About Jesus the Good Shepherd · Owings, Maryland
Jesus the Good Shepherd (also called the Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd) is a Roman Catholic parish in Owings, Maryland, in northern Calvert County. Canonically established in 1985, it is pastored by Father Peter M. Giovanoni (since 2024) and is part of the Archdiocese of Washington. The parish lives by three founding virtues — Hospitality, Spirituality, and Stewardship — and is known for its active ministry fair (50+ ministries), strong Eucharist-centered worship, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a sister-parish relationship with Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Haiti, and a long partnership with Cardinal Hickey Academy, the parish regional school founded by the founding pastor, Msgr. Paul Dudziak, in 1997.
- Established
- 1985
- Patron
- Jesus the Good Shepherd
- Rector
- Father Peter M. Giovanoni
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Jesus the Good Shepherd offers a vibrant, faithful, and welcoming Catholic community grounded in three founding virtues: Hospitality, Spirituality, and Stewardship. With three Sunday Masses, daily Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a deep commitment to formation for every age (Children's Faith Formation PK4–9th, OCIA for adults, Bible studies and small groups), there are many ways to grow closer to Christ here. The parish's commitment to justice and charity — most visibly through its sister-parish relationship with Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Haiti, a partnership since 2009, and outreach to local homeless through Safe Nights — gives parishioners concrete ways to live the Gospel.
Mass times at Jesus the Good Shepherd
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 8:45 AM – 7:00 PM
Who We Are — The Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd
Jesus the Good Shepherd is a Roman Catholic parish in Owings, Maryland, that calls itself the 'Covenant Community,' recalling Jesus's words over the cup at the Last Supper: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood' (Luke 22:20). Because the parish's worship is centered in the Eucharist, members see themselves as a covenanted people. The mission statement reads: 'We, the Roman Catholic Parish of the Covenant Community of Jesus the Good Shepherd, have chosen to serve the Lord by evangelizing through the virtues of Hospitality, Spirituality and Stewardship.' The community describes itself as 'vibrant, faithful, and welcoming,' committed to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and spreading God's Word in northern Calvert County.
- Hospitality — knowing and caring for one another, welcoming the stranger as Christ did
- Spirituality — celebrating the Liturgy in the best traditions of the Church, small Christian study groups, ministries of spiritual growth
- Stewardship — recognizing that each Confirmed person has gifts for building the Kingdom, including works of justice and charity
History of the Parish
Catholic families in northern Calvert County began gathering for worship in 1983, and the community's first Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Baptism of John the Baptist in January 1985. The parish was originally known as 'Calvert Catholic Community NW,' with Rev. Paul M. Dudziak as its founding pastor. It was canonically established in 1985 under the Archdiocese of Washington. On September 26, 2010, Archbishop Donald Wuerl celebrated the parish's 25th anniversary Mass with Fr. Michael King (then pastor) and Msgr. Paul Dudziak (founding pastor).
- 1983 — Catholic families in northern Calvert County begin gathering
- January 1985 — First Mass on the Feast of the Baptism of John the Baptist; originally 'Calvert Catholic Community NW'
- 1985 — Parish canonically established under the Archdiocese of Washington
- 1997 — Founding pastor Msgr. Paul Dudziak opens Cardinal Hickey Academy
- September 26, 2010 — 25th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Wuerl
- 2024 — Fr. Peter Giovanoni installed as current pastor
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, a retired priest in residence, two deacons, and a small staff of lay ministers and administrators. Pastoral leadership and day-to-day operations are coordinated by the pastor with the Covenant Service Board.
- Father Peter M. Giovanoni — Pastor
- Father Michael J. King — In Residence (Retired)
- Deacon Paul Fagan
- Deacon Mike Dorsett
- Scott Huseman — Maintenance Engineer
- Katie Evans — Music & Liturgy
- Laura Cleary — Administrative Assistant
- Sheryl Fischer — Secretary
- Pam (Pamela) Huseman — Business Manager
- Maggie Gorman — Coordinator of Religious Education / Faith Formation & Confirmation
Covenant Service Board
The Covenant Service Board is the parish's lay-leadership council, named to reflect the parish's identity as a covenanted community centered on the Eucharist.
- Charlene Cameron
- Debbie Distad
- Dan Dusseau
- Michael Harper
- Chris Johnson
- Carlton Leslie
- Peter Murphy
- Megan Murphy
- Lynn Robinson
- Janet Selke
Devotions and Special Celebrations
Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, the parish gathers for the Rosary in the chapel twice weekly and for two signature annual celebrations: Covenant Sunday and the Christmas/Easter seasons. Covenant Sunday, on the last Sunday of September, is celebrated with a single outdoor Mass near the parish Grotto at 11:00 AM, followed by a community lunch and parish festival.
- Rosary — Saturday 7:50 AM (Chapel)
- Rosary — Tuesday 9:00 AM (Chapel)
- Covenant Sunday — last Sunday of September, 11:00 AM outdoor Mass at the Grotto, followed by lunch and festival
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses, including a Living Gospel with parish children
- Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Children's Faith Formation (CFF) at JGS serves children from Pre-K4 through 9th grade, with Sunday morning classes for PK4–8 and Sunday evening sessions (every other week) for grades 6–9. The program's stated mission is 'to enrich each child's ongoing faith formation by creating a welcoming place where they may grow in the knowledge of Catholic faith, morality, prayer, worship and Christian service.' Confirmation is now a two-year preparation beginning in 7th grade, with the sacrament celebrated at the end of 8th grade; 9th graders continue formation on Sunday evenings.
- CFF Sunday morning classes: 9:20–10:30 AM (grades PK4–8)
- CFF Sunday evening classes: 6:00–7:45 PM (grades 6–9, every other week)
- Year 1 Confirmation Prep — 7th grade
- Year 2 Confirmation Prep — 8th grade (Sacrament received)
- 9th grade continuation — Sunday evenings
- Coordinator: Maggie Gorman — [email protected], 410-257-3810 x1015
OCIA — Becoming Catholic (Adults)
The parish runs a year-round OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for anyone interested in becoming Catholic or completing the Sacraments of Initiation. The journey follows five stages with special Rites, culminating in reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. In 2021 the USCCB renamed the program from RCIA to OCIA to better reflect the original Latin and the ongoing nature of adult faith formation. OCIA is open to people of any faith background; there is no cost, no prerequisite, and the only expectations are time and an open heart.
- Open to adults who have not received Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist
- Five-stage gradual process with weekly classes during the school year
- One-day spring retreat
- Already-baptized Christians make a profession of faith and receive First Eucharist and Confirmation
- Contact: Deacon Mike Dorsett
Adult Faith Formation and Small Groups
The parish's adult formation vision is 'to become a more dynamic community immersed in lifelong catechesis with the mission of building up the Kingdom of God through continued learning and growth in discipleship.' Offerings include Bible studies, small Christian communities, prayer ministries, seasonal speakers and musicians, and other spiritual-growth opportunities. Each fall the parish hosts a Ministry Fair where parishioners can meet leaders of 50+ ministries and find a place to serve.
- Bible studies and small Christian groups
- Prayer ministries (including a prayer team that lifts up parishioner intentions)
- Seasonal speakers and missions
- Annual Ministry Fair each fall
Sister Parish — Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Haiti
Since 2009, Jesus the Good Shepherd has been twinned with the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, located in Pointe Sable on the island of Grande Cayemitte, in the Diocese of Jérémie, Haiti. The relationship is part of the Archdiocese of Washington's parish twinning program with Jérémie, established in 2006. Fr. Mike and parishioner Ned Waugaman visited Haiti in 2008 to formalize the twinning; parishioner Gilda Beauzile coordinates ongoing support. Projects have included school funding, hurricane-repair after Hurricane Matthew (2015), building a chapel (Saint Mary of Magdalena) in Anse du Nord, and providing electricity to the Pointe Sable health center.
- Twinning since 2009 with Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Diocese of Jérémie)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel: Saint Mary of Magdalena, in Anse du Nord
- $2,000 in 2011 for the Our Lady of Mount Carmel school
- Repairs to church, rectory, and villagers' homes after Hurricane Matthew in 2015
- 2016 windfall funded three major projects (chapel construction, health-center electricity, church structural repairs)
- Contact: Gilda Beauzile — [email protected]
Outreach and Social Justice Ministries
Beyond the sister-parish relationship with Haiti, the parish engages in local outreach including the Safe Nights homeless shelter program, in which JGS partners with All Saints Church to host and staff a week of a Southern Maryland homeless shelter. The parish Pro-Life Ministry educates the community on life issues, supports the Archdiocese of Washington and Maryland Catholic Conference pro-life efforts, and organizes a bus to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
- Safe Nights — hosting and staffing a week of homeless shelter with All Saints Church (over 100 volunteer shifts)
- Pro-Life Ministry — March for Life bus, Respect Life Month, support for crisis pregnancy centers
- Pro-Life contacts: Buzz Burek (301-812-1868) and Roseanna Vogt (410-861-0841)
Cardinal Hickey Academy — Parish School
Founded by Msgr. Paul Dudziak and the parish in 1997, Cardinal Hickey Academy is the parish regional school in Owings, named for then-Archbishop James (later Cardinal) Hickey. Cardinal Hickey himself was present for the dedication on September 4, 1997. The school opened with K–4 and grew through additions in 2000 (family center and classrooms) and 2007 (Media Center, Technology Lab, lecture room). It became a regional school in 2010, received Middle States accreditation in 2003, and earned a 2015 National Blue Ribbon Award.
- Opened September 4, 1997 — dedicated by Cardinal James Hickey
- 2000 — Family center and additional classroom space
- 2003 — Middle States Association accreditation
- 2006 — Shepherd's Flock Preschool becomes part of Cardinal Hickey Academy
- 2007 — Media Center, Technology Lab, and Lecture Room addition
- 2010 — Becomes a regional school
- 2014 — Catholic Montessori Preschool opens
- 2015 — National Blue Ribbon Award
Joining the Parish and Sacraments
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish invites all new members to register online and to attend a New Members' Meeting, usually held the second Sunday of every other month after the late morning Mass. Baptism preparation includes a retreat offered three times a year, and Catholic parents seeking baptism for their child must be registered members of the parish. The easiest way to stay in touch is through Flocknote (text ccjgs to 84576).
- Online parish registration available
- New Members' Meetings — second Sunday every other month
- Baptism retreats — three times per year
- Contact for sacraments: [email protected], [email protected]
- Stay connected via Flocknote — text 'ccjgs' to 84576
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Paul M. Dudziak1985 – c. early 2000s
Founding pastor; led parish from first Mass in January 1985; founded Cardinal Hickey Academy in 1997
- Father Michael J. KingAfter Dudziak – 2024
Succeeded Msgr. Dudziak; pastor at the 25th anniversary in 2010; now retired and in residence
- Father Peter M. Giovanoni2024 – present
Current pastor; leads the community under the founding virtues of Hospitality, Spirituality, and Stewardship