Archdiocese of Newark Celebrates First-Ever Juneteenth Celebration in Cathedral Basilica

About 120 people clapped and danced to uplifting hymns handpicked by musical directors Remoh Mosley-Aviles and Henry C. Rawls, who wanted to reflect the impact of African American culture on the U.S. The performers were an eclectic mix of New York and New Jersey talent, including multiple members of the Jumuia Choir out of St. Patrick’s Church in Jersey City. At one point, the entire congregation sang along to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is often called the “Black National Anthem.”

“We must recognize Juneteenth because in order to correct mistakes and improve the future, we all must know the past,” said Rahsaan Garlin, associate director of the archdiocesan African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate, which organized the event. “To understand and have accountability is a step towards the right direction. And that right direction is having people discover their faith so they can worship and serve God.”  

First celebrated in 1886 and established as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth acknowledges the official end of slavery in the U.S. Looking ahead, the African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate plans to continue hosting commemorative events like this one within the Archdiocese. Garlin hopes people of all communities and cultures will attend: “The Catholic religion is inclusive to all who worship the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God would want all of us to be one in Him.”

The Archdiocesan African American, African, and Caribbean Apostolate serves Black Catholics by sharing and strengthening the Catholic faith, encouraging Black youth to embrace faith and their cultural identity, and promoting faith leadership in the Black community. The Apostolate also follows the example of Bishop Joseph Abel Francis, the only Black auxiliary bishop in archdiocesan history, by regularly engaging in community outreach through its scholarship program and many other efforts. To learn more about the Apostolate, visit its webpage at www.rcan.org/aaaca/ or contact Associate Director Rahsaan Garlin at rahsaan.garlin@rcan.org.

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. The Archdiocese has 212 parishes, 68 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.