Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney installed Father Babu Thelappilly as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima (OLF) Parish in the Highland Lakes neighborhood of Vernon during a Mass in the church on Feb. 17.

The community of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Clifton celebrated a trilingual Mass — in English, Spanish, and Slovak — in honor of its patron saints on Feb. 11 in the church.

Samuel McDonald, the new music director for St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover, recalls the emotion felt. McDonald said, “It was magical, and I felt like it was divine intervention how it all came together. There is a different sense of purpose when you are singing together with others collectively and making music.

The Connolly family has a perfect spot in their home to pray the rosary — a former wine cellar that resembles an alcove of a church that would house a shrine. For a week last year, the family of five learned to pray the rosary together in this space that’s already devotional — displaying religious items, such as a cross, bible, and icons.

In honor of the season of love (Valentine’s Day, National Marriage Week, World Marriage Day), Brian and Eniola (Eni) Honsberger, a loving Catholic couple celebrating 15 years of marriage in April, join Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish for episode 43 of Beyond The Beacon for a discussion about marriage and more.

It was “pretty cool” to hear Bishop Cozzens as he described his experience at World Youth Day in Denver in 1993; he also described my own experience of being “changed” by the “experience of the Church,” gathered in prayer in such great numbers and experiencing in a powerful way the presence of the Holy Spirit.

For episode 42 of Beyond The Beacon, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish welcome back Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss the Eucharist’s impact on the spiritual life of young adults.

The Ministry of Retired Priests of the Paterson Diocese held a winter luncheon on Feb. 7 at St. Ann Parish in Parsippany. They learned about end-of-life issues from two speakers, Nancy Heslin Reading, an elder care lawyer in Newton, and MaryLou Rafferty, a hospice nurse.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presided at the annual Scout Sunday Mass to honor Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson on Feb. 3.

Holy Trinity Parish in Passaic rejoiced as it marked its return to worshipping in the main church on Feb. 1 with a Mass of Thanksgiving, celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. In September, the parish started renovations to the floor and pews — improvements that are almost completed, said Father Antonio Rodriguez, Holy Trinity’s pastor, who concelebrated the Mass.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Haskell neighborhood of Wanaque on Feb. 9 hosted the 2024 Night to Shine Prom for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Churches around the world simultaneously held Night to Shine proms on Feb. 9.

During the 2023 Advent and Christmas seasons, the sanctuary of St. Bonaven­ture Church of Paterson was beautifully decorated with creamy white, pink, and bright red poinsettias and Christmas trees of assorted sizes, with the tabernacle being the focal point of where the adornment took place.

Corazón Puro held Eucharistic adoration on Feb. 9 at Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Chapel and the Bishop Rodimer Catholic Campus Ministry Center in Haledon. The event brought together Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who founded Corazón Puro, for an evening of praise, worship, and Eucharistic adoration.

Bishop Kevin. J. Sweeney was the main celebrant of a monthly Mass for Life at St. Margaret of Scotland Church in Morristown, which was followed by an outdoor rosary procession for life, held this month on Feb. 3.

By 2013, Damon and Melanie Owens had hit hard times. An international speaker, Damon was giving talks far and wide about the Church’s teachings about God’s call for men and women to form families and become fruitful in marriage. Meanwhile, the Owens’ marriage seemed headed for divorce.

(PNCW) has been a second home to many women of the city who walk through its doors. Recently, the center welcomed three new staff members involved in Catholic ministry who are ready to build on its legacy of providing a safe and peaceful place for women to meet, share, and grow.

The words of Jesus revealing to us His compassionate, merciful, Sacred Heart, were on my mind as I thought about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the fast-approaching Season of Lent, and our diocesan initiative that we call “Welcome Home to Healing.”

Featured on this episode is 21-time bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins, who has written over 200 books, including his latest entitled, “The Chosen: And I Will Give You Rest.” It’s the third book in a series based on the record-breaking television series created by his son, Dallas Jenkins.

The community of Holy Spirit School in Pequannock marked Catholic Schools Week on Feb. 2 with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass in the parish church. Father Stephen Prisk, Holy Spirit’s pastor and diocesan vice chancellor, concelebrated the Mass.

St. Philip Preparatory School in Clifton marked Catholic Schools Week (CSW) with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney on Jan. 30. Father David Monteleone, the parish pastor, concelebrated.