WE ARE HIS WITNESSES
A Pastoral Letter to the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Newark
"The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5: 30–32)"
On January 6th, 2025, Cardinal Tobin shared a pastoral letter with the entire community of the Archdiocese of Newark. We have endeavored to help guide you through this rich message below, but encourage you to also read it in full, using the link provided.
We Are His Witnesses
An overview for the parish community
We have pulled key sections from We Are His Witnesses to give you a brief primer, encourage you to read the document in full, and share Cardinal Tobin's call to action to get engaged in this importance process that will unfold over the next 18 months in Jersey City, Hudson County, and beyond.
2014
Pope Francies publishes EVANGELII GAUDIUM
("The Joy of the Gospel") which is a 'visionary reflection" and foundation for We Are His Witnesses
"On November 24, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Francis published Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Many scholars have called this apostolic exhortation the foundational document of the Holy Father’s papacy, now completing its 11th year. Everything Pope Francis has said and done since Evangelii Gaudium was written has developed and carried forward the ideas contained in this visionary reflection addressed to the entire People of God."
2016
Cardinal Tobin appointed Archbishop of Newark
"On November 7, 2016, Pope Francis appointed me Archbishop of Newark. I arrived here in northern New Jersey two months later without any specific agenda or programmatic vision for this Local Church other than what Pope Francis had written in his first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel."
May 1, 2021
"On May 21, 2021, Pope Francis surprised the Church by announcing that the Synod of Bishops, postponed due to the pandemic, will be preceded by a synodal process that includes “listening to all of the baptized” in every local diocese as the bishops, along with laity and religious, gather in 2023 and 2024.​ "
November 24, 2024
For further reading: The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality can be viewed online here
"The term that best describes the journey that we are traveling together now is “synodality.” This term is often misunderstood today, but it is an ancient concept dating back to the earliest days of Christian history. As we read in the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit, who empowered Jesus’ fearful disciples, gathered the leaders of the young Church together in prayer, attentive listening, and dialogue to discern God’s will and to make important decisions about who they were, what they believed, and what God was calling them to be and do as missionary disciples of the risen Lord."
"Pastoral conversion requires nothing more or less than our willingness to be open to what God’s Word is saying to us and to listen to one another. As we travel together as daughters and sons of God the Father and as sisters and brothers in Christ, united in the Holy Spirit, we are challenged to be agents of growth and change in our world."
"What is this “path” of pastoral conversion and missionary discipleship that we are called to follow as the People of God here in northern New Jersey? Jesus tells us that He Himself is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6). ... Have no fear, the Lord tells us. We are to be people of confidence and hope. “See, I am doing something new!” God Himself assures us. “Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the wilderness I make a way, in the wasteland, rivers.” Our job is to open our minds and hearts to whatever new things the Holy Spirit is doing in our midst."
January 6, 2025
We Are His Witnesses, a letter written by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., is published and shared with the entire Archdiocese of Newark Read it in full here
"our archdiocese is embarking on a multi-year initiative aimed at providing a pastoral and missionary response to the evolving circumstances of northern New Jersey. This response will be built on fostering new relationships within our archdiocesan community (synodality), and it will involve establishing or updating structures that can engage every member of the faith community in the Church’s mission (subsidiarity and solidarity)"
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This new pastoral planning process is called We Are His Witnesses and it will address 3 key questions:
1. Where are we today? What are the opportunities and challenges we face in the changing landscape of northern New Jersey? How can we more effectively embrace the concept of synodality as a way of being Church? How can we develop and sustain a bold missionary outreach here in northern New Jersey?
2. Where is God calling us to go? What new opportunities is the Holy Spirit opening for us as we proclaim the joy of the Gospel in the diverse neighborhoods of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties? How can we respond to the growing desire for life-long faith formation and spiritual renewal? How do we develop and sustain a deeper sense of coresponsibility and collaboration among leadership here in our archdiocese?
3. How will we get there together? What changes do we need to make in our pastoral ministries, systems, and structures to meet the demands of pastoral conversion and missionary discipleship, both now and in the years ahead? How can we better use regional structures to encourage collaboration among parishes and promote the concepts of subsidiarity and solidarity? How do we engage in pastoral planning that truly is grounded in our mission?
May 6, 2025
We Are His Witnesses, a letter written by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., is published and shared with the entire Archdiocese of Newark Read it in full here
"our archdiocese is embarking on a multi-year initiative aimed at providing a pastoral and missionary response to the evolving circumstances of northern New Jersey. This response will be built on fostering new relationships within our archdiocesan community (synodality), and it will involve establishing or updating structures that can engage every member of the faith community in the Church’s mission (subsidiarity and solidarity)"
​
This new pastoral planning process is called We Are His Witnesses and it will address 3 key questions:
1. Where are we today? What are the opportunities and challenges we face in the changing landscape of northern New Jersey? How can we more effectively embrace the concept of synodality as a way of being Church? How can we develop and sustain a bold missionary outreach here in northern New Jersey?
2. Where is God calling us to go? What new opportunities is the Holy Spirit opening for us as we proclaim the joy of the Gospel in the diverse neighborhoods of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties? How can we respond to the growing desire for life-long faith formation and spiritual renewal? How do we develop and sustain a deeper sense of coresponsibility and collaboration among leadership here in our archdiocese?
3. How will we get there together? What changes do we need to make in our pastoral ministries, systems, and structures to meet the demands of pastoral conversion and missionary discipleship, both now and in the years ahead? How can we better use regional structures to encourage collaboration among parishes and promote the concepts of subsidiarity and solidarity? How do we engage in pastoral planning that truly is grounded in our mission?
St. Aedan's Church is invited, along with 211 other parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark, to participate in this process with the Archdiocese. Over the coming weeks and months we will share more information about how you can participate at the local level (through St. Aedan's), in collaboration with other Churches in Jersey City, and with the Archdiocese directly.
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If you are interested in being part of a leadership team at the parish level around We Are His Witnesses, please share your interest through our Volunteer Engagement form or contact our Parish Center team at (201) 433-6800 or via email at Office@StAedans.org.