This October, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will lead a Marian pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. On this episode, Bishop Sweeney and co-host Jai Agnish are joined by Father Michael Rodak, diocesan pilgrimage director and pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Hardyston, to discuss this triennial event hosted by the Diocese of Paterson. In this episode, Father Rodak also interviews Bobby Duke, curator of the Museum of the Bible, a visit offered for the two-day trip option.

Participants can choose a one-day pilgrimage to the basilica on Saturday, Oct. 17, featuring a catechesis on prayer in English and Spanish, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Mass with Bishop Sweeney and concelebrating priests, and an opportunity to receive reconciliation. Pilgrims can also choose a two-day trip from Friday, Oct. 16, to Saturday, Oct. 17, which includes a visit to the Museum of the Bible and a banquet dinner with Bishop Sweeney on Oct. 16 before visiting the basilica the next day for the pilgrimage.

Show notes:
https://rcdop.org/marian-pilgrimage-2026
https://beaconnj.org/will-you-join-us-on-our-diocesan-pilgrimage-to-the-basilica-of-the-national-shrine-of-the-immaculate-conception/
https://beaconnj.org/get-spiritually-charged-joining-bishops-october-pilgrimage-in-d-c/
https://www.museumofthebible.org

Email questions and podcast topic ideas to Bishop Kevin at beyond@patersondiocese.org.

Produced by Jai Agnish, Father Michael Rodak, and Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for the Diocese of Paterson. Engineered by Cecile Pagliarulo and Jai Agnish. Edited and theme song by Jai Agnish. Illustrations by Dennis Dalelio.

Beyond The Beacon on Instagram and Facebook. Bishop Kevin on Instagram. The Diocese of Paterson on Instagram, Facebook (English) / Facebook (Spanish).

Every three years, each Diocese in the USA has the graced opportunity to make a scheduled pilgrimage as one Diocesan family with their Bishop to the National Shrine in the nation's capital. 2026 is once again "our year!" Please note the two-day and one-day options: Oct. 16, Friday, and Oct. 17, Saturday. Visit the Diocese of Paterson website here to learn more!

On Coffee with Kupke, we have a cup of coffee and sit down with diocesan archivist, Monsignor Raymond Kupke Ph.D., to delve into the history of Catholicism in the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. Hosted by Father Paul Manning and Msgr. Kupke. Listen to Coffee with Kupke wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on the St. Paul Inside the Walls YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@stpaulinsidethewalls.

The Paul Street Journal is all about Catholic Economics. From discussing the economic principles in scripture, to answering economic questions, this show will help you make economic decisions with the heart of the Church. Hosts: Freddy Garcia and Brian Honsberger. Available wherever you get podcasts, or watch on St. Paul Inside the Walls YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@stpaulinsidethewalls.