Our Lady of Lourdes Parish was founded in 1882 to serve the "New" Immigrants, the Poor, and all the people of "Riverside", Paterson, NJ.

We have consistently served the local community, especially the poor and the newly arrived immigrants and continue to do so today! While most of our parishioners move on to better lives in better parishes; they become the financial and spiritual backbone of these parishes and thus support the local, diocesan, and universal church. We are please to LAUNCH the second generation of Catholics even though we continue to live with the poor.

Further, as "Catholic" Latin Americans arrive in this country, this city of Paterson, they continue to turn to Our Lady of Lourdes for orientation and support in their faith and their lives; and we continue to serve. If we were not here, these Catholics would become lost to the protestants.

Our Mission is VITAL to the survival of the Catholic Faith in the City and the Diocese of Paterson. Praise the Lord Jesus and Bishop Arthur for supporting us in this Grand Mission to the the "Little Poor Ones of God"!

The parish has approximately 400+ active families and another 200+ of "occasional" families and we will see a new growth as our plans for  neighborhood evangelization, social ministry,

and youth ministry unfold.

God Bless Lourdes; God Bless the Diocese of Paterson; God Bless Bishop Arthur!

Love and Prayers,

Father Donald,

Pastor of Lourdes and "Riverside" Paterson.