Meet the new rector of Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of Newark, has appointed Father Matthew Gonzalez as the new rector of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. He takes over the role from Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau, who now serves as the Regional Bishop of Hudson County.

Born on March 24, 1994, Father Gonzalez grew up in a faith-filled home in New Milford, attending nearby St. John the Evangelist Church in Bergenfield. The call to the priesthood first came to him in third grade, but he did not seriously consider the priesthood until he became involved with youth and music ministries as a teen. He pursued various career paths after high school, but nothing felt right—until he entered the seminary at Seton Hall University.

Father Gonzalez earned a B.A. in Catholic theology and an MDiv and M.A. in systematic theology before his ordination on May 28, 2022. He is currently the parochial vicar of St. Bartholomew Church in Scotch Plains, where he has served since his ordination three years ago. At St. Bartholomew’s, he helped strengthen the parish community by expanding its youth ministry, creating a Hispanic committee, and launching a vocations team. Under Fr. Gonzalez’s guidance, the parish has an altar server ministry of 60 servers. He also founded the Sons of Thunder, a group dedicated to educating high school students in living Catholic manhood.

He also established the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass for Spanish speakers, which attracts about 300 people each year. As chaplain of St. Bartholomew Academy, he launched multiple school-focused initiatives, including family faith nights, daily Mass, retreats, and a theology club.

Fr. Gonzalez will take up his new position at the cathedral during the weekend of Nov. 15. He sat down with Jersey Catholic to talk about some of his past experiences at the cathedral and what he expects as he embarks on his new mission as rector.

Jersey Catholic: What is your first memory of entering the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart?

Fr. Gonzalez: My first vivid memory of coming to the cathedral was in high school. I was discerning the priesthood, and a priest at St. Joe’s in Oradell was my spiritual director. He brought me to the annual Chrism Mass with some of his parishioners. I have a vivid memory of entering the cathedral and thinking about the priesthood: Is this really for me or not?

Seeing the seminarians and priests process down the aisle was a very impactful moment for me. All the parishes of the Archdiocese come to the Chrism Mass. I saw then that the cathedral is basically a family of families. The whole Archdiocese is welcomed here as their home. That was just a beautiful experience for me. I hope to carry on that feeling of family and warmth as I move forward into this new role.

Do you have a favorite location in the cathedral or a memory that has stuck with you?

Fr. Gonzalez: One of my favorite locations is the St. John Paul II Chapel, where I gave my first priestly blessings following my ordination. That’s where I blessed my parents and many people I love dearly, so it has a special place in my heart.

There’s also the façade of the cathedral. Years ago, a friend of mine said, “Matt, have you ever noticed that the towers of the cathedral look like they’re angled?” As I contemplated that, it struck me that they’re like two welcoming arms representing the Church inviting people into the cathedral.

You will be entering a new parish community. What are you most looking forward to?

Fr. Gonzalez: I look forward to getting to know the people, listening to their stories, histories, experiences, hopes and dreams. For me, that would be the launching pad into what God desires for the cathedral parish and understanding what people here truly need. My hope is to serve the people with the heart of Christ.

The word that keeps coming to my mind and my heart is encounter. My desire is that the cathedral can be a place of encounter with the Lord and the community where people grow in relationship with God.

Something else that has been deeply pressing on my heart is that the cathedral is considered the mother church of the Archdiocese of Newark. This brings three things to mind: First, a mother models, giving her children an example of how to live. Secondly, she nurtures her children by feeding and forming them. And, finally, she sends them out, right?

If we focus on those three things as a cathedral community, I think we’ll be living out the vocation of the cathedral itself.

I’d add that I’d also like the cathedral to be a mother in terms of vocations, a place where vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and married life are nurtured — as well as a place where people experience a deeper calling, knowing that God has given each of us a purpose and gifts, and that he wants us to use them for His glory and for the salvation of souls.

That’s leads right into my final question. National Vocations Awareness Week begins on Nov. 2. What would you say to young people who feel they might be called to the priesthood or religious life?

Fr. Gonzalez: I would tell young people to not be afraid. Look at the way God has made you. Consider your gifts, consider your desires, consider your motivations, and just know that when you’re using all of those things and living in the way God created you to be and for the purpose that he intended for you, you will be the happiest you could ever be.

I am so happy being a priest. I love being a priest. And so, I would just encourage young people to not be afraid, to listen to their heart, and to take a leap of faith, and to trust that God will have them every step of the way.

Is there anything else you would like to say to the people of the Archdiocese as you embark on this new adventure?

Fr. Gonzalez: I just ask people to pray for me, that I might lead with the heart of Christ, in humility and in love, and that we might do something beautiful for the Lord.