Decree Officially Closing St. Andrew's Church

Fr. Philip Sanders • May 23, 2025

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This is to provide an update on the closing of St. Andrew’s Church as a worship site.  

Prior to Easter the Archdiocese received a letter from the Dicastery for Clergy in Rome noting that St. Andrew’s Church should be reopened because a canonical decree is required by Church law to officially close a church.   Note that the Church has been closed de facto since our closing Mass on September 22, 2024, due to substantial maintenance issues.

This week, Cardinal Tobin issued the decree officially closing St. Andrew’s Church, ending its status as a site for sacred worship.  The decree requires the removal of sacred objects such as the altar which occurred earlier this week.  Parishioners may see the decree here .

Remember that these steps were taken after thorough consultation with parish leadership and following a comprehensive assessment of the pastoral and financial sustainability of the Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich Parish.    It is understandable how difficult and necessary these steps are.  We pray for continued healing and growth in our parish community.  May our experience of Christ in the Eucharist make our parish family a beacon of His light and love.   Thank you.

Este comunicado les informa sobre el cierre de la Iglesia de San Andrés como lugar de culto.

Antes de la Pascua, la Arquidiócesis de Newark recibió una carta del Dicasterio para el Clero en Roma indicando que la Iglesia de San Andrés debía reabrirse, ya que la ley eclesiástica requiere un decreto canónico para su cierre oficial. Cabe destacar que la Iglesia ha permanecido cerrada de facto desde nuestra Misa de clausura el 22 de septiembre de 2024, debido a importantes problemas de mantenimiento.

Esta semana, el Cardenal Tobin emitió el decreto que clausura oficialmente la Iglesia de San Andrés, poniendo fin a su condición de lugar de culto sagrado. El decreto exige la retirada de objetos sagrados, como el altar, lo cual ocurrió a principios de esta semana. Los feligreses pueden consultar el decreto, que está publicado aqui .

Recuerden que estas medidas se tomaron tras una consulta exhaustiva con los líderes parroquiales y tras una evaluación exhaustiva de la sostenibilidad pastoral y financiera de la Parroquia de la Beata Miriam Teresa Demjanovich. Es comprensible lo difícil y necesario que son estas medidas. Oramos por la sanación y el crecimiento continuo de nuestra comunidad parroquial. Que nuestra experiencia de Cristo en la Eucaristía haga de nuestra familia parroquial un faro de Su luz y amor. Gracias.

We Are His Witnesses - Somos Sus Testigos

By Fr. Philip Sanders • April 26, 2025

Final Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Andrew

By Fr. Philip Sanders • September 12, 2024
On Sunday, September 22, at 3 pm, Cardinal Tobin, Bishop Studerus, priests and Sisters of St. Joseph who have served St. Andrew community over the years will join us for a final Mass of Thanksgiving for the many graces we have received at St. Andrew.  Please join us.

Jersey Catholic on the Closure of St. Andrew's Church

By Fr. Philip Sanders • July 18, 2024
Read Here

Statement of the Archdiocese of Newark on St. Andrew’s Church in Bayonne/Declaración de la Arquidiócesis de Newark sobre la Iglesia de San Andrés en Bayonne

By Fr. Philip Sanders • July 14, 2024
The Public Statment of the Archdiocese regarding St. Andrew's Church. La Declaration Publica de la Arquidiócesis sobre la Iglesia de San Andrés. Statement/Declaracion

RCAN Statement regarding BMT Parish/RCAN Declaración sobre la Parroquia de la BMT

By Fr. Philip Sanders • March 19, 2024
In ENGLISH En ESPANOL

Parish Updates

By Fr. Philip Sanders • February 23, 2024
St. Andrew's Church building St. Andrew's Church has been temporarily closed since January 2024 due to heating and furnace repair challenges. This continues to be addressed. Estimates for related repair work are expected soon, which will help to steer decisions on next steps. Bishop Gregory Studerus, the Vicar for Hudson County, and the Archdiocese of Newark's leadership are aware of the status of the building's condition. A parish Steering Committee, composed of the Finance Council, Parish Council and At-Large members is reviewing facts, estimates and financials to determine next steps. Donations Financial donations made to either St. Mary's Church or St. Andrew's Church continue to support and sustain the two churches' combined entity known as the parish of Bl. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich. This has been the case for the past 8 years. Parish Council Bl. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich's Parish Council is aware of the current status of St. Andrew's Church building and is addressing concerns at its next council meeting in late February 2024. Concerned Parishioner Calls and Emails Bl. Miriam Teresa Demjanovich Parish and the Archdiocese of Newark remain committed to serving the people of this parish community while exploring how we may continue our mission with current resources. We are grateful for the parish community's patience and understanding during this time. We recognize there are many parishioners who continue to have questions or concerns about the condition of the church building(s). To help facilitate questions, please email questions or concerns to questions@bmtparish.org. Emails will be reviewed and concerns will be addressed as updates become available. Please continue to visit this website for updates and information.