About The Parish of the Holy Cross/St. Teresa of Avila Church/ · Bridgeton, New Jersey
The Parish of the Holy Cross is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in the Diocese of Camden. It was formed in October 2010 through the merger of five historic Bridgeton-area churches: Immaculate Conception, St. Mary, St. Michael, St. Anthony, and St. Teresa of Avila. Today the parish operates across five worship sites serving Bridgeton, Cedarville, and Port Norris, with St. Teresa of Avila Church on Central Avenue also housing the main parish office. The parish is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, three deacons, and the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary (M.D.P.V.M.) religious sisters, and runs religious education, sacramental preparation, food-pantry outreach, and other ministries rooted in Cumberland County.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- St. Teresa of Avila (patron of the original parish, now a member church of the Parish of the Holy Cross)
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew R. Weber (since 2016; last day June 30, 2026 — to be succeeded as administrator by Rev. Schned Bruno on July 1, 2026)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Camden
Why belong here
Parishioners of the Holy Cross are welcomed into a genuinely bilingual, five-church Catholic family that spans Bridgeton, Cedarville, and Port Norris, with Mass celebrated in both English and Spanish almost every day of the week. The parish feeds the hungry through the Pope Francis Food Pantry, the 'God's Giving Hands' food giveaway, and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, shelters the homeless through Code Blue in winter, and forms young Catholics through the PREP religious education program and Bishop Schad Regional School. With daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration at multiple sites, regular Confession times, and a full sacramental life for First Communion, Confirmation, and adult initiation (OCIA), it is a parish that lives its faith across a broad slice of Cumberland County.
Mass times at The Parish of the Holy Cross/St. Teresa of Avila Church/
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- St. Teresa of Avila (46 Central Ave.): Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass, or by appointment (from approximately 11:45 AM)
- Immaculate Conception (312 N. Pearl St.): Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass, or by appointment
- Immaculate Conception: Sunday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM, or by appointment
- St. Mary (732 Morton Ave.): Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM, or by appointment
- St. Michael (363 Main St., Cedarville) and St. Anthony (1560A Main St., Port Norris): by appointment and before Sunday Mass
- After-hours sacramental emergencies: (856) 301-0109
Adoration times
- Immaculate Conception, Bridgeton — Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- St. Mary, Bridgeton — Wednesday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- St. Michael, Cedarville — Wednesday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Parish of the Holy Cross
The Parish of the Holy Cross is a multi-site Roman Catholic parish in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in the Diocese of Camden. It was formed in October 2010 by merging Immaculate Conception, St. Mary's, St. Michael's, St. Anthony's, and St. Teresa of Avila into a single parish under Father Ariel Hernandez, who became its first pastor. The parish serves the greater Bridgeton area — including the communities of Cedarville and Port Norris — and worships at five historic churches.
- Immaculate Conception — 312 N. Pearl St., Bridgeton (the original Bridgeton parish, with Catholic roots to 1864)
- St. Teresa of Avila — 46 Central Ave., Bridgeton (founded 1961; now houses the main parish office)
- St. Mary — 732 Morton Ave., Bridgeton
- St. Michael — 363 Main St., Cedarville
- St. Anthony — 1560A Main St., Port Norris
- Pastor: Rev. Matthew R. Weber (2016 – June 30, 2026)
- Administrator-designate: Rev. Schned Bruno (effective July 1, 2026)
St. Teresa of Avila Church
St. Teresa of Avila is the second-oldest Catholic community in Bridgeton and the physical heart of today's Parish of the Holy Cross. The parish was canonically erected on June 10, 1961, when Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano appointed Father Romeo Vernocchi its first pastor. The first Mass was celebrated in the Bridgeton High School auditorium on August 14, 1961, and the church was dedicated on May 5, 1963. The parish celebrated a 'Day of Jubilation' on November 5, 1967, when the church mortgage was burned; the new rectory was dedicated by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle on June 19, 1969, and its mortgage was burned on June 3, 1972. After the 2010 merger the rectory was converted into the main parish office.
- Founded: June 10, 1961
- Patron: St. Teresa of Avila (feast day October 15)
- First pastor: Father Romeo Vernocchi (1961–1976)
- Church dedicated: May 5, 1963
- Church mortgage burned: November 5, 1967
- Rectory dedicated: June 19, 1969 (by Bishop George H. Guilfoyle)
- Rectory mortgage burned: June 3, 1972
- Sunday Masses: 10:30 AM (English), 1:00 PM (Spanish)
- Confessions: Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass, or by appointment
Clergy, Sisters, and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Matthew R. Weber, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Ruben Valdes Arias, and is served by three permanent deacons: William Johnson, Christopher D. Nichols, and Robert Rodriguez. Religious life in the parish is supported by the Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary (M.D.P.V.M.), whose convent is at 64 North St., Bridgeton. Sr. Maria de Jesus Herrera, M.D.P.V.M., is Superior and Coordinator of Religious Education. After June 30, 2026, Bishop Joseph A. Williams has appointed Fr. Schned Bruno — a priest of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti — as administrator.
- Rev. Matthew R. Weber — Pastor
- Rev. Ruben Valdes Arias — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Schned Bruno — Administrator-designate (July 1, 2026)
- Deacon William Johnson
- Deacon Christopher D. Nichols
- Deacon Robert Rodriguez
- Sr. Maria de Jesus Herrera, M.D.P.V.M. — Superior, Coordinator of Religious Education
- Sr. Vera Maria Retamozo, M.D.P.V.M.
- Sr. Ricarda Garza Martinez, M.D.P.V.M.
- Sr. Marta Garcia Cabral, M.D.P.V.M.
- Sarah Krug — Secretary
- Alejandro Martinez — Communications & Cemeteries Coordinator
- Maria De Jesus Lopez — Bookkeeper
- Patricia Borgese — Liturgy Coordinator
- Melissa Kiessling — Religious Education Administrator
- Alice Olszewski — Secretary, Immaculate Conception office
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The Parish Religious Education Program (P.R.E.P.) prepares children for First Holy Communion (received by age 8 after at least two years of catechesis) and Confirmation (received at the end of 8th grade after a two-year program in 7th and 8th grade, plus a parish retreat). New students in 6th grade or higher who are baptized but have not yet received First Communion must register in person. Adults and older teens seeking Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation enroll in OCIA (Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults, formerly RCIA). Bishop Schad Regional School serves as the parish's regional Catholic school, with Sr. Olga Cano as principal.
- P.R.E.P. (Parish Religious Education Program) — coordinator Sr. Maria de Jesus Herrera
- First Communion after 2 years of PREP, typically by age 8
- Confirmation in 8th grade after 2 additional years of PREP plus a retreat
- OCIA / RICA for adults and teens — call (856) 455-2323
- Bishop Schad Regional School — (856) 691-4490 — principal Sr. Olga Cano
- FORMED Catholic streaming — free to parishioners with ZIP 08302
Outreach & Charity: Ways to Help Others
The parish runs a strong network of food and shelter ministries under the heading 'Ways to Help Others.' The Pope Francis Food Pantry distributes food on the third Saturday of each month (donations on the second Saturday); 'God's Giving Hands' partners with the Community Food Bank of South Jersey and the Southern Regional Food Distribution Center to give away fresh food; Code Blue provides winter shelter and meals for the homeless in partnership with the wider community; the St. Vincent de Paul Holy Cross Conference (EIN 22-2482760) bears witness to Christ's love by serving the most in need; and the Parish Poor Box is a dedicated fund for the needy.
- Pope Francis Food Pantry — open 3rd Saturday 9–11 AM; donations 2nd Saturday 9–11 AM (contact: Ginger Supernavage, 856-498-2096)
- 'God's Giving Hands' Food Giveaway — with Community Food Bank of South Jersey (Stephanie Robins 856-503-3339 text only; Sr. Maria de Jesus 856-455-9960)
- Code Blue — winter homeless shelter and meals (contact: Rusty Brady 856-455-3992 / 856-371-0935)
- St. Vincent de Paul Holy Cross Conference — bear witness to Christ's love in service to the poor
- Parish Poor Box — dedicated fund for those in need; donations via collection basket or mailed to the parish office
Locations, Office Hours, and Contact
The parish operates from two main offices: the St. Teresa of Avila office at 46 Central Avenue, Bridgeton (Monday–Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, closed 12:30–1:30 PM for lunch) and the Immaculate Conception office at 312 N. Pearl Street, Bridgeton (Monday–Friday 5:00–9:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM). The Convent of the M.D.P.V.M. sisters is at 64 North Street, Bridgeton. An after-hours Sacramental Emergency line — (856) 301-0109 — is staffed for priests' emergencies only outside regular business hours.
- Main office / St. Teresa of Avila: 46 Central Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 455-2323, fax (856) 455-7291
- Immaculate Conception office: 312 N. Pearl St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 451-0254
- St. Mary: 732 Morton Ave., Bridgeton, NJ 08302
- St. Michael: 363 Main St., Cedarville, NJ 08311
- St. Anthony: 1560A Main St., Port Norris, NJ 08349
- Convent (M.D.P.V.M.): 64 North St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 — (856) 455-9960
- After-hours sacramental emergencies: (856) 301-0109
Diocese & Pastoral Leadership Transition (2026)
The Parish of the Holy Cross belongs to the Diocese of Camden. In 2026 Bishop Joseph A. Williams announced that Father Matthew R. Weber's last day as pastor will be June 30, 2026. Father Weber is not retiring from active ministry but will take an interval for rest and recuperation before returning as Parochial Vicar. Bishop Williams has appointed Father Schned Bruno — a priest of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who has been serving in the Diocese of Camden — as the parish's new administrator effective July 1, 2026. Father Bruno speaks five languages (Creole, French, English, Spanish, and German) and is known for evangelization through music and ministry to the Haitian community.
- Diocese of Camden — Bishop Joseph A. Williams
- Outgoing pastor: Rev. Matthew R. Weber (2016 – June 30, 2026) — to return as Parochial Vicar
- New administrator: Rev. Schned Bruno, Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti (effective July 1, 2026)
- Languages of incoming administrator: Creole, French, English, Spanish, German
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Romeo Vernocchi1961–1976
First pastor; oversaw founding, building, and dedication of St. Teresa of Avila in 1963.
- Father Joseph M. Hayden1976–November 1985
Second pastor of St. Teresa of Avila.
- Father Hugh J. SweeneyDecember 11, 1985 – January 2, 1994
Third pastor; oversaw the parish's 25th anniversary in 1986.
- Father (later Monsignor) Stanislaus E. KloskowskiFebruary 23, 1994 – June 2002
Fourth pastor.
- Father Michael M. Signiski2002 – January 15, 2006
Fifth pastor; died in office.
- Father Michael G. M. SpagnoloMarch 2006 – December 31, 2008
Sixth pastor of St. Teresa of Avila.
- Father Michael J. GoyetteFebruary – October 2009
Administrator during the merger process.
- Father Ariel Hernandez2008/2010–2013
Administrator of St. Teresa during the merger; first pastor of the new Parish of the Holy Cross (2010).
- Father Vincent G. Guest2013–2016
Second pastor of the merged Parish of the Holy Cross.
- Father Matthew R. Weber2016 – June 30, 2026
Third pastor of the merged parish; will take an interval for rest and recuperation and return as Parochial Vicar.
- Father Schned BrunoEffective July 1, 2026
Appointed administrator of the Parish of the Holy Cross by Bishop Joseph A. Williams; priest of the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti; speaks Creole, French, English, Spanish, and German.