About Our Lady of Libera (Holy Redeemer Parish) · West New York, New Jersey
Our Lady of Libera (Madonna della Libera) is one of four historic Catholic worship sites that today make up Holy Redeemer Parish in West New York, New Jersey, a merged parish of the Archdiocese of Newark. Located at 5808 Kennedy Boulevard, the church was opened in 1937 to serve the Italian immigrant community of the area and continues to host a robust schedule of Spanish-language Masses. The parish now unites Our Lady of Libera, Our Lady Help of Christians (St. Mary's), St. John Nepomucene in Guttenberg, and serves a richly multilingual Catholic community worshipping in English, Spanish, and Croatian.
- Established
- 1937
- Patron
- Our Lady of Libera (Madonna della Libera) — venerated under this title connected to the devotion to the Virgin Mary as 'the Free One' / Liberator, shared with the historic shrine of Santa Maria della Libera in Rodi Garganico, Italy, from which early 20th-century Italian immigrants in Hudson County brought the devotion.
- Rector
- V. Rev. Carlo B. Fortunio
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Newark
Why belong here
Holy Redeemer Parish is a uniquely multilingual Catholic community in the heart of West New York that welcomes English, Spanish, and Croatian-speaking worshippers across its three worship sites. With daily Mass streamed live, weekly Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday at St. Mary's, active youth ministry, faith formation (catechesis) for youth and adults, and a vibrant sacramental life including baptisms, marriages, and First Communion preparation, the parish offers a strong Catholic home for families on the Hudson County waterfront. The parish's devotion to Our Lady of Libera, rooted in early Italian immigrant piety, gives it a distinctive identity within the Archdiocese of Newark.
Mass times at Our Lady of Libera (Holy Redeemer Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Fridays 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM at St. Mary's
- Saturdays 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Our Lady of Libera
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday from 3:00 PM until 6:45 PM at St. Mary's (Adoración del SS. Sacramento — Todos los Jueves de 3:00 PM hasta 6:45 PM, Sta. María)
Parish Overview & Identity
Holy Redeemer Parish is a merged Catholic community in West New York and Guttenberg, New Jersey, in the Archdiocese of Newark. It operates across three active worship sites: Our Lady of Libera (5808 Kennedy Blvd., West New York), Our Lady Help of Christians / St. Mary's (6502 Jackson St., West New York), and St. John Nepomucene (7001 Polk Street, Guttenberg). The parish offices are located at 569 65th Street, West New York. The parish's identity is rooted in three immigrant Catholic traditions — Italian (Our Lady of Libera), Croatian (St. John Nepomucene), and a now-dominant Spanish-speaking community — and it serves them in English, Spanish, and Croatian.
History of Our Lady of Libera (Madonna della Libera)
The Italian Catholic congregation that became Our Lady of Libera was organized by 1902, with parish registers of baptisms and marriages dating from 1902–1917. The current church building at 5808 Kennedy Boulevard was opened in 1937 and is built in the Romanesque Revival style to a design by the architectural firm Ricker and Axt. The name 'Madonna della Libera' comes from the historic Italian Marian devotion venerated at the shrine in Rodi Garganico, Puglia, and brought to Hudson County by Italian immigrants from that region. A Knights of Columbus council named for the parish (Council 3630, Madonna Della Libera Council) has been affiliated with the parish since 1940.
- Parish registers begin: 1902
- Current church opened: 1937
- Architectural style: Romanesque Revival
- Architects: Ricker and Axt
- Knights of Columbus Council 3630 affiliated since 1940
The 2005 Parish Merger
In July 2005, the Archdiocese of Newark merged Our Lady Help of Christians (West New York) and St. John Nepomucene (Guttenberg) to form a new parish named Holy Redeemer Parish, initially with two worship sites and parish offices in West New York. Rev. Carlo Fortunio, then pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians, was named the founding pastor. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. later granted Fr. Fortunio an extension of his pastorate (announced 2017), and he continues to lead the parish. Today Holy Redeemer Parish functions as a single canonical parish with three worship sites and a multilingual parish life.
- Merger effective: July 2005
- Founding pastor: Rev. Carlo Fortunio
- Archdiocese of Newark, under Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Live Streaming
The parish streams daily Mass live online, in English (Monday–Friday at 8:00 AM) and in Spanish (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00 PM). A 24/7 live stream channel is also available on the parish website, labeled 'Live Stream 24/7 – Transmisión en Vivo 24/7'.
- English live stream: Mon–Fri at 8:00 AM
- Spanish live stream: Lun.–Mié.–Vie. a 7:00 PM
- 24/7 online chapel stream
Faith Formation & Catechesis
The parish runs faith formation (catechesis) programs for both youth and adults. According to the parish bulletin, Catechesis for Youth and Adult was scheduled to begin on March 22 (announcement carried in parish bulletin). Baptism preparation classes meet the first two Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM in the lower-level school hall. The parish bulletin also invites families to enroll in ongoing faith formation in preparation for sacraments.
- Youth & adult catechesis announced to start March 22
- Baptism classes: 1st and 2nd Tuesdays of the month, 7:00 PM
- Classes held in the lower level of the school
Youth Ministry
The parish hosts an active Youth Group that meets on Thursdays (Jueves) from 3:00 PM to 6:45 PM at St. Mary's. The Youth Group gathers teens for faith formation, fellowship, service, and liturgical celebration, helping young people grow in Catholic identity and community life.
- Youth Group meets Thursdays 3:00–6:45 PM at St. Mary's
Sacraments: Baptism & Marriage
Baptisms are celebrated on Saturday or Sunday at the parish churches. Parents register in person at the Padre Pio Parish Center (569 65th St., West New York) on Mondays between 5:45 PM and 6:45 PM, at least two months in advance. Required baptism classes are held the first two Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM in the hall in the lower level of the school. For marriage, couples must enroll at the Padre Pio Center at least one year in advance, must be registered parishioners for at least six months, and must regularly attend Mass in one of the parish churches.
- Baptism registration: Mondays 5:45–6:45 PM at Padre Pio Center, two months in advance
- Marriage registration: at least one year in advance at Padre Pio Center
- Parish registration requirement: minimum 6 months
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a team of clergy and lay staff. The pastor is Very Rev. Carlo B. Fortunio (also styled 'V. Revd. Carlo B. Fortunio'). He is assisted by Fr. Melvin X. Oseguera (Parochial Vicar), Fr. Giordano Belanich (Weekend Assistant), Fr. Angelo Pochetti (In Residence), and Deacon Jesús Aristy. The parish business manager is Edward Mendoza, the music minister is Angie Rotella-Suarez, and the parish trustees are Philip Dispenza and Mario Gallo. The pastor's direct line is 201-868-9444 extension 13.
- Pastor: V. Rev. Carlo B. Fortunio (ext. 13)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Melvin X. Oseguera
- Weekend Assistant: Fr. Giordano Belanich
- In Residence: Fr. Angelo Pochetti
- Deacon: Jesús Aristy
- Business Manager: Edward Mendoza
- Music Minister: Angie Rotella-Suarez
- Trustees: Philip Dispenza, Mario Gallo
Office Hours & Contact
Parish offices (569 65th Street, West New York, NJ 07093) are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with additional hours from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM by appointment only (Lunes a Viernes 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM solamente por cita). The main parish phone number is 201-868-9444.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- After-hours: 3:00–9:00 PM by appointment
- Phone: 201-868-9444
Archdiocese & Annual Appeal
Holy Redeemer Parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Newark, whose archbishop at the time of the founding pastor's extension was Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. The parish participates in the Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Newark, which supports diocesan ministries and charitable works across northern New Jersey.
- Archdiocese of Newark
- Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Newark
Our Three Worship Sites
Across the parish there are three active worship sites in West New York and Guttenberg. The site Our Lady of Libera, at 5808 Kennedy Boulevard, is the parish's Spanish-language hub for weekday Masses (9:00 AM daily) and weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil 6:00 PM Spanish; Sunday 10:00 AM English and 12:00 PM Spanish). It is also the Saturday confession site (1:00–2:00 PM).
- Our Lady of Libera — 5808 Kennedy Blvd., West New York, NJ 07093
- Our Lady Help of Christians / St. Mary's — 6502 Jackson St., West New York, NJ 07093
- St. John Nepomucene — 7001 Polk St., Guttenberg, NJ 07093
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Carlo Fortunio2005–present (extension granted through June 30, 2023, and still serving)
Named founding pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish when Our Lady Help of Christians and St. John Nepomucene merged in July 2005; previously pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians.