About Sacred Heart · Shawano, Wisconsin
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Shawano, Wisconsin, in the Diocese of Green Bay, serving roughly 900 family units alongside its parish school (3-year-old preschool through 8th grade). The community gathers for daily and weekend Mass in the church at 302 S. Main Street, with a parish/school office at 321 S. Sawyer Street, and offers a full sacramental life including weekly Confession, monthly Adoration, a weekly Holy Hour, faith formation, youth ministry, and a Care Ministry of trained lay visitors. The parish traces its roots to 1850 and was formally organized in the 1860s, making it the first Catholic congregation and one of the earliest Christian communities in the city of Shawano.
- Established
- 1867
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Father Edward Looney
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a 900-family Catholic community in the heart of Shawano where faith is lived out through daily and weekend Mass, monthly Adoration, a weekly Tuesday Holy Hour with Confession, and Confession several days a week. Families can send their children to the on-site Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade, "Cardinals for Christ"), and parishioners of all ages are drawn into the life of the parish through faith formation, a vibrant youth ministry (with Steubenville trips, March for Life, and the K.R.E.W.E. discipleship process), a trained lay Care Ministry that visits the sick, isolated, and grieving, and a busy calendar of fundraisers and fellowship like the annual parish picnic, golf outing, and fish fry.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00–4:15 pm
- Tuesdays 4:15–5:15 pm (during Holy Hour)
- Wednesdays 7:45–8:05 am
- Thursdays 7:45–8:05 am
- Fridays 7:45–8:05 am
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Adoration)
- Tuesdays 4:15–5:15 pm (Holy Hour with Confession)
Welcome & Parish Identity
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Shawano, WI describes itself as a community 'centered in Christ's love' — a parish family built on prayer, service, and a deep commitment to living the Gospel each day. The parish's stated mission is to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, forming a caring and active Christian community that promotes Gospel values and fulfills the universal mission of the Church. The parish welcomes long-time parishioners, newcomers, and those still exploring their faith, and frames itself around vibrant liturgies, faith-filled ministries, and opportunities for fellowship.
- Motto/community identity: 'Cardinals for Christ' (school)
- Mission: continuing the ministry of Jesus Christ through the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Welcoming to long-time parishioners, newcomers, and the exploring
- Approximately 900 family units
Parish History
Sacred Heart's roots go back to 1850, when attorney Joseph Maurer, a Prussian immigrant, deeded several parcels of land to build a Catholic church. The first church — the first house of God of any kind in Shawano — opened in 1867, was dedicated to St. Adelia, and was crudely built with planks over wood blocks for pews. Fr. F.X. Steinbrecher became the first permanent pastor in 1888/89, oversaw the construction of a new (larger) church, school, and sisters' home in 1889, and added Cecil as a mission. That 1889 church stood until the night of November 27, 1951, when fire destroyed it before the new church was complete; Mass was celebrated in the city's Community Hall and then the basement until the new church's first Mass on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1952, followed by Bishop Bona's dedication on September 21, 1952. A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was saved from the fire and is still treasured.
- 1850: Joseph Maurer deeds land for a Catholic church
- 1867: First church dedicated to St. Adelia opens
- 1881: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrive; first school building purchased; Shawano becomes the first SSJ mission in the Diocese of Green Bay
- 1888/89: Fr. F.X. Steinbrecher becomes first permanent pastor; new church, school, and sisters' home begun in April 1889
- 1951 (Nov. 27): Fire destroys the old church; Community Hall used for Mass
- 1952 (Aug. 15): First Mass in the new church (feast of the Assumption)
- 1952 (Sept. 21): New church dedicated
- 1975: Church carpeted; sanctuary remodeled; altar turned to face the congregation; mosaic added
- 1977/1990: St. Wenceslaus (Waukechon) becomes a mission, then formally joins Sacred Heart by Diocese decree (April 3, 1990)
- 2004: First half of 'Renew, Renovate, and Restore' renovation under Fr. Evers
- 2014 (Sept. 28): Church rededicated after second-half renovation under Fr. Ferris
- 2017: 150th anniversary celebrated; Bishop David Ricken presides
Pastor Succession
The history page names a clear succession of pastors: Fr. F.X. Steinbrecher (first permanent pastor, 1888), then Fr. Len Evers for 24 years (1989–2013), Fr. Luke Ferris (2013–2017), Fr. Tom Farrell (until June 2019), Fr. Scott Valentyn (July 2019 – May 2023), Fr. Robert Mitchell (temporary administrator, June 2023), and Fr. Edward Looney (permanent pastor from July 1, 2023 to the present).
- Fr. F.X. Steinbrecher (1888–)
- Fr. Len Evers (Sept. 6, 1989 – June 23, 2013; 24 years)
- Fr. Luke Ferris (July 1, 2013 – June 2017)
- Fr. Tom Farrell (through June 2019)
- Fr. Scott Valentyn (July 2019 – May 2023)
- Fr. Robert Mitchell (interim, June 2023)
- Fr. Edward Looney (July 1, 2023 – present)
Mass Celebration
Sacred Heart offers daily and weekend Mass in English, including an All-School Mass on Wednesday mornings during the school year. The church sits at 302 S. Main Street; the parish office is at 321 S. Sawyer Street. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Wednesday 9:15 am – 4:30 pm, and Friday 8:00 am – noon.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am and 10:00 am
- Tuesday: 5:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:15 am (All-School Mass)
- Thursday: 8:15 am
- Friday: 8:15 am
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is a core ministry at Sacred Heart. Susan Kurek serves as the parish's Director of Religious Education (since 2012). Programs include classroom-based religious education and sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), tied in with the parish school where possible.
- Director of Religious Education: Susan Kurek
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Religious Education office located within the parish office at 321 S. Sawyer St.
Youth Ministry
Sacred Heart's Youth Ministry works with young people in the parish and wider community, partnering with the Diocese of Green Bay's Office of Youth Ministry in response to Bishop David Ricken's invitation to embark on the new evangelization as missionary disciples — 'Discover Jesus, Follow Jesus, Worship Jesus, and Share Jesus.' The program emphasizes Pope Francis's Joy of the Gospel idea that being a disciple means being ready to bring Jesus's love to others anywhere.
- Trips: Steubenville Youth Conferences, March for Life, and 'Love Begin Here' local mission experiences
- K.R.E.W.E. process — intentional discipleship training for teens who want to dive deeper and pass the faith on to peers
- Open to parish and community youth
Care Ministry
Care Ministry is a one-on-one lay pastoral-care program that responds to a wide variety of parish needs — illness, hospitalization, residential-facility residence, grief, isolation, and other difficult life situations. A team of parishioners has been trained to carry out this ministry. Preparation includes a one-time 8-hour training followed by two-hour trainings every other month.
- One-on-one lay pastoral care visits
- Servicing the ill, hospitalized, grieving, and isolated
- Required 8-hour training, then 2-hour trainings every other month
- Contact: Lisa in the Parish Center
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School has been part of the parish community since 1889 and welcomes three-year-old preschool through 8th-grade students into a faith-centered, academically challenging environment. The school is Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools (WRISA) Accredited and welcomes all faiths. As 'Cardinals for Christ,' the school integrates Catholic values into a high-quality academic program and forms lifelong learners who live their faith. The brick school with twelve classrooms and a gymnasium was completed in 1961 at a cost of $350,000 (replacing the 1881 frame building).
- Preschool (age 3) through 8th grade
- Mascot: Cardinals ('Cardinals for Christ')
- Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools (WRISA) Accredited
- Welcomes all faiths, non-denominational families, and those new to faith
- All-School Mass on Wednesdays during the school year
- Present brick school completed in 1961
- Phone: 715-526-5328
- Athletics Director: Tim Wild
School Staff
School staff listed on the parish website include the principal, director of music, admissions/development director, office manager, and athletics director.
- Gary Cumberland — School Principal
- Lisa Miller — Parish Office Manager (also listed with school)
- Autumne Gee — Director of Admissions and Development (Ext. 3203)
- Will McDougal — Director of Music (Ext. 3202)
- Kayla Palmer — School Office Manager
- Tim Wild — Athletics Director
- Scott Flaig — Managerial Accountant (Ext. 3202)
- Troy Sadler — PM Custodian
- Scott Pieper — Director of Custodial Services
Parish Staff & Office
Parish operations are led by the pastor with a pastoral associate who is also a permanent deacon and business administrator, an office manager, and an admissions/development director.
- Father Edward Looney — Pastor
- Deacon Jim Lonick — Pastoral Associate (715-526-4103; jlonicksacredheartshawano.org)
- Lisa Miller — Parish Office Manager (715-526-2023; lmillersacredheartshawano.org)
- Autumne Gee — Director of Admissions and Development (715-526-5328 Ext. 3203)
- Office: 321 S. Sawyer St., Shawano, WI 54166
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Wed 9:15 am – 4:30 pm; Fri 8:00 am – noon
Events & Fundraisers
Sacred Heart maintains a busy calendar of parish and school events, fellowship activities, and fundraisers. Recent and upcoming items include an annual Church Picnic, Father's Fish Fry, Porkie Pancake Breakfast, Spring Rummage Sale, BINGO, Papa Murphy's Fundraiser Day, the Annual Golf Outing, a Life in the Spirit Retreat, and a Preschool & 4K Open House.
- Annual Church Picnic (e.g., June 14, 2026)
- Annual Golf Outing (e.g., August 23, 2026)
- Father's Fish Fry (e.g., Feb. 27, 2026)
- Porkie Pancake Breakfast (e.g., March 15, 2026)
- Spring Rummage Sale (e.g., March 13–14, 2026)
- BINGO (e.g., Feb. 21, 2026)
- Papa Murphy's Fundraiser Day (e.g., April 16, 2026)
- Life in the Spirit Retreat (e.g., March 20–22, 2026)
- Preschool & 4K Open House (e.g., Feb. 28, 2026)
Visit & Contact
The parish welcomes visitors at the church (302 S. Main St., Shawano) and at the parish office (321 S. Sawyer St., Shawano, WI 54166). The phone number for the parish office is 715-526-2023; the school phone is 715-526-5328; fax is 715-526-4105. Driving directions: from Hwy. 29, exit north onto Hwy. 22 and go 9 blocks — the church is on the right.
- Church: 302 S. Main St., Shawano, WI 54166
- Parish/School Office: 321 S. Sawyer St., Shawano, WI 54166
- Parish Phone: 715-526-2023
- School Phone: 715-526-5328
- Fax: 715-526-4105
- From Hwy. 29: north on Hwy. 22, 9 blocks to the church on the right
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F.X. (Francis Xavier) Steinbrecher1888–
First permanent resident pastor of Sacred Heart; oversaw the construction of the 1889 church, school, and sisters' home, and added Cecil as a mission.
- Rev. Len EversSeptember 6, 1989 – June 23, 2013
Served 24 years; oversaw the first half of the 'Renew, Renovate, and Restore' renovation (2004) — gathering space, elevator, brides' room, storage.
- Rev. Luke FerrisJuly 1, 2013 – June 2017
Completed the second half of the renovation; church interior remodeled and restored, new heating and cooling installed; church rededicated September 28, 2014. Named Vicar of Priests/Pastoral Leaders for the Diocese of Green Bay by Bishop Ricken.
- Rev. Tom Farrell2017 – June 2019
Reassigned to Baileys Harbor in June 2019.
- Rev. Scott ValentynJuly 2019 – May 2023
His first assigned parish; left at Bishop Ricken's direction to pursue Canon Law studies full-time in Washington, D.C.
- Rev. Robert MitchellJune 2023 (interim)
Served as temporary administrator between Fr. Valentyn's departure and Fr. Looney's arrival.
- Rev. Edward LooneyJuly 1, 2023 – present
Current pastor; ordained 2015 for the Diocese of Green Bay; previously pastor in Southern Door/Kewaunee Counties; scholar of Mariology and author of multiple devotional books.