The St. Luke Parish community felt “a spirit of unity” with Catholics from near and far who visited the rural western Morris County church on June 29 for the third of five pilgrimages the Paterson Diocese has been holding to each local designated Jubilee site for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
More than 250 people joined Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney at St. Luke’s to worship and rejoice in the Jubilee year, which the universal Church observes, at a Mass he celebrated in the church on June 29, for the Solemnity of Ss. Peter and Paul. St. Luke’s is nestled in the bucolic Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township.
Under sunny skies, the Jubilee event began with about 80 people participating in a two-mile outdoor pilgrimage from Zion Lutheran Church, also in Washington Township, to St. Luke’s. Bishop Sweeney and the participating pilgrims sang hymns to Mary. They also prayed the rosary, dedicating each decade to a specific intention, including world peace, vocations, teachers, respect for life, and evangelizers.
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“Those who participated in the pilgrimage truly enjoyed the experience, even though it was a significant effort due to the heat and distance. It was close to 90 degrees. We’re grateful to the Washington Township Police Department for keeping us safe,” Father Michael Szwarc, pastor, said.
Father Marcin Michalowski, pastor of Our Lady of the Mountain and St. Mark the Evangelist parishes, both in Washington Township, along with several deacons, a seminarian, and the Knights of Columbus, participated in Mass in the church after the pilgrimage walk.
The event ended with a fellowship meal at St. Luke’s after the Mass, organized by the Long Valley Knights of Columbus, Council 10419.
“The Mass was uplifting, and the fellowship afterward, with hot dogs and hamburgers prepared by the Knights, was delicious. Our parishioners enjoyed conversations with pilgrims from different parts of the diocese. There was a wonderful spirit of unity,” said Father Szwarc
Bishop Sweeney invites the faithful from the Church of Paterson and beyond to join him for one-day pilgrimages that the diocese will hold to the final two Jubilee sites during the Holy Year. The final two are as follows:
- Friday, July 25, the Feast of St. James: St. James the Greater Church, 75 River Rd. (CR 521) in Montague. 9 a.m. pilgrimage; 10 a.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, followed by refreshments.
- Sunday, Aug. 17, the Feast of St. Bernard: St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, 22 St. Bernard Rd., Mount Hope, Rockaway Township. 9:30 a.m. pilgrimage; 10:30 a.m. Mass with Bishop Sweeney, followed by a barbecue.
Pilgrims can also receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or their loved ones — a special blessing the Church grants for this holy year.
Previous one-day pilgrimages with Bishop Sweeney were held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson and the Shrine of St. Joseph in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township. All five holy sites are available throughout the Jubilee year for visits by the faithful, who can attend services during the week, such as those held at St. Luke’s.
“Many parishioners are proud that St. Luke’s has become a special pilgrimage church where people can visit throughout the year to receive indulgences and special blessings from God,” Father Szwarc said.
Because the final two holy sites will provide food for their pilgrimages, please register here.
