About St. Joseph Catholic Community (SJCC) · Eldersburg, Maryland
St. Joseph Catholic Community (SJCC) is a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore serving Eldersburg and Sykesville in southern Carroll County, Maryland. The parish worships on a single campus at 915 Liberty Road in Eldersburg and operates an additional historic church in downtown Sykesville for private prayer and special occasions. With more than 2,200 registered families, SJCC offers daily and weekend Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, a full sacramental-preparation program, youth and young-adult ministries, RCIA, parish choirs, and outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and other service groups.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. John Worgul
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
SJCC is a large, active parish rooted in the same community since 1867, offering the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass, perpetual adoration, two choral programs, and a robust sacramental-preparation calendar for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Members can grow through RCIA, Small Groups/ACTS, and Young Adult ministry, serve neighbors through St. Vincent de Paul, Shepherd's Table, and Prison Ministry, and find faith formation for every age from preschool through high school. Visitors are welcomed to weekend Masses, the bi-monthly Coffee & Donuts after the 8:00 am Sunday Mass, and the parish's ongoing renewal under its missionary-discipleship pastoral plan.
Mass times at St. Joseph Catholic Community (SJCC)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 – 4:30 pm (except on Holy Days)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at 443-920-9191
Adoration times
- Sunday 7:00 am (Adoration Chapel and historic church, until 7:00 pm)
- Monday – Saturday 7:00 am (Adoration Chapel)
- During current chapel renovations: Monday–Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in the main church (Blessed Sacrament exposed after daily Mass; reposition at noon)
About St. Joseph Catholic Community
St. Joseph Catholic Community, often called SJCC, is a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore serving Eldersburg and Sykesville in southern Carroll County, Maryland. The parish worships primarily at 915 Liberty Road in Eldersburg and continues to maintain its original historic church in downtown Sykesville. Its vision is to be "the spiritual, moral, and social heart of Eldersburg/Sykesville through encounters with Jesus Christ," and its stated mission is carried out through celebrating the Sacraments, proclaiming the Gospel, and reflecting God's love through service. The parish follows the six core mission priorities set out by Archbishop William E. Lori in his 2015 pastoral letter "A Light Brightly Visible" — Liturgy, Welcome, Encounter, Accompaniment, Sending, and Mission Support.
- Mission: Encountering Jesus through the Sacraments, the Gospel, and Service.
- Vision: The spiritual, moral, and social heart of Eldersburg/Sykesville.
- Pastoral plan built on Liturgy, Welcome, Encounter, Accompaniment, Sending, and Mission Support.
- Discipleship Pathway forming missionary disciples in family, workplace, and community.
Our Story — 150+ Years of Catholic Life in South Carroll
Catholic worship in the Sykesville area dates to the 1850s when visiting priests said Mass in the home of Dr. Orrelana Owings. Dr. Owings donated land in 1865, the cornerstone was laid in 1867 under Archbishop Martin Spalding, and the original granite church was consecrated in 1879 by Archbishop Gibbons. The parish moved to Eldersburg with a new church dedicated by Cardinal Shehan in 1965, dedicated a larger third church in 1998, and marked its 150th anniversary in 2018. The Society of Mary (Marianists) shepherded the parish from 1981 until June 30, 2020; current pastor Fr. John Worgul took office July 1, 2020. The historic Sykesville church and cemetery remain active for prayer and special occasions.
- 1850s: First Masses celebrated in Dr. Owings's home
- 1865: Lot for a church conveyed to the Archbishop of Baltimore
- 1867: Cornerstone of original St. Joseph Church laid in Sykesville
- 1879: Original church consecrated by Archbishop Gibbons
- 1963: 15 acres on Liberty Road purchased for $21,500
- 1965: New Eldersburg church dedicated by Cardinal Shehan
- 1981: Society of Mary (Marianists) take pastoral responsibility
- 1998: Third (current) church dedicated on Liberty Road campus
- 2015: Formation and Fellowship Center added
- 2018: 150th anniversary jubilee celebrated with Archbishop Lori
- 2020: Marianists withdraw; Fr. John Worgul becomes first diocesan pastor
Parish Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Father John Worgul as Pastor, with Father Patrick McCain (and Father Andrew Westerman, listed on the parish's Welcome page) serving as Associate Pastor. Two permanent deacons — Thomas White and Joe Slattery — assist with ministry and worship. A large lay staff supports operations, faith formation, liturgy and music, youth and young-adult ministry, communications, finance, facilities, and safe environment.
- Father John Worgul — Pastor
- Father Patrick McCain — Associate Pastor
- Father Andrew Westerman — Associate Pastor (parish website)
- Deacon Thomas White (with wife Valerie)
- Deacon Joe Slattery
- Karen Cain — Office Manager
- Lauren Glass — Director of Finance & Business Administration
- Judy Breiner — Bookkeeper; Erika Wiegand — Business Office Admin
- Steve Cox — Director of Liturgy & Music; Claire Mattingly — Assistant
- Daniel Rosa — Director of Youth (6–12) & Young Adult Ministry
- AnnaMarie Link — Faith Formation Coordinator (PreK–5)
- Carla Vazquez — Administrative Assistant to Faith Formation
- Cathy Nusbaum — Communications Coordinator
- Mary Ellen Will — Safe Environment Coordinator & Office Assistant
- Thomas Schwartz — Director of Facilities & Infrastructure; Manuel Lemus, Eddie Beane, Josh Pickett, Michael Niederberger — Facilities
Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation at SJCC supports children from PreK through high school. Beginning with the 2025–26 program year, the parish opened registration with Confirmation starting at age 9 — among the first in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to implement Archbishop Lori's directive lowering the Confirmation age. The age for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist remains 7; Confirmation for students currently in grades 8–10 will continue during the transition. Preparation uses the Signs of Grace (First Sacraments) and Chosen (Confirmation) curricula.
- Family Faith Formation — 12 sessions per year
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist (age 7+) — Signs of Grace curriculum
- Confirmation — Elementary & Middle School (age 9+; must turn 9 by March 31, 2027)
- Confirmation — High School (ages 14–18; Mount 2000 Retreat Feb 6–8, 2026)
- Family Formation calendar and at-home lessons
- Curricula: Signs of Grace; Chosen (online video + textbook)
Christian Initiation (RCIA) and Adult Faith
Adults seeking to become Catholic, complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation, First Eucharist), or convalidate a marriage are welcomed through the parish's Christian Initiation (CI) Program. Sessions meet Sundays 9:15 – 10:30 am in McGivney Hall in the lower level, with the Easter Vigil at the culmination each year. The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry coordinates the program.
- CI Program Sundays 9:15 – 10:30 am in McGivney Hall (lower level)
- Pathway for unbaptized, baptized Christians, and Catholics completing Initiation
- Convalidation inquiry welcomed
- Contact: Daniel Rosa — [email protected]
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
SJCC runs a tiered youth program for grades 3 through 12, alongside a separate Young Adult ministry for ages 18–35. Each group meets twice a month with separate tracks for middle school, high school, and family prayer.
- EDGE Youth Group — middle school, Mondays 5:00 – 6:30 pm in the Lower Level
- Roots / Rooted — grades 3–5 youth group
- Life Teen — high school, Sundays 3:30 – 5:00 pm in the Youth Ministry Room
- Pizza and Prayer — optional family prayer night with 30 minutes of music adoration and 30 minutes of pizza & fellowship (Sept–May)
- Young Adult Small Groups — Bible study, service, prayer/adoration, social (ages 18–35)
- Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Daniel Rosa ([email protected])
Small Groups, ACTS, and Spiritual Growth
SJCC's Small Groups ministry builds community, deepens faith, and strengthens the walk with Christ through hospitality, prayer, and meaningful conversation. ACTS (parish small-group ministry) brings parishioners together on a regular basis for ongoing spiritual growth, led under the coordination of Deacon Tom White.
- Groups focus on Bible study, service, prayer, and fellowship
- Men's, women's, and mixed groups meeting in homes and on campus
- Email Deacon Tom White at [email protected] to find a group
- Young Adult groups: Christ-centered, community-driven, flexible, open to all states of life
Liturgy and Music
The parish's Director of Liturgy & Music coordinates worship life at SJCC, supported by an assistant. Two choral ensembles serve the parish: an Adult Choir open to all adults, and a Children's Choir for students in grades 2 through 8. Both expect weekly rehearsal and sung participation in Mass.
- Steve Cox — Director of Music & Liturgy ([email protected])
- Claire Mattingly — Liturgy & Music Assistant
- Adult Choir — all ages and reading levels welcome
- Children's Choir — grades 2–8; rehearsal and Mass participation expected
- Rehearsals: Thursdays 4:45 – 5:45 pm in McGivney Hall
- Motto: "Sing and Make Music in Your Hearts to the Lord." – Ephesians 5:19
Outreach and Social Ministry
A network of parish outreach ministries serves south Carroll County and beyond. The St. Vincent de Paul conference meets neighbors in financial crisis; Shepherd's Table volunteers prepare and serve meals for the homeless and hungry of Carroll County several Fridays a year; and Prison Ministry volunteers visit men at the minimum-security facility on the southern grounds of Springfield Hospital Center. The parish also hosts community groups including Cub Scout Pack 883, Boy Scout Troop 883, and recreational programs.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — meetings by appointment Tuesdays 9:30–11:30 am and Wednesdays 1:30–3:30 pm in Classroom 11 (Lower Hall); help with eviction prevention and utility turn-off notices; funded through parish poor boxes
- Shepherd's Table — 7–8 Friday meal services per year in partnership with Carroll County
- Prison Ministry — visits to minimum-security inmates at Springfield Hospital Center
- Referrals and additional community resources listed on the parish's Additional Resources page
Parish Governance — Councils and Commissions
SJCC operates with lay-led councils that collaborate with the pastor in the mission and administration of the parish. The Corporators ensure operations are effective, prudent, and compliant with Archdiocesan and legal regulations. The Parish Pastoral Council serves as a consultative body to the Pastor. The Mission Council implements the Parish Plan and liaises with ministries. The Finance Commission forecasts, tracks, and reports the parish's finances and advises on major expenditures.
- Corporators — Fr. John Worgul, Rachel Wandishin (Chair), Stephen Paskvich (Vice Chair), Jane Miller (Secretary), Tim Brantley, Laurie Facius, Mark Steinbrunner
- Parish Pastoral Council — chaired by Tony Gioio; meets bi-monthly
- Mission Council — Gwen Lilly, Terry Morse, plus staff liaisons
- Finance Commission — Nick Nutting (Chair), Bruce Goodwin (Vice Chair), Matt Anthony (Secretary), Bob Reiter, Donna Henson
The Historic Sykesville Church and Cemetery
The original 1868 St. Joseph Church in downtown Sykesville — the heart of the parish for its first century — remains in use for special occasions, private prayer, and devotions. Adjacent to it lies St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, whose earliest recorded burial dates to 1850 (Elizabeth Glennan). The cemetery, on Mellor Avenue off Sandosky Road, contains about 87 marked stones; an Eagle Scout project by Daniel A. Gonski in 2002–2003 produced a map and booklet of inscriptions and photographs. The Archdiocese of Baltimore still lists the parish's official address as Sykesville in addition to its Eldersburg mailing address.
- Original granite church in downtown Sykesville (1868), still in use
- St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery — Mellor Ave. off Sandosky Road, Sykesville
- Inscriptions booklet completed as an Eagle Scout project (2002–2003)
- Mass originally celebrated in Dr. Orrelana Owings's home (1850s)
Getting Involved
SJCC invites parishioners and visitors to take part through ministries for every age and stage of life, including liturgical ministries, choir, faith formation as catechists or small-group leaders, youth and young adult ministry, and outreach through St. Vincent de Paul, Shepherd's Table, or Prison Ministry. The parish regularly advertises openings in Youth and Young Adult Ministries on its homepage.
- Join a Small Group or ACTS group
- Volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul, Shepherd's Table, or Prison Ministry
- Catechist or small-group leader for Family Faith Formation
- Choir member (Adult or Children's)
- Liturgical ministry (lector, EMHC, altar server, etc.)
- Corporators, Pastoral Council, Mission Council, or Finance Commission
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Kellymid-1950s (predecessor of Snyder)
Asked the Holy Name Society to search for a new church site
- Fr. John A. Snyder1962–~1982
Oversaw the move from Sykesville to Eldersburg; groundbreaking 1964, dedication 1965
- Fr. Peter O'Grady, SM (Marianist)1981–1986
First Marianist pastor when the Society of Mary took over the parish in 1981
- Fr. Ted Cassidy, SM (Marianist)1986–1996
- Fr. Patrick Tonry, SM (Marianist)1996–2006
- Fr. Terry Weik, SM (Marianist)2006–2011
- Fr. Neville O'Donohue, SM (Marianist)2011–2020
Led 150th anniversary jubilee (2018)
- Fr. John Worgul2020–present
First diocesan pastor; came into full communion via the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter