About Holy Name of Jesus · Wausau, Wisconsin
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the city of Wausau, Wisconsin, belonging to the Diocese of La Crosse. The parish community worships at 1104 South 9th Avenue, offering weekend Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, as well as daily Mass Tuesday through Saturday. Holy Name of Jesus is one of the founding parishes of the unified Wausau Area Catholic Schools (now Newman Catholic Schools) system and historically hosted an elementary school and a Child Development Center on its campus.
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Woodrow Pace
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse
Why belong here
Holy Name of Jesus offers the fullness of Catholic sacramental life in a manageable, family-sized parish setting — daily Mass Tuesday through Saturday, two Sunday morning Masses, regular confession times, faith formation for children K–10, and a year-round calendar of parish events including a craft fair and ongoing Faith Talks & Lessons video series. The parish's own mission statement calls its members to be 'Disciples of Jesus,' letting the Gospel shape prayer, worship, lifelong faith development, and care for God's people and creation. With a small, named staff (pastor, deacon, youth minister, music director, and office staff) and a long history as one of the parishes that built Catholic education in Wausau, Holy Name is a place where parishioners can know one another and be known.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
About Holy Name of Jesus Parish
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of La Crosse serving the city of Wausau, Wisconsin, from its campus at 1104 South 9th Avenue. The parish offers Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses, daily Mass Tuesday through Saturday, and a full sacramental and faith-formation program for children and adults. As one of the eight parishes that built and supported Catholic education in Wausau, Holy Name has deep roots in the life of the local Catholic community.
Parish Mission Statement
As members of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, empowered by the sacraments of the Roman Catholic faith, the community declares itself to be Disciples of Jesus. The Gospel is the parish's way of life, and — as signs of God's love through the gift of the Holy Spirit — parishioners give witness to the Word through prayer and worship, lifetime faith development, and respect for God's people and all creation.
History & Catholic Life in Wausau
Catholic life in Wausau began in 1849 with the celebration of the first Mass in the home of Walter McIndoe, and in 1861 St. Mary Parish was established as the first Catholic parish in the city. As the Catholic population grew, additional parishes were founded across Wausau's neighborhoods, including Holy Name of Jesus, which became one of the eight parishes (alongside St. James, St. Mary, St. Michael, St. Anne, St. Matthew, St. Therese, and St. Mark) that supported the unified Wausau Area Catholic Schools system.
- 1849 — First Wausau Catholic Mass celebrated in the home of Walter McIndoe
- 1861 — St. Mary Parish becomes the first Catholic parish established in Wausau
- Late 20th century — Holy Name of Jesus becomes one of the eight WACS-supporting parishes and operates an elementary school on its campus
- 2004 — Catholic schools system renamed Newman Catholic Schools (NCS); elementary school at Holy Name is closed as part of consolidation
- 2006 — A second Child Development Center is established at Holy Name of Jesus Parish
- Later years — Holy Name Child Development Center relocates to St. Michael Parish and joins the Newman Catholic Early Childhood Centers
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a small, named team of clergy and staff who can be reached directly through the parish office.
- Father Woodrow Pace — Pastor (Ext. 2)
- Deacon Michael Maher
- Judy Borchardt — Office Administrator (Ext. 3)
- Stacie Stanke — Religious Education / Youth Ministry (Ext. 4)
- Cally O'Leary — Music Director
- Betty Thompson — Bookkeeper (Ext. 5)
- Jim Dreikosen — Maintenance & Grounds (Ext. 6)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program at Holy Name of Jesus supports parents as the primary educators of their children, with classes held on Wednesday evenings in the parish school building from 6:15 to 7:30 PM for children in kindergarten through 10th grade. The program's stated mission is to teach the Catholic faith and bring the love of Jesus Christ into the hearts of children, with the goal of raising up a new generation of disciples.
- Wednesday evening classes, K–Grade 10, 6:15–7:30 PM in the school building
- Fees: $75 one child / $140 two children / $175 three or more children
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — celebrated in 2nd grade ($25 per sacrament)
- Confirmation — celebrated in 10th grade ($25 program fee + $50 retreat fee)
- Financial hardship assistance available; no child refused for inability to pay
- Contact: Stacie Stanke, Religious Education / Youth Ministry (Ext. 4)
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical ministers assist the priest in assuring that the Mass is sacred and runs smoothly. Volunteers and their families are invited to serve.
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Sacristans
- Ushers
- Choir
Sacraments
Holy Name of Jesus offers preparation and celebration of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with specific contacts for each.
- Baptism — preparation classes required for parents (and recommended for godparents); contact Fr. Pace
- Marriage — contact Fr. Pace at least six months in advance
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist — typically in 2nd grade
- Confirmation — typically in 10th grade
- Anointing of the Sick — before scheduled surgery, at home, or in a nursing facility; contact Judy in the parish office
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Fr. Pace
Parish Life & Events
Beyond the sacraments, the parish maintains an active calendar of community life, formation, and fundraising events. A parish-wide bulletin and online calendar keep parishioners informed of ongoing activities.
- Weekly parish bulletin (downloadable from the parish website)
- Online Calendar of Events
- Annual Craft Fair held in Simmons Hall
- Faith Talks & Lessons — ongoing video series from Fr. Martin
Giving, New Members & Contact
The parish offers options for stewardship and membership for those new to Holy Name or wishing to set up recurring gifts.
- New Parishioner Form available for download from the parish website
- ACH Automatic Withdrawal Form for simplified recurring giving
- Parish office: 715-842-4543
- Parish email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Martin (parish priest, welcomed newly ordained Fr. Dan as associate)
Wrote a 2017 parish bulletin column recounting his priesthood and welcoming Fr. Dan to Holy Name; identified the parishioners' first newly ordained associate pastor in many years.
- Fr. Samuel Martinthrough ~2022
Listed as Pastor of Holy Name Parish in a May 2022 diocesan announcement; at the same time appointed Chaplain at Newman Catholic High School and Middle School in Wausau.
- Fr. Woodrow Pace
Currently listed as Pastor on the parish staff page; also serves the Diocese of La Crosse as Vicar for Clergy and Director of the Mission Office.