About St. Augustine · Wausaukee, Wisconsin
St. Augustine Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the small village of Wausaukee, Marinette County, Wisconsin, serving worshipers in the northern Wisconsin woodlands along with its mission church, St. Agnes in Amberg. Part of the Diocese of Green Bay, the parish gathers at 507 Church Street and is clustered with neighboring parishes for shared ministry and faith formation. Its mission is to deepen faith in Christ through prayer, worship and growth, to foster lay involvement, and to reach out to the poor and those in need.
- Established
- 1880s
- Patron
- St. Augustine of Hippo
- Rector
- Fr. Frederick Sserugga (Administrator, per Jan 2020 bulletin)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Augustine offers a small, deeply personal Catholic community in the rural north woods of Wisconsin where Mass is celebrated Sunday morning and on weekdays, with the Blessed Sacrament exposed during a monthly Holy Hour. The parish is known for its Blue Army rosary devotion, a St. Vincent de Paul conference that aids local neighbors in need, and 'Pastor Fred's Food Pantry' for area families. For Catholics moving to the Wausaukee–Amberg area or visiting the woodlands of Marinette County, St. Augustine provides the convenience of an English-language Sunday Mass, weekly confession opportunities, religious education for K-12 students, and a tightly-knit parish family that has sustained Catholic life in this part of northeastern Wisconsin for more than a century.
Mass times at St. Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (First Saturday, by Discover Mass listing)
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. (per Jan. 2020 bulletin)
- Always available by appointment
Adoration times
- 2nd Wednesday of the month, 3:00 p.m. (Holy Hour in Church, per Jan. 2020 bulletin)
About St. Augustine Parish
St. Augustine is a Roman Catholic parish in the Village of Wausaukee, Marinette County, Wisconsin, in the Diocese of Green Bay. The parish gathers at 507 Church Street and is twinned with its mission church, St. Agnes in Amberg, sharing Sunday Mass coverage and weekday services between the two communities. The parish mission statement emphasizes deeper faith in Christ through prayer, worship and growth, lay involvement and leadership, and care for the poor.
- Parish mission: prayer, worship, growth, lay leadership, service to the poor.
- Tri-parish collaboration with St. Agnes (Amberg) and St. Mary (Crivitz).
History of the Parish
St. Augustine traces its origins to the late 19th century, when Catholic families in the Wausaukee area were served by missionary priests who celebrated Mass in private homes, stores, and schoolhouses before a permanent church was erected. The earliest known priest in the area was Rev. P.S. Dagnault, who celebrated Mass monthly at the store of John Stovekin Jr. and the Grandview Hotel. He was succeeded by Father Looze, who helped formalize the parish and is credited with organizing the congregation. From the beginning, St. Augustine served as a mother church for surrounding missions, including Niagara (St. Anthony, 1902). The parish has been part of the Diocese of Green Bay since its founding.
- Earliest recorded priest: Rev. P.S. Dagnault (monthly Masses at area homes/stores)
- Father Looze formalized the parish community
- St. Anthony, Niagara (1902), was originally a mission of St. Augustine
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by an Administrator appointed by the Bishop of Green Bay, with assistance from a parochial vicar and a permanent deacon. Lay staff include the parish secretary and religious education coordinator serving both St. Augustine and St. Agnes.
- Administrator: Fr. Frederick Sserugga
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Francis Nusi
- Deacon: Dcn. Rick Elfering
- Parish Secretary (St. Augustine & St. Agnes): Sue Schmidt
- Religious Education Coordinator (St. Augustine & St. Agnes): Sherri Schlies
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education classes for grades 1–12 meet Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. in the parish RE center. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is integrated into the program. A Confirmation sponsor / CYE missionary internship has also sent young parishioners out into the wider diocese.
- RE classes, grades 1–12, Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Sherri Schlies
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is at the heart of the parish's mission. The community supports a local food pantry named for its longtime priestly leader, contributes to a St. Vincent de Paul conference that assists neighbors in need, and takes up a monthly second collection for special ministries. The parish also maintains a Capital Campaign for long-term facility and ministry needs.
- Pastor Fred's Food Pantry (monthly collections)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Ongoing Capital Campaign
- Homebound Ministers who bring Communion to those unable to attend Mass
Parish Life & Groups
Lay involvement is strongly encouraged. Rotating liturgical ministries (lectors, servers, ushers, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, rosary leaders) are published in each weekly bulletin. The parish council, finance council, funeral committee, and money counters keep the parish running.
- Parish Council and Finance Council
- Funeral Committee
- Money Counters
- Homebound Minister Groups
- Lector / Server / Usher / EMHC / Rosary Leader rosters
Visiting & Contact Information
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office is staffed Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone messages and emails are answered during office hours.
- Address: 507 Church Street, Wausaukee, WI 54177
- Phone: (715) 856-5276
- Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P.S. Dagnault
One of the earliest priests known to have served the Wausaukee area, holding Mass at monthly intervals at area homes and halls before a permanent parish was built.
- Father Looze
Succeeded Dagnault; celebrated Mass in a local log schoolhouse and is credited with helping to formalize the parish in the region.
- Fr. John 'Mac' McLaughlin
Pastor of St. Augustine remembered by parishioners for his generosity and for distributing candy bars to young people after Mass.
- Fr. Joe Dorner
Served as parish administrator; mentored candidates discerning the diaconate, including (later) Deacon Jon Thorsen.
- Fr. Frederick Sseruggaat least through Jan 2020
Listed as Administrator of the tri-parish grouping (St. Augustine, St. Agnes, St. Mary) in the Jan. 5, 2020 parish bulletin.
- Fr. Francis Nusiat least through Jan 2020
Parochial Vicar assisting in the tri-parish grouping per Jan. 2020 bulletin.