Leaders of African-American churches in Paterson and Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney spoke with one clear voice of hope at a Black History Month ecumenical prayer service on Feb. 5. Together, they celebrated their shared Christian faith and renewed their commitment to fight for racial justice.
I could have begun this column with a shorter quote or even a citation, “Jn. 1: 35–43,” and encouraged readers to look up the passage. I chose to print the full text because I would like to ask two things from each reader. First, please find some time to bring this passage to prayer, reflecting on how you have experienced the “call” of Jesus in your own life and praying for those whom Jesus is calling, particularly to serve the Church as priests or in consecrated life. Second, can you prayerfully consider how you might serve in the role of Andrew for someone you know, perhaps even someone in your family? Could an invitation from you help someone to draw closer to Jesus and to “hear” his call, as Andrew’s bringing his brother to Jesus helped Peter to hear and respond to the Lord’s call?
The community of St. Brendan and St. George Parish in Clifton on Jan. 22 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney who presided over the 1:30 p.m. Mass for the Dominican celebration of Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. She is considered the protective mother of the Dominican people.
The community of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Wayne on Jan. 29 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated Mass to kick off Catholic Schools Week (CSW) in the diocese. Concelebrating the Mass with the bishop was Father Mateusz Jasniewicz, pastor.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited St. Cecilia Parish in Rockaway on Jan. 22 to serve as the main celebrant of a Mass with the faith community’s Vietnamese Catholics to commemorate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The celebration began with a procession, followed by the liturgy.
Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) Parish in Pompton Plains offers a very inviting community atmosphere for high school students courtesy of LOOP. The LOOP ministry program meets on a monthly, designated Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. for two hours of faith building games, prayer, and snacks, and, most importantly for the attendees, fellowship with their peers.
Salesian Sister Theresa Lee knows something about stepping out of her comfort zone — with the grace of God. Seven years ago, the usually reserved sister took on a prominent new role: as vocations director of the Eastern Province of her religious community, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, in North Haledon. She stepped up to become a public face of her order, traveling up to 20 events a month — with support from God and her fellow sisters.
On the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22, I had the great privilege of celebrating four Masses. Three of those Masses (on Saturday evening at St. Stephen’s Church, in Paterson, on Sunday Morning at our Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and mid-day at St. Brendan’s Church in Clifton) were special celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia (Highest Grace), the patroness of the Dominican Republic, whose Feast Day is celebrated on Jan. 21.
