Our Priest

Rev. Joshua Cavender It is wonderful to be here at St. Pius X parish! I grew up in Elizabethtown, PA with my parents, four younger brothers, two cousins, and grandparents. After graduating from Lancaster Catholic High School, I studied Engineering Physics (more Physics than Engineering) at Juniata College and graduated in 2011. During my senior year, I was trying to figure out what to do with my degree. God allowed me to walk with this restless heart until I finally brought it to Him in prayer. God used this restless heart and some heart-to-heart time in prayer to discern a call to the priesthood. So, I applied to study for the Diocese of Harrisburg, attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD, and was ordained as a priest in 2017.

From 2017-2019, I was the parochial vicar at St. Patrick Church in Carlisle, PA, and chaplain at Dickinson College. Then, I was assigned to full-time campus ministry at Millersville University and Franklin and Marshal College. In 2020, I was assigned to be parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist in New Freedom, PA, and chaplain at York College. Finally, on June 20, 2022, I was assigned as pastor of St. Pius X.

Many people wonder what priests do in their free time. I love to be outdoors and work with my hands. Often, I like to go fishing or hunting, split firewood, do some basic woodworking, and cooking, and tend to my garden of spices and hot peppers. Also, I enjoy continuing my studies from seminary, learning theology, studying Scripture, or just reading a good book.

Mass Schedule

Our Priest