Our Lady of Lourdes De Pere

Welcome & Parish Mission

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church sits on the west side of De Pere, Wisconsin, and the parish website opens with a clear invitation: 'Welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church!' The parish mission statement reads, 'The Catholic Community of Our Lady of Lourdes offers a holy place to worship God, where all people are welcome, as we journey together in faith to live out the love of Jesus Christ,' and the parish's tagline is 'Living and loving life at Lourdes.' Father James Thomas Baraniak, O. Praem., writes that visitors will encounter 'an incredibly vibrant parish that comprises the young and the old, the rich and the poor: The People of God in extraordinary variety.' He frames the parish's hospitality as a 'charism modeled by the Norbertine Community of Saint Norbert Abbey,' which has been the parish's spiritual sponsor since its very beginning.

The Lourdes Grotto & Devotions

The parish's outdoor Lourdes Grotto is open every day for visitors to pray and spend time with the Blessed Mother. A regular devotional gathering is the Rosary in the Grotto, held Mondays at 6:30 PM through early October (no Rosary on Labor Day week, with time changes announced in the bulletin). The parish's monthly newsletter is itself named 'The Grotto,' reflecting how central this outdoor prayer space is to parish identity.

• Lourdes Grotto — open every day
• Rosary in the Grotto — Mondays 6:30 PM (seasonal)
• Monthly newsletter 'The Grotto'

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, located adjacent to the church at 1305 Lourdes Avenue, was founded in 1961 and today serves Preschool through 8th grade (PK3–8) as part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) school system. Principal Jeff Young has led the school for over 12 years. The school celebrates Catholic Schools Week each January with a Mass at St. Norbert Abbey celebrated by Norbertine Fathers alongside Fr. Jim Baraniak, an event marking '154 years of Catholic education in West De Pere.' The school offers open enrollment, an average class size of about 15, and tuition assistance including the Blaise Peters Scholarship and the St. Dominic Savio Scholarship funded by the parish. Back-to-School Night, a school spelling bee, service visits to Rennes of De Pere, and a school-wide rosary livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel are highlights of the annual rhythm.

• Founded 1961
• Grades PK3–8; part of GRACE system
• Principal: Jeff Young
• 1305 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, WI 54115
• School phone: 920-336-3091
• Parish scholarships: Blaise Peters and St. Dominic Savio

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

The Faith Formation Center at (920) 337-0443 coordinates religious education for students in grades 1 through 11, with Traci LaCrosse serving as Coordinator for Grades 1–11 and as Facilitator of Youth Ministry. Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of a student's senior year of high school after participation in the preparation program. Vacation Bible Camp is offered each summer. The parish bulletin also highlights opportunities for young adults and parents sending children off to college or the military, who can be added to the parish Cards Ministry mailing list.

• Faith Formation Grades 1–11 (Traci LaCrosse)
• Youth Ministry (Traci LaCrosse)
• Confirmation program (fall of senior year)
• Vacation Bible Camp
• Young Adult Ministry
• Cards Ministry for college students and active military

Adult Faith Formation & Small Groups

Our Lady of Lourdes describes itself as 'extremely blessed' to offer a wide variety of faith opportunities for adults at every stage of life. The Ladies of Lourdes women's ministry, the Men of Lourdes, the Men's Faith Sharing Group, and the Older & Wiser Lourdes' Saints (OWLS 50+) all meet regularly. The Men's Faith Sharing Group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the parish center and has raised funds for Youth Ministry, Thanksgiving and Easter food boxes, and meals for residents of Nicolet Terrace. The parish also hosts several active book clubs reading religious, fiction, historical, biographical, and current bestsellers, plus 'Breaking Open the Word' Bible study.

• Ladies of Lourdes
• Men of Lourdes
• Men's Faith Sharing Group (first Tuesdays, 6:30–8:00 PM)
• OWLS 50+
• Book Clubs
• Breaking Open the Word Bible study

St. Vincent de Paul & Christian Outreach

The parish hosts an active Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, whose newsletter ('The Grotto') reports monthly bologna-sandwich collections delivered to three partner locations, monthly meetings, Fresh Produce Distribution mornings in the parish Life Center parking lot, and a feast-day breakfast each September 27 honoring volunteers. The conference partners with 2nd Chances Thrift Store (which provides gift cards to those in need) and supports the Impact Station emergency shelter operated by Family Promise. The broader Christian Action Committee coordinates the Christmas Giving Tree, greeting cards for prisoners, Back-to-School supply collections, and monthly food drives, and the Resources page connects parishioners with De Pere Christian Outreach and the free 211 community-resource line.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul parish conference
• Monthly Bologna Sandwich collections
• Fresh Produce Distribution in parish parking lot
• 2nd Chances Thrift Store partnership
• Christian Action Committee (Giving Tree, food drives, prison-card ministry)
• De Pere Christian Outreach support
• 211 community-resource referral

Leadership, Committees & Parish Staff

Parish leadership is shared among clergy and several consultative bodies. The Finance Council, chaired by Paul Albers, manages the annual budget, properties, and investments. The Pastoral Council, chaired by Jim Christensen, is the consultative body for mission and priorities and includes representatives from Worship, Christian Action, and Hospitality committees, plus elected Trustees Tom Olejniczak and Jo Ellen Thompson. Parish staff includes Business Manager Carol Gibson, Financial Secretary Kathy Kocken, Bulletin Editor Shana McIlheran, Director of Music & Liturgy Jody Strnad, Faith Formation Coordinator Traci LaCrosse, and School Principal Jeff Young.

• Pastor: Fr. James Thomas Baraniak, O. Praem.
• Parochial Vicars/Associate: Fr. Seamus Neilson, O. Praem.; Frater Gabriel McNally, O. Praem.
• Deacons: Michael Vander Bloomen, Shaun Johnson
• Business Manager: Carol Gibson
• Financial Secretary: Kathy Kocken
• Director of Music & Liturgy: Jody Strnad
• Bulletin Editor: Shana McIlheran
• Faith Formation: Traci LaCrosse
• Trustees: Tom Olejniczak, Jo Ellen Thompson
• Finance Council Chair: Paul Albers
• Pastoral Council Chair: Jim Christensen

Music & Liturgy

Music Ministry is led by Director of Music & Liturgy Jody Strnad. The parish invites young musicians — students who sing, play piano, or play other instruments — to share their gifts during the Communion hymn at weekend Masses; interested families can contact Jody Strnad at [email protected] or Kati Taggart at [email protected]. The Worship Committee shares with the pastor the responsibility for providing good liturgical celebrations and addresses the spiritual needs of the parish, families, individuals, and the community.

• Director of Music & Liturgy: Jody Strnad
• Children's Music Ministry (piano, vocal, and instrumental during Communion)
• Worship Committee

Sacraments

Information on the Sacraments page is published in the weekly parish bulletin. Parents seeking Baptism must be registered, active Catholics for at least four months prior; first-time parents must attend a Baptism Prep Program before the child's baptism. Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of senior year after participation in the prep program; families contact the Religious Education Office for details. Reconciliation is offered at the published Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and first-Thursday times, with appointments available by calling the Parish Office. Marriages, Anointing of the Sick, and other pastoral needs are arranged through the Parish Office at (920) 336-4033.

• Baptism (4-month active membership requirement; prep class for first-time parents)
• Confirmation (fall of senior year)
• Reconciliation (scheduled times + by appointment)
• Marriage and Anointing of the Sick — contact the Parish Office

Becoming a Parishioner

New parishioners are welcomed by completing an online or printable registration form or by contacting the Parish Office at (920) 336-4033 to meet with Deacon Mike. The parish encourages all members 18 and older to register individually and notes that 'your most important contribution is your regular presence at Sunday Mass.' Beyond attendance, members are invited into Christian Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, supported by online giving and a Scrip program.

• Online or printable registration form
• Welcome meeting with Deacon Michael Vander Bloomen
• Christian Stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
• Online giving and Scrip gift-card program

Visiting, Office & Contact

The Parish Office is located at 1307 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, WI 54115, and can be reached at (920) 336-4033 or [email protected]. Regular office hours (Labor Day through Memorial Day) are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM and Friday 8:00 AM–12:30 PM; summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day) are Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–12:30 PM with the office closed on Fridays. Mount Calvary Cemetery is managed through the Parish Office, with Kathy Kocken as the contact (920-336-4033).

• Address: 1307 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, WI 54115
• Phone: (920) 336-4033
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: www.lourdesdepere.org
• Office hours: M–Th 8:00 AM–3:30 PM, F 8:00 AM–12:30 PM (regular); M–Th 8:00 AM–12:30 PM, closed F (summer)
• Mount Calvary Cemetery — Kathy Kocken