Press Releases/Statements

May 27, 2021

Watch the Ordination to the Priesthood Livestream

Join us via livestream on Saturday, May 29, at 10 a.m. as Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, ordains five men to the Roman Catholic Priesthood for service as priests in the Archdiocese of Newark.

May 25, 2021

Updated COVID-19 Directives

Changes in Mask and Capacity Requirements for Liturgical Gatherings

Please read the latest Archdiocese of Newark COVID-19 directives (linked here) and note the changes in mask requirements as of May 28, 2021 and indoor capacity as of June 4, 2021. With these directives, we want to ensure that we celebrate the liturgy joyfully and safely and move to a new phase in welcoming all back to our parishes. Thank you for all that you are and have been doing during this extraordinary time.

May 24, 2021

Memorial Day Mass Livestream with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Monday, May 31 at 11 a.m.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will celebrate a Mass commemorating Memorial Day within the new Chapel Mausoleum of the Resurrection at St. Gertrude Cemetery and Mausoleum in Colonia, NJ, on Monday, May 31, beginning at 11 a.m. The Mass honors those serving or who have served in the United States Military, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. While Mass attendance is restricted at all archdiocesan cemeteries this Memorial Day due to COVID-19, all are welcome to join via livestream on the Archdiocese of Newark’s YouTube channel or Catholic Cemeteries’ webpage or YouTube channel.

May 21, 2021

'Come, Holy Spirit, bring us joys that never end' - Latest edition of Cardinal Tobin's newsletter available

We long for joy that never ends. As Pope Francis tells us, this joy is available to us if we can step out of our comfort zones and become missionary disciples who give ourselves wholeheartedly to proclaiming the Good News. So, let us pray: Holy Spirit of God, come, pour your dew on our dryness. Melt our frozen hearts...

May 20, 2021

Statement of the New Jersey Bishops Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass

At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society. Therefore, we the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021...

May 19, 2021

Cardinal Joseph Tobin to ordain 5 new priests and 6 new deacons for Archdiocese of Newark

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, will ordain five men to the priesthood during the Rite of Ordination on Saturday, May 29, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Six new deacons will be ordained on Sunday, May 23, at the noon Mass at the Cathedral...

May 4, 2020

Cardinal Tobin’s Pastoral Letter on the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Gospel in the Philippines

It is with joy that I greet the Filipino clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark as they celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel in the Philippines. Together with them, the Archdiocese recalls with gratitude the providential landing of Ferdinand Magellan...

April 30, 2021

'Christ is the vine, we are the branches' - Latest edition of Cardinal Tobin's Rejoice in the Lord newsletter available

In St. John’s Gospel (Jn 15:1-8), Jesus tells us that he is the true vine and his Father is the vine grower. “He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does, he prunes so that it bears more fruit” (Jn 15:2). This is important information because this is no ordinary vineyard...

April 21, 2021

Pope Francis encourages discerners to follow in the footsteps of Saint Joseph in celebration of Annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The 58th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be celebrated by the Catholic Church on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The World Day of Prayer for Vocations unites the faithful in praying for those currently discerning and living out vocations to ordained ministry...

April 16, 2021

'Sorrow into joy': Latest edition of Cardinal Tobin's Rejoice in the Lord newsletter available

All baptized Christians find ourselves on a journey. We walk together in the footsteps of the risen Christ as we travel toward our heavenly home. This sacred pilgrimage is not meant to be a time of drudgery and sorrow. Although it’s true that we are called to follow Jesus on the way of the cross, we should always remember our Lord’s promise to his disciples, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16:20)...