OUR MISSION
Since its dedication in 1954, the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart has opened its doors to Christ and the City of Newark. We are not only the seat of the Archdiocese of Newark, but also home to a vibrant and diverse parish. We exist to abide in the love of the Father, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to foster an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We seek to welcome everyone that walks through our doors to encounter Christ, invite them into a deep, personal relationship with Him, to grow as His disciples, and to serve those who are in need.
THE PILLARS OF OUR MISSION
BELONG · ENCOUNTER · WORSHIP · GROW · SERVE
UNCONDITIONAL BELONGING
We are not made for isolation and loneliness, but for community. At our parish, both our doors and arms are open wide to welcome you. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic with a doctorate in Theology or someone just beginning their relationship with Jesus, we’ve got a pew saved for you. Life is a journey that is not meant to be taken alone, and we’re eager to intentionally connect with you.
TRANSFORMATIVE ENCOUNTER
Every person deserves a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ and an opportunity to be brought into the family of God. While we acknowledge that God can encounter people powerfully at any moment and in any place, it is our desire and responsibility to continually proclaim the Gospel message in a compelling and relevant way, and to invite people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
VIBRANT WORSHIP
Jesus Christ is fully present in the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our faith. We want to provide opportunities for worshiping God both in spirit and in truth — not only through the Mass and through the celebration of the Sacraments, but also in our personal lives in how we pray and live. We want to respond to the Father’s love by recognizing that even the simplest of breaths can be an act of devotion.
EMPOWERING GROWTH
Discipleship is a beautiful journey that will last a lifetime. We wish to provide opportunities to explore our rich faith and to make space to grow in a variety of ways. This means we will provide a platform for parishioners to continue to mature as a disciple through things like Bible Studies, Spirituality programs, and Retreats. We are constantly looking to provide new ways to empower our parishioners to grow in their faith and to be ready to share it with others.
SELFLESS SERVICE
We can only truly find ourselves through the sincere gift of self. This is why we want to help you find where your gifts and passions intersect with the needs of the local church and encourage service in that space. You can help our parish family by joining our Hospitality Team, by Lectoring, or even by supporting other ministries. You can even reach out to our larger community through one of our Outreach Initiatives to provide food to families in need.