Rector

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. 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 Sustaining Hope for the Future capital campaign clergy policy committee and of the Bishop’s priority taskforce on promoting vocations in the diocese. He has served as Associate Vocations Director, Vice Chancellor, and Coordinator of the Office of Worship.

He currently serves as the Diocesan Chaplain for Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Master of Episcopal Liturgical Ceremonies, and Diocesan Chancellor. Additionally, he is pursuing a licentiate in canon law (J.C.L.) from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

“I think our mission statement says it all.” - parishioner