Archdiocese embarks on new missionary journey: We Are His Witnesses

As worshippers from the Archdiocese of Newark gathered to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit initiated the Church’s mission in the world, they also learned more about a new, hope-filled missionary endeavor, We Are His Witnesses, that launched this weekend.

In his introductory video message, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, invited the people of the Archdiocese to participate in a journey inspired by Pope Francis’s Evangelii Gaudium.

“When I arrived in Newark,” Cardinal Tobin said, “I came with no detailed plan of my own — only Pope Francis’ vision: that Jesus calls all of us to become missionary disciples, walking the path of pastoral conversion.”

He noted that despite the many trials it had endured in recent years, he saw “an Archdiocese alive with hope — because I believe the Holy Spirit is doing something new among us.”

According to the cardinal, declines in parish membership, Mass attendance, and sacramental participation, along with a decreasing number of priests, present serious challenges. However, the growing population offered a fertile ground for evangelization. “The Church’s mission is not in decline,” he insisted. “But the circumstances in which we carry out the mission have changed.”

We Are His Witnesses is the Archdiocese’s response to “a new apostolic age” in which faith is no longer a dominant cultural influence, but where people still thirst for meaning in their lives.

Introducing “We Are His Witnesses”

As an initial step in this new missionary endeavor, the Archdiocese of Newark will enter a period of reflection and discernment involving all the faithful in the coming months.

The initiative will focus on three areas of mission:

Evangelization and outreach: How can we share in the Gospel more broadly?

Pastoral care: How can we better support our parish communities?

Sustainability: How can we strengthen our parishes for the future?

“This process calls for an honest evaluation of current practices and structures,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Some ministries will be renewed; some parish alignments may change. Over time, mergers and closures will be necessary. These conversations and decisions will not always be easy, but as members of one body – the Church – we will support one another throughout this journey.”

Members of the Archdiocese are also invited to consider three central questions meant to help enrich their discussions in the coming year:

1. Where are we now?
2. Where is God calling us?
3. How will we get there together?

Cardinal Tobin has asked Bishop Michael Saporito and an Archdiocesan Planning Commission to lead the process, along with leaders from all four counties of the Archdiocese of Newark.

“But this journey belongs to all of us,” the cardinal emphasized in his video message. He assured the faithful that leaders would “continue listening in the months ahead” and invited everyone “to be part of this journey.”

Visit the We Are His Witnesses website to view the Cardinal’s video message and find more information about the initiative.