Five men ordained priests in joyful celebration June 21, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News, Vocations An overwhelming sense of excitement and joy filled the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland June 20. Between the sniffles, baby cries, occasional cough and heels clicking on the floor, five men – Robert J. “Tre” Bart III, Stephen Kirby, Alexander Kulik, John Russell Sullivan and Connor Schmidt – were ordained to the priesthood to the cheers of the 1,439 people gathered to celebrate with them.
Deacon Sullivan responds to faith first June 18, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News Deacon Sullivan said public service “runs deep” in his family. While he himself is not a first responder, he has found his own role through his ministry. As a seminarian in Bel Air, he was the chaplain for the Bel Air Police Department. In March 2025, he became a chaplain for the Baltimore City Fire Department.
Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line June 17, 2026By Gerry Jackson Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News, Vocations “I think I’m looking forward to the ways the Lord works through me to give hope and joy to people,” Deacon Schmidt said. “The Lord wants to give us good things. It’s inspiring that I might be able to provide some of that hope and joy through the sacraments.”
Powerful experience at adoration helps lead Calvert Hall grad to the priesthood June 16, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News, Vocations After graduating from Tulane University with a degree in chemistry, Deacon Kulik put aside medical school acceptance to serve two years as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. The experience deepened his sense of purpose and pointed him toward seminary.
Deacon Kirby’s path to priesthood is a journey of faith and learning June 15, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News, Vocations Deacon Stephen Kirby was in fifth grade when he first thought it would be “cool” to be a priest. The fourth of seven children, Deacon Kirby and his family were active members at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park where he was an altar boy and in the youth choir.
Called at 10:46 a.m. June 14, 2026By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, New Priests 2026, News, Vocations Deacon Robert L. “Tre” Bart says what inspired him to consider the priesthood is “a short question with a long answer.”
Meet the new priests to be ordained in 2026 May 23, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: New Priests 2026 Profiles of the new priests will be added to the Catholic Review site daily on this page from June 14 to June 18.
