New Vocations Director Named

The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, has named Rev. Matthew R. Dooley as Associate Director of the Archdiocesan Vocations Office effective April 15, a role in which he will serve until July 1, when he will assume the post of Director of Vocations.   Father Dooley currently serves as Vicar for Family Life Ministries of the Archdiocese.

Rev. James N. Chern, who has served as both Director of Vocations and part-time Chaplain of the Newman Catholic Center at Montclair State University since 2013, will assume full-time duties as Chaplain to the Newman Apostolate at Montclair State as of July 1. 

In the coming weeks, the two priests will coordinate activities to maintain successful efforts already underway to encourage men to consider accepting the Call to Diocesan Priesthood.

In commenting on the appointments, Archbishop Myers stated: “We have always been extremely fortunate to have many young men willing to embrace the life and ministry of Diocesan Priesthood. We also have been fortunate to have good priests to help these young men discern that, indeed, the Lord is calling them to Priestly service. I am thankful that Father Dooley has agreed to serve this local Church at this time as both role model and guide to potential candidates.

“At the same time,” he continued, “I want to thank Father Chern for the impact he has had on the Office of Vocations. His energy, his experience with ministering to college students, and his use of technology and media have allowed the Archdiocese to broaden our opportunities to present and discuss with candidates what it means to be a Priest. I know he will continue to minister to the young men and women of the Montclair Newman Center with the same enthusiasm and joy.”

Father Dooley, ordained in 2009, has served in parish and campus ministry, in addition to serving as Vicar for the Office of Family Life Ministries. He currently also serves as a member of the Priest Personnel Policy Board of the Archdiocese.

Men interested in discerning whether Our Lord is calling them to ministry as an Archdiocesan Priest can visit the Office of Vocations website at http://www.newpriestnj.com for information, or call 973-313-6190 or email newpriestnj@gmail.com to start the conversation.