Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) School in Wayne opened the 2023–24 academic year on Sept. 6 with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated Mass with the school community. He also blessed the school’s new lab for STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art and Math) instruction.

On Monday, Sept. 11, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a special 9/11 remembrance Mass in the chapel at the Diocesan Center in Clifton. He was joined by employees of the Diocese of Paterson who together remembered those who lost their lives in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Mass on Sept. 5 in St. Philip Church in Clifton to help the staff of the Paterson Diocese open the pastoral year.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, on Sept. 8, led an evening of adoration, praise and worship, confession, and fellowship for young adults at St. Gerard Majella Parish in Paterson.

The community of DePaul Catholic School in Wayne on Sept. 8 welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney who celebrated a Mass to open the 2023–24 academic year at the school.

Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish for episode 23 of Beyond The Beacon, a podcast of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. They welcome Father Ed Reading, a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor who serves in specialized ministry “healing the healers.”

On June 24, 2020, the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, with the endorsement of Pope Francis, published a new Directory for Catechesis. The Directory provides “the how-to guidelines for catechesis and presents universal norms to guide pastors and catechists in the work of evangelization.” And is presented by the Pontifical Council “… to guide the proclamation of the Gospel by the Christian faithful to people of all ages and in all seasons of life.”

“Never Forget!” We have heard those words used many times in the course of history. We realize (at times) that, as human beings, we seem to have a tendency to forget. The words “Never Forget” are often spoken or written to emphasize the importance of making a conscience decision as individuals, families, communities, or nations that we will remember someone or something, whether it be a terrible tragedy or loss or, very often, a heroic act of bravery and sacrifice. As we approach the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, we might ask ourselves, “How well do we (as individuals, as communities) keep that promise or vow to “Never Forget”?

The Little Sisters of the Poor celebrated the feast day of the foundress of their religious order, St. Jeanne Jugan, on Aug. 30. They marked the occasion with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney who celebrated a Mass in her honor in St. Jeanne Jugan Chapel in St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa.

Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, commemorated his 30th anniversary as a priest on Aug. 27 during a Mass of Thanks­giving in St. John’s. Msgr. Sylva is also diocesan vicar for special projects.

Franciscan Brother Luis Rosado and Brother Jason were ordained transitional deacons of the Franciscan order during an ordination Mass held at St. Mary’s parish in Pompton Lakes on Aug. 27.

With sneakers squeaking, two mixed teams of young men and women battled it out in a fierce — yet friendly — game of basketball. But there was something unusual about this roster of athletes and their uniforms. Players included brothers of the Fran­ciscan Friars of the Re­newal dribbling the ball in their grey robes, Sisters of Christian Charity in their black habits, Sale­sian novices in gray, and Salesian sisters in white.

Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish for episode 22 of Beyond The Beacon. They welcomed Msgr. Geno Sylva and Ivannia Vega-McTighe to discuss Brilla Public Charter School and the life-changing work taking place at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Paterson.