Скачать или смотреть The Installation Mass of Father Zachary M. Crowley January 17, 2026

On January 17, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori installed Father Zachary Gabriel Mark Crowley as permanent Pastor of the Pastorate of Our Lady.

In July of 2024 Zachary M. Crowley took over as Administrator of The Pastorate of Our Lady Catholic Churches, comprised of the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater, MD, and Our Lady of Sorrows in West River Maryland.

At that time Father Zack took over all Masses and Leadership responsibilities. Beyond that, he joined many committees and ministry teams. One such ministry was the “Journey Team,” at the time a year-old Ministry designed to explore ways to unify the two parishes as a healthy Pastorate both administratively, and in day-to-day practice. Up to that time, while our Parish Councils had merged into a Pastorate Council, the parishes had yet to unify in a meaningful and proven way.

Father Zack injected enthusiasm into the Journey Team as a Vision, Mission, and Values for Pastorate Unity emerged. The influence of Father Zack and his closest clerical associate, Deacon Tim Mikules, has encouraged health and growth in ministries, sacraments, catechesis, organization, and discipline. Father Zack has influenced staff and brought out the best in parish leaders.

Under his leadership the Pastorate adopted a vision to ‘walk together as one and inspire all to grow as disciples of Christ.’ The Pastorate Mission to accomplish the Vision through ‘Charitable Acts and the Practice of our Roman Catholic Faith.’ This is accomplished with four values – faith, love, truth, and courage.

During his tenure Father Zack brought a level of seriousness, and infused passion into the Liturgy. He courageously developed new means of messaging and outreach that has led to increased Mass attendance and parish registration. The Pastorate also takes seriously its mission to spread the gospel and the Catholic Faith to the world at large.

Along with strong leadership by Deacon Tim Mikules the Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation programs have also become well attended. Catechesis at the Pastorate is treated seriously and the unity enjoyed by the parishes has strengthened ministries. The results of work at the Pastorate have made Catechesis an important reality in the lives of Catholics. Under Father Zack and Deacon Tim, Pastorate Faith Formation has helped shed perceptions about quality of Catholic Catechesis of past decades by some.

Father Zack also added Mass times, additional confession times, and additional times for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to accompany the uptick in Baptisms, weddings, and those receiving Catholic Sacraments. He brought in Professor Father Gladstone ‘Bud’ Stevens, and the Redemptorist Priest from Saint Mary’s Father Joy Poonoli stayed on, to assist Father Zack in offering up to 13 Masses each week.

Homiletics is a particular strength. Father Zack preaches in a way that reveals the time spent in reflection and priestly duties. The Holy Spirit seems to guide his homilies in ways that make his calling apparent to an observer or hearer, and serve to strengthen the love of Christ in his parishoners.

In short the model for Pastorate Unity implemented by Father Zack’s vision works. Father Zack is brave, passionate, and clear in his communications. This has served to galvanize a team around him where passion for Christ and a desire to become missionary disciples drives work. From clergy, to leadership, to volunteer, to parishioner, under Father Zack everyone is deepening their practice of the faith.

www.pastorateofourlady.org