Pastoral Visits

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made a pastoral visit to St. Joseph Parish in Newton Aug. 1 where he celebrated the 5 p.m. vigil Mass for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made his first pastoral visit to Nazareth Village, the diocesan priest retirement residence in Chester, July 28. During the visit, the Bishop met some of the priests who have served the Diocese for many years. The Bishop celebrated Mass with the priest-residents in Our Lady, Mother of Priests Chapel at Nazareth Village. Following the Mass, the Bishop and the priests enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the staff at Nazareth Village.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made a pastoral visit on July 23 to St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson where he celebrated Mass in the chapel. Afterward, the Bishop met with administrators and staff members and thanked the healthcare workers for serving on the front lines during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made a pastoral visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Pompton Plains July 27 where he celebrated Mass to mark the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. During the visit, the Bishop blessed high school graduates of the parish, members of the Class of 2020, who attended the Mass.

The parish community of St. Matthew the Apostle in Randolph welcomed Bishop Kevin Sweeney during his pastoral visit July 25 where he celebrated the vigil Mass for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made a pastoral visit to St. Mary Help of Chris­tians Parish in Paterson where he celebrated the two vigil Masses July 18 to mark the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Bishop Kevin Sweeney made his first pastoral visit to St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison where he celebrated Mass for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 12. The young adult community at the Diocese’s evangelization center hosts the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass. It was livestreamed on social media for the faithful to view at home. During the Mass, Joseph Mactal, diocesan seminarian, who will enter his fourth year of theology in the fall, was installed as an acolyte by Bishop Sweeney.

Young people at St. Monica Church in Sussex received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Serratelli during his pastoral visit to the parish June 27 where he also celebrated the vigil Mass marking the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Bishop Serratelli made his final pastoral visit to St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Chester June 28 where he celebrated Mass for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The parish community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Swartswood welcomed Bishop Serratelli, who made a pastoral visit there and celebrated vigil Mass marking the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time on June 20.

Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to St. Luke Parish in Long Valley where he celebrated the 11:30 a.m. Mass marking the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time on June 21, which was also Father’s Day. This was the second weekend that churches around the Diocese were open for Masses. All who attend Mass are required to wear masks and follow strict social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone attending Mass.