Beyond The Beacon

Apr 18 2024 1
Beyond The Beacon Podcast artwork

Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., as they discuss current events and topics relevant to the local Church in Paterson and the global Catholic Church. Bishop Sweeney answers questions from listeners, interviews guests, and shares reflections and insights helpful for all striving to live a life of faith, hope, and love.

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51: Bishop Kevin responds to new email and social media comments

Apr 18 2024 51 mins  
What is the right age for confirmation? Why was my priest assigned to a different parish? Should parish pastoral councils be mandatory? Is it OK to wash the feet of people in jail? Bishop Kevin Sweeney responds to these questions, critiques, and more in an episode dedicated entirely to feedback from our viewers, listeners, and social media community. Jai Agnish and Cecile Pagliarul

50: The beautiful gift of faith-filled friendships

Apr 12 2024 52 mins  
What role does faith play when building friendships? This week on Beyond the Beacon’s 50th episode, a group of students, along with Colette Geraghty, campus minister, from Villa Walsh Academy (VWA) in Morristown, join Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss how faith can influence our choice in friends. The students, a mix of sophomores and seniors from VWA, serv

49: Now we journey with Jesus during Holy Week

Mar 27 2024 33 mins  
The Easter Season is an opportunity to renew our baptismal promises and recommit ourselves to Christ. For episode 49 of Beyond The Beacon, Bishop Kevin Sweeney reflects on the significance of Holy Week. Learn what it's like to experience Holy Week from the perspective of a bishop. As a bonus, discover what Bishop Kevin's favorite Holy Week Mass or service is. Thanks for j

48: Sisterhood ministry brings love and hope to women after miscarriage

Mar 21 2024 43 mins  
What does “I am 1 in 4” mean? There’s a population of women who know exactly what this means firsthand. It means they lost a child through miscarriage. On Episode 48 of Beyond the Beacon, Jennifer Nelson joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss the Sisterhood of the Traveling Relics of St. Gianna, a prayer card ministry bonded by St. Gianna Beretta Molla

47: A beautiful faith breakthrough for a teen and his dad

Mar 14 2024 43 mins  
What's the secret to passing on the faith? A father and teenage son explore the nuances of this question and more with Bishop Kevin Sweeney and co-host Jai Agnish for episode 47 of Beyond The Beacon. Dennis Dalelio and his oldest son, Eli, -- close friends of Agnish's -- strive to live a life of faith, hope, and love in Vernon, N.J., where they live and are active in cate

46: How church history inspires our faith now

Mar 07 2024 41 mins  
How can history inspire our faith? Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish visit Our Lady of the Magnificat in Kinnelon, N.J., for a remote podcast episode. On display in the church narthex is a giant museum-quality photo exhibition of the Shroud of Turin. Tune in to the video version of this episode for the full impact! This week's guest, Father Steven Shadwell, elaborates on how

45: New synod listening sessions welcome everyone to the conversation!

Feb 28 2024 41 mins  
How do you have a "spiritual conversation?" Father Paul Manning and Maria Moncaleano join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Jai Agnish to discuss the interim phase of the Synod on Synodality and new listening sessions. All are welcome to listening sessions hosted by the Diocese of Paterson in English or Spanish on Wednesday, March 13, at Reverend Brown Memorial School in Sparta, f

44: Confession. What's the big deal? Do I really need to go?

Feb 23 2024 49 mins  
Lent -- and any time, really -- is an opportunity for us to consider the sacrament of reconciliation. Not only does penance free us from our sins, but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. All are invited to celebrate the gift of forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) at any church in the Diocese

43: Love beyond words. What a Christian marriage really looks like

Feb 15 2024 50 mins  
Have you ever asked: How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better wife? We attempt to answer those questions and more. This week's guests are Brian and Eniola (Eni) Honsberger, a loving Catholic couple celebrating 15 years of marriage in April. In honor of the season of love (Valentine's Day, National Marriage Week, World Marriage Day), they join Bishop Kevin Swee

42: The Eucharist's impact on the spiritual life of young adults

Feb 08 2024 46 mins  
We welcome back Cecile Pagliarulo to discuss the Eucharist's impact on the spiritual life of young adults. Bishop Kevin Sweeney also announces a video contest for two trips to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer. Cecile, who manages social media for the Diocese of Paterson, reveals the contest rules while reflecting on her experience of Eucharistic ad