I was in contact with a number of our diocesan leaders to prepare a statement and discuss communication with our priests and parishes to discuss our common response and, especially, the ways in which we would invite the faithful of our diocese to join together in prayer for the deceased Pope Emeritus.
A few weeks ago, Eric Hasenbein weathered lots of strange reactions to him from people in public — from stares and laughter to outright finger-pointing. That’s not surprising because the 20-year-old junior at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., walked around campus sporting a tonsure — a truly medieval haircut that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, on Dec. 11, visited St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Paterson, where he was the main celebrant and homilist at the 4 p.m. Mass to mark the 150th anniversary of the parish.
Sometimes men discerning a call to the Priesthood will call him or contact him in some other way. No matter the mode of connection, Father Edward Rama, director of Vocations for the Diocese of Paterson, will meet with them.
On Dec. 23, Bishop Kevin Sweeney led a prayer service at Straight & Narrow in Paterson. The annual tradition returned to in-person for the first time since 2019. It was Bishop Sweeney’s first experience leading the prayer service since becoming bishop of Paterson in 2020. Staff, residential clients, and Catholic Charities leadership attended and prayed together.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Christ the King Parish Youth Ministry in New Vernon held its annual Rock Retreat for first-year confirmation students. Rock Retreat is led by a group of seniors and juniors who, the weeks prior to the event, plan talks and activities for the candidates for confirmation.
Bishop Kevin Sweeney celebrated a bilingual Solemn Mass on Christmas Eve at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. During his homily, he reflected on the Advent journey to Christmas and prayer. He also referenced the cold night and urged parishioners to remember the homeless.
The Santo Nino Filipino Community welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who was the main celebrant of a Mass for Simbang Gabi in the chapel of the Shrine of St. Joseph in the Stirling part of Long Hill Township on Dec. 17. Several priests concelebrated the liturgy. The Mass was part of a nine-day novena at St. Joseph’s and beyond, which is a Filipino tradition in anticipation of the birth of Christ.
In a spectacular act of charity and evangelization, staff, parishioners, volunteers, and friends of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson gave away 3,000 presents and 1,500 coats to Paterson children in need Sunday. In preparation for the event, children who attend the parish were asked to invite anybody in their neighborhood or school to the Cathedral.
St. Mary’s Assumption Parish in Passaic on Dec. 18 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney who celebrated two Masses that morning: one at 9 a.m. in English and another at 11 a.m. in Spanish. The bishop helps Father Jorge Rodriguez, Assumption’s pastor, present awards to Bloomfield
