About St. Katharine Drexel · Frederick, Maryland
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church is a Eucharistic-centered parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore located in Frederick, Maryland at 8428 Opossumtown Pike. The community began as a mission church in 2000, achieved independent mission status in 2003, was recognized as a full parish in 2008, and now serves more than 1,100 registered families. The current church building was constructed in 2015-2016 and dedicated on 11 November 2016, designed by Noelker and Hull Associates.
- Established
- 2000
- Patron
- St. Katharine Drexel
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) Buening
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Katharine Drexel offers an unusually full life of faith formation for a parish its size: an intergenerational FIRE program, Sunday-evening G.I.F.T. family formation, a home-study track, dedicated middle-school and high-school youth ministries, and OCIA for adults and teens exploring Catholicism. Liturgically the parish is robust, with weekday and weekend Masses, Saturday reconciliation, Eucharistic exposition in the school chapel, and a Haiti sister-parish partnership with St. Hubert in Ennery. A monthly "Prospective Member Orientation" at Drexel Place makes it easy for visitors and new arrivals to meet the staff and learn about ministries before formally registering.
Mass times at St. Katharine Drexel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM in the church, or anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the School Chapel (times published on the parish schedule)
History of St. Katharine Drexel Parish
St. Katharine Drexel's history began in 1998, when Father Keith Boisvert was assigned to look into establishing a new parish to accommodate overflow from St. John the Evangelist, located in downtown Frederick. An unnamed mission of St. John the Evangelist met first in the Kussmaul Theater at Frederick Community College with about 200 faithful. It was officially named St. Katharine Drexel in 2000 — the year of the saint's canonization — and achieved independent mission status in 2003. On June 10, 2008 Cardinal William H. Keeler recognized the community as a full parish, naming Father Boisvert its first pastor effective that July.
- 1998 — Father Keith Boisvert assigned to launch a new Frederick-area mission
- 2000 — Mission officially named St. Katharine Drexel; met at Frederick Community College
- 2003 — Independent mission status
- 2005 — Moved to St. John Regional Catholic School on Opossumtown Pike
- June 10, 2008 — Cardinal Keeler grants full parish status
- 2008 & 2013 — Two capital campaigns raised $2M and $1.85M toward the new church
- May 2015 — Groundbreaking for the new church
- November 11, 2016 — New church dedicated
- July 2024 — Father Keith Boisvert retires; Father Matt Buening becomes second pastor
Building the New Church
Designed by Noelker and Hull Associates and built by Conewago Enterprises, the new worship space seats about 700 people and represents a $6.5 million project funded largely through two successful parish capital campaigns. From its origins meeting in a college theater, the parish now occupies its own dedicated worship space, sharing the Opossumtown Pike campus with St. John Regional Catholic School.
- Capacity: ~700
- Architect: Noelker and Hull Associates
- Builder: Conewago Enterprises
- Groundbreaking: May 2015
- Dedication: November 11, 2016
Worship and Prayer Schedule
Mass is offered on Saturday evening at 5:00 PM and three times on Sunday (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM), with weekday Masses on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday and a First-Saturday morning Mass. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the church, or by appointment.
- Saturday vigil: 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 6:00 PM
- Monday, Tuesday: 10:00 AM (Nave)
- Friday: 6:30 AM (Nave)
- 1st Saturday: 8:00 AM (Nave)
- Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM, or by appointment
Clergy and Staff
St. Katharine Drexel is served by a pastor, a pastor emeritus, three permanent deacons, and several lay pastoral associates and operational staff. Day-to-day parish operations are coordinated by the Parish Operations Manager and Business Manager.
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) Buening — Pastor
- Rev. Keith Boisvert — Pastor Emeritus
- Permanent Deacons: Daniel Owens, Kevin Kulesa, Jeff Sutterman
- Daniel Owens — Director of Parish Life
- Tim Moore — Pastoral Associate
- Brian McCrohan — Pastoral Associate (faith formation, social justice, OCIA)
- Ana Maria Alvarado — Pastoral Associate (youth & teen sacraments)
- Hannah McNally — Pastoral Associate
- Rachel Allan — Parish Operations Manager
- Carol Mull — Business Manager
- Staff Contact for general inquiries: Rachel Allan
Faith Formation
Faith formation is offered for every age and stage through three core programs: F.I.R.E. (Family Intergenerational Religious Education), Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T.), and Home Study. Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation is coordinated through the parish even for children attending a Catholic school.
- F.I.R.E. (Family Intergenerational Religious Education) — small groups of 5-7 households
- G.I.F.T. (Growing in Faith Together) — Sundays 4:00-5:30 PM with nursery and Pre-K
- Home Study — parent-led with parish gatherings
- Supplemental Formation options available year-round
Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Children from birth through high school are welcomed on Sundays and beyond. Nursery care and a Pre-K option support G.I.F.T., while dedicated middle-school and high-school programs build community among teens. A separate Young Adult Ministry serves college-aged parishioners.
- Nursery (up to 3 years)
- Kate's Kids (3-5 years)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Grades K-4)
- Kate's Special Buddies (children and youth with developmental disabilities)
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- High School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) and Teen Sacraments
Adults and teens explore Catholicism through a parish process that prepares them for Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The teen track — called OCIT at St. Katharine Drexel — is open to students ages 12-18 who have completed prior faith formation.
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults
- OCIT (OCIA for Teens) for students 12-18 in grade school
- Teen Confirmation preparation with Parent/Teen Overview
Social Outreach
Outreach is organized across several ministries that combine direct service, advocacy, and global solidarity. The Soup Kitchen / Food Bank provides immediate aid, the Haiti Partnership sustains a sister-parish relationship, and the Social Justice Ministry educates parishioners in Catholic Social Teaching.
- Soup Kitchen / Food Bank
- Inclusion Project
- Haiti Partnership
- Social Justice Ministry
- Parish Outreach
- Jamaica mission trips
Haiti Partnership — Sister Parish in Ennery
Since 2014 St. Katharine Drexel has partnered with St. Hubert Parish in Ennery, Haiti, within the Archdiocese of Baltimore's broader relationship with the Diocese of Gonaives. The partnership focuses on training lay ministers, supporting medical clinics, and accompanying one of Haiti's most underserved regions. Fr. Faubert Charles serves as pastor of St. Hubert.
- Partner parish: St. Hubert, Ennery (Diocese of Gonaives)
- Partner pastor: Fr. Faubert Charles
- First SKD delegation visited Haiti February 26-29, 2016
- Delegation brought 200+ lbs of medical supplies and hosted a 5-day clinic
- Supports training and stipends for lay ministers serving five chapel communities
Joining the Parish
Prospective members are invited to attend a monthly Prospective Member Orientation in Drexel Place to meet staff and learn about ministries. Registration is available online or by paper form from the parish office.
- Monthly Prospective Member Orientation in Drexel Place
- Online registration form via the parish website
- Paper forms available in the parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Keith Boisvert2003-2024
Founding administrator (2003-2007) and first pastor (2007-2024). Retired July 2024 after 45 years in the priesthood and is now Pastor Emeritus.
- Rev. Matthew (Matt) Buening2024-present
Second pastor of St. Katharine Drexel, appointed following Father Boisvert's retirement in July 2024.