Pro-Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Newark
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The Pro-Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Newark is a former (or proto-) cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was the mother church of the Archdiocese of Newark and was the seat of its prelate bishop until the completion of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Clifton Ave. It is located in Newark, New Jersey on the corner of Washington St and Central Ave. It is currently served by Msgr. Neil Mahoney and Deacon Leonides Aponte. Its history can be read on Msgr. Robert Wister's page, [[1]]. Msgr. Wister assists on the weekends, and is a wonderful asset to the parish and the archdiocese of Newark. Also assisting on a regular basis are Frs. Chris Hynes, Chris Anyanwu, and many others who have over the years called St. Patrick's their home. The Liturgy is celebrated on Saturdays at 4pm, Saturdays at 9:15am, and, in Spanish, at 10:30am. During the school year, a students' Mass is celebrated at 7pm in the chapel thanks to the efforts of the Rutgers-NJIT Newman Club.
The building itself is on the national register of historic sites, and has undergone extensive rehabilitation over the past fifteen years following years of declining membership. Several traditions remain, connecting the parish to its history as the "old Cathedral" of Newark, including the 12:15 Ash Wednesday Liturgy with the Archbishop, the 12:15 Sunday Liturgy on Easter in memory of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, the annual Newark Fire Department memorial Mass, and many other archdiocesan and Irish-heritage events. The parish is also the national shrine to Our Lady of Quinche, a manifestation of the Mother of God in Ecuador, and has a strong, flourishing devotion to her from the local, and national, Ecuadorian community.