Our Team
Fr. Erik Arnold
Pastor
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Favorite hobby: Hiking and getting out on the trails is my favorite hobby and the best way for me to relax. Being outside in nature, especially up on a mountain, puts everything back in perspective and helps me reconnect with the Lord.Favorite scripture passage: My favorite Scripture passage is Romans 5:8 “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” I love this passage because it reminds us that Jesus came to save us not because we earned it, or deserved it, or were good enough to make God want to save us, but only because he loves us. He took the initiative to save us even when we were sinners. And the only reason he did that is because he loves us.
Favorite food: I love all kinds of food and enjoy spending time with my family and friends around a good meal. I’m afraid to commit to a specific favorite food because that might rule other ones out!
Fun fact: The first job I ever had was working for mom when she ran her own catering business. But it wasn’t traditional catering the way you’d think – most of her business was feeding film crews who were shooting on location in the MD/DC area. It was an interesting way to earn my first paycheck!
Favorite person in the Holy Trinity: How can you pick just one?
Favorite Saint: My favorite saint is Thérèse of Lisieux. Her childlike confidence in the Lord has always been inspiring to me, as well as her acceptance of her weaknesses and littleness. In a world that tells us we should be self-sufficient and should rely on no one but ourselves, St. Thérèse shows us that God’s way is completely the opposite. Ever since entering seminary I have counted on her prayers and intercession and have seen great things happen as she prays for me!
Favorite bible character/disciple: One of my favorites is St. Paul. I love his zeal and his missionary heart that led him to travel the ancient world so that everyone could know Jesus. In all of this, St. Paul had to learn to rely on the Lord, not himself. How hard this must have been for a former pharisee who tried to be perfect on his own! I love when Paul shares this lesson the Lord taught him: “But the Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Favorite sports team: I enjoy football the most, so I’ve got to say the Baltimore Ravens.
What I love most about my job: I love getting to tell people about Jesus and everything he has done for us (and for me personally). I love being able to celebrate the Sacraments and being an instrument that God can use to bring Jesus to all those in need. And as a parish priest, I really love being in a parish family where I can be a shepherd to God’s people from when they are born to when they die and everything in between.
Fr. Jeremy Smith
Associate Pastor
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Favorite hobbies: Prayer, gardening - veggies and flowers! Anything outdoors, just being outdoors.Favorite scripture passage: I have too many to list just one. Here are some:
Galatians 2:20
Philippians 4;13
Psalm 145:18
Numbers 6:24-26
O taste and see that the LORD is good! Happy are those who take refuge in Him -Psalm 34Fun fact: Was a Wildlife Biologist at BWI Airport for six years and worked on the Anne Arundel County Raccoon Rabies Vaccination Project for four years (I may have been in your neighborhood or flown over it).
Favorite Saint: Can't pick just one. Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Francis, Saint Joseph, Saint Philip Neri, Saint Thèrése., Saint Padre Pio.
Favorite bible character/disciple: As a kid growing up, I really liked Samson. There are a lot of characters in the Bible that I like: Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ester & Mordecai, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Paul, John.
Favorite sports team: Back in the day I followed the Orioles.
What I love most about my job: Celebrating Mass and having 24 hour access to Adoration in the Church or our Chapel.
Fr. Maurice Afor
Associate Pastor
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Favorite hobby: Playing Soccer
Favorite Scripture passage: 1 Peter 1:23 “You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God.”
Fun fact: I have a beautiful accent
Favorite Saint: Maximilian Kolbe
Hometown: Nkambe, Cameroon
Favorite Bible character/Disciple: St. Paul
Favorite sports: Soccer
What I love most about my job: Celebrating the Sacraments of the church
Dcn. Mike Tiné
Permanent Deacon
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Favorite hobby: Camping and fishingFavorite scripture passage: Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32
Favorite food: Spaghetti with clams
Fun fact: Proposed to my wife (Christina) at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Rome, but I almost popped the question at a gas station.
Favorite saint: St. Michael the Archangel
Favorite bible character/disciple: St. Peter
Favorite sports team: NY Mets
What part of being a deacon are you most looking forward to? Serving others especially visiting the sick in the hospital
What I am most looking forward to at SJE: Looking forward to my first Advent and Lent as a deacon and also helping young families pursue holiness
Sem. Sam Huffer
Pastoral Year Seminarian
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Hometown: Keymar, Maryland, birthplace of Francis Scott Key, the author of our National Anthem.Favorite sport: Football
Favorite team: Washington Commanders
Favorite vacation spot: Rocky Gap State Park Campgrounds
Favorite scripture passage: "Speak Lord, for your servant is Listening" (1 Samuel 3:10)
Fun fact: I was very blessed to be able to attend Mass at St. Francis of Assisi's Tomb, just a couple weeks after being confirmed with Him as my confirmation Saint.
Favorite hobby: I do enjoy a good book, with a cup of tea and a sunrise. But also a big fan of playing sports and board games. I tend to enjoy most whatever I'm doing in the moment.
Profession if not a priest: I would probably try to teach at a catholic school, or be a youth minister.
Favorite Saint: My good friend St. John Vianney has been there for me my whole life.
Hidden talent: I can juggle, but not very well at all.
Most looking forward to during pastoral year at St. John the Evangelist: I'm looking forward to loving the Lord in a new way and being able to learn from all the wonderful people here what it means to be a priest.
Glenna Blessing, Ph.D.
School Principal
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Favorite hobby:
I really enjoy the time I get to spend outdoors with my family – my kiddos will tell you I love to go on long walks.Favorite scripture passage:
For the past several years, Romans 12:12 has been in my heart.Favorite food:
Who doesn’t love pizza! Favorite pizza is deep dish Sicilian-style for me!Fun fact:
I taught abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Favorite saint:
St. Joan of Arc and St. AnneWhat I love most about my job: Seeing our St. John Eagles every single day, from our smallest to our tallest students, they all make me smile. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to see them grow in so many ways each school year as their principal – it is the best gift. I love being in the Pre-K and K classes to read a favorite story just as much as I love observing the middle school students complete experiments in science class. And who doesn’t love recess duty! I get to come to work to pray and play every day!
If I wasn’t in education my profession would be:
I always wanted to be a New York City Rockette, I just wasn’t tall enough!
Trisha Corbi
Controller
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Favorite scripture passage: 1 Samuel 1:27
Favorite food: Steamed crabs and really good summer tomatoes
Fun fact: I’ve been to 31 countries but only 27 states in the U.S.
Favorite person of the Holy Trinity: The Holy Spirit
Favorite saint: St. George
Favorite bible character/disciple: Noah
If I could live anywhere it would be: London!
What you love most about your job: that we get to celebrate our Catholic faith together. Every. Single. Day.
Monique Gill
Youth Minister
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Favorite vacation spot: the Philippines
Fun fact about me: I was named after a Japanese bartender
Favorite part of my job: Leading kids closer to Christ!
Saint you most often find yourself praying to and why: Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati- he's a patron of the youth
Favorite scripture passage: Matthew 16:24-25 24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Favorite food: Chicken & Waffles
Ruth Gorski
Coordinator of Children’s Ministry
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Favorite vacation spot: I love spending time in OCMD with my family and friends. It’s the highlight of summer.
Fun fact about me: I used to be a hairstylist back in the day.
Favorite part of my job: I am blessed to serve the parents and children of St. John as they journey to a closer relationship with Jesus. I am so thankful to serve alongside this amazing St. John team.
No one knows I can: Twirl a baton – I was a majorette in school.
Saint you most often find yourself praying to and why: As a mom, I am drawn to praying to St. Monica.
Favorite scripture passage: My mother always reminded me of God’s abundant love and forgiveness, and loved to quote Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Favorite food: Well, I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore, so I love steamed crabs, crab soup, crab cakes, anything crab!
If I didn’t work at St. John I would be: still working as a legal secretary in downtown Baltimore.
Adam Novotny
Director of Campus Operations
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Favorite vacation spot: Disney
Fun fact about me: Drummer
Favorite part of my job: Do I sound like a suck up if I say “my boss”?
No one knows I can: Sound like Krusty the Clown
Saint you most often find yourself praying to and why: St Ignatius of Loyola
Favorite scripture passage: Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
Favorite food: Duck fat fries...no, wait, wings, no…..peanut butter...no, wait, chocolate!
If I didn't work at St. John, I would be: on a secluded beach.
Helen Kirby
Director of Music & Worship
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Favorite hobby: Embroidery, travel and going to the theatreFavorite scripture passage: John 14: 1
Favorite food: Literally anything from Chick-Fil-A!
Fun fact: I sang the National Anthem at my college graduation at UMBC.
Favorite title of Our Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Favorite saint: St. Mark Ji Tianxiang
What I love most about my job: Helping people go deeper into worship of the Lord through music
Judy Tacyn
Coordinator of Communications &
Marriage Preparation
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Favorite hobby: Acrylic painting.Favorite scripture passage: Two actually, and they go back to my childhood. My father would call me and my siblings “olive plants” from Psalm 128:3, (Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table). To which we’d reply, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, lest they lose heart.” Colossians 3:21. When those readings occur, I always think of my Dad and smile.
Favorite food: Western New York pizza
Fun fact: My oldest son and I went on a Kenyan safari with Fr. Isaac Makovo and spent several days in Dubai in 2023! It was a beautiful trip!
Favorite saint: My namesake, St. Jude. The fact that St. Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes is probably not a coincidence.
Favorite bible character/disciple: St. Joseph
Favorite sports team: Buffalo Sabres or Buffalo Bills
What I love most about my job: Getting to share the awesome faith stories of our community with others. God is good; all the time.
Chris Wiseman
Facilities Maintenance
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Favorite vacation spot: Myrtle BeachFun fact about me: I was a chef.
Favorite part of my job: Getting around and seeing people.
No one knows I can: Sing
Saint you most often find yourself praying to: St. Anthony
Favorite scripture passage: John 3:16
Favorite sports team: Orioles
If I didn't work at St. John, I would be: Fishing