About St. James · Amherst, Wisconsin
St. James Catholic Parish is a small country parish serving the village of Amherst in Portage County, Wisconsin, within the Diocese of La Crosse. Since its founding in 1905, St. James has shared its pastoral life with nearby St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Fancher, and the two parishes now operate as a single twinned Catholic community under one pastor, one staff, and one parish office located at St. James in Amherst. Weekend and weekday Masses are celebrated at both historic churches, with confession offered before each Mass, Eucharistic adoration on First Thursdays and First Fridays, and faith formation classes for grades 1–11.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. James (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Jerzy Rebacz
- Diocese
- Diocese of La Crosse (Stevens Point Deanery)
Why belong here
St. James and St. Mary of Mount Carmel are two small, family-sized parishes that worship and serve side by side, offering the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass, regular confession, First-Friday adoration and benediction, a robust Religious Education program for grades 1–11 with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, and a hands-on OCIA process for adults entering the Church. With a long-standing Parish Pastoral Council and a Finance Council made up of elected parishioners, the community is governed collaboratively under Pastor Fr. Jerzy Rebacz and Deacon Art Schaller, and visitors quickly find that the weekend Masses — Saturday evening at St. James and Sunday morning at both churches — are welcomed like a country parish should be.
Mass times at St. James
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- After weekday Masses (leave a note in the sacristry if you would like the priest to hear your confession — no names needed)
- Saturdays at 3:30 pm
- Sundays after the 10:30 am Mass at St. Mary of Mount Carmel
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction after the morning Mass on the First Thursday of every month
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction after the morning Mass on the First Friday of every month (Eucharistic Adoration, per Diocese of La Crosse listing)
About the Parishes
St. James in Amherst and St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Fancher operate as a single Catholic community, sharing one pastor, one office staff, one bulletin, one Religious Education program, and one parish office at 453 S. Main Street, Amherst. Their parish mission statement reads: 'To strive to live as disciples of Christ.' St. James dates to 1905 and St. Mary of Mount Carmel to 1884.
- Two parishes united in faith, community, and tradition
- Parish Mission: To strive to live as disciples of Christ
- St. James, Amherst — founded 1905
- St. Mary of Mount Carmel, Fancher — founded 1884
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education is a joint program for both parishes under Director of Religious Education Michelle Shulfer. With parents recognized as the primary educators of the faith, the parish offers Child Faith Formation for Grades 1–8, separate sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and a three-year Confirmation program for Grades 9–11. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings on a bi-weekly or weekly basis depending on the program.
- Grades 1–8: 'We Believe' series (Sadlier) — bi-weekly Wednesdays, 6:15–7:30 pm
- First Reconciliation / First Communion: Ascension Press 'Renewed' and 'Received' — bi-weekly Wednesdays, 6:15–7:30 pm; open to children age 8+; parents attend with child
- Confirmation Year 1 (Grade 9): 'Called to Mercy' (St. Mary's Press)
- Confirmation Year 2 (Grade 10): 'Chosen' (Ascension Press)
- Confirmation Year 3 (Grade 11): 'Theology of the Body'
- Parent Resources provided to reinforce home catechesis
Parish Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Jerzy Rebacz and Deacon Art Schaller, with an administrative and formation team supporting worship, faith formation, and facilities.
- Fr. Jerzy Rebacz — Pastor
- Deacon Art Schaller
- Ann Hemmy — Parish Life Administrator
- Veronica Bruske — Parish Secretary
- Michelle Shulfer — Director of Religious Education
- Deacon Art — Director of Maintenance
- Gary Shulfer — Buildings & Grounds
Parish Pastoral & Finance Councils
Pastoral Council members are elected by fellow parishioners and serve three-year terms; Finance Council members are appointed by the pastor. Together with Fr. Jerzy they help discern the strengths and needs of the parish, develop the parish mission, set pastoral priorities, and steward financial resources.
- Pastoral Council (SJ representatives): Jill Benjamin, Michael Juris, Bob Schilling, Michelle Shulfer, Christine Thompson
- Pastoral Council (SM representatives): Sarah Eron, Julie Glodowski, Jenny Konkol, Justen Pacocha, Karen Piesik, Carol Rudiger
- Finance Council (SJ): Sandy Trzebiatowski, Pat Kwiatkowski
- Finance Council (SM): Mark Doll, Gilbert Patoka
Sacraments
St. James prepares parishioners for Baptism, Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Holy Matrimony through age-appropriate programs and in keeping with Diocese of La Crosse policy. Adult newcomers prepare through OCIA. Couples are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before any anticipated wedding date.
- Baptism: parents should be registered parishioners; first-time parents attend a preparation class with Deacon Art; sponsors must be fully initiated practicing Catholics.
- Reconciliation: regular times after weekday Masses and on Saturdays at 3:30 pm; any time by appointment
- Eucharist: First Communion preparation via Ascension Press 'Received' program for children age 8+
- Confirmation: three-year program (Grades 9–11)
- Marriage: six-month preparation — pre-nuptial investigation, recent baptismal certificates, FOCCUS inventory, diocesan-approved pre-marriage retreat, meeting with Fr. Jerzy ~6 weeks before the wedding and with Deacon Art ~4 weeks before to plan the liturgy, and rehearsal the evening before; $100 Works of Charity stipend secures the date
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults seeking baptism, or Christians baptized in another denomination who desire full communion with the Catholic Church, prepare through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Those interested are invited to contact the parish office to begin the process.
- OCIA preparation for unbaptized adults (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil)
- RCIA-style reception into full communion for validly baptized non-Catholics
- Diocesan recognition of Trinitarian baptisms with water
St. Mary of Mount Carmel Restoration
St. Mary of Mount Carmel, the sister church in Fancher, underwent a major interior renovation prompted by hidden water damage discovered in January to the arch and upper sanctuary. While repairs were underway, all Masses and parish activities were held at St. James. The parish joyfully re-opened St. Mary's after seven months when Bishop Battersby celebrated the Mass of Dedication, anointing the new altar and the walls of the church with Sacred Chrism, followed by a parish luncheon in the church basement.
- Renovation triggered by January discovery of water damage to the arch and upper sanctuary
- All Masses and activities relocated to St. James during construction
- Rededication Mass celebrated by Bishop Battersby with guest clergy
- Sacred Chrism anointing of altar and walls
Bulletin, Communications & Weekly Bulletin
A printed weekly bulletin serves both parishes. Notices for publication are submitted by 4:30 pm the Tuesday before publication to [email protected]. For those who are homebound or unable to attend Mass, the parish will mail or email the bulletin weekly on request.
- Bulletin submission email: [email protected] (deadline 4:30 pm Tuesday)
- Mailed or emailed bulletin available for the homebound on request
- Mass livestream link from the Diocese of La Crosse posted on the parish site
Contact, Office Hours & Weather Policy
The shared parish office is located at St. James. Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The parish follows the Tomorrow River Schools for weather closures — if the schools close, the office is closed and there is no daily Mass.
- St. James Church — 453 S. Main St, Amherst, WI 54406
- St. Mary Church — 3995 County Rd K, Amherst (Fancher), WI
- Phone: (715) 824-3455
- Office hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Weather closures tied to Tomorrow River Schools