What was it like to be friends with possible future saint Archbishop Fulton Sheen? For this episode, we hear from Lo Anne Mayer, formerly of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham Township, N.J., of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J.

Mayer struck up a friendship with the beloved, world-renowned Catholic radio and TV evangelist in 1974 after hearing him speak at Christ the King Church in the New Vernon neighborhood of Harding Township, N.J.

The two would speak a couple of times a week over the phone until he died in 1979. Archbishop Sheen sought out her views on particular topics to help make his talks more relevant to his audience.

Sheen baptized Lo Anne and her husband Raymond’s youngest child, Michael, at Corpus Christi in 1975.

She joins Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., and co-host Communications Director Jai Agnish to recount the stories of her close friendship with Archbishop Sheen. We also discuss some of Archbishop Sheen's other ties to the Diocese of Paterson.

Lo Anne, 85, now living in Manchester, N.J., heard the news on March 25 that Archbishop Sheen — now Venerable Fulton J. Sheen — is getting a step closer to sainthood. With joy, she plans to attend with her family the Mass of his beatification, where he will be designated as “blessed.” This will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Show Notes:
"Beatification candidate Fulton Sheen forged strong ties in Paterson"
"Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, frequent visitor to Diocese, to be beatified"
Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation
Learn about Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, S.C.

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

Produced by Jai Agnish, Michael Wojcik, and Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney for the Diocese of Paterson. Engineered, 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.