Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited Pequannock on Jan. 31 to celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW) with the Holy Spirit School community during a Mass in the parish church.
The Mass concluded with the opening of “24 Hours for the Lord” Eucharistic adoration to thank the God for Holy Spirit Parish’s 75th anniversary this year. The first Mass at the parish occurred on Feb. 12, 1950.
Father Stephen Prisk, Holy Spirit’s pastor and vice-chancellor of the Paterson Diocese, concelebrated the CSW liturgy with Bishop Sweeney. Many Holy Spirit students, including the school choir, participated in the Mass.
After the Mass, Bishop Sweeney walked over to Holy Spirit to visit its pre-K class.
Then, the student council interviewed him for Holy Spirit’s newspaper, The Paraclete. They asked the bishop questions about how technology can help people deepen their faith, how he handles his responsibilities as the diocesan leader, how he spends his free time, and his favorite sport. The students also were with Father Prisk and Filippini Sister Marie Antonelli, the school’s principal.
At the end of the CSW Mass, Bishop Sweeney exposed the Blessed Sacrament to begin Holy Spirit’s “24 Hours for the Lord” Eucharistic adoration. The devotion ended on Feb. 1 morning.
“Adoration enabled us to thank God for the parish, which has been a beacon of hope in the lives of our families and community for 75 years,” said Father Prisk, adding that more anniversary events will occur throughout the year.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
