St. James the Greater Parish in Montague, N.J., hadn’t experienced anything like it in recent memory, until the morning of July 25. Roughly 150 worshippers packed its small, cinder-block country-style church to standing room only — an unusual sight for this quiet, unassuming rural faith community.
A small, enthusiastic group of faithful from around the Paterson Diocese and nearby New York and Pennsylvania descended on St. James to pray together during the fourth of five local Jubilee pilgrimages, celebrating the Universal Church’s Jubilee of Hope 2025. That day, they also observed the Feast of St. James the Greater.
Father Wayne Varga, pastor of St. James and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Sandyston, N.J., and the Ladies’ Rosary Society led an outdoor rosary procession reflecting on five Jubilee events in the life of Jesus written by Father Varga. Then, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney celebrated a Mass at this northernmost parish in the diocese, nestled in a quiet and scenic corner of northwest Sussex County.
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“It was nice to see everyone enjoying the pilgrimage. Bishop Sweeney was upbeat. We had a full house in the church,” said Father Wayne Varga. “We made our visitors feel welcomed and at home. We’re glad they found us up here.”
St. James was named one of five designated Jubilee sites in the diocese for Catholics to visit and go on pilgrimage this Jubilee year. The small parish has been welcoming a steady stream of pilgrims from near and far.
Pilgrims can receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or their deceased loved ones — a special blessing granted by the Church for this holy year — during local pilgrimages or visits to the designated churches.
The final of the five pilgrimages will take place on Sunday, Aug. 17, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, 22 St. Bernard Road in the Mount Hope neighborhood of Rockaway Township, for the Feast of St. Bernard.
The Aug. 17 pilgrimage will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Hope Pond, located behind the Mount Hope firehouse. Bishop Sweeney will celebrate Mass in St. Bernard Church at 10:30 a.m., followed by a barbecue.
On July 25, Bishop Sweeney served as the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass, concelebrated by several priests, including Father Varga. A lunch provided by the Knights of Columbus followed the liturgy.
Mary Flexer, the religious education coordinator for St. James and St. Thomas, and a parishioner of St. James, helped serve refreshments alongside others.
“It was exciting. The people came from all parts of the diocese to our country church. It helps us realize we are not stand-alone parishes; we are part of something larger,” Flexer said. “It was an honor to be chosen as a Jubilee holy site. Father Wayne put his whole heart and soul into the celebration.”
Previous one-day pilgrimages with Bishop Sweeney were held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, the Shrine of St. Joseph in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township, and St. Luke Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township. These holy sites are available throughout the holy year for visits by the faithful, who can attend their services during the week.
Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, described these local pilgrimages as God-filled “moments” of joy, celebration, and unity.
She has been working with Brian Honsberger, executive director of St. Paul Evangelization Center in Madison, and seven committees to coordinate the diocese’s Jubilee observances.
“It was genius, very Spirit-inspired, of Bishop Sweeney to not only name five Jubilee sites for the diocese but to encourage planning a pilgrimage at each site,” Sister Lee said. “This gives multiple opportunities for the faithful of the diocese to gain so many graces in this Jubilee year. It’s also a true witness that our bishop walks with us each time on pilgrimage.”
