During a March 26 Mass, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney urged Catholics to regard the Blessed Mother as “the supreme witness” to hope in Christ and trust in God for Lent and the universal Church’s Jubilee of Hope 2025.
Bishop Sweeney delivered that message in his homily, serving as main celebrant of a March 30 Mass at Christ the King Church in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township. His visit was part of the parish’s Wednesday Night Lenten Mass Series during Lent.
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Since March 12, Christ the King has had guest priests to celebrate Mass and preach on Wednesdays during the series. Msgr. Raymond Kupke, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne and archivist of the Paterson Diocese, will conclude the series on April 6 during a 6:30 p.m. Mass.
Father Brian Sullivan, Christ the King’s pastor, and Maryknoll Father Joseph Healey concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Sweeney. Deacon Fred Hackl assisted with the liturgy.
In his homily, Bishop Sweeney reminded the congregation, “Mary is given to us by Jesus, her son, to be our companion on the journey, on that pilgrimage,” even in time of suffering.
“In the realities of life, do we see the way of the cross as part of our pilgrimage of hope as pilgrims of hope? Yes, when we stop and think, it leads us to Easter, to the resurrection. But enduring the Way of the Cross with Jesus and with our Blessed Mother reminds us that hope is not just a naïve optimism, but it takes courage and perseverance. Mary can teach that to us,” Bishop Sweeney said. “She’s our example and intercessor to strengthen us when it’s not easy to hope and trust in God.”
This Lent, Christ the King also welcomed the following guest priests for the series: Msgr. John Hart, pastor of Assumption Parish in Morristown and diocesan Clergy Personnel director; Father Jun Vizcara, parochial vicar of St. Therese Parish in the Succasunna neighborhood of Roxbury Township; and Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of St. Gerard Majella and Our Lady of Pompei parishes, both in Paterson.
BEACON PHOTOS | JOE GIGLI
