In a section of Morristown, often known as the “Dublin” neighborhood, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Mass in Assump­tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown on March 9. Descendants of the early Irish immigrants to this area more than a century ago and many others who consider themselves Irish by blood or by heart attended the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

An “Encounter with Youth” was held at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison on March 6 as part of the diocese’s ongoing participation in the Synod on Synodality. Representing all seven of the high schools in the diocese, 65 students in grades 10th, 11th and 12th shared their ideas and reflections on how to grow as a Church with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.

How can history inspire our faith? Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish visited Our Lady of the Magnificat (OLM) in Kinnelon, N.J., for a remote podcast episode last week.

This week, 50 priests in the Paterson Diocese heard encouraging news about vocations to priestly and religious life in the United States, which has declined sharply. These priests were reminded they could help their dioceses — and parishes — reverse this trend by creating and growing a fun, engaging, and faith-based “culture of vocations.”

The community of the Church of Christ the King in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township on March 6 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated 6:30 p.m. Mass as part of the parish’s Wednesday Night Lenten Mass Series, celebrated by visiting priests of the Paterson Diocese.

At St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, children favor the holy over the haunted when choosing Halloween costumes for the annual All Saints Vigil Mass and party. Instead of portraying ghosts or witches, many children dress as saints. Some girls look like religious sisters. Many boys dress in priests’ clothing like St. Margaret’s priests: Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor, and Father Dailon Lisabet, parochial vicar.

This Lent, Catholics of the Paterson Diocese and beyond have an extraordinary opportunity to view the Shroud of Turin, the linen burial cloth that bears the imprint of the crucified Christ. Our Lady of the Magnificat (OLM) Parish in Kinnelon has mounted a powerful display with several large-scale photographs of the shroud in the narthex of the church.

When was the last time that you heard an inspiring “conversion story?” If it has “been a while,” or even if you have heard one recently, if you haven’t heard Sister Josephine Garrett’s story (raised Southern Baptist, became Catholic after college, and then was called to Religious Life), I strongly encourage you to hear her tell it on the most recent episode of the Revive podcast.

On March 2, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated the monthly Mass and Rosary Procession for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Morris­town. Several priests serving the Paterson Diocese concelebrated the Mass, including Father Duberney Villamizar, St. Margaret’s pastor.

The 54th annual Murray House Dinner Dance was hosted by Catholic Charities and the Murray family on Feb. 18 at The Brownstone in Paterson.

How do you have a “spiritual conversation?” Father Paul Manning and Maria Moncaleano join Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish, diocesan director of communications, to discuss the interim phase of the Synod on Synodality and new listening sessions.

Has anyone seen Alice? Legend has it she was a ghost of a little girl who haunted the mansion of the former Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison, now the St. Paul Inside the Walls evangelization center. Father Paul Manning, former St. Paul’s executive director, must have encountered Alice — right? Stay tuned for his answer on an upcoming episode of the podcast Coffee with Kupke, now in its second season.

Early in their relationship, Maura Rasmusson and Eric Van Eck wasted no time mapping out their dreams for the future — faith life, career goals, marriage, and family size. The couple met on a Sunday in 2021 after the 11 a.m. Mass for young adults at St. Paul Inside the Walls, the evangelization center of the Paterson Diocese in Madison.

In my column last week, I mentioned that our diocese will be offering “Listening Sessions” as part of the “Interim Phase” of the Synod on Synodality. I wish to return to this topic and, especially, to this “invitation” to each member of the Church. The invitation is also offered to those who may find themselves “outside” the Church or on the “margins” of the Church and/or society.