About St. Patrick · Rockville, Maryland
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Washington located at 4101 Norbeck Road in Rockville, Maryland. Canonically erected on May 28, 1966 by decree of Archbishop O'Boyle, it was carved out of St. Mary's, St. Peter's, and St. Jude's parishes to serve the growing Catholic community along Norbeck Road. The parish is centered on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, and is presently pastored by Rev. Msgr. Charles J. Parry. St. Patrick's also operates a parish school, K-8, that was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2016.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Charles J. Parry
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Patrick's offers the full rhythm of Catholic life: daily and Sunday Mass in English, year-round Eucharistic adoration in St. Therese Chapel, Saturday confessions, and a robust sacramental preparation program. Parishioners can also grow through the Legion of Mary, weekly Bible Study, OCIA, St. Patrick's Men's Group, youth ministry (BLAZE), Scouts, Knights of Columbus, and the parish school's vibrant faith formation rooted in the Divine Mercy devotion.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Good Friday 1:00 PM (after Stations of the Cross)
Adoration times
- Monday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Blessed Sacrament reserved, St. Therese Chapel)
- Tuesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Exposition and Adoration, St. Therese Chapel)
- Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (St. Therese Chapel)
- Thursday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (St. Therese Chapel)
- Friday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (St. Therese Chapel)
- First Fridays 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Exposition in the church)
About St. Patrick Catholic Church
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Washington, located at 4101 Norbeck Road in Rockville, Maryland. The parish describes itself as centered on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and on the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, in prayerful reparation for the sins of the whole world. It is served today by a pastor, parochial vicar, an in-residence priest, a retired priest, two deacons, and a full lay staff of directors for religious education, adult faith formation, youth ministry, music, social concerns, and operations.
- Archdiocese of Washington parish
- Wheelchair accessible
- Daily Mass Monday–Saturday
- Four Sunday Masses
Parish History
The parish was canonically erected by Archbishop O'Boyle on May 28, 1966, taking territory from St. Mary's, St. Peter's, and St. Jude's parishes. The new parish was made possible by a gift of about ten acres of the Hannan family farm from Robert H. Mahoney, in memory of his wife Mary Hannan Mahoney, whose father was named Patrick. The first Masses were offered in the multi-purpose room of Earle B. Wood Junior High School on Trinity Sunday, May 29, 1966, by the founding pastor Father George R. Ellis.
- Founded May 28, 1966 by decree of Archbishop O'Boyle
- Founded from parishes of St. Mary's, St. Peter's, and St. Jude's
- Land donated in memory of Mary Hannan Mahoney
- First Masses on Trinity Sunday, May 29, 1966 in Earle B. Wood Junior High School
- Church dedicated December 8, 1968 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
- 50th anniversary marked in 2016 with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Founding Pastor and Succession
Father George R. Ellis was the parish's founding pastor and served until his death in 1985. In December 1985, Monsignor Thomas A. Kane was installed as the second pastor by Archbishop James A. Hickey. Monsignor Kane, previously Director of Priest Personnel for the Archdiocese, retained his role as coordinator of both the annual March for Life and the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The parish center was named in honor of Father Ellis on the twentieth anniversary of the parish.
- 1st Pastor: Father George R. Ellis (1966–1985)
- 2nd Pastor: Monsignor Thomas A. Kane (installed December 1985)
- Current Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Charles J. Parry
Clergy & Staff
The parish is staffed by clergy and a full complement of lay ministers serving liturgy, formation, youth, music, social concerns, and facilities. The Archdiocese of Washington directory lists the current pastor, parochial vicar, in-residence priest, retired priest, two deacons, and staff directors.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Charles J. Parry
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Lawrence Tajah
- In Residence: Rev. Linus Nviiri, CSC
- Retired: Rev. Francis Early
- Deacon James T. Nalls
- Deacon Alan Jeeves
- Business Manager: Jennifer Seo
- Secretary: Patrice Roe
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Jennifer Dougherty
- Religious Education Assistant: Anne Bolin (301-929-9314)
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Melanie Baker (ext. 317)
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Kaplan
- Coordinator, Parish Center: Samantha Lawrence
- Director of Social Concerns: Monica Ludwig
- Director of Youth Ministry: Michael McHugh
- Music Coordinator: Kathy Fitzpatrick
- Plant Manager: Eric Ramical
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children and adults is a central part of parish life, anchored by a year-round Religious Education program and a robust Adult Faith Formation program under Director Melanie Baker. An OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process invites inquirers to explore Catholicism, and the parish also runs monthly adult inquiry classes on the second Saturday of each month.
- Religious Education for children – Coordinator Jennifer Dougherty
- Adult Faith Formation – Director Melanie Baker (301-924-2285 ext. 317)
- OCIA / RCIA program
- Adult Inquiry – 2nd Saturday of the month, 10:00–11:00 AM
- Religious Education Assistant: Anne Bolin (301-929-9314)
St. Patrick's Catholic School
The parish campus is home to St. Patrick's Catholic School, a PK3–grade 8 elementary school affiliated with the Archdiocese of Washington. In 2016 the U.S. Department of Education recognized the school as a National Blue Ribbon School. The school describes itself as a supportive community that champions respect and offers a rigorous, faith-based curriculum.
- Located on the parish campus at 4101 Norbeck Road
- PK3 through 8th grade
- 2016 National Blue Ribbon School
- Curriculum follows Archdiocese of Washington standards
- Uses NWEA MAP Growth Assessment for grades 2–8
- School office: (301) 929-9672
Ministries, Groups, and Community Life
St. Patrick's offers a wide range of lay-led ministries for parishioners of all ages and stages, from the Legion of Mary and weekly Bible Study to youth ministry, Scout troops, and ongoing support for those in recovery. The parish calendar shows active year-round programming in both the church and parish center, including groups for young families, men, women, and seniors.
- Legion of Mary – Adult & Junior Praesidiums (Judith Richardson, Emily Calis)
- St. Patrick's Men's Group
- Bible Study – Tuesdays at 10 AM
- Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Respect Life ministry
- St. Brigid of Ireland
- Social Concerns / Monthly Food Drive
- Knights of Columbus
- Young Family Ministry Socials
- Youth Ministry (BLAZE) and Youth Group meetings
- Children's Choir
- Music Ministry – Kathy Fitzpatrick
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scout Pack 457
- Monthly Girl Scout Meeting
- RCSP summer camp program
- AA – One Day at a Time (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8 PM)
Becoming Catholic and Returning Catholics
The parish welcomes those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church through the OCIA process, as well as adults who have been away and want to return. The Director of Adult Faith Formation, Melanie Baker, personally guides inquirers through the steps from inquiry to reception of the sacraments.
- OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Adult inquiry sessions – 2nd Saturday of each month, 10:00–11:00 AM
- Curious about Catholicism, returning to the faith, or wanting to deepen prayer
- Contact: Melanie Baker, [email protected], 301-924-2285 ext. 317
Parish Registration and Visiting
Newcomers are invited to register with the parish by completing a registration form (available on the website), which can be returned by mail, email, in the Sunday collection, or in person at the parish office. After the form is received, the pastor's office schedules an introductory appointment to welcome new parishioners into the life of the parish.
- Registration form available on the parish website
- Submit by mail, email, Sunday basket, or in person
- Follow-up appointment arranged with the pastor
- Parish office: 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853
- Phone: 301-924-2284
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father George R. Ellis1966 – 1985
Founding pastor, appointed by Archbishop O'Boyle; celebrated first Masses on Trinity Sunday, May 29, 1966 in Earle B. Wood Junior High School; oversaw dedication of the church on December 8, 1968. Died in 1985; parish center named in his honor.
- Monsignor Thomas A. KaneDecember 1985 –
Installed by Archbishop James A. Hickey in December 1985; previously Director of Priest Personnel for the Archdiocese and continued as coordinator of the annual March for Life and the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine.