Parish Name: The Catholic Community of Saints Peter and Paul
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Founded: 1889
Diocese: Archdiocese of Newark
Pastor: Msgr. Robert Meyer
Number of Parishioners: More than 1,000 families
Parish website: www.spphoboken.com
What makes your parish different from other parishes?
Standing across the Hudson River from New York City in Hoboken, New Jersey, Saints Peter and Paul is the chosen place of worship of many young and driven professionals, from lawyers to communication executives and financial managers. What distinguishes our parish is the way we find opportunities to apply our gifts and talents to gospel-inspired endeavors. For instance, our parish helped start and is the main supporter of The Waterfront Project, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit legal clinic that provides free legal services to the poor, elderly, and homeless. We also founded a parish studio which delivers professionally designed bulletins, websites, and communication materials for our ministries and for several parishes, Catholic nonprofit organizations, and campus ministries.
What’s the most distinguishing characteristic of your church building?
The most distinguishing characteristic of our church building is our family chapel. Over the past 10 years, Hoboken has grown from being the go-to place for people in their 20s to a stroller brigade of young families. At Saints Peter and Paul, we started a Family Mass and turned the space under our sanctuary into a family-friendly liturgical space. In the Family Chapel, children can gather around the pastor during the consecration, and the walls are decorated with playful and creative artwork by our Faith Formation classes.
Who is your most interesting parishioner, and what makes them so interesting?
Our parishioners come from so many different backgrounds, that it is impossible to sift through their unique personalities to highlight just one. So many people bring their time, talent, and treasure to the parish in a variety of creative ways and it is those efforts that collectively bring us closer to Jesus Christ.
What’s the most popular event, ministry, or holiday tradition at your parish?
In addition to our annual gala that honors community members dedicated to serving the community, our parish holds an annual Oktoberfest that everyone can enjoy as we partner with the local Catholic Academy to bring a kids’ village with bouncy castles, face painting, and other kid-friendly attractions while adults can enjoy the traditional Oktoberfest fare and drink.
If we asked parishioners what they love most about the parish, what would they say?
Parishioners would say that they love the real-world connection that Saints Peter and Paul brings to the community. We are a welcoming, faithful parish engaged to learn every day what it means to be a Catholic. Through the challenges and triumphs of the week, we find our parishioners where they are in their life, and invite all people to the Lord’s table to celebrate His name!
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Image: Main image courtesy of the Catholic Community of Saints Peter and Paul
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