About St. Clare · Wind Lake, Wisconsin
St. Clare Catholic Church is a small but active parish in the unincorporated community of Wind Lake, in southeastern Wisconsin, that serves the surrounding lake communities and rural areas of Racine County. Founded in 1965 as a mission congregation of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and named after the mother of its first pastor, the parish shares priestly and pastoral staff with neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas in Waterford under the joint 'Wind & Water' Catholic collaboration. In the 2025–2027 Franciscan Jubilee Year (January 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027), St. Clare was designated a Place of Pilgrimage where the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. The parish marked its 60th anniversary on September 7, 2025 with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Jeffrey Grob.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Clare of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Steve K. Varghese
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Clare offers the intimacy of a small parish serving the lake communities and rural areas of southeastern Wisconsin, with active ministries that span worship, formation, and outreach. Parishioners can join the Wind & Water Faith Formation program for preschool through high school, walk with men through the Dynamic Men's Group, support the Human Concerns Committee's food pantry, meal program, and pro-life work, or serve at the altar as lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and ushers. The parish is also a designated Franciscan Jubilee Year Place of Pilgrimage (Jan 10, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027), giving the faithful an unusual opportunity for plenary indulgences and a deeper connection to St. Clare of Assisi's Franciscan spirituality.
Mass times at St. Clare
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:00 PM
- By appointment (in private)
Adoration times
- Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (parish open for pilgrimage indulgences during the Franciscan Jubilee Year)
About St. Clare Catholic Church
St. Clare is a small Catholic parish serving the lake communities and rural areas of southeastern Wisconsin. According to the parish's own description, 'we are small, but we are mighty,' thanks to its volunteers. The parish shares its pastor and many programs with neighboring St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Waterford under the joint 'Wind & Water' Catholic collaboration, which produces a combined weekly e-newsletter and shared faith formation staff.
- Founded September 10, 1965 by Archbishop William E. Cousins
- Named after Clara Kapellen, mother of founding pastor Fr. John A. Kapellen
- Part of the Wind & Water Catholic collaboration with St. Thomas Aquinas, Waterford
- Marked 60th anniversary on September 7, 2025 with Archbishop Jeffrey Grob
Parish History
The parish was declared a congregation on September 10, 1965. Fr. John A. Kapellen was appointed first pastor on September 17, 1965. The first Mass in Wind Lake was offered at Pagels Resort on October 10, 1965. Ground was broken on the first church in July 1968; the first Mass in that church was celebrated in March 1969, and Archbishop Cousins formally dedicated it on September 14, 1969. A steeple was added in 1972.
- 1965 – Parish declared; Fr. John A. Kapellen named first pastor
- October 10, 1965 – First Mass in Wind Lake at Pagels Resort
- 1968 – Ground broken on first church building
- 1969 – First Mass in new church; church dedicated by Archbishop Cousins
- 1972 – New steeple dedicated
- 2005 – Current church building dedicated (April 3, 2005)
- 2007 – Holy Family Hall dedicated
- 2015 – Golden Jubilee Celebration (Oct 2–4, 2015)
- 2018 – Fr. Ed Tlucek launches Wind & Water collaboration with St. Thomas
- 2024 – Fr. Steve K. Varghese appointed pastor
- 2025 – 60th Anniversary Mass with Archbishop Grob
Clergy, Staff & Liturgical Ministers
St. Clare is led by Fr. Steve K. Varghese, pastor of both St. Clare and St. Thomas Aquinas, Waterford, with Fr. Al Veik, a Capuchin Franciscan, serving as assisting priest. Two deacons — Michael Hoffmann and James Nickel — assist with parish life. A small office and music staff run day-to-day operations and liturgy, while lay volunteers serve as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and ushers.
- Pastor: Fr. Steve K. Varghese
- Assisting Priest: Fr. Al Veik (Capuchin Franciscan)
- Deacon Michael Hoffmann
- Deacon James Nickel
- Administrative Assistant: Maureen Vander Sanden
- Business Administrator: Richard Eshleman
- Liturgical Music Coordinator (St. Clare & St. Thomas): Katie Ellenberg
- Director of Marketing & Communications (Wind & Water): Julie Zweifel
- Maintenance: Don Schumacher
- Altar Servers contact: Margo Eshleman
- Eucharistic Ministers contact: Sandy Stokely
- Lectors contact: Jennifer McKenna
- Ushers contact: Dan Stokely
Franciscan Jubilee Year Place of Pilgrimage
St. Clare has been declared a Place of Pilgrimage Site for the Franciscan Jubilee Year, which runs from January 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027. Visiting the parish and praying under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, detachment from sin, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope — allows the faithful to receive a plenary indulgence. The parish is open for obtaining plenary indulgences Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and prayer cards are available in the Narthex.
- Jubilee Year: January 10, 2026 – January 10, 2027
- Plenary indulgence available under usual conditions
- Parish open Tuesday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Prayer cards available in the Narthex
Wind & Water Faith Formation
St. Clare offers Wind & Water Faith Formation in partnership with St. Thomas Aquinas in Waterford. The in-person, community-based program is open to all ages and aims to help every participant become a disciple of Jesus Christ by learning, living, and sharing the love of God. Sessions include Mass; Children's Liturgy is offered during Mass. All catechists working with children have completed Safeguarding All God's Children training through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and background checks.
- Preschool (3K–5K) – Sundays 9:30–11:30 AM at St. Clare; tuition $80
- Elementary (K–6) – Sunday or Wednesday sessions at St. Clare or St. Thomas
- Middle School (7–8) – $140 (includes retreat)
- High School (Grades 9–11) – coordinated by Maureen LeGros; prepares for Confirmation as Juniors
- Adult OCIA – coordinated by Jeff and Judy Kraschnewski
- 13 sessions per year; Sunday sessions include Mass
Outreach & Human Concerns
The Human Concerns Committee has about twenty members and meets the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 noon in Holy Family Hall (no meetings in summer). It supports pro-life centers, prepares and serves a monthly meal at Love Inc. in Burlington, replenishes the Norway Helping Hands Food Pantry in Wind Lake, runs the annual Giving Tree with Walmart gift cards, participates in Fr. Al's House of Peace Holiday Food Boxes in October, and holds 'Souper Bowl Sunday' canned soup drives in February.
- Norway Helping Hands Food Pantry – weekly food drives
- Love Inc. Meal Program in Burlington – 4th Wednesday of each month
- Fr. Al's House of Peace Holiday Food Boxes – October
- Souper Bowl Sunday – February canned soup drive
- Giving Tree – $25 Walmart gift cards for families in need
- Pro-life support and Hospitality / Bereavement ministries
- Contact: Debbie Klamert at 262-895-7524
Parish Groups & Fellowship
St. Clare is known for its strong sense of community. The Dynamic Men's Group brings together men 18 and older for fellowship and study of Scripture; their mission is 'To live as He lived, to love as He loved, to serve as He served.' The parish also hosts a Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) Fraternity, a Friday Morning Sheepshead card group, AA meetings in Holy Family Hall, Bible studies (such as Lectio: Philippians – Life in Christ), the famous St. Clare Fish Fry, and a Zoom Faith Group that discusses the Sunday readings on Saturday mornings.
- Dynamic Men's Group – Mondays 7:00–8:30 PM; contact David Hintz 262-844-4808
- Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) Fraternity meetings
- Christian Women (joint with St. Thomas Aquinas)
- Friday Morning Sheepshead in Holy Family Hall
- AA Meetings in Holy Family Hall
- Zoom Faith Group – Saturdays 8:00 AM (Jim Schieffer, [email protected])
- St. Clare Fish Fry fundraiser
- Bible studies (e.g., Lectio: Philippians)
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at St. Clare is shaped by a team of lay liturgical ministers and a shared music director. Katie Ellenberg serves as Liturgical Music Coordinator for both St. Clare and St. Thomas Aquinas, working cooperatively with parishioners on music selections for Masses and Sacraments. Lay liturgical roles include lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and ushers, all of which are open to qualified parishioners with training provided.
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: Katie Ellenberg
- Lectors – contact Jennifer McKenna ([email protected])
- Eucharistic Ministers – contact Sandy Stokely ([email protected])
- Altar Servers (5th grade through adults) – contact Margo Eshleman
- Ushers / Ministers of Hospitality – contact Dan Stokely
Visit, Office & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are welcome at the parish office, located at 7616 Fritz Street, Wind Lake, WI 53185. The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM (closed Mondays). Holiday hours and closures are posted on the Parish Calendar. The weekly Wind & Water Newsletter keeps both St. Clare and St. Thomas parishioners up to date on news, events, and Mass intentions.
- Address: 7616 Fritz Street, Wind Lake, WI 53185
- Phone: (262) 895-2729
- Office Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (closed Monday)
- Wind & Water weekly e-newsletter available via online sign-up
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John A. Kapellen1965–1970
First pastor; parish named after his mother, Clara Kapellen.
- Fr. Joseph Baran1970–1996
Second pastor; oversaw the building of the first church and steeple.
- Fr. John Hemsing1996–2008
Third pastor; led Faith in Our Future capital campaign.
- Fr. Aurelio Perez2008–
Parish Administrator following Fr. Hemsing's reassignment.
- Fr. Eugene Doda2013–2014
Parish Administrator.
- Fr. William Kohler2014–2015
Temporary administrator / supervising priest.
- Fr. Peter Drenzek2015
Temporary administrator.
- Deacon Richard Brown2015–2018
Part-time parish director.
- Fr. Ed Tlucek2018–2023
Franciscan; launched the Wind & Water collaboration with St. Thomas Aquinas, Waterford.
- Rev. Johny Amaladasan2023–2024
Indian Pallottine priest and educator; interim Parochial Administrator.
- Fr. Steve K. Varghese2024–present
Current pastor of St. Clare and St. Thomas Aquinas, Waterford.