Diocesan Shrine of Saint John Paul II

A movement in religious education started to take root last year in several parishes of the Diocese with the new Family Faith Formation Program, developed by a local parish religious education director, that helps entire families center their lives around their faith and the summit of our faith: the Mass. Endorsed by Bishop Serratelli, the initiative encourages parents and children to attend Mass together; learn more about their faith, both together and in age-appropriate settings; and share their faith with each other.

Bishop Serratelli presided at the Diocese’s annual Priests Jubilee Mass on June 4 in St. Patrick Church in Chatham to celebrate the significant ordination anniversaries — 25, 40, 50 and 60 years — that 16 priests, who serve or have served the Church of Paterson, are celebrating this year. During the well-attended liturgy, the Bishop thanked almighty God for the gift of the jubilarians’ priesthoods.

Bishop Serratelli made a pastoral visit to St. James of the Marches Church in Totowa June 9 where he celebrated Mass for the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is the feast of the universal Church which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ on the ancient Jewish festival date called the “feast of weeks” or Pentecost. Pentecost is sometimes referred to as the birthday of the Church. During the Mass, the Bishop also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to young people of the parish.