Fr. John has served as the pastor of Saint Patrick Parish since 2012. He previously served parishes in Superior and Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Along with serving our parish, Fr. John serves as supervising pastor of twelve additional parishes in our Diocese. In this role and by serving on a variety of diocesan committees, he is strongly committed to helping the Church in Northern Wisconsin move to being missionary focused. He has always served at a parish with a Catholic School and continues to enjoy being a part of the life of our students and staff at Saint Patrick Catholic School. Leading discipleship groups of seventh grade and tenth grade boys helps him to stay young.
"Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people." - Blessed Father Solanus Casey
During November, we remember and honor loved ones who have died through prayer, memorial photos displayed in church, and the beautiful tradition of offering Mass intentions for both the living and deceased. Father John explains the guidelines for scheduling Mass intentions, ask parishioners to limit requests to four specific dates per individual, and encourage flexibility and patience as they work to accommodate everyone's requests.
Read PostAs we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints and begin the month of November, we are reminded of the importance of praying for the faithful departed, seeking the intercession of the saints, and giving thanks for the vocation God has given each of us. During Vocations Awareness Week (November 1–7), Saint Patrick Parish invites the community to pray for vocations, attend the November 7 Bethany Brunch for young women, and join the Sisters for the 5 PM Mass and Chili Potluck to learn about their lives and religious communities.
Read PostFormer Saint Patrick Parish staff member Brigitta Kaiser shares an update from her first weeks of formation with the Salesian Sisters, describing life in the convent, her classes in prayer and discernment, and the joy of beginning this journey alongside five other young women. As she continues discerning God’s call to religious life, Brigitta asks the Saint Patrick community for prayers for her and her companions and assures parishioners that they remain in her prayers as well.
Read PostIn this week's article, Fr. John explains how the annual Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) supports the Diocese of Superior and local parishes through seminarian formation, insurance, legal and administrative services, employee benefits, background checks, youth and adult faith formation, and ministry training. He encourages parishioners to prayerfully support the CSA, noting that when Saint Patrick exceeds its diocesan assessment, the excess is returned to the parish to support its own needs.
Read PostFr. John reflects on the unique needs of parishes across the Diocese of Superior, especially as priests are stretched to cover Masses due to illness and vacations, while reminding us of the beauty and faithfulness found in smaller communities. He encourages parishioners to take part in the September 27 diocesan workshop at Saint Patrick to learn how to pray with others and embrace the Church’s call to move from “Maintenance” to “Mission.”
Read PostSaint Patrick Parish closed FY26 with a $198,723 net income, significantly better than the budgeted deficit, thanks in large part to generous gifts, strong investment performance, and continued parish support that allowed us to complete important maintenance and improvement projects. Looking ahead, the parish has adopted a conservative FY27 budget while continuing to strengthen long-term financial planning, maintain our aging facilities, support a growing school, and steward parish resources wisely for the future.
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Saint Patrick Parish's mission is to joyfully proclaim, share, and celebrate the love and mercy of Jesus Christ through Word, Sacraments, prayer, and ministry.
