Archbishop Appoints New Cathedral Rector

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, announced today that he has appointed Rev. J. Bruce Jarboe Rector of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on North Charles Street in Baltimore. Father Jarboe, Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Glen Burnie since 2002, succeeds Msgr. Robert A. Armstrong, who will retire at year’s end after serving as Cathedral Rector since 1984.

In addition to leading the Catholic community at Holy Trinity, Father Jarboe has also served as Pastor of two nearby parishes: Crucifixion and Church of the Good Shepherd.

“I am most grateful to Father Jarboe for the job he has done in leading not only Holy Trinity Parish but the Catholic community in Northern Anne Arundel County,” Archbishop O’Brien said. “I am equally grateful to Msgr. Armstrong, whose priesthood and ministry as Cathedral Rector have been a blessing for our Archdiocese and God’s people in his care.”

Prior to being named pastor of Holy Trinity, Father Jarboe served in the Archdiocese’s Division of Pastoral Personnel Services, first as Associate Director then Director, from 1995-2002. His other assignments include Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, Towson and St. Mark, Catonsville. Father Jarboe was ordained to the priesthood in May, 1986.

“Losing a pastor is never easy, especially one so well-loved. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the faithful of Holy Trinity for sacrificing their pastor for the good of the Archdiocese and his new parish. I have no doubt Father Jarboe’s many gifts will continue to serve him in his new position, and that he will build on the impressive achievements of his venerable predecessors.”

The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is located in the Baltimore’s Homeland neighborhood and has 5,370 registered parishioners. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in November of this year. In addition to it serving as a parish, it is also recognized as the Archdiocese’s co-Cathedral, along with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The parish school has an enrollment of 438 students and its students’ test scores are among the highest of all Archdiocesan schools.

Father Jarboe’s appointment is effective January 1, 2010.