About Holy Family · Marinette, Wisconsin
Holy Family Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Marinette, Wisconsin, in the Diocese of Green Bay, formed on July 1, 1989, by the merger of four historic ethnic parishes: Our Lady of Lourdes (French), St. Joseph (French-speaking), St. Anthony (German), and Sacred Heart (Polish). The parish worships at two retained church sites — Our Lady of Lourdes on Taylor Street and St. Joseph on Carney Boulevard — and is currently led by Very Rev. Celestine Byekwaso. With a mission to encourage, proclaim, and live the truths of the Gospel, Holy Family serves the Marinette area on Wisconsin's northern border with Michigan through daily and Sunday Mass, Faith Formation for grades 1-11, youth ministry, and parish evangelization.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- Holy Family (Holy Family of Nazareth)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Celestine Byekwaso
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Holy Family Parish welcomes Marinette-area Catholics to a single, united community formed from the city's French, German, and Polish Catholic heritage. Members gather for Sunday Mass at either Our Lady of Lourdes or St. Joseph Church, weekday Masses throughout the week, and Saturday confessions, and they are formed in faith through a robust Faith Formation program for grades 1-11 (held at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy), youth ministry, RCIA, and opportunities to volunteer as catechists or with the children's liturgy. With its motto 'Out of many – one,' Holy Family offers an easy way to belong, grow, and serve in northeastern Wisconsin.
Mass times at Holy Family
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes (and by appointment — call 715-735-9100 ext. 101 or email [email protected])
- Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM (per Diocese of Green Bay directory listing)
Parish History
Catholicism in Marinette began in the mid-1800s with visiting priests who celebrated Mass at private homes and on boats in the harbor. The first parish, Our Lady of Lourdes, was founded in 1868 and built a small church on Water Street. As the city's French, German, and Polish Catholic communities grew, each formed its own parish over the following decades. On July 1, 1989, the four parishes — Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Joseph, St. Anthony, and Sacred Heart — were consolidated into a single parish under the name Holy Family, with the motto 'Out of many – one.'
- 1868 – Our Lady of Lourdes founded; small church built on Water Street
- September 4, 1888 – Fr. Joseph F. Durin appointed to begin St. Joseph Church for French-speaking parishioners
- January 1892 – St. Joseph Church construction completed with 360 persons on the rolls
- July 7, 1893 – Polish community organizes parish, separates from Our Lady of Lourdes
- October 31, 1893 – Sacred Heart Church cornerstone laid on Elizabeth Avenue
- Fall 1901 – ~85 German families separate from Our Lady of Lourdes to form St. Anthony Parish
- May 4, 1902 – St. Anthony Church cornerstone laid for 350 families
- July 19, 1959 – Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona lays cornerstone of present Our Lady of Lourdes Church
- 1988 – Our Lady of Lourdes Social Hall (now Holy Family Parish Center) completed
- July 1, 1989 – Four parishes merge into Holy Family Parish; Sacred Heart and St. Anthony closed
Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Worship Site)
Our Lady of Lourdes is the older of the two worship sites retained by Holy Family Parish. The present church on the corner of Taylor and Park Streets had its cornerstone laid July 19, 1959, by Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona, Bishop of Green Bay; the rectory was built at the same time. Today it hosts the Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM, the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass, and several weekday Masses.
St. Joseph Church (Worship Site)
St. Joseph Church began in 1888 when Fr. Joseph F. Durin was appointed to serve the French-speaking Catholics of Marinette. The present church was completed in January 1892. It is now retained as one of two worship sites for Holy Family Parish and is the setting for the Sunday 8:00 AM Mass and the Friday 8:30 AM weekday Mass.
Mission and Vision
Holy Family Parish declares that it is called to be a community of 'Missionary Disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God.' Its stated mission is threefold: to ENCOURAGE all people to live the Gospel message of Jesus Christ; to PROCLAIM the good news through meaningful worship experiences, ongoing educational enrichment, and services to all; and to LIVE THE TRUTHS of the Roman Catholic Church as the community strives to reflect God's presence.
Faith Formation (Religious Education)
Holy Family's Faith Formation program serves students in grades 1 through 11, with classes held on Wednesday evenings from 5:45 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, 1200 Main Street, Marinette. First Reconciliation and First Communion are typically received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is celebrated in 11th grade. The program uses curricula from Our Sunday Visitor, Sadlier, St. Mary's Press, and Ascension, and tuition assistance is available so no student is turned away.
- Grade 1 – Introduction; Catechist TBA
- Grade 2 – First Communion & First Reconciliation; Catechist: Ashley Campbell; Curriculum: Encounter with Christ (OSV)
- Grade 3 – Catechist: Steph Stauss; Curriculum: We Believe: We Are the Church (Sadlier)
- Grade 4 – Catechist: Steph Stauss; Curriculum: We Believe: God's Law Guides Us (Sadlier)
- Grade 5 – Catechist: Stacy Sebero; Curriculum: We Believe: We Meet Jesus in the Sacraments (Sadlier)
- Grade 6 – Catechist: Mary Kowalski; Curriculum: We Believe: We Are God's People (Sadlier)
- Grade 7 – Catechist: Tanya Valenta; Curriculum: Alive in Christ Grade 7 (OSV)
- Grade 8 – Catechist: Gary Kemppainen; Curriculum: Alive in Christ Grade 8 (OSV)
- Grade 9 – Catechist: Connie Stauss; Curriculum: Catholic Faith Handbook, 3rd Ed. (St. Mary's Press)
- Grade 10 – Catechist: Jim Margetta; Curriculum: Catholic Faith Handbook & Decision Point (Ascension)
- Grade 11 – Confirmation; Catechist: Sally Faucett; Curriculum: Catholic Faith Handbook & Chosen (Ascension)
- Tuition: $35/child (parish member), $50/child (non-parish); family discount available; no child turned away for inability to pay
Youth Ministry
Holy Family offers programs for youth ages 3 through 18. Faith Formation supplements Catholic teaching at home with age-appropriate lessons about doctrine and the Trinity while preparing young people for the sacraments. Youth Group events give children a space to socialize, grow, and share their faith in a relaxed setting, and Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered every other Sunday for the youngest Catholics. Ciara Faucett serves as Youth Minister.
RCIA & Sacramental Preparation
Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church are welcomed through the parish's RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program. Jane Mattsen is the parish's RCIA contact. Sacramental preparation for children takes place within Faith Formation, with First Reconciliation/First Communion in 2nd grade and Confirmation in 11th grade.
Volunteering & Evangelization
The parish invites parishioners to share their time and talents in a variety of ways, including as catechists in Faith Formation and as volunteers to present a lesson and craft with the youngest parishioners (preschool through Grade 2). Volunteers may contact the Faith Formation Coordinator to learn more about helping pass on the teachings of Christ to the youth of Marinette.
- Catechist for Faith Formation (contact Faith Formation Coordinator)
- Children's Liturgy / lesson-and-craft volunteers (preschool through Grade 2)
Our Staff
Holy Family Parish is led by Very Rev. Celestine Byekwaso, Pastor, and supported by a team of lay staff, a deacon, and maintenance. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with an after-hours drop box available for convenience.
- Very Rev. Celestine Byekwaso — Pastor (ext. 101)
- Deacon David Denby — Deacon / Business Manager
- Shae Kemppainen — Faith Formation Coordinator (ext. 104)
- Ciara Faucett — Youth Minister (ext. 105)
- Stephanie Stauss — Office Manager (ext. 108)
- Carol Ravet — Secretary (ext. 107)
- Jane Mattsen — RCIA Contact
- Jeri Keepers — Religious Education Contact
- John LaCombe — Maintenance