About Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Viroqua, Wisconsin
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (commonly called St. Mary's) is a Catholic parish in Viroqua, Wisconsin, part of the Diocese of La Crosse (Richland Center Deanery). The parish serves the Vernon County seat community at 400 Congress Avenue and is currently led by Father Joseph M. Richards. Worship is offered Wednesday, Friday, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning, complemented by weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the sacrament of Confession before most Masses, a robust Catechesis of the Good Shepherd children's program, OCIA for adults, and a long-standing tradition of the Holy Rosary prayed before each Mass.
- Established
- 1907
- Patron
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Father Joseph M. Richards
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Richland Center Deanery)
Why belong here
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a small, family-oriented parish that takes seriously its vocation to teach the faith, preach the Gospel, and live as Christ lived. Newcomers will find a full Sacramental life (daily and weekly Mass, weekly Confession, Eucharistic Adoration) and one of the most thorough lifelong-formation programs in the area, including Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atriums for children as young as three, OCIA for adults, and a rich slate of Bible studies for teens and adults. The Front Door Ministry quietly helps neighbors in financial distress, the choir welcomes anyone (no experience necessary), and the parish keeps a genuine small-town Catholic culture where most people know one another by name.
Mass times at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:45–6:15 PM
- Sunday 9:45–10:15 AM
- Wednesday 5:45 PM (during Adoration)
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month after the 8:00 AM Mass, with Benediction at 10:00 AM
- Every Wednesday at 5:45 PM
Our Story & Parish History
Catholic faith first reached the Viroqua area at the turn of the 19th century. The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was formally dedicated on June 17, 1907, and served as a mission parish of St. James, Rising Sun for forty years. It became an independent parish in 1947 with its first resident pastor, and grew from fewer than 50 members to 350 by its 50th anniversary.
- 1907 — church dedicated at Viroqua (mission of St. James, Rising Sun)
- 1947 — established as an independent parish with first resident pastor
- 1961 — new church building dedicated
- 1980 — new rectory and educational facilities completed
- 2005 — groundbreaking for gathering space, lift to lower-level hall, carport and drive-through
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team
The parish is pastored by Father Joseph M. Richards, assisted by Deacon Tony Shay. A small but capable lay staff coordinates faith formation, music, sacristy work, finances, and grounds.
- Father Joseph M. Richards — Pastor (608-606-9787)
- Deacon Tony Shay
- Diana Hernandez-Torres — Sacristan
- Pat Obernberger — Coordinator of Ongoing Formation ([email protected])
- Beth Laurdan (Lakmann) — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Tom Leis — Parish Librarian ([email protected])
- Fran Campbell — Secretary / Bookkeeper
- Carly Zadow — Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Director
- Cole Hewitt — Groundskeeper
Religious Education & Lifelong Formation
Formation is anchored in the Montessori-style Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atriums for young children and progresses through a clear K–Grade 12 sequence that prepares students for the Sacraments and continues into adult Bible study and OCIA. The program mission is to TEACH the faith, PREACH the Gospel, and LIVE as Christ lived.
- CGS Atrium I (ages 3–6)
- CGS Atrium II (ages 6–9)
- Blessed: First Reconciliation (Grades 2–5)
- Blessed: First Communion (Grades 2–5)
- Family of Faith (K–Grade 9)
- Encounter: Bible Timeline (Grades 6–8)
- Decision Point (Grade 9)
- Confirmation Preparation (Grades 10–12)
- Bible Study for Sunday Gospel Preparation (Grades 11+)
- Little Rock Bible Study, 6- and 3-session options (Grades 11+)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
- Contemplative Reading Group (Adults)
Adult Formation & OCIA
Anyone interested in a deeper knowledge of the Catholic faith or in becoming Catholic is invited to inquire about OCIA (formerly RCIA), a spiritual journey of inquiry, formation, and celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation normally at the Easter Vigil. Contact Father Joe at the parish office for more information.
- OCIA — journey for unbaptized adults and Christians seeking full communion
- Periodic Bible study and contemplative reading groups for adults
- FORMED digital content platform available to parishioners (request access through the parish office)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
The parish runs a small set of well-defined ministries centered on liturgy, formation, and corporal works of mercy. The Front Door Ministry is a particularly practical form of outreach, offering one-time financial assistance to neighbors in a tight spot, funded entirely by donations and grants.
- Front Door Ministry — financial assistance for individuals in need; contact the parish office at 637-7711
- Music Ministry — choir and accompanists; no prior experience required (contact Beth)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — including ministry to the sick and homebound
- Parish Library — coordinated by librarian Tom Leis
Sacraments
Parish registration is required to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. All are welcome to attend Mass and celebrate the Eucharist. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; the homebound or hospitalized should call to request a pastoral visit.
- Baptism — register with the parish office; Baptism Registration Form available online
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — through the Blessed program
- Confirmation — preparation begins in Grade 10
- Matrimony — call parish office for preparation
- Anointing of the Sick & Pastoral Visits — call parish office
- Reconciliation — Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday Adoration (see schedule)
Parish Office, Giving & Online Resources
Parish offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed Thursday). Online giving is available through the Diocese of La Crosse portal, and a current parish bulletin is posted every week on the website.
- Parish office hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri — 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Telephone: 608-637-7711; Fax: 608-299-3721
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 400 Congress Avenue, Viroqua, WI 54665-1309
- Online giving via the Diocese of La Crosse (diolc.org)
- Weekly bulletin posted as PDF at stmaryviroqua.org/bulletins
- Diocese of La Crosse televised Mass on Channel 19, Sunday 9:30 AM
Connect & Stay Informed
Parish life is communicated through the weekly bulletin, the website, and Facebook. Formed, the Catholic video and study platform from the Augustine Institute, is available to registered parishioners through the parish office.
- Official website: stmaryviroqua.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StMarysViroqua (parish page)
- Facebook (livestreamed Mass): facebook.com/StMarysCoonValley
- Diocese of La Crosse: diolc.org
- New Parishioner Registration Form available on the website