Villa Walsh Academy in Morristown, N.J., on Sept. 23, welcomed Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who celebrated a Mass for the feast of St. Padre Pio and the opening of the current academic year. Villa Walsh is a college preparatory school for girls, grades 7 to 12, run by the Religious Teachers Filippini.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney urged the Villa Walsh community to reflect on two questions: “What makes a Catholic school truly Catholic?” and “What does it mean, for me, to attend a Catholic school?”
Bishop Sweeney reminded the students that while it’s natural to ask “What do I want to do?” when thinking about the future, it is just as important to ask “What is God calling me to do?” God has a great plan for each of us, one that we are invited, not forced, to follow, he said.
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Also, Bishop Sweeney spoke about everyone as beloved sons and daughters of God, created in his image and likeness. He encouraged the faithful to look to the saints, such as St. Padre Pio and St. Lucy Filippini, as well as recently canonized saints, St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis, for inspiration to become the saints God is calling them to be.
“We are so grateful for this reminder to treasure Villa Walsh Academy as a place where administrators, faculty, and staff care deeply for each student,” Villa Walsh posted on social media. The school stated that Bishop Sweeney gifted the community with a Bishop’s Day Off on Jan. 20, 2026. “Thank you, Bishop Sweeney, for a beautiful liturgy and an inspiring message to carry into this school year,” Villa Walsh posted.
