OCTOBER 23
What a beautiful evening filled with faith, fellowship, and gratitude!
On Thursday, October 23, the Shrine of Saint Joseph—served by the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity—gathered with friends and supporters for our Annual Dinner of Gratitude. The evening began in prayer with a moving Mass in our Chapel and continued with an uplifting celebration and dinner at the Primavera Regency, where hearts were full and spirits renewed.
We are profoundly grateful to all who joined us—to our honorees, sponsors, volunteers, and every person whose love and generosity made this night possible. Your presence is a living witness to God’s goodness. Because of you, the Shrine continues to be a sacred place of peace, healing, and hope—especially for those who are recovering, grieving, or searching for God’s comfort.
Your faith and support make the mission come alive. Together, we keep the light burning brightly at the Shrine, forming new Apostles, nurturing hope, and opening our doors to all who come seeking God’s love.
From the depths of our hearts—thank you for walking with us in gratitude and mission.
We offer special thanks to our sponsors, whose commitment and generosity make this beautiful evening possible.
If you were unable to join us but would like to support the mission of the Shrine of Saint Joseph, please complete the form below.
Your gift helps us continue to be a beacon of faith and hope for all.
Digital Ads
Please submit digital ad artwork (JPG or PNG, 1920x1080 px) by October 1st.
Custom ad design assistance available upon request. If a digital ad is not submitted by October 1st, one will be created for you unless you request to not have one created. Your digital ad sponsorship not only honors our distinguished Honorees but also supports the ongoing mission of the Shrine of Saint Joseph. Thank you for your generosity and being partners in mission with us!
Please select one of the images below for Individual tickets, Table sponsorships, or Program Ads for the Shrine’s Annual Dinner of Gratitude.
HONOREES
Spirit of Fr. Judge Award
The Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson
Bishop Sweeney is a native of Queens, New York; he was born on January 17, 1970, to the late James and Agnes (nee Blewitt) Sweeney. He has a sister, Marie Shanahan, and a brother, Brendan, and five nieces and nephews. Bishop Sweeney grew up in St. Luke’s Parish in Whitestone.
He attended Cathedral Prep from 1984 to 1988 and was an outstanding baseball player for the high school seminary team, excelling as an infielder, outfielder, and pitcher. While his dream of playing professional baseball never panned out, he was inducted into Prep’s Hall of Fame in 2013. After high school graduation, Bishop Sweeney entered Cathedral Seminary House of Formation in Douglaston and studied at St. John’s University, receiving a B.A. in philosophy in 1992. He then entered the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington and received an M.Div. in theology. During his time at the Seminary in Huntington, Kevin spent a pastoral year at St. Agatha’s (Brooklyn).
On June 28, 1997, Bishop Sweeney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn by Bishop Thomas Daily. Bishop Sweeney’s first assignment as parochial vicar was to the parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Jamaica) from 1997 to 2003. He was then assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows (Corona) from 2003-2004.
In 2004, Bishop Sweeney was named by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio as the vocation director. During his time as vocation director, which lasted until 2010, he also served as the first director of the (St.) Pope John Paul II House of Discernment.
In January, 2010, Bishop Sweeney was appointed pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where he served for ten years. Bishop Sweeney is fluent in Spanish, having studied the language extensively in programs in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.
Installed as the eighth bishop of the Church of Paterson on July 1, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, New Jersey, Bishop Sweeney officially became the new shepherd of the 82-year-old Paterson Diocese after Pope Francis appointed him to the position on April 15, 2020.
Missionary Spirit Award
Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B., Headmaster of Delbarton
Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B., is a Benedictine monk of St. Mary’s Abbey and has served as Headmaster of Delbarton School, a Benedictine Catholic institution, since 2017. Deeply committed to the mission of Catholic education, he previously served as Treasurer of St. Mary’s Abbey, overseeing the financial operations of the monastic community.
His vocation blends educational leadership with pastoral care, rooted in the Benedictine tradition of prayer, work, and hospitality. Fr. Michael holds a Doctorate in Private School Administration, a Master’s in Theology from La Salle University, an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a Bachelor’s in European History from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Marie Santana, Spiritual Director & Mission Partner
Marie Santana has been part of the Shrine of Saint Joseph in Stirling, NJ since 1982. A devoted Catholic with a passion for Ignatian spirituality, she is a certified spiritual director and graduate of the An Croí Wisdom Institute in Dublin. Marie completed the Spiritual Exercises (19th Annotation) at Loyola Jesuit Center in Morristown, NJ, where she now leads retreats and spiritual programs in both English and Spanish, including an 8-week format of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
In 2018, she deepened her formation through the Ignatian Immersion Course at the International School of Ignatian Spirituality in Manresa, Spain. Marie also serves on the boards of Trinity Mission Partners, Vocation of Business Leaders, and Ignatian Spirituality and Formation for regional programs
Thank you for your continued support and prayers, please know that you and your family are in our prayers.