About St. Anthony of Padua · North Beach, Maryland
St. Anthony of Padua (commonly known as St. Anthony Catholic Church) is a parish in North Beach, Maryland, on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, serving the beachside communities of Calvert County within the Archdiocese of Washington. Originally established as a Catholic mission in 1903 (when summer vacationers arrived by rail from Washington, D.C.), the community was canonically elevated to parish status on September 8, 1962. Today the parish is led by Father James M. Stack and offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, a healing Mass on the first Sunday of each month, Eucharistic adoration, the OCIA/RCIA process for adults, faith formation for grades K–8, a high school youth group, and active music, outreach, and fellowship ministries — rooted in the simple, prayerful rhythm of a small bayside Catholic community.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. James M. Stack
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Anthony's is a small, prayerful bayside Catholic community where you'll find a faithful daily and Sunday rhythm of Mass, Eucharistic adoration twice a week (Monday evenings and Friday mornings), monthly healing Masses, and a robust OCIA/RCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments. The parish warmly welcomes families into Faith Formation for grades K–8, has an active high school youth group, and supports ministries in music, outreach, and hospitality — all under the steady pastoral care of Father James M. Stack.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Mondays, 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM (during Eucharistic Adoration)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Mondays, 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM (until 8:00 PM)
- Fridays, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Parish History
St. Anthony's traces its roots to 1903, when the Catholic community in North Beach was formally established as a mission. The very first Mass in the new community was offered by Reverend McGarre of Holy Cross College on August 27, 1905, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.R. Townsend. Within a year the parishioners built their original wood-frame church, dedicated by Reverend D. Stafford on July 1, 1906. For decades the mission was shepherded from Saint Mary's in Upper Marlboro — most memorably by Father Francis J. Loughran for 41 years (1914–1955). The modern brick church and parish hall were built under Monsignor Lawrence P. Gatti; Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle laid the cornerstone in August 1958 and Bishop Hannan consecrated the altars in spring 1959. On September 8, 1962, the mission was canonically elevated to parish status with Reverend William P. Anderson as its first pastor.
- Mission established: 1903
- First Mass offered: August 27, 1905
- Original wood church dedicated: July 1, 1906
- Cornerstone laid: August 1958
- Altars consecrated: spring 1959
- Canonically established as parish: September 8, 1962
Mass & Liturgy
St. Anthony's offers a generous schedule of Masses in English throughout the week, including a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday morning Masses, daily Monday–Friday Masses, and a Saturday morning Mass. Two healing Masses are celebrated each month — on the first Sunday at 3:00 PM and on the third Tuesday at 7:00 PM. A Friday 11:00 AM Mass is offered in the Adoration Chapel from Labor Day through Memorial Day. The parish reminds worshippers that the Sunday Mass obligation does not bind when severe weather makes travel unsafe.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:15 AM and 11:15 AM
- Healing Mass: 1st Sunday, 3:00 PM
- Daily Mass: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM
- Healing Mass: 3rd Tuesday, 7:00 PM
- Saturday morning Mass: 9:00 AM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish Faith Formation Program welcomes children in Grades K–8 with weekly Sunday classes from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, running September through April. All families must be registered members of St. Anthony's to enroll; baptismal and (where applicable) first Communion certificates are required with registration. A monthly Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 8:15 AM Sunday Mass. The Director of Religious Education, Kerry Lenz, oversees the program and welcomes volunteers — catechists, assistants, and Children's Liturgy of the Word leaders. The Archdiocese of Washington requires a background check for anyone working directly with children.
- Grades K–8: Sundays 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
- Director of Religious Education: Kerry Lenz (443-646-5724, [email protected])
- Children's Liturgy of the Word: monthly at 8:15 AM Mass
- Volunteer roles: Catechist, Assistant, Children's Liturgy leader
OCIA (RCIA) — Becoming Catholic
St. Anthony's has a vibrant OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program, also referred to as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It is coordinated by Permanent Deacon and OCIA Coordinator Deacon Wes Bryant and his wife Paula Bryant, who serve as catechists. The program welcomes those interested in becoming Catholic and those Catholic adults who wish to complete their sacraments of Communion or Confirmation.
- Coordinator: Deacon Wes Bryant
- Catechists: Wes and Paula Bryant
- Contact: [email protected] / 410-693-8330
- Open to unbaptized adults and Catholics seeking to complete sacraments
Youth & High School Ministry
The parish runs an active High School Youth Group that meets on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Youth Ministry room in the Religious Education Building. All high-school-age youth are encouraged to attend. The Director of Youth Ministry is Mary Beth Woodburn; day-to-day contact is Matt Schiavone ([email protected], 410-474-7845). The youth ministry also coordinates summer opportunities for teens (e.g. LIFE events, with scholarships available).
- High School Youth Group: Sundays 5:30–7:00 PM
- Director of Youth Ministry: Mary Beth Woodburn
- Youth contact: Matt Schiavone — [email protected], 410-474-7845
Music Ministry
Music at St. Anthony's is led by Director of Music Ministry Liesl Schiavone. The parish choir and music ministers enrich the Sunday and weekday liturgies, complementing the parish's emphasis on reverent, beautiful worship.
- Director of Music Ministry: Liesl Schiavone
Parish Staff & Contacts
The parish is served by a pastor, four permanent deacons, and a staff of dedicated lay and formation leaders. The parish secretary handles administrative needs, and the facilities and bookkeeper teams keep the campus and finances running smoothly.
- Pastor: Rev. James M. Stack
- Deacons: Ed Baker, Wes Bryant, Eric Mueller, John White, Jr.
- Parish Secretary / Administrative Assistant: Terry DiGuiseppe
- Director of Religious Education: Kerry Lenz
- Director of Music Ministry: Liesl Schiavone
- Director of Youth Ministry: Mary Beth Woodburn
- Facilities Manager: Bryan Brinsfield
- Bookkeeper: Sue Stavely
- Padua Hall Coordinator: Karen Miller
A Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Church (2025)
St. Anthony's was named one of the Archdiocese of Washington's Jubilee Year 2025 pilgrimage churches. Father James Stack invited neighboring parishes to make pilgrimage visits during the Jubilee Year of Hope to attend Mass and fulfill the requirements for a plenary indulgence. Parish secretary Terry DiGuiseppe called the designation 'an unexpected honor,' noting that it did not change how the parish operates — but it reaffirmed a quiet, steady rhythm of prayer and welcome that has shaped the community since its 1903 beginnings.
- Designated 2025 Jubilee pilgrimage church
- Pilgrimage visits coordinated by Father Stack
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William P. Anderson1962–1963
First pastor after Saint Anthony's was elevated from mission church to parish on September 8, 1962.
- Rev. Anthony J. Bonfiglio1963–1966
Second pastor; assumed role upon Father Anderson's untimely death on January 19, 1963.
- Rev. Anthony R. Griffin1966–1967
- Rev. Francis F. Chadnicki1967–1969
- Msgr. James Hollis Brooks1969–1978
Appointed by Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle; much loved spiritual leader to Catholics and non-Catholics; dedicated to the sick and shut-ins.
- Rev. Robert S. Grace1978–1998
Served 20 years; initiated the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Program, with ministers present at all Masses and serving the shut-ins every Sunday.
- Rev. David P. Russell1998–2015
Had Reverend Patrick W. Kemp as Weekend Assistant until Kemp's retirement in September 2008 (Fr. Kemp passed away November 2008).
- Rev. James M. Stack2015–present
Current pastor; appointed July 2015; invited neighboring parishes to make pilgrimage visits during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.