We Are His Witnesses: A Voyage of Renewal for the Archdiocese of Newark
Imagine that you are an explorer. You have an adventurous spirit and the commission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all.
You are partnering with other like-minded people from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique gifts and skills. Everyone is essential to the success of this endeavor.
What are the necessities you would pack to work together?
A Journey of Pastoral Conversion
In his January 6, 2025, letter announcing We Are His Witnesses, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., asked the faithful to recognize that we are all called to participate in the pastoral conversion process necessary to ensure the future of the Archdiocese of Newark.
He wrote:
“This is not simply another program. It is a journey of renewal—one that asks each of us to discern, with courage, humility, and faith, where God is leading us… Together, we will reflect on three essential questions:
1. Where are we now?
2. Where is God calling us?
3. How will we get there together?
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.”
Our Compass: The Word of God
The Great Commission of Jesus Christ calls all baptized Catholics to be courageous, humble, and faithful witnesses.
Cardinal Tobin offers us the compass for the journey: the Word of God.
“Inspired by the Word of God, this initiative invites us to walk a path of pastoral conversion — a call to follow where God is leading,” he explained.
Our ship is the Church, the Body of Christ — the people of the Archdiocese of Newark. Our guiding star is to follow where God is leading us.
Bishop Michael Saporito has been appointed to lead this pastoral conversion journey. By assembling consultative groups and teams, he ensures that clergy and lay faithful alike have access to information, opportunities for collaboration and feedback, and a stake in shaping the Church of Newark for years to come.
Parishioners, staff, clergy, bishops, and religious have taken an active role in representing our diverse communities, which celebrate Mass in more than 30 languages each weekend.
All of us are called to become the crew on this voyage.
Contemplation, Listening, Discernment
How do we prepare for such a journey?
The Archdiocese began with Spiritual Formation for Key Parish Leaders — preliminary sessions designed to help the faithful strengthen their spiritual muscles for listening to God and one another.
“The Synodal Process is first and foremost a spiritual process. It is not a mechanical data-gathering exercise or a series of meetings and debates. Synodal listening is oriented towards discernment,” participants were reminded.
Workshops offered in English and Spanish, both in-person and via Zoom, invited leaders to practice habits of listening, contemplation, and discernment. The sessions encouraged quiet reflection and nonreactive listening—tools to foster courage, faith, and humility as we move forward together.
Early Steps and Encouraging Feedback
The first formation sessions drew strong participation:
- Sunday, Sept. 14 (Spanish) – approximately 40 attendees
- Monday, Sept. 15 (Zoom) – more than 400 participants
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 (English) – over 100 attendees
- Saturday, Sept. 20 – approximately 80 in attendance
Participants shared their insights:
- “No matter what challenges lie ahead for us and for the Archdiocese, the Lord Jesus will always be with us.”
- “It helped me to see how prayer and discernment, through the Holy Spirit, will help to lead me towards seeing the needs of our future Church.”
- “Just showing that we are not alone in our faith, the faithful individuals are powerful, but as the Body of Christ, with the Holy Spirit leading us, we can truly make a difference.”
Moving Forward Together
The task force pledges to continue developing resources, prayer opportunities, and initiatives to help all people of the Archdiocese navigate the journey ahead.
Like travelers preparing for a voyage of unknown duration, we are invited to form new practices of courage, faith, and humility — trusting that God is guiding every step.
“For my participation in We Are His Witnesses, [the workshop] emphasized the need for nonreactive listening to others,” one participant reflected. “And for my life outside of the initiative, it emphasized the need for quiet reflection as I move throughout the day.”
As the Archdiocese moves forward, we set sail together — following Christ, listening to His Word, and discerning the Church we are called to become.
Featured image: Parish leaders from the Archdiocese of Newark gathered for spiritual formation workshops during the month of September as part of the We Are His Witnesses initiative. (Photos by Archdiocese of Newark)
