On June 24, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney visited the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the mother church of the Paterson Diocese, to celebrate Mass for the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, both the patron of the cathedral and the diocese.
Msgr. Geno Sylva, rector of St. John’s and diocesan vicar for special projects, concelebrated the Mass, which was assisted by Deacon Guido Pedraza. The cathedral’s Children’s Choir led the congregation in hymns of praise. The liturgy included a procession and a reception outside on St. John’s grounds.
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On June 24, the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus of Nazareth, who was known for his evangelism and for baptizing Jesus. John instructed his followers to turn to Christ, calling him the “Lamb of God,” and these people were among the first Christians, according to Catholic Online.
