Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson

Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson Serving Northern NJ since 1937. 106 parishes• 70 Catholic Charities programs • 22 Catholic Schools.

On the morning of June 15, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney met with a gathering of Catholic middle-school and high-school studen...
06/18/2026

On the morning of June 15, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney met with a gathering of Catholic middle-school and high-school students of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Parsippany, N.J. This week, the Paterson Diocese hosted a historic first: stops on the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. At St. Peter’s, Bishop Sweeney led a Eucharistic procession with the students. Franciscan Father Casey Cole, one of three priests on the national pilgrimage with strong social media presence, delivered a talk to the students, “Influenced by the Eucharist.”

Beacon photos/Matthew Gigli

See more photos here:
https://beaconnj.org/students-learn-eucharistic-influence-during-meaningful-pilgrimage-stop-experience/

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on the m...
06/18/2026

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., on the morning of June 13 as Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney ordained two seminarians as the newest priests of the Paterson Diocese, N.J. In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the two men that Jesus calls them to “have a missionary spirit in care for those who are most in need.”

The newest priests are Father Lucas Sebastian Mateo Folan, a member of Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood of Hanover Township, N.J., and Father Jender Arley Medina Palencia, who was born and raised in Colombia. He served St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Morristown, N.J., as a temporary deacon before priesthood.

Before the ordination, Father Folan and Father Medina both told BeaconNJ.org that they were “excited” to begin their ministries as priests. The men especially looked forward to consecrating the Eucharist and hearing confessions, and both thanked God for the beautiful “gift of the priesthood.”

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli and Jessica Martinez

To read more of Michael Wojcik's story:
https://beaconnj.org/2-newly-ordained-men-thankful-for-gift-of-priesthood/

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated an opening Mass for the stops in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., during the 2026 National...
06/17/2026

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated an opening Mass for the stops in the Paterson Diocese, N.J., during the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) on June 14 and 15 in Passaic and Paterson, N.J. The liturgy took place in Boverini Stadium in Passaic on the evening of June 14 with a diverse congregation of worshippers. This week, the Paterson Diocese hosted a historic first: stops on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Among the Mass concelebrants were three auxiliary bishops from the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J. Two priests on the national pilgrimage with strong social media presence delivered homilies: Father Rafael Capó in English and Father Heriberto Garcia spoke in Spanish.

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli and Jessica Martinez

https://beaconnj.org/diverse-congregation-marks-national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-opening-at-stadium/

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led more than 1,700 faithful from the Paterson Diocese and beyond on a 3.2-mile Eucharistic proc...
06/17/2026

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led more than 1,700 faithful from the Paterson Diocese and beyond on a 3.2-mile Eucharistic procession through Passaic on June 14. This week, the Paterson Diocese hosted historic first stops on the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) on June 14 and 15 in Passaic and Paterson, N.J. The procession started at the Diocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II/Holy Rosary, passed several churches, and ended at Boverini Stadium for the opening Mass. It’s considered one of NEP’s largest processions so far. Before the procession, the Diocesan Shrine of St. John Paul II/Holy Rosary hosted Eucharistic adoration with the bishop and a talk by Father Rafael Capo, one of three priests with a strong social media presence on the national pilgrimage.

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli

For more photos:
https://beaconnj.org/more-than-1700-catholics-join-eucharistic-procession-through-passaic/

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney rejoiced in celebrating 37 priests who have served the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as they marked mi...
06/17/2026

Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney rejoiced in celebrating 37 priests who have served the Paterson Diocese, N.J., as they marked milestone priesthood anniversaries this year — from five to 65 years — on June 9 during the annual diocesan Priests Jubilee Mass in Corpus Christi Church in Chatham Township, N.J. The bishop also thanked the Jubilarians, who have given a total of 1,371 years of service as priests.

On that Tuesday morning, Bishop Sweeney served as the main celebrant of the Mass honoring diocesan and religious-order priests, both retired and still active in ministry. Concelebrants included the Jubilarians in attendance, as well as other priests from around the diocese.

Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli delivered the homily. He is a Jubilarian celebrating 26 years since his ordination as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., in 2000. Later, Bishop Serratelli served as the seventh Bishop of Paterson from June 1, 2004, until his retirement on April 15, 2020.

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli

To read more of Michael Wojcik's story:
https://beaconnj.org/jubilarian-priests-honored-for-years-of-love-and-service/

On June 5, Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D., a retired priest with 53 years actively serving the Paterson Diocese, N.J., an...
06/16/2026

On June 5, Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D., a retired priest with 53 years actively serving the Paterson Diocese, N.J., and respected Church historian, delighted in receiving the 2026 Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli Evangelization Award from St. Paul Inside the Walls Catholic Center for Evangelization in Madison, N.J. Msgr. Kupke received the award for his fruitful years in the priesthood and evangelization.

That Friday evening, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney presented Msgr. Kupke received the award during St. Paul’s Fifth Annual Garden Party, its largest annual fundraiser, which was held on the center’s front lawn. Msgr. Kupke has been the diocesan archivist since 1976 and is the co-host of “Coffee with Kupke,” a popular podcast that delves into the history of Catholicism in the Church of Paterson. He hosts the podcast with his friend, Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization and education.

Msgr. Kupke is an adjunct professor of Church history at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J. He has also taught many courses at St. Paul’s, notably helping form candidates for the permanent diaconate. He also authored the book, “Living Stones: A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Paterson.”

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli

To read more or see more photos:
https://beaconnj.org/making-history-st-paul-inside-the-walls-honors-archivist/

Faithful of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., proclaimed in English and Spanish, “Jesus Protects and Saves the Unborn,” as the...
06/16/2026

Faithful of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., proclaimed in English and Spanish, “Jesus Protects and Saves the Unborn,” as they walked the streets of Morristown in prayer on June 6 during the Monthly Mass and Procession for Life with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at St Margaret Church, also in Morristown. Participants reasserted their commitment to the dignity of all human life, from birth to natural death.

Before the procession, Bishop Sweeney celebrated Mass at St. Margaret’s. Father Duberney Villamizar, pastor of St. Margaret’s, concelebrated, and Deacon Tim Holden of the parish assisted.

Afterward, Bishop Sweeney led the faithful in a rosary procession down Speedwell Avenue to Planned Parenthood, where they prayed in front of the facility for an end to abortion.

Many carried signs with pro-life messages in English and Spanish, such as “Jesus Protects and Saves the Unborn.” The marchers then returned to St. Margaret’s, where they prayed before the Blessed Sacrament.

Everyone is welcome to join the Mass and Procession for Life with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. at St. Margaret’s.

Beacon photos/Joe Gigli

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