Beyond The Beacon

In the summer of 2027, young Catholics will come together for the 18th international World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul, Korea. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will be leading pilgrims from the Diocese of Paterson as well as Metuchen, Trenton, and Bridgeport, Conn. To gear up for this faith journey, the Paterson Diocese is teaming up with Verso Ministries, a Catholic pilgrimage company helping people explore the world and discover what God has in store for them. In this episode, Bishop Sweeney talk...

How can we all create better photos? This week we get to know Joe Gigli, the gifted, long-time photographer for The Beacon and the Diocese of Paterson. Gigli shares how he got into photography, offers insight into how he thinks about creating images, and shares a few tips and tricks. Gigli's interview kicks off a new podcast segment titled The Good News Workshop. This intermittent segment will feature interviews with experts in different areas of communications, so we can be inspired an...

What does it mean to step away from the world and embrace a life of prayer, silence, and community? In this episode, we explore the quiet world of cloistered Carmelite life and the women who choose to dedicate themselves to God within the walls of a monastery. Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson leads the thoughtful conversation about vocation, sacrifice, contemplation, and a way of life that remains largely unseen—but deeply spiritual. The episode is recorded with t...

Father Kamil Kiszka likened serving in Alaska to a priceless two-year retreat, during which he came away more peaceful and balanced. Father Kiszka returns to the podcast to talk about this unique full-time missionary experience in the Land of the Midnight Sun and what might be next for him. The conversation is moved along by Father Kiszka's collection of photographs from Alaska. (Watch the video version of the podcast to see the photographs.) Host Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney reflects on our call ...

Are you discerning the priesthood? Or want to learn more about what seminary life is all about? Four current seminarians for the Diocese of Paterson join the podcast to share their experience inside and outside the classroom. Joining Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish are seminarians Michael Kane, Brian Collins, Eric Hasenbein, and Sean Gallagher. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Office of Vocations as part of Seminarian Media Day and was recorde...