About St. Ursula · Baltimore, Maryland
St. Ursula is a Roman Catholic parish in the Parkville community of northeastern Baltimore County, Maryland, in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Catholic Community of St. Ursula Church and School describes itself as a community of faith, worship, service, and formation, called to make disciples of Jesus Christ through Eucharistic worship, prayer, and service. The parish campus on Harford Road includes the church, an elementary school (pre-K through 8th grade), a Spiritual Center, a rectory, and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry/assistance center. It currently serves several thousand registered families with daily and Sunday Masses, a faith formation program, a school, and many parish ministries.
- Established
- 1937
- Patron
- St. Ursula
- Rector
- Fr. Obinna (Barnabas) Nwabor, C.S.Sp. (Parish Administrator)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Ursula welcomes new Catholics, returning Catholics, and anyone looking for a spiritual home in the Parkville/Baltimore area. The parish lives out its mission as disciples of Jesus Christ through daily and Sunday Mass (including a quiet 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, a Traditional Choir Mass at 9 a.m., and a Contemporary Choir Mass at 11 a.m.), a K-8 parish school of more than 700 students, a robust religious education program for PreK–8th graders, a youth ministry open to grades 5–12, year-round Scripture study, and an active St. Vincent de Paul food pantry for neighbors in need. With long-standing ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Prayer Shawl, Respect Life, Grief Ministry, Men's Fellowship, and OCIA (formerly RCIA), it offers concrete ways for any age or stage of life to grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Ursula
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Friday: 7:00 p.m. (Holy Hour)
Parish History
St. Ursula was established as a mission church of St. Dominic's, Hamilton, on land purchased by Rev. John Manley on February 16, 1926 from Abraham Niefeld. A frame hall was raised by volunteer labor and a parish of about 700 Catholics became an independent parish on June 27, 1937 under its first pastor, Rev. John J. Russell. The present church was dedicated by Archbishop Keough on October 31, 1954, after a building program led by Msgr. William J. Sweeney that also added a convent, an eight-room classroom wing (1959), and an auditorium (1968). In 2012 Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien celebrated Mass to open the parish's 75th anniversary year, joined by Father Stephen E. Hook (pastor), Monsignor James A. Farmer (former pastor), and Monsignor A. Thomas Baumgartner (pastor emeritus).
- 1926: Land purchased on Harford Road, near Manns Avenue, for $6,500
- 1933: First permanent church dedicated July 21; first Mass celebrated by Fr. Edward Braham
- 1937: Became an independent parish under Rev. John J. Russell on June 27
- 1940: School opened under the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
- 1953–54: New convent blessed December 8, 1953; upper church dedicated October 31, 1954
- 1962: School enrollment reached 1,468 students
- 2012: 75th anniversary celebrated; anniversary year culminated October 21 (Feast of St. Ursula)
Mass and Worship Schedule
St. Ursula offers daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:30 a.m., with an additional Tuesday evening Mass at 9:00 p.m. from September to May. Sunday Masses include a Quiet Mass at 7:30 a.m., a Traditional Choir Mass at 9:00 a.m., and a Contemporary Choir Mass at 11:00 a.m. A 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturday. A First Friday Mass is offered at 5:30 p.m., and a Holy Hour is held Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:30 a.m. (Quiet), 9:00 a.m. (Traditional Choir), 11:00 a.m. (Contemporary Choir)
- Monday–Saturday: 8:30 a.m. daily
- Tuesday evening: 9:00 p.m. (September through May)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
- First Friday: 5:30 p.m.
- Friday Holy Hour: 7:00 p.m.
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is administered by Fr. Obinna (Barnabas) Nwabor, C.S.Sp. (of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit / Spiritans). He is assisted by two Permanent Deacons, David Glassman and Michael Baxter, and a lay staff that includes the Director of Religious Education (Laura Weatherington), Adult Faith Formation Coordinator (Bernie Miller), Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Confirmation (Tanya Ray), music directors Paul Binko (Traditional and Junior Choirs) and Chris Montcalmo (Contemporary Group & Youth Band), administrative assistant and baptism coordinator Maureen Peters, communications and rentals coordinator Shannon Schoelkopf, and bookkeeper Diane Burgess.
- Parish Administrator: Fr. Obinna Nwabor, C.S.Sp.
- Permanent Deacons: David Glassman, Michael Baxter
- Religious Education: Laura Weatherington (Director); Bernie Miller (Adult Faith Formation)
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation: Tanya Ray
- Music: Paul Binko (Traditional / Junior Choir); Chris Montcalmo (Contemporary / Youth Band)
- Administration: Maureen Peters, Shannon Schoelkopf, Diane Burgess
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Ursula's faith formation program aims 'to help each person fall in love with Jesus Christ and his Church' through Word, Sacraments, service, and community. The parish runs a Traditional Weekly Religious Education program (PreK–8, Monday evenings 7:00–8:15 p.m. at St. Ursula School) and a Family Faith Formation option (monthly Saturday evenings 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Spiritual Center). The Catechesis for Family Life curriculum is integrated into faith formation. Sacramental preparation for First Communion, Penance, and Confirmation requires religious education the year prior in addition to the sacrament year, per Archdiocesan regulations. No one is refused religious education classes due to financial difficulty.
- Traditional Weekly Religious Education: Monday 7:00–8:15 p.m.
- Family Faith Formation: Saturday 6:00–8:00 p.m. (monthly)
- Tuition: 1 child $75; 2 or more children $125
- Catechesis for Family Life integrated into curriculum
Adult Faith Formation and OCIA
Adult faith formation is coordinated by Bernie Miller. The parish runs year-round Catholic Scripture Study open to anyone, Catholic or not, from newcomers to seasoned students of the Bible. Adults seeking to join or complete their initiation into the Catholic Church participate in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), the process through which they become intentional disciples and members of the Church.
- Catholic Scripture Study (year-round) — contact Bernie Miller
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) — coordinated by Bernie Miller
Youth Ministry
St. Ursula's Youth Ministry is open to all youth in grades 5–12, under Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Confirmation Tanya Ray. The parish also offers Vacation Bible School coordinated through the Religious Education office.
- Youth Ministry (grades 5–12): Tanya Ray
- Vacation Bible School: Laura Weatherington
Saint Ursula School
Saint Ursula School is a parish Catholic elementary school located at 8900 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 (phone 410-665-3533, stursula.org). The school serves more than 700 students in the parish tradition that began when 145 pupils first attended under the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in September 1940. The school community continues to support parish life through Father's Club, Mother's Club, Home School Association (PHSA), School Board, and athletics.
- Principal: Diane Anderson
- School Board President: Erin Parks
- Father's Club: Paul Welkie
- Mother's Club: Stephanie Welkie
- Home School Association (PHSA): Sara DeRose
Music and Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Ursula is led by two directors. Paul Binko directs the Traditional Choir (heard at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass) and the Junior Choir. Chris Montcalmo directs the Contemporary Group and Youth Band (heard at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass). A Quiet (no music) Mass is offered at 7:30 a.m. on Sundays.
- Traditional Choir & Junior Choir: Paul Binko
- Contemporary Group & Youth Band: Chris Montcalmo
- 7:30 a.m. Sunday: Quiet Mass
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul
Saint Ursula Outreach provides financial and food assistance to neighbors in need through the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Assistance program. The food pantry is located at 8801 Harford Rd., Parkville, MD 21234 (phone 410-665-0918) and operates on the third Wednesday of the month out of the garage on the side of the rectory.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Assistance
- Third Wednesday of the month (garage on side of rectory)
- Phone: (410) 665-0918
Parish Ministries and Groups
St. Ursula supports a wide range of parish ministries for adults and families, including spiritual, service, and fellowship groups. Many have designated coordinators listed on the parish website, and groups meet throughout the week and on weekends.
- Grief Ministry (Mary Nooney)
- Faith Formation Committee (Bernie Miller)
- Finance Committee (Jeff Breighner)
- Hospitality (vacant)
- Men's Fellowship Group (Rob Commodari)
- Knights of Columbus (Michael Colbourne)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (Jeanne Delozier)
- Respect Life Committee (Liz Walz)
- OCIA & Scripture Study (Bernie Miller)
- First & Third Friday Club (Karen Sokolis)
- Ushers (Jeff Breighner)
- Basketball (Gordon Maki)
- Boy Scouts (Jay Heath)
- Cub Scouts (Chris Petrocelli)
Sacraments
Information about the sacraments is available through the parish office. Baptisms are coordinated by Mrs. Maureen Peters; First Communion and Penance are prepared through the parish Religious Education program; Confirmation is coordinated by Tanya Ray; Marriages and Funerals are coordinated by Mrs. Shannon Schoelkopf. Sacramental records (baptismal, confirmation, marriage certificates) can be requested through the Sacramental Records page.
- Baptisms: Maureen Peters
- First Communion / Penance: via Religious Education
- Confirmation: Tanya Ray
- Marriage: Shannon Schoelkopf
- Funerals: Shannon Schoelkopf
- Sacramental Records: request via parish office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John J. Russell1937–1945
First pastor after St. Ursula became an independent parish on June 27, 1937; later honored as Right Reverend Monsignor; went on to become Bishop of Charleston, SC, and then Bishop of Richmond, VA.
- Rev. William J. Sweeney1945–1967
Succeeded Msgr. Russell; built the new church and convent (dedicated 1953–54), added eight classrooms in 1959 and an auditorium in 1968; elevated to Monsignor; died of a heart attack on May 12, 1967, after 22 years as pastor.