News - December 2022 RSS Feed

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

Catholic Family and Community Services is a helping hand at every stage of life, with an emphasis on low-income families. The needs can be complicated, but the charity’s mission is simple: “We fill in the gaps that people oftentimes may fall through,” says Joseph Murray, the executive director.

Carmen Benzenberg of Assumption Parish in Morristown adds extra — and intangible — ingredients to batches of Christ­mas cookies she makes each year for U.S. troops. She makes sure to sprinkle pinches of love, appreciation and Christmas cheer — as well as a taste of home.

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant and homilist of the 9 a.m. Mass in Spanish at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish in Passaic on Dec. 11. Concelebrants included Father Rolands Uribe, pastor of the parish, and Father Manuel Romero of the Archdiocese of Puebla in Mexico.

Bishop Kevin. J. Sweeney celebrated a Mass for Simbang Gabi in the chapel of St. Joseph’s Health Main Hospital in Paterson on Dec. 13. The Mass is typically part of a nine-day novena, which is a Filipino tradition in anticipation of the birth of Christ.

Frank Morera from EWTN Espanol spoke during an Advent Retreat in Spanish on Dec. 10 in the Cathe­dral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson. The event also included a presentation by Father David Guzman of Colombia and Eucharistic adoration. Angel Perez sang songs of praise while accompanying himself on guitar. Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects, also participated and addressed the attendees.

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli leads the Catholic-Baptist dialogue for the Holy See. The bishop and members of the dialogue were welcomed by Pope Francis at a private audience on Dec. 14 in Rome.

I  was in High School when I first saw the “Radio City Christ­mas Spectacular.” It has been many years since I last saw the show, but I believe that the “Living Nativity,” with live animals and the retelling of the story of Jesus’ birth, continues to be one of the show’s highlights. I still remember being awestruck by the beauty of the “Living Nativity.” I also remember, during the Living Nativity, hearing for the first time the poem One Solitary Life.

On Dec. 11, Holy Trinity Parish in Passaic celebrated the 25th anniversary of its outdoor procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a Mass and crowning of the Blessed Virgin image by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. It was followed by the procession in her honor.

The discalced Carmelite sisters at the Monastery of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Morristown, are sharing some of their sacred traditions and unique seasonal meals through a new cookbook that focuses on the important role of traditions.

The diocesan Office for Hispanic Ministry held the annual “Noche de las Velitas” (“Night of the Candles”) on Dec. 10 on the grounds of Holy Face Monastery in Clifton. Bishop Sweeney participated in the event, a Latin-American tradition that honors the Immaculate Conception.

The annual Diocesan Christmas Concert, “Love Came Down at Christmas,” was presented on Dec. 9 in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson. The concert was guided by the Christina Rossetti text “Love Came Down at Christmas,” which focuses on the beauty of love and peace that can be found in the wondrous mystery of Christ’s birth. The concert included favorites of the Christmas season.