Beyond The Beacon

Beyond The Beacon

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.

Episodes

May 9, 2025 8 mins

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Bishop Kevin Sweeney shares his reaction to Pope Leo XIV's historic election. Our local church of Paterson rejoices with the Church throughout the world in the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the Successor to the blessed Apostle Peter. Jai Agnish co-hosts.

Show Notes:
https://beaconnj.org/statement-of-bishop-kevin-j-sweeney-bishop-of-paterson-on-the-election-of-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv-may-8-2025

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 This special episode reflects on Pope Francis's legacy and considers what the future might bring. Joining Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Jai Agnish is Msgr. Geno Sylva, to share joyful memories of his interactions with the Holy Father while working at the Vatican for many years. Msgr. Geno is the rector of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J. He is also vicar for Special Projects and serves as ...

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Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish visit the beautiful campus of Saint Elizabeth University in Morris Township, N.J., for a remote episode recorded by students in the university's studio. Interviews include Dr. Gary B. Crosby, president of the Catholic university, and several students in different years of study. Hear their perspective about learning and growing, and what the day-to-day life of a college student...

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What is it like to attend an all-girls Catholic high school? Two seniors and two sophomores attending Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon share an inside look at attending the Salesian-run all-girl Catholic high school, which has strengthened their faith lives and allowed them to focus on academic excellence away from the pressures many students face today. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo le...

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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 t...

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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 pe...

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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'...

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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 immigratio...

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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 Si...

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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 o...

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December 20, 2024 44 mins

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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...

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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 t...

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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 public...

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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, t...

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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 As...

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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 embracin...

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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....

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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 t...

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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 e...

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September 19, 2024 47 mins

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"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...

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