Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, ChC of the Paterson Diocese offered inmates who feel lonely in jail and isolated from society the hope of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, during his visit to the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morristown, NJ where he celebrated a Holy Thursday Mass.

Bishop Sweeney visited the county jail to celebrate the 10 am Mass in one of the facility’s housing pods.  Attending were 27 male inmates, jail administrators, and staff, including Morris County Sherriff James Gannon. As part of the Holy Thursday Mass, the Bishop washed the feet of 5 inmates to symbolize the service and charity of Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve.” In his homily, Bishop Sweeney told the inmates that they are not alone with Jesus. He knew the feeling of loneliness in the Garden of Gethsemene before his arrest. Holy Week ends not with Jesus’ death on Good Friday, but with Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Sweeney were two of the three Order of Malta New Jersey Area Chaplains who serve the jail: Fr. Owen Moran, ChM and Fr. Alex Nevitt, ChD. Another local Chaplain, Fr. Philip-Michael Tangorra, ChD, unfortunately could not attend this Mass. These three Chaplains take turns celebrating weekly Mass in the jail and provide opportunities for confession. Bible study is available for male inmates as well.