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Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., as they discuss current events and topics relevant to the local Church in Paterson and the global Catholic Church. Bishop Sweeney answers questions from listeners, interviews guests, and shares reflections and insights helpful for all striving to live a life of faith, hope, and love.
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Send us a text What's better? A slice of pizza from the city or Jersey? What's the bishop's favorite book of the Bible? Favorite parable? In his second "mailbag" episode, Bishop Kevin Sweeney fields various questions from our viewers, listeners, and social media community. Jai Agnish and Cecile Pagliarulo take turns putting these questions and comments to the bishop and adding their own. Some topics are on the lighter side; for others, Bishop Kevin offers a deeper perspective on parish life, ...
Send us a text Three young adults share their experience of being Catholic in today's culture. Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish interview Michael Inguanti, David Martinez, and Matt Pana of the New Jersey chapter of Young Catholic Professionals. The organization offers a way for young workers in their 20s and 30s to go deeper into faith, life, and work. Its members seek authentic friendships, a richer sense of purpose, and personal and professional excellence. "Above all, we’re here t...
Send us a text As we look to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, Bishop Kevin Sweeney offers practical advice about the Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Guest Father Jared Brogan joins Bishop Kevin and Jai Agnish to help illuminate the meaning and purpose of these traditions. Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at ...
Send us a text A religious sister and two brothers engage in a lively interview with Bishop Kevin Sweeney about how they discerned God's call to consecrated religious life. Sister of Christian Charity Chiara Marie Stimpfle, Franciscan Father John Aherne, and Franciscan Father of the Renewal Isaac Spinharney also share insights into prayer, retreats, and living in community. Bishop Kevin also reflects on the state of immigration enforcement in America and the recent letter from Pope Fran...
Send us a text For this remote episode, Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish visited All Saints Academy, a preschool through eighth-grade Catholic school of the Diocese of Paterson in Parsippany, N.J. The episode was recorded at St. Ann Church, where classes were being held temporarily. Joining them for interviews were Principal Leanne Gonzalez, Media Specialist Laura Carroll, and students Giulliana Lalo, Maggie Van Hoven, Matthew Sinche, and Grace Kwiatkowski. They discuss their close-knit sc...
Send us a text On Jan. 24, 2025, the 52nd annual National March for Life will take place in Washington, D.C., bringing together pro-life advocates to be a voice for the voiceless. Two frequent attendees of the March, Julie McGurn, a parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison and coordinator of its Respect Life Ministry, and Russell Petrocelli, principal of DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne and state treasurer of the N.J. Knights of Columbus, discuss their experiences in the move...
Send us a text Pope Francis invites everyone to participate in the grace-filled Jubilee “Year of Hope,” which opens in Rome on Dec. 24, 2024, and in every diocese on Dec. 29, Feast of the Holy Family. Bishop Kevin Sweeney welcomes Sister Theresa Lee, F.M.A., and Brian Honsberger to the show to discuss the Diocesan-wide Jubilee events and liturgies, pilgrimages, education, and catechesis. Sister Theresa is the Chancellor and Diocesan Delegate for Religious, and Brian is the Executive Director ...
Send us a text How can the Church best involve young people in their faith communities? This week, several students who attend DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne tackle this question with Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo. They also discuss how campus ministry has led them to build closer relationships with God. Led by the school’s campus minister, Annamaria Zaccardi, the students participate in service projects to help those most in need and assist with Masses and prayer services....
Send us a text Happy Thanksgiving from Bishop Kevin Sweeney, Jai Agnish, Cecile Pagliarulo, and all of us in the Communications Office of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.! On this week's episode, Bishop Kevin and Jai discuss the difficult decision to close the print edition of The Beacon. It was recently announced The Diocese of Paterson would cease printing its beloved newspaper at the end of the year, concluding a 58-year publication run at the helm of four different bishops. The Beacon will l...
Send us a text What does the Synod on Synodality mean for the future of the Catholic Church, and will anything change in the Diocese of Paterson? Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish welcome Father Paul Manning and Maria Moncaleano back to Beyond The Beacon to discuss all this and more. Father Paul is the vicar for evangelization for the diocese, and Maria is the director of the diocese's Office of Hispanic Ministry. Together, they are the co-chairs of the Diocesan Synod Committee and, with Bi...
Send us a text Descubre cómo la Universidad Seton Hall empodera e inspira a su población estudiantil latina con becas, conexiones profesionales y apoyo comunitario. En este episodio especial en español de Beyond The Beacon, el Obispo Kevin J. Sweeney conversa con el Padre Duberney Villamizar, junto con Lori Tarke y Daniela Miranda Calle. El Padre Villamizar es el párroco de Santa Margarita de Escocia en Morristown y el vicario de Asuntos Hispanos en la Diócesis de Paterson. Tarke es la direct...
Send us a text Learn how one university empowers and inspires its Latino student population with scholarships, career connections, and community support. Joining Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish this week is Lori Tarke, executive director of the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute at Seton Hall University. Two scholar recipients from the institute – Christian Almestica and Daniela Miranda Calle – also share perspectives on embracing their Latin American heritage and becoming servant leaders ...
Send us a text This remote episode was recorded at the temporary location of The Father English Food Pantry in the heart of Paterson near St. Joseph's University Medical Center. Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish welcome Carlos Roldan and Tim Potter to the show. Carlos is the long-time founder and director of the food pantry going back to 1993. Tim has been the chief fundraising superhero for the diocese for the last 31 years. His formal title is Chief Development Officer, and he has, yet ag...
Send us a text Who should I vote for this November? Find out what Bishop Kevin Sweeney has to say on the matter in the latest episode of Beyond The Beacon. You may or may not like the answer. We also welcome Jim King, the executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC), back to the show. The NJCC represents the Catholic bishops of New Jersey on matters of public policy. Jim and his staff monitor what’s happening at the statehouse and ensure our Catholic community has a voice i...
Send us a text We hosted a unique media event with Bishop Kevin Sweeney and America Media's Jesuitical on Sept. 11. The cohosts of the popular podcast -- Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis -- interviewed Bishop Kevin in front of a live audience at our St. Paul Inside the Walls evangelization center in Madison, N.J. The interview covered a wide array of important topics and drew a ton of laughs. The "official" Jesuitical episode with Bishop Kevin’s interview aired on Sept. 20 and is available wher...
Send us a text "Go forth, the Mass is ended!" Deacons get the last word at Mass, and they have a unique role in the faith life of the Catholic Church. You might hear them proclaiming the gospel or preaching the homily. Deacons assist with Communion and can perform baptisms and witness marriages. Deacon Bill Ruane and Deacon Peter Cistaro join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish for episode 68 of Beyond The Beacon. Deacon Bill recently took over the role of director of the Permanent Diaconat...
Send us a text Any Catholic deeply involved in the pro-life movement has likely attended a March for Life in Washington, D.C. during its 50-year history. For those in New Jersey, the movement is coming to the Garden State on Sept. 26 in Trenton for the first time. Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, is the guest of Beyond The Beacon episode 67. She discusses her commitment to the pro-life movement and its recent developments due to the Dobbs decision,...
Send us a text Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, the president of The Catholic University of America, joins Bishop Kevin Sweeney to discuss the challenges of leading a Catholic university in an increasingly secularized culture. Born a Methodist, he also talks about his faith journey, which led him to become Catholic after becoming a father. Kilpatrick discusses his diverse career path which wound through Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Notre Dame. He holds or shares 12 patents in c...
Send us a text El Padre Dailon Lisabet es oriundo de Cuba y emigro a los EE.UU. cuando tenia 19 años. Llego a Nueva Jersey, donde fue ordenado sacerdote para la Diocesis de Paterson en el 2019. Las semillas de su llamado al sacerdocio comenzaron a germinar cuando aun era un dolescente, en Cuba. Alli establecio una mision para niños pobres a traves de su parroquia y condujo a muchos al bautismo. Ahora el P. Dailon se prepara para regresar a sup ais natal como sacerdote misionero por un año. Mo...
Send us a text Father Dailon Lisabet left Cuba for the United States when he was 19 years old and found his way to New Jersey where he was ordained a priest of the diocese in 2019. In many ways, the seeds of his priestly calling began as a teenager in Cuba where he established a mission to impoverished children through his church and led many youths to be baptized. Now Father Dailon is set to return to his home country as a mission priest for a year. Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish discus...
Send us a text Bishop Kevin Sweeney tours the diocesan archives for the first time in a special simulpodcast episode of Beyond The Beacon and Coffee with Kupke. With the help of historian, archivist, and pastor Msgr. Ray Kupke, the bishop unearths some of the oldest treasures of the diocese. These include vintage mitres worn by Bishop James Navagh, Bishop Thomas Aloysius Boland’s desk calendar from 1948, the deed to St. Vincent Martyr parish in Madison on vellum from the original owners of th...
Send us a text On Beyond The Beacon episode 62, meet two couples, who recently returned from the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Tobi and Anne Ippolito, who are parents of three grown children, are parishioners of Holy Family Church in Florham Park. Tobi is currently a diaconate candidate, Anne is a master’s of theology student and they have classes together at Seton Hall University. Also joining are Deacon Eric and Debby Kispert, parishioners of Notre Dame of Mount ...
Send us a text Each of our guests is a priest. One is a doctor and educator, another a future immigration lawyer, and the other has a heart for social justice at the border, on death row, on the streets, and in his suburban backyard. They are Father Chris VanHaight, O.F.M., Father Matthew Pravetz, O.F.M., and Father Emmet Murphy, O.F.M. These Franciscan friars have traveled diverse paths and currently live and work in the Diocese of Paterson. They join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish fo...
Send us a text Where are you going? In Latin, it translates to “Quo Vadis” and in Beyond The Beacon episode 60 learn what that means as we travel again on location to Shiloh Bible Camp in West Milford, N.J. for the 2024 Quo Vadis discernment retreat. Bishop Kevin Sweeney interviews six young men on the retreat from several parishes in the diocese: Rory Lago, Assumption Parish in Morristown; Juan Real and Jacob Gonzalez, both from Our Lady of Fatima and St. Nicholas Parish in Pass...
Send us a text Former Major League Baseball pitcher and Paterson native Michael Jackson shares his remarkable story of making the big leagues, overcoming addiction, and going on to assist others as a counselor. Also joining Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish for this important conversation about healing and recovery is Angela Nikolovski, executive director of Straight and Narrow of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Thanks for joining us! Please like and subscribe! Email ...
Send us a text Paulist Father Tom Gibbons, a New Jersey native, joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish to discuss ministering in Hollywood while producing and directing films of his own with Paulist Productions. His new documentary "Hollywood Priest: The Story of Fr. 'Bud' Kieser" is an entertaining, provocative, and nostalgic chronicle of a visionary who recognized early on the potential of television and film to shape public consciousness. In the documentary, a star-studded cast...
Send us a text On Beyond the Beacon episode 57, co-founder of Good Counsel Homes Christopher Bell speaks about the pro-life efforts of he and his wife Joan Andrews Bell for nearly 40 years. Joan is a legendary advocate for life, recently sentenced to 27 months in prison for her involvement in a “rescue” at a Washington, D.C. abortion clinic. Also in the conversation with Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo, Bell discusses Lumina, a post-abortion healing ministry, the state of the pro-l...
Send us a text “Teach a sister, touch the world!” This is the motto of Assumption College for Sisters, an accredited college sponsored by the Sisters of Christian Charity (SCC), which educates religious sisters called to consecrated life from the Paterson Diocese and around the world. On episode 56, Beyond The Beacon hits the road again, recording on location on the Morris Catholic High School campus in Denville, where this one-of-a-kind college is located. Two international stude...
Send us a text Two priests join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish to discuss what life is like as chaplains for the United States Armed Forces. Bishop Kevin also offers a special Memorial Day blessing. Guests Father Michael Parisi and Father Matt Pawlikowski have over 50 years of combined military service. Father Parisi was commissioned in the Navy Chaplain Corps in 1988 where he served in various capacities, including his last assignment with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut. H...
Send us a text Seven students from Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta discuss producing their podcast, technology and the impact of artificial intelligence, leading spiritual retreats, and their student-led Bible study. Accompanied by Father John Calabro, chaplain and teacher at Pope John, and Brian Carlson, faculty adviser and chair of the business department, the nine guests joined Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish, director of communications for the Paterson Diocese, for a ...
Send us a text While every Catholic pilgrimage site offers a journey of spiritual wonder, the mission of a Lourdes pilgrimage is specific: bringing love and healing to the sick. On Beyond the Beacon episode 53, Bishop Kevin Sweeney discusses with Jai Agnish, diocesan communications director, his recent pilgrimage to Lourdes, France with the Order of Malta. In 1858, the Blessed Mother appeared on 18 occasions to Bernadette Soubirous, a very poor, 14-year-old girl. Each May, Knights, Dames, Au...
Send us a text Sometimes, when a man and a woman enter a marriage with the best of intentions, it may still end badly. Thankfully, the Catholic Church has a process to determine if a marriage that ended badly may be declared invalid. The process is called an annulment. On Beyond the Beacon’s 52nd episode, Father Marc Mancini, judicial vicar of the Paterson Diocese, joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish to talk about the annulment process and share informat...
Send us a text What is the right age for confirmation? Why was my priest assigned to a different parish? Should parish pastoral councils be mandatory? Is it OK to wash the feet of people in jail? Bishop Kevin Sweeney responds to these questions, critiques, and more in an episode dedicated entirely to feedback from our viewers, listeners, and social media community. Jai Agnish and Cecile Pagliarulo take turns putting these questions and comments to the bishop and add their own. Bishop K...
Send us a text What role does faith play when building friendships? This week on Beyond the Beacon’s 50th episode, a group of students, along with Colette Geraghty, campus minister, from Villa Walsh Academy (VWA) in Morristown, join Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss how faith can influence our choice in friends. The students, a mix of sophomores and seniors from VWA, served by the Religious Teachers Filippini, also discuss the recent high school synod list...
Send us a text The Easter Season is an opportunity to renew our baptismal promises and recommit ourselves to Christ. For episode 49 of Beyond The Beacon, Bishop Kevin Sweeney reflects on the significance of Holy Week. Learn what it's like to experience Holy Week from the perspective of a bishop. As a bonus, discover what Bishop Kevin's favorite Holy Week Mass or service is. Thanks for joining us! Please like and subscribe! Email questions and topic ideas for Bishop Kevin: beyond@patersondi...
Send us a text What does “I am 1 in 4” mean? There’s a population of women who know exactly what this means firsthand. It means they lost a child through miscarriage. On Episode 48 of Beyond the Beacon, Jennifer Nelson joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna, a prayer card ministry bonded by St. Gianna Beretta Molla. The “Sisterhood” is an international group of mothers of children on earth and in heaven that includ...
Send us a text What's the secret to passing on the faith? A father and teenage son explore the nuances of this question and more with Bishop Kevin Sweeney and co-host Jai Agnish for episode 47 of Beyond The Beacon. Dennis Dalelio and his oldest son, Eli, -- close friends of Agnish's -- strive to live a life of faith, hope, and love in Vernon, N.J., where they live and are active in catechesis at Our Lady of Fatima. Eli is a 17-year-old senior at Sussex County Technical School. He was confirme...
Send us a text How can history inspire our faith? Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish visit Our Lady of the Magnificat in Kinnelon, N.J., for a remote podcast episode. On display in the church narthex is a giant museum-quality photo exhibition of the Shroud of Turin. Tune in to the video version of this episode for the full impact! This week's guest, Father Steven Shadwell, elaborates on how this unique historical experience came to life at his parish. In addition to three life-size photograp...
Send us a text How do you have a "spiritual conversation?" Father Paul Manning and Maria Moncaleano join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish to discuss the interim phase of the Synod on Synodality and new listening sessions. All are welcome to listening sessions hosted by the Diocese of Paterson in English or Spanish on Wednesday, March 13, at Reverend Brown Memorial School in Sparta, from 7 to 9 p.m.; Monday, March 18, at Pope John Paul II Pastoral Center in Clifton, from 7 to 9 p.m.; and ...
Send us a text Lent -- and any time, really -- is an opportunity for us to consider the sacrament of reconciliation. Not only does penance free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. All are invited to celebrate the gift of forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) at any church in the Diocese of Paterson on Mondays during Lent from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This opportunity for confession is...
Send us a text Have you ever asked: How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better wife? We attempt to answer those questions and more. This week's guests are Brian and Eniola (Eni) Honsberger, a loving Catholic couple celebrating 15 years of marriage in April. In honor of the season of love (Valentine's Day, National Marriage Week, World Marriage Day), they join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish for episode 43 of Beyond The Beacon for an honest discussion about their marriage and m...
Send us a text We welcome back Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss the Eucharist's impact on the spiritual life of young adults. Bishop Kevin Sweeney also announces a video contest for two trips to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer. Cecile, who manages social media for the Diocese of Paterson, reveals the contest rules while reflecting on her experience of Eucharistic adoration and her role as a catechist at St. Anthony Church in Passaic. They also discuss many ways the d...
Send us a text Featured on this episode is 21-time bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins who has written over 200 books, including his latest entitled, "The Chosen: And I Will Give You Rest." It's the third book in a series based on the record-breaking television series created by his son Dallas Jenkins. Jerry opens up about his son's success with The Chosen and why he thinks the series is so popular. Jerry also discusses the last time "lightning struck" the family with the wild success of the ...
Send us a text Have you ever asked yourself, "What does God want me to do with my life?" The vocations office of the Diocese of Paterson is hosting a discernment retreat during the first weekend of March to help young men get a step closer to answering that question. For this episode, a young priest and a seminarian join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish to discuss the discernment process and the value of spiritual retreats. John Peter Zappe is in his final year of minor seminary underg...
Send us a text While Facebook was created in 2004 by a college student, fast forward 20 years later, several other social media apps reign superior for today’s youth. Two students and a teacher join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and guest co-host Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss social media. Caitlin Farley, a high school senior, and Emily Dymkowski, a high school junior, attend Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon. They share their insights into the world of social media and the youth. Also ...
Send us a text Is Bishop Kevin a cat person or a dog person? Tune in to find out! Bishop Kevin Sweeney invites his Paterson neighbor, John DeCando, onto the show for a fun Beyond The Beacon episode about animals. Together with co-host Jai Agnish, they discuss their four-legged friends, and John recounts some amusing and heroic animal rescue stories from 50 years of working for the city of Paterson. John is a local legend known for saving – not just cats and dogs – but even sheep and a cow ru...
Send us a text On the first Beyond The Beacon episode of the new year, Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish are joined by Father Alex Nevitt -- a pilot and a French chef -- to discuss the upcoming pilgrimage to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. Father Alex is coordinating our Diocesan participation in this historic event. We discussed the importance of the pilgrimage and had fun getting to know Father Alex, a relatively new priest who is a parochial vicar serving at No...
Send us a text What is Bishop Kevin Sweeney's favorite Christmas carol? Tune in to find out! This week, for episode 36 of Beyond The Beacon (a podcast of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey), Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish are joined by two gifted music ministers for a discussion about music's impact on our faith. Preston Dibble is our long-time Director of Music for the diocese. He also works full-time at Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange in our neighboring Archdiocese of Newark. As...
Send us a text Bishop Kevin Sweeney is joined by guest co-host Brian Honsberger for episode 35 of Beyond The Beacon, a podcast of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. They explore the richness of the Hispanic Catholic experience with Maria Moncaleano, the director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese. Honsberger is the executive director of the Office of Evangelization at St. Paul Inside The Walls. He is also co-host of The Paul Street Journal podcast. Thanks for listening! Be ...
Send us a text Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish for episode 34 of Beyond The Beacon, a podcast of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Joining them this week for a passionate discussion about Catholic school education are Prudence Pigott and Lelia Pappas. Pigott is a powerhouse fundraiser for Catholic schools as president of Tri-County Scholarship Fund. Pappas is a dedicated Catholic school principal whose work in the field goes back years. She serves at Academy of St...
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