Meet the Clergy and Staff
The Very Reverend Joseph W. McQuaide, IV serves as Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Pastor of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Patrick Parishes.
Father McQuaide was born and raised in the Diocese of Wilmington. The oldest son of Joseph and Elaine, he was baptized into Christ and his Church at Immaculate Conception Church, Elkton, Maryland on December 15, 1985. Soon thereafter came his siblings: Jeremy (now married to Emily, with sons Aiden and Landon), Sara, and Erica (now married to Zach, with daughter Elaina). He attended Immaculate Conception School from kindergarten to eighth grade and later graduated from Salesianum School. Having discerned a vocation to the priesthood, he began seminary formation at Saint Andrew’s College Seminary at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, with a minor in music (vocal performance). He was then appointed to continue his formation at the Pontifical North American College, Rome. While there, he lived in the shadow of Saint Peter’s and studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, obtaining an S.T.B., a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, and at the Pontifical Athenæum of Saint Anselm, obtaining an S.T.M.A., a Master of Arts in Sacred Theology, specializing in sacramental theology. Father McQuaide was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 18, 2011 by His Excellency, the Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, the ninth Bishop of Wilmington, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter. Since then, Father has served as Associate Pastor of Holy Cross, Dover; Immaculate Conception, Marydel; Our Lady of Fatima, New Castle; and Saint Paul, Delaware City. Most recently he was in residence at Saint Mary Magdalen, Wilmington. During this time, he has served the diocese as a member of the Presbyteral Council, the Sustaining Hope for the Future capital campaign clergy policy committee, and the Bishop’s priority taskforce on promoting vocations in the diocese. He has served as Associate Vocations Director, Vice Chancellor, Coordinator of the Office of Worship, and Master of Episcopal Liturgical Ceremonies. In addition to his parish assignments in the Downtown Catholic community, he currently serves as the Diocesan Chaplain for Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Diocesan Chancellor, and Judicial Vicar. He is also pursuing a licentiate in canon law (J.C.L.) from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. |
Reverend Christopher M. Markellos
Parochial Vicar My name is Father Christopher Markellos, and I am originally from the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey. I entered seminary in Philadelphia immediately after I graduated high school in 1997 to study for the Priesthood for my home Diocese and was ordained for the Diocese of Camden on May 20, 2006. I served in various parish assignments and taught in elementary and high school for 12 years before discerning a call to religious life with the Norbertines in Middletown. In 2018, Bishop Sullivan of Camden granted my request to leave the diocese and enter the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (a.k.a. The Norbertine Fathers). After a year of Novitiate in 2019, I was invited to take Simple (Temporary) Vows for 3 years, and after simple vows, I will be eligible for Solemn (Permanent) Vows. Since taking Simple Vows, I have been helping at various parishes here in the Diocese of Wilmington. I was very happy to be asked to help Father McQuaide as his Part-time Parochial Vicar at all three parishes. Assisting at the Downtown Catholic churches helped me to discern that I am called to be a diocesan priest. I am very grateful to Bishop Koenig for welcoming me to serve the people of the Diocese of Wilmington in a more permanent way. I look forward to aiding Father McQuaide in his pastoral responsibilities and continuing to serve the People of God at the Cathedral, Saint Mary, and Saint Patrick. |
Deacon Anthony Gallo
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Maria Dempsey
Parish Office Administrator office@downtowncatholic.com Maria is originally from New Jersey, is a graduate of Widener University and came to Wilmington with the Chase Manhattan Bank 38 years ago. There she met her husband of 33 years, and together they have raised their four children: Donald, Catherine, Jennifer, and Harrison. She and her family have been parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary for 31 years. Maria and Don own an executive transportation business and are very active in their community. She enjoys baking, the Jersey Shore, and—most especially—time with her family. |
Dana Brehany
Music Director, Saint May & Saint Patrick |
Kathleen Cullen
Parish Bookkeeper businessoffice@downtowncatholic.com |
Downtown Catholic Offices
1414 N. King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Phone: 302-652–0743 Fax: 302-652–7678 office@downtowncatholic.com open Mondays–Thursdays 9:30am to 3:30pm |