ABOUT US

We, the Parish of Notre Dame, are a community striving in Word, Worship and Service to proclaim the mission of Jesus Christ.

Through the Holy Spirit’s power we are each called to spiritual growth and together to become a loving, caring, sharing, family.

Through our common Baptism, we are invited to use our distinct gifts to motivate one another to a greater awareness of our Christian vocation.

We acknowledge our responsibilities to reach out to the spiritual and temporal needs of others in 

response to the Gospel challenge of Jesus, “Whatever you do for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40b

Strengthened by the power of the Risen Lord and through the intercession of Mary, our Mother, we will journey together in courage and hope.

Come In 

  to be nourished by Christ and filled with the Spirit

Go Out

   and spread the good news

Bring Back

   others to Christ

We are happy you want to become a part of our Notre Dame family.

By registering at Notre Dame, you are delcaring your desire to be a part of our Catholic faith community.

Reasons to Register at a Parish

A sense of belonging and identiy in a parish community

A commitment to practice your faith.

Registration helps you stay connected with us and us with you.

Registered active members are eligible for sponsor/godparent valisation.

You can print out and submit a REGISTRATION FORM  or

contact the Parish Office at 973-226-0979 or info@ndparishnc.com and we would be happy to send you a census form to complete. Thank you and we look foward to meeting you.

"For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another." Romans 12:4-5

In the 1960s, young couples were leaving urban Newark to find housing for their growing families, many of whom settled in West Essex. To serve the increasing Catholic population, Notre Dame Church was founded in North Caldwell in 1962, with Fr. John E. Murphy as the founding pastor.

Fr. Murphy's first task was to secure land for a new church, rectory, and school, as well as raise the necessary funds. He began by purchasing a home that served as both a rectory for himself and his associate and as a temporary chapel for daily Mass. The rectory basement could hold about 70 people for weekday liturgies, while Sunday Masses were celebrated in the auditorium of West Essex High School.

By 1964, a Building Committee, co-chaired by Mr. Frank Rubino and Mr. Joe Spencer, was planning a combined church and school for eight grades. A one-day fundraising drive on March 22, 1964, brought in $202,000 toward the $700,000 goal. On May 25, 1965, the new church and school were dedicated with great joy to the 450 founding families.

Fr. Murphy also purchased a rectory across the street from the church and a convent to house four Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, who would serve in the parish school. Fr. Murphy retired in 1980 and was succeeded by Msgr. Harold Darcy, who had recently returned from Rome. Assisted by Fr. John O'Connell, Msgr. Darcy led renovations to bring the church in line with new liturgical guidelines while preserving its beauty. By this time, the parish had grown to 880 families.

In July 1987, Msgr. Edward Ciuba, former Rector of Immaculate Conception Seminary, became Notre Dame's third pastor. In 2002, the rectory at 358 Central Avenue was sold, and a new modular rectory was built on the knoll to the right of the church. The vacated school building was renovated into the Notre Dame Parish Center, housing parish offices and meeting rooms for the growing community.

In early 2009, Msgr. Ciuba retired, and Fr. Anthony Randazzo, a former parochial vicar of the parish, was appointed as the fourth pastor.

In February 2015, Fr. Thomas A. Dente was appointed as the fifth pastor of Notre Dame Church. Today, the parish family numbers over 1,900 households, a far cry from the 450 families at its founding.

God has richly blessed Notre Dame Parish. We remain deeply grateful to Him and to the countless priests, religious, and parishioners whose faith, vision, and dedication have shaped our story.

“Notre Dame” means “Our Lady” and is a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the patron of our parish. Mary was the Mother of Jesus and has been given the title “Mother of God” and “Mother of the Church.” Mary is the mother of all who follow Christ. 

Notre Dame Church has an outdoor and indoor shrine to Mary. The indoor shrine includes a beautiful hand carved statue from Italy which was commissioned by our parish. The statue of Mary with the child Jesus is very popular among our parishioners, young and old, who spend time in prayer before the shrine.

Please remember to say a prayer for Notre Dame when visiting either shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our parish.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!