Monsignor Tom McSweeney, MSNBC cable television religion analyst and former director of The Christophers in New York, will be offering "Light One Candle: A Lenten Experience," a five-part public series offered in four areas of the Diocese of Erie from 7 to 7:45 p.m. daily.

One of the areas is Sharon, with Monsignor McSweeney, coordinator for evangelization for the Catholic Diocese of Erie, scheduled to speak in St. Joseph's Church on Thursdays from March 13 through April 10.

He presented "Light One Candle: A Lenten Experience" to standing-room-only crowds at St. John the Baptist Church, Erie, when he served briefly as parochial administrator there in 2001.

Here's the schedule:

   » Tuesdays, St. Joseph Church, Warren

   » Wednesdays, St. Catherine of Siena Church, DuBois

   » Thursdays, St. Joseph Church, Sharon

   » Fridays, St. Jude the Apostle Church, Erie

The topics will be:

   » March 11,12,13, 14 -- "Your Personal Darkness"

   » March 18, 19, 20, 21 -- "Your Inner Light"

   » March 25, 26, 27, 28 -- "Peace of Mind, Peace of Soul"

   » April 1,2,3,4 -- "Minding the Light"

   » April 8, 9, 10, 11 -- "Feeling Good, Doing Better"

For more information, call (814) 723-2090.

Monsignor McSweeney was honored by Pope John Paul II as a "Chaplain of His Holiness" with the title of monsignor in 2002. He directed The Christophers, a nonprofit group based in New York City that spreads the Gospel message of love and service to more than 125 countries through publications, television and radio, from 1996-2000.

His priestly career has been connected to media, communications and the theater.

In the Diocese of Erie, he was diocesan liaison for media relations from 1994-96. Also, he was celebrant and producer of the "TV Mass for Shut-ins" for several years.

From 1971-88 and 1993-96, he was an associate professor of communications at Gannon University, Erie. He was associate professor for communications at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., from 1988-93.

A popular actor, he has appeared in several theater productions at Gannon University and Erie Playhouse.

He was ordained July 3, 1971.