What is happening with Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church?
The Archdiocese of Newark is pleased to announce that Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been established by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, as an oratory and will continue to serve the faithful with a newly appointed priest, who will be the dedicated rector, along with a renewed full schedule of weekday and weekend Mass celebrations.
What is an oratory? Is an oratory the same as a parish?
Not every Catholic church is a parish. It can and often does happen that churches or chapels are located within the boundaries of a parish (see Code of Canon Law 515.1). According to canon law, an oratory is a church, or a physical place of Catholic worship, not established as a parish because of particular circumstances. Small parishes that may be struggling with viability can retain use of the church building through the classification of “oratory.”
The primary reason for establishing the classification of “oratory” is to respect the strong bonds people develop with their faith communities and church buildings. The oratory classification allows the faith community to help discern next steps and the future use of the church in consultation with the rector and the Archdiocese. Determining factors in such discernment include increased Mass attendance, active volunteer participation, active pastoral council membership, increased participation in sacramental life (baptism, first Communion, confirmation, matrimony, and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), and fiscal viability.
Is Our Lady of Mount Carmel still part of St. Teresa of Calcutta?
Yes, the new Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory is entrusted to a rector and is a place for prayer and the celebration of Mass and sacraments, operating fully and within the boundaries of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish.
Is the Our Lady of Mount Carmel building still a church?
Yes, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory remains a church under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Newark.
When will Masses be held?
Masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory will be celebrated on weekdays at 8:30 a.m. (except on Tuesdays), Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m., beginning Labor Day weekend.
What is a rector?
According to Canon 556, a rector is a priest who the archdiocesan bishop entrusts with the care of a cathedral, oratory or other house of worship that is not a parish. Rev. Giandomenico Flora is the new oratory rector, and a special Mass to celebrate his installation will be scheduled for Fall 2022. An announcement will be shared when a date is confirmed.
Can other sacraments be celebrated at an oratory?
Yes, baptisms, first Communion, confirmation/RCIA, weddings, and funerals can be celebrated at an oratory.
Who may attend/participate in services at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory?
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory has been established to minister to those who had previously been parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, but all Catholics are welcome to be part of this faith community.
Have needed repairs to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory been made?
More than $300,000 in necessary repairs and renovations to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory have been completed. In addition, the Archdiocese of Newark is providing two grants: $25,000 to meet renewal or startup needs until offertory and fundraising activities are underway and $30,000 to fund furnishing and equipment needs for the pastoral office.
There have been concerns about the future of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Will it stay open?
For any oratory or parish to maintain its operations, there must be active participation from the faith community, including robust Mass attendance, community engagement and volunteers, and collection of tithes and offerings that sustain the viability of church operations. As the spiritual and operational life of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory continues to develop, the faith community will be apprised.
The Archdiocese of Newark is pleased to announce that Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been established by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, as an oratory and will continue to serve the faithful with a newly appointed priest, who will be the dedicated rector, along with a renewed full schedule of weekday and weekend Mass celebrations.
What is an oratory? Is an oratory the same as a parish?
Not every Catholic church is a parish. It can and often does happen that churches or chapels are located within the boundaries of a parish (see Code of Canon Law 515.1). According to canon law, an oratory is a church, or a physical place of Catholic worship, not established as a parish because of particular circumstances. Small parishes that may be struggling with viability can retain use of the church building through the classification of “oratory.”
The primary reason for establishing the classification of “oratory” is to respect the strong bonds people develop with their faith communities and church buildings. The oratory classification allows the faith community to help discern next steps and the future use of the church in consultation with the rector and the Archdiocese. Determining factors in such discernment include increased Mass attendance, active volunteer participation, active pastoral council membership, increased participation in sacramental life (baptism, first Communion, confirmation, matrimony, and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), and fiscal viability.
Is Our Lady of Mount Carmel still part of St. Teresa of Calcutta?
Yes, the new Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory is entrusted to a rector and is a place for prayer and the celebration of Mass and sacraments, operating fully and within the boundaries of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish.
Is the Our Lady of Mount Carmel building still a church?
Yes, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory remains a church under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Newark.
When will Masses be held?
Masses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory will be celebrated on weekdays at 8:30 a.m. (except on Tuesdays), Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m., beginning Labor Day weekend.
What is a rector?
According to Canon 556, a rector is a priest who the archdiocesan bishop entrusts with the care of a cathedral, oratory or other house of worship that is not a parish. Rev. Giandomenico Flora is the new oratory rector, and a special Mass to celebrate his installation will be scheduled for Fall 2022. An announcement will be shared when a date is confirmed.
Can other sacraments be celebrated at an oratory?
Yes, baptisms, first Communion, confirmation/RCIA, weddings, and funerals can be celebrated at an oratory.
Who may attend/participate in services at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory?
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory has been established to minister to those who had previously been parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, but all Catholics are welcome to be part of this faith community.
Have needed repairs to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory been made?
More than $300,000 in necessary repairs and renovations to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory have been completed. In addition, the Archdiocese of Newark is providing two grants: $25,000 to meet renewal or startup needs until offertory and fundraising activities are underway and $30,000 to fund furnishing and equipment needs for the pastoral office.
There have been concerns about the future of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Will it stay open?
For any oratory or parish to maintain its operations, there must be active participation from the faith community, including robust Mass attendance, community engagement and volunteers, and collection of tithes and offerings that sustain the viability of church operations. As the spiritual and operational life of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory continues to develop, the faith community will be apprised.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory
94 Pine Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
(862) 243-3176
94 Pine Street
Montclair, NJ 07042
(862) 243-3176