A Mass for the Paterson Diocesan Jubilee of Marian Spirituality and Educators was held on May 13 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson. The liturgy included crowing a Blessed Mother statue in honor of Mary for May.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney concelebrated the Mass. Many priests concelebrated the liturgy, including Msgr. Geno Sylva, St. John’s rector and diocesan vicar for special projects. Several priests are school chaplains or serve parishes that sponsor a school. Father Jared Brogan, diocesan Worship Office director, was the Mass master of ceremonies.
Staff, administration, faculty, and students of schools in the diocese attended the Mass, with many participating. Schools included the three diocesan high schools: Pope John XXIII Regional in Sparta, DePaul Catholic in Wayne, and Morris Catholic in Denville.
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Ariya Tutalo, a second grader from Divine Mercy Academy in Rockaway, crowned the statue of Mary. Kenzo Sampei, an eighth grader from Philip the Apostle School in Clifton, was the reader. Gina Karaoglan, a fifth grader from Holy Spirit School in Pequannock, and Madelyn Mulvihil, a seventh grader from St. Therese School in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township, brought the Precious Gifts to the altar.
Bishop Sweeney spoke to the students about Pope Leo XIV, the Universal Church’s first American-born pontiff. He thanked the educators serving in local Catholic schools and asked those in attendance to stand up to be acknowledged. Then, the assembly made a video for Pope Leo.
The Mass, traditionally called the annual School Mass, was renamed the Jubilee of Marian Spiritualty and Educators for this year. The liturgy was one of many events the diocese holds for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, which the Church is celebrating.
