About St. Thomas the Apostle · Bloomfield, New Jersey
St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, New Jersey, in the Archdiocese of Newark. Established on January 26, 1939 by Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh, it celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2024 and operates a parish school that has served the community for more than 85 years. The parish is known for its traditional liturgical life — including daily Rosary, Angelus, and a weekly Monday novena — as well as a parish school, religious education program, vibrant music ministry, and a Godly Goods parish gift shop. It is currently pastored by Rev. Lawrence J. Fama and offers weekend Masses in English with livestreamed broadcasts on YouTube.
- Established
- 1939
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Lawrence J. Fama
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Newark
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers a vibrant, multi-generational Catholic community centered on the Eucharist, with daily Mass, a robust music ministry under a DMA-level Director of Liturgical Music, and traditional Marian devotions (Rosary before daily Mass, Angelus after, and a Monday novena) that give shape to the week. Families can enroll children in the parish school (Pre-K through Grade 8) and a Religious Education program, while adults can join ministries ranging from the Godly Goods gift shop and Catholic Community Services outreach to the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary (organized in 1939) and youth ministry. With three permanent deacons, a parochial vicar and priest in residence, livestreamed Masses, and a pastor known for warm preaching, the parish combines the stability of a 1939-founded Brookdale institution with active contemporary outreach.
Mass times at St. Thomas the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 1:00 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
St. Thomas the Apostle was canonically established on January 26, 1939 by the Archbishop of Newark, Thomas Joseph Walsh, in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield. The founding pastor, Father Thomas J. Herron, celebrated the first parish Mass on June 25, 1939, broke ground on August 6, 1939, laid the cornerstone on October 15, 1939, and saw the church formally dedicated by Archbishop Walsh on March 31, 1940. The school opened in September 1940 and the convent was completed in October 1940; Father Herron died in 1946 and his Funeral Mass was held on February 16, 1946. Father Magnier succeeded him, received the Archbishop's written approval to build a new church on December 5, 1955, and dedicated the larger new church on March 26, 1960.
- January 26, 1939 — parish canonically established by Archbishop Thomas Joseph Walsh
- June 25, 1939 — first parish Mass celebrated by Father Thomas J. Herron
- March 31, 1940 — original church dedicated by Archbishop Walsh
- September 1940 — parish school opened
- December 5, 1955 — Archbishop approves new church for Father Magnier
- March 26, 1960 — new church dedicated
- June 1975 — Jose Barrios, assigned to St. Thomas, first Newark Archdiocesan permanent deacon
Liturgy and Music
Liturgical music is a signature ministry at St. Thomas the Apostle. Dr. Patricio Molina, Ph.D., D.M.A., serves as Director of Liturgical Music Ministries, supported by Assistant Liturgical Music Minister Kim Mesiti and Associate Music Minister Jalmari Vanamo. The parish maintains a full choir and offers both a children's Liturgy of the Word (Pre-K through Grade 3) at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass from September through June.
- Director of Liturgical Music Ministries: Dr. Patricio Molina, Ph.D., D.M.A.
- Assistant Liturgical Music Minister: Kim Mesiti
- Associate Music Minister: Jalmari Vanamo
- Liturgy of the Word with Children, Sundays 10:00 AM Mass, September–June
Devotions
The parish maintains a strong traditional Marian devotional life. The Rosary is prayed before each daily Mass, the Angelus is recited after each daily Mass, and a Novena Prayer is offered at the 11:30 AM Mass each Monday. The Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, organized in December 1939 within months of the parish's founding, continues as one of the oldest lay devotional societies in the parish.
- Rosary before daily Mass
- Angelus after daily Mass
- Monday Novena Prayer at 11:30 AM Mass
- Confraternity of the Holy Rosary (since December 1939)
Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Lawrence J. Fama, who joined St. Thomas the Apostle in 2019 after 12 years as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Maywood. Rev. Charles J. Miller serves as Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Lukasz Rokita as Parochial Vicar, and Rev. Charles Pinyan as Priest in Residence. Three permanent deacons — Deacon Thomas J. Coyle (Retired), Deacon Brian J. Murphy, and Deacon Michael Pasquale — assist with parish ministry. The lay staff includes Pastoral Associate Patrice Maher, Director of Religious Education Tracey Hann, Business Manager Carmen Hidalgo, and Administrative Assistant to the Pastor Susan Loizzi Laurenzo.
- Pastor: Rev. Lawrence J. Fama
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Charles J. Miller
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Lukasz Rokita
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Charles Pinyan
- Deacon Thomas J. Coyle (Retired)
- Deacon Brian J. Murphy
- Deacon Michael Pasquale
- Pastoral Associate: Patrice Maher
- Director of Religious Education: Tracey Hann
- Business Manager: Carmen Hidalgo
St. Thomas the Apostle School
St. Thomas the Apostle School has served the parish and surrounding community for more than 85 years, offering a high-quality Catholic education from Pre-K 3 through Grade 8. The school combines rigorous academics with a foundation in the Catholic Christian faith and provides a wide range of extracurricular activities including band, choir, forensics, chess, robotics, drama, student council, NJHS, and sports such as volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, and cheerleading. Afterschool enrichment is offered through KidzToPros, and the school partners with the Michael Aymar Foundation's NASHDO Scholarship for hardship cases. School Principal is Ellen Naughton. The school's website is www.staschoolnj.org; phone (973) 338-8505.
- Pre-K 3 through Grade 8
- Principal: Ellen Naughton
- Clubs: Altar Servers, Choir, Band, Chess, Forensics, Drama, Robotics, Snapology, Social Actions, NJHS, Peer Tutoring, Student Council, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts
- Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Cross Country, Cheerleading
- Afterschool enrichment through KidzToPros
- NASHDO Scholarship partnership with the Michael Aymar Foundation
Religious Education and Youth Ministry
The parish Religious Education program (CCD) supports sacramental preparation for parish children who do not attend St. Thomas the Apostle School. Tracey Hann serves as Director of Religious Education and also as Pastoral Associate for Elementary Catechetics; the program can be reached at (973) 338-7400. Youth ministry is coordinated by Francesca Leite and includes a Jr. Youth Group tied to the parish church.
- Director of Religious Education / Pastoral Associate for Elementary Catechetics: Tracey Hann
- Phone: (973) 338-7400
- Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Francesca Leite
- Jr. Youth Group (STA Church)
Outreach and Social Services
The parish participates in Catholic Community Services (CCS), the social-service arm of the Archdiocese of Newark, providing social-service assistance via 1-(800) CCS-7413 (Fax 596-3735). The parish bulletin also notes collections for local food pantries and Mercy House, reflecting the parish's ongoing commitment to corporal works of mercy.
- Catholic Community Services (1-800-CCS-7413)
- Food pantry collections
- Mercy House support
Godly Goods Parish Gift Shop
The parish operates Godly Goods, an on-site gift shop carrying religious articles, books, and devotional items. It is open Saturdays 4:30–6:00 PM, Sundays 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, and First Fridays after the 11:30 AM Mass, and can be contacted at [email protected].
- Hours: Saturdays 4:30–6:00 PM, Sundays 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, First Fridays after 11:30 AM Mass
- Email: [email protected]
Livestream and Online Presence
St. Thomas the Apostle livestreams its weekend and Holy Day Masses on its YouTube channel; viewers visit the channel and click the 'Live' tab (scroll if needed) to find the current and past livestreams. The parish is also active on Facebook (Saint Thomas the Apostle Church – Bloomfield NJ) and Instagram (@stabloomfieldnj), and publishes a weekly bulletin with up-to-date Mass and event information.
- YouTube: parish channel (click 'Live' tab for current Mass)
- Facebook: Saint Thomas the Apostle Church – Bloomfield NJ
- Instagram: @stabloomfieldnj
- Weekly bulletin posted online with updated Mass times
Visiting and Contact
Parish Center hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9:00 AM–4:30 PM (some sources list through 5:00 PM), Wednesday 10:00 AM–4:30 PM, Friday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (summer 9:00 AM–1:00 PM), and Saturday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM. The parish is located at 60 Byrd Avenue in the Brookdale section of Bloomfield, NJ 07003, in the Archdiocese of Newark. Rectory/Parish Center phone: (973) 338-9190; fax (973) 338-4224. Religious Education: (973) 338-7400. School: (973) 338-8505.
- Address: 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
- Rectory: (973) 338-9190; Fax: (973) 338-4224
- Religious Education: (973) 338-7400
- School: (973) 338-8505 / www.staschoolnj.org
- Parish Center: Mon/Tue/Thu 9am–4:30pm, Wed 10am–4:30pm, Fri 9am–2pm, Sat 9am–1pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas J. Herron1939–1946
Founding pastor; received canonical appointment letter June 17, 1939; celebrated first parish Mass June 25, 1939; oversaw construction of the church-school, opening of the school (Sept 1940), and convent (Oct 1940); died 1946.
- Rev. (Father) Magnierc. 1946–after 1960
Succeeded Father Herron; received Archbishop's written approval on Dec 5, 1955 to build the new church; offered the first Mass in the new church on Feb 21, 1960; presided at the cornerstone laying and formal dedication on March 26, 1960.
- Rev. Charles J. Miller
Now Pastor Emeritus at St. Thomas the Apostle.
- Rev. Lawrence J. Fama2019–present
Current pastor; ordained May 30, 1992; previously at St. Philomena Livingston (1992–1998), St. Mary's Rutherford (1998–1999), St. Helen's Westfield (1999–2007), Our Lady Queen of Peace Maywood (2007–2019).