Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson

09/11/2026

From Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney:

On this September 11, 2026, we remember and will never forget all those whose lives were taken 25 years ago, as well as those who bravely laid down their lives to save the lives of others. As we remember, we pray and, as Archbishop Hicks reminded us in a powerful homily yesterday, “healing takes time, hope is eternal”. May they rest in peace as we continue to pray and work for Peace on Earth 🙏

09/11/2026

On Sept. 11, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attack, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrates Mass with diocesan staff at St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison.

In this video, Bishop Sweeney opens with reflections of the day.

More coverage to come.

09/11/2026

On Sept. 11, 2001, Father Daniel Murphy and his family were dealt pain almost too agonizing to bear. His brother, Edward, 42, was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in Manhattan, leaving his entire family distraught.

Shortly after the attacks, Father Murphy, then pastor of Blessed [now St.] Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, N.J., found Jesus’ comfort in the following Sunday’s Gospel: Luke 15. It tells the parables of the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, and Prodigal Son.

Read more of Michael Wojcik's story here:

On Sept. 11, 2001, Father Daniel Murphy and his family were dealt pain almost too agonizing to bear. His brother, Edward, 42, was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in Manhattan, leaving his entire family distraught. Shortly after the attacks, Father Murphy, then pastor....

09/10/2026

On Aug. 30, St. Monica Parish in Sussex, N.J., welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass for the feast day of its patroness, St. Monica.

Father Jan Wodziak, pastor of St. Monica, concelebrated the liturgy. Bishop Sweeney moved St. Monica’s feast day, which the universal Church celebrates on Aug. 27, to Aug. 30 in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., so that he could celebrate it at the Sussex County parish.

An early North African Christian saint, St. Monica (332–387 AD) was best known as the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most important Christian theologians and philosophers.

Born into a Christian family, St. Monica was given in marriage to Patricius, a pagan Roman official, who was abusive and unfaithful. She eventually led him to convert to Christianity and be baptized before his death. For 17 years, St. Monica prayed for the conversion of Augustine, her wayward and rebellious eldest son, who was baptized by St. Ambrose in 387 AD.

The Catholic Church honors St. Monica as the patron saint of mothers, wives, and difficult marriages because of her resilient prayer life.

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli

To see more photos:
https://beaconnj.org/sussex-parish-celebrates-mass-for-its-patroness-st-monica/

09/10/2026

With heavy hearts, the faithful of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., will join all Americans on Friday to solemnly and prayerfully commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — a day of horror and loss that devastated the United States and forever changed the country and the world.

On that sad anniversary, several parishes, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., and other faith communities across the diocese will hold memorial Masses and prayer services. They will pray for the souls of the victims, God’s continued comfort for their families and friends, the safety of first responders, and for God’s peace for the world.

The 25th anniversary hits especially hard for residents in the diocese and the wider Tri-State area. Many of them had loved ones —or knew people —who were murdered in the attacks on that tragic day. All those who witnessed the brutality of 9/11 will never forget it.

Close to home, Father Mychal Judge, a Franciscan friar and former pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in West Milford, N.J., was killed while serving with the N.Y. Fire Department at Ground Zero. He is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, N.J. Father Daniel Murphy, now a retired diocesan priest, lost his younger brother, Edward Murphy, in the attack on the North Tower. Several priests ministered to law enforcement, fire departments, and recovery workers at Ground Zero.

To read more:

With heavy hearts, the faithful of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., will join all Americans on Friday to solemnly and prayerfully commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — a day of horror and loss that devastated the United States and forever changed the country and ...

09/10/2026

Father Kamil Kiszka likened serving in Alaska to a priceless two-year retreat, during which he came away more peaceful and balanced. Father Kiszka returns to the podcast to talk about this unique full-time missionary experience in the Land of the Midnight Sun and what might be next for him. The conversation is moved along by Father Kiszka’s collection of photographs from Alaska. (Watch the video version of the podcast to see the photographs.)

Host Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney reflects on our call to be missionary disciples wherever we are.

Bishop Sweeney also reflects on the life of Father Rafael Ciro, who took his life one year ago, and a Memorial Mass scheduled the day this episode was recorded. He also mentions the feast days of St. Monica (Aug. 27) and her son St. Augustine (Aug. 28).

This Beyond The Beacon epsiode, cohosted by Communications Director Jai Agnish.

To watch more or listen to the episode:
https://beaconnj.org/beyond-the-beacon-podcast-117-how-serving-in-alaska-transformed-father-kamils-life/

09/10/2026

As the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 is marked, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney reflects on the anniversary.

The bishop writes:
It was a beautiful early September morning. There was a magnificent, clear blue sky. Among the many memories shared by those who lived through the events of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, as we look back, many of us remember the beautiful, clear blue sky … and then we remember hearing (or seeing) that “a plane hit one of the Twin Towers.” Many recall first hearing that it was a “small plane” … then, many of us turned on the television and (soon) saw the “second plane hit.” By that time, many firefighters, police officers, and first responders were on site or were rushing to the location that would come to be known as “Ground Zero.”

Read more here:

“… the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn. 1:5) “… No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn. 15:13 BISHOP KEVIN J. SWEENEY It was a beautiful early September morning. There was a magnificent, clear blue sk...

09/09/2026

On the evening of Aug. 27, faithful from St. Stephen Parish in Paterson, N.J., and beyond remembered the life and ministry of Father Rafael A. Ciro, beloved former pastor of St. Stephen’s, on the first anniversary of his death, during a Memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.

On Aug. 27, 2025, Father Ciro died by su***de, leaving his family, friends, and faithful around the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and beyond shocked and heartbroken, especially in the Hispanic community he served. He was 45.

Father Diego F. Monsalve, administrator of St. Stephen’s, joined many priests, including some of Father Ciro’s friends, in concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney.

To read more or see more photos:
https://beaconnj.org/paterson-parish-remembers-ministry-of-beloved-late-pastor/

Beacon photos/Jessica Martinez

09/08/2026

Each of the 30 children who attended Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer at St. Mary Parish in Denville, N.J., delighted in receiving—and carrying around — their own “Mini Mass Kits.” These boxes contained small representations of items used during the Catholic Mass, such as two circular wooden discs for the Eucharist, a square of white fabric for an altar cloth, and a clear plastic cup for a chalice.

These small “Mass items” the students handled during VBS presented a faith in miniature that helped impart larger concrete lessons about the mystery of the Eucharist and Mass. St. Mary’s held VBS for children in kindergarten through fifth grade from Aug. 17 to 21 for its second year. The program, “Marvelous Mysteries: the Mass Comes Alive,” was developed by Cat.Chat.

For three hours each day, students were immersed in a dynamic array of activities. Activities included making an arts-and-crafts monstrance, taking a comprehensive tour of St. Mary Church, and competing in a relay to see who could get dressed in “Sunday best” the quickest. The week ended with a celebration of Mass in St. Mary Church.

To see more photos and to read more:
https://beaconnj.org/denville-youth-explore-the-eucharist-at-vacation-bible-school/

09/08/2026

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will be the main celebrant of a Mass marking the 100th anniversary of the Carmelite Monastery in Morristown on Oct. 3. The celebration will begin with a pilgrimage walk from St. Paul Inside the Walls in Madison at 10 a.m, with a midpoint at St. Thomas More Parish in Morristown.

Mass is expected to begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Monastery. There will be a blessing of the new Shrine to Ven. Fulton J. Sheen. Refreshments to follow.