About Sacred Heart · Bowie, Maryland
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Washington located in Bowie, Maryland, on Annapolis Road between U.S. Route 301 and Maryland Route 450. While canonically established as an independent parish on May 29, 1965 to serve the growing Belair at Bowie community, its roots stretch back to 1722 and the Jesuit Mission of St. Francis Borgia at the White Marsh Plantation, making it one of the oldest Catholic sites in Prince George's County. Today about 850 families worship here, with daily Masses in the historic 18th-century Chapel and Sunday Masses in the larger brick church built in 1969. The parish is also a recognized Jubilee pilgrimage site because of its 33-acre campus, which includes the old chapel, an outdoor Stations of the Cross, a rosary walk, the Our Lady of Rock Springs grotto, and a centuries-old cemetery where the parish is working to honor the enslaved and freed African Americans buried there.
- Established
- 1729
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Michael A. Russo
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
Sacred Heart offers a rare combination: a vibrant suburban parish of about 850 families with daily Masses, weekly Confessions, and Tuesday all-day Eucharistic Adoration, alongside a 33-acre pilgrimage campus that includes a chapel built before the American Revolution. Parishioners can grow in faith through the School of Religion (CCD, K–8), Middle School and High School Youth Ministry, sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation, and a year-round calendar of devotions centered on the historic chapel. It is also a community actively engaging the hard but holy work of memorializing the enslaved and freed African Americans buried on its property — a ministry of reconciliation that the current pastor calls "a work of mercy."
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM (Chapel)
- Saturday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Church)
- First Friday 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM (Chapel)
- First Saturday 8:15 AM to 8:45 AM (Chapel)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday after the 6:30 AM Mass (Chapel)
- Tuesday, Thursday after the 8:00 AM Mass (Chapel)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM (Chapel)
- First Friday 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (Chapel)
- First Saturday 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Chapel)
Parish History
Sacred Heart's roots go back to the Jesuit Mission of St. Francis Borgia, established on White Marsh Plantation in 1722, with a permanent chapel built by about 1741. The site hosted the General Chapters of the American clergy in the 1780s, where John Carroll was nominated as the nation's first Catholic bishop and the first plans for Georgetown University were discussed. After serving as a mission of St. Pius X from 1962, Sacred Heart was canonically established as an independent parish on May 29, 1965, and a larger brick church was dedicated October 26, 1969. The parish's history is preserved in the book "Sacred Heart at Whitemarsh 1741–2015" ($20 from the parish office), with a 2022 addendum.
- Mission of St. Francis Borgia established 1722 on White Marsh Plantation
- Chapel built c. 1741 — oldest standing Catholic church in Prince George's County
- General Chapters held 1783, 1784, and May 18, 1789 (Carroll nominated)
- Canonically established as a parish May 29, 1965 (first pastor: Fr. John A. Lubey)
- New brick church dedicated October 26, 1969
- History book: "Sacred Heart at Whitemarsh 1741–2015" + 2022 addendum
Parish Campus
The 33-acre parish campus is described by the pastor as "an oasis of prayer and reflection" despite its location near busy Routes 301 and 450. Beyond the 1969 church, the grounds include the historic stone chapel on the hill (rebuilt c. 1827/1855/1876/1956), an outdoor Stations of the Cross walk, a rosary walk, the Our Lady of Rock Springs grotto (originally built in the 1850s at a natural spring and restored in the late 1950s), the Hogan Center, the parish graveyard, and the "House on the Hill."
- Main church — 16501 Annapolis Road
- Parish Office — 16507 Annapolis Road
- Chapel & Graveyard — 16301 Annapolis Road
- Hogan Center — 16503 Annapolis Road
- House on the Hill — 16509 Annapolis Road
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross, Rosary Walk, Our Lady of Rock Springs grotto
Parish Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Michael A. Russo, who succeeded former pastor Fr. Potts. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Nathaniel Roberts, Priest in Residence Rev. Patrick Mullan (who also serves as chaplain to St. Francis of Assisi and Gallaudet University), Deacons Rev. Mr. Dan D. Abeyta and Rev. Mr. Bob Seith, and a lay staff including Business Manager Christy Hammett, Executive Secretary Mary Nauman, Communications Coordinator Erica R. Kane, Receptionist and Sacramental Registrar Stephanie Block, Director of Religious Education Jessica Ptomey, Youth Ministry Coordinator Alexandra Baxter, Middle School Youth Minister Danny Baxter, and Religious Education Administrative Assistant Maria Fresco.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael A. Russo (ext. 13)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Nathaniel Roberts (ext. 12)
- Priest in Residence: Rev. Patrick Mullan
- Deacons: Rev. Mr. Dan D. Abeyta, Rev. Mr. Bob Seith
- Director of Religious Education: Jessica Ptomey (301-262-1221)
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Alexandra Baxter (ext. 35); Middle School: Danny Baxter
Faith Formation: School of Religion (CCD)
The School of Religion (CCD — Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) provides catechesis and spiritual formation for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, meeting in the Hogan Center on Tuesday evenings during the school year (K–4 from 6:00–7:15 PM; 5–8 from 7:15–8:30 PM). Classes are taught by parish volunteers who are VIRTUS compliant, per the Archdiocese of Washington Child Protection guidelines. Sacramental preparation for First Confession, First Holy Communion (both in 2nd grade) and Confirmation (in 8th grade) requires a minimum of two consecutive years of religious instruction, and the family must be active registered members of Sacred Heart.
- Curriculum: Baltimore Catechesis I & II, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Forming Disciples
- K–4 Tuesdays 6:00–7:15 PM; 5–8 Tuesdays 7:15–8:30 PM (Hogan Center)
- First Confession and First Communion in 2nd grade (2-year prep)
- Confirmation in 8th grade (2-year prep)
- Contact: Jessica Ptomey, 301-262-1221, [email protected]
Youth Ministry
Sacred Heart's Youth Ministry Program nurtures middle school and high school students in grades 6–12 in a deep love of Jesus Christ and His Church, especially in the Eucharist. Through social events, scripture study, and apologetics, young people build healthy friendships and grow in their Catholic faith. Participation is open to all parish youth; event updates go out via Flocknote, and a permission form is required to participate.
- Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Alexandra Baxter (ext. 35)
- Middle School Youth Minister: Danny Baxter
- Open to grades 6–12
- Communication through Flocknote; permission form required
Sacred Heart / White Marsh Cemetery Project
The cemetery on the parish grounds goes back to the 1700s, with the earliest recorded burial in the very early 1800s, including enslaved people who worked the plantation whose graves were neglected for at least a century. In late 2022, additional burial markers were discovered at the edge of the known cemetery, launching a multi-year effort by a consortium of parishioners, descendants, the Archdiocese of Washington, state and federal agencies, and historical societies to research, restore, and memorialize the burial areas. Methods have included cadaver-sniffing dogs, goats for vegetation control, LIDAR mapping, and ground-penetrating radar, which have located what may be more than 600 unmarked graves. The parish burial register has grown from 900 to over 2,200 names and a public-facing searchable database is being developed. The project's stated mission includes researching the enslaved people of African descent at Whitemarsh — many of whom were sold in 1838 — and fostering reconciliation between descendants, the parish, and the broader community.
- Burial register grew from 900 to over 2,200 names
- Ground-penetrating radar may have located 600+ unmarked graves
- Methods: cadaver dogs, goats, LIDAR, ground-penetrating radar
- Partners: Archdiocese of Washington, descendants, state/federal agencies, historical societies
- Black Catholic History Month commemoration held Nov. 15, 2025
Parish Registration and Getting Involved
Registration can be done at the parish office during business hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 1:30–4:30 PM), or by completing a PDF form and returning it to the office. Active registration is required for baptisms, weddings, Godparent sponsor certificates, and letters of good standing, and ensures that donations count toward the parish. The parish's ministries page invites volunteers to serve as catechists, substitutes, or aides in Faith Formation, subject to Archdiocesan child protection training, background checks, and an interview with the Director of Religious Education.
- Office hours: M/W/F 9:00 AM–1:00 PM; T/Th 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 1:30–4:30 PM
- Parish Office: 301-262-0704
- Religious Education Office: 301-262-1221
- Fax: 301-805-4686
- Email: [email protected]
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Beyond CCD-based sacramental prep for children, the parish notes that registration is required for anyone seeking baptism, a wedding, Godparent sponsor certificates, or a letter of good standing. Specific Mass and devotion schedules can be found via the Parish Calendars link on the website.
- First Confession / First Holy Communion: 2nd grade (2-year preparation)
- Confirmation: 8th grade (2-year preparation)
- Baptism, Weddings, Sponsor certificates — by appointment with the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John A. Lubey1965–
First pastor of Sacred Heart Parish when it was canonically established as a parish on May 29, 1965.