The Future is as Bright as

the Promises of God

Fr. John arrived at SJCC after a long journey to the Catholic Church. Born and raised in an evangelical home, he studied Bible at a Baptist college, attended a Presbyterian seminary, and studied Hebrew Bible in a Jewish graduate school. For the greater part of his career, he taught biblical studies and spiritual formation in a Protestant seminary.

From his Hebraic studies, reading the Church Fathers and spiritual masters, he grew more and more sacramental in his world view. This lead Fr. John and his wife Kathy with their two children Abigail and Jeremy to become members of an Anglican community modeled on Benedictine rule, where they lived for 9 years. There he became an Anglican Priest.

Finally, in 2012 he and his family became Catholics through the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, a “house,” so to speak, created by Pope Benedict XVI for Anglicans that preserves their patrimony and traditions.

Fr. John was ordained a priest in 2013, came on staff at St. Joseph in 2014, as the Pastoral Associate for Evangelization and Adult Formation.

Until July 1, 2020, SJCC was served by priests and brothers from the Society of Mary. Fr. John became the pastor of SJCC following the withdrawal of the Society of Mary from the parish.

Publications by Father John can by found by visiting: Publications – Ancient Hopes

Deacon Joe was born in 1963 in Queens New York. I was the sixth of seven children. I also have a twin sister, Joan, who is 15 minutes older than me. My mother had no idea she was having twins, and we were full term and each 6 lbs. at birth. With six children, our family had outgrown our small 3-bedroom home, and my family moved to Congers, New York, a small bedroom community of New York City on the west side of the Hudson River. Our town and area were the home of many, many NYC policemen and firemen, of which my father was one. I grew up in Congers, my mother still lives there in our family home. I attended Catholic grade school just down the block for eight years. Taught by the Dominican sisters of Sparkill. My twin sister and I were the first to attend public High school. As a youth and teenager, I was very active in the church, leading the CYO in the parish and county and even being involved in the Archdiocesan level. I think the most formidable time in my faith life was during my yearly summer camp trips for 2 weeks with the Salesian Brothers of St. Don Bosco. I adopted Dominic Savio as my mentor and was first introduced to Eucharistic Adoration. That dedicated time with our Lord convicted me to service. I attended college at the State University of NY at Binghamton and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management. My First job out of college was with IBM in Hamden, Connecticut. I worked in accounting, and that job changed my life. 2 years after I started, my wife Sherri came to work at IBM. We met, fell in love, and became engaged. I knew Sherri wanted to return to Maryland, where she grew up, so I arranged to get myself transferred and, after my interview, came back to Connecticut and asked her to marry me. We were married in April of 1989 at St. Louis Church in Clarksville. We moved to Damascus and, in 1991, were blessed with our First son, Joe. We moved to Mount Airy the following year and have been in Mount Airy for 32 years. Sherri and I got involved in Community Theater in Damascus when we were first married, and for the next 10 years, we performed in numerous musicals. We pulled back after our fourth son, Michael, was born, and I replaced the theater hobby with youth Ministry at St. Peter in Libertytown. That filled a hole in my heart, and I continued doing that until I was ordained a Deacon in May of 2021. Sherri and I have raised 6 children in our Mount Airy Home. 4 boys and 2 girls. We were blessed to be able to send all our children to Catholic school. First, St. John Regional in Frederick and then an Independent Catholic School in Buckeyestown, St. Thomas More Academy. Our daughters finished elementary school at Resurrection St. Paul School in Ellicott City when ST. Thomas more moved to Middletown. Our Boys attended High School at Mount St. Joseph in Irvington and Our Daughters graduated from Mount DE Sales Academy in Catonsville.

Our oldest two sons are married. Joe is a pediatrician, and Sean is a Sergeant in the State Police. Sean and his wife have 3 children, and Joe and his wife Natalie have 5 children. So, Sherri and I are grandparents 8 times over. Our middle two sons are teachers. Ryan is a Spanish teacher at Mount Saint Joe and Michael is a 4th grade teacher in Montgomery County. Our daughter Meaghan is entering Law school in Baltimore this fall, and our daughter Monica will enter her third year at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. With My ordination in 2021 Sherri and I have committed to remaining in Maryland. Thankfully all our children and grandchildren are here. I retired in June and plan to occupy my time with the ministry here at SJCC and with the homeless and food ministry in Frederick. Sherri has been blessed to be the music director at St. Peter’s in Libertytown. A job she loves and is excellent at. God has greatly blessed us to be able to do what we love and serve Him and his Church.