About St. John Paul II Parish- St. Helen Church · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
St. John Paul II Parish–St. Helen Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish on Milwaukee's south side, part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. St. Helen Church, the historic heart of the parish, was organized in 1925 as one of the second-generation Polish parishes in the city and held its first Mass on February 13, 1927. Today the parish also includes St. Alexander Church (1568 W. Holt Avenue) under the leadership of Fr. Michael A. Ignaszak, and it operates a K4–8 Catholic school, a food pantry, St. Vincent de Paul Society, faith formation, and sacramental preparation in both languages.
- Established
- 1925
- Patron
- St. Helen
- Rector
- Rev. Michael A. Ignaszak
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. John Paul II Parish offers a richly bilingual Catholic home on Milwaukee's south side, with Mass, adoration, reconciliation, and faith formation offered in both English and Spanish. The community feeds bodies as well as souls through its monthly St. John Paul II Food Pantry and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, while the parish's K4–8 Catholic school and sacramental programs (RCIA, baptism prep, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage) walk children and adults through every stage of the faith. Welcoming weekend Masses at both St. Helen and St. Alexander churches, plus active ministries like the Prayer Shawl group, Hospital Ministers, Elizabeth Ministry and Bereavement Ministry, make it easy for newcomers to plug in.
Mass times at St. John Paul II Parish- St. Helen Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 p.m. at St. Alexander (in both English and Spanish)
Adoration times
- Monday 6:00–7:00 p.m. at St. Alexander / San Alejandro (English & Spanish) — Adoration and Benediction
Parish History
St. Helen's was organized on April 25, 1925 by Fr. Constantine F. Wasniewski after Archbishop Sebastian G. Messmer appointed him on April 6, 1925 to build a new south-side parish. About 50 founding parishioners chose the name St. Helen at a meeting held at St. John Kanty Church; construction began that same year and the church was dedicated on March 6, 1927. The parish school opened in September 1926 with four Felician sisters, a Felician convent followed in 1951, and a major renovation of the church and school was completed in 1967. The parish has been served by five pastors across a century of Catholic life on Milwaukee's south side.
- Founded April 25, 1925 at a meeting in St. John Kanty Church
- First Mass: February 13, 1927
- Church dedicated: March 6, 1927
- Parish school opened: September 1926 (Felician sisters)
- Felician convent built: 1951
- Major renovation of church and school: 1967
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics of every age and language for the seven sacraments. Baptism preparation classes are held in English on the first Tuesday of each month and in Spanish on the first Thursday of each month, beginning promptly at 6 p.m. at SJPII–St. Helen Church (cost $50; preregistration required). Parents must be registered parishioners. Older sacraments are coordinated through the parish office and the Faith Formation office.
- Baptism (English: 1st Tuesday; Spanish: 1st Thursday; 6 p.m. at St. Helen)
- Religious Education Program
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Godparent Certification Form
St. John Paul II Catholic School (K4–8)
St. John Paul II Catholic School is a fully accredited K4–8 Catholic elementary school that does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or national origin. The school offers a traditional Catholic education in English with strong emphasis on Reading, Math and Language Arts, and participates in the Milwaukee Parental School Choice program so that children of low-income families can enroll. Faith formation is integrated through weekly Mass, daily prayer, classroom religious instruction, reception of the sacraments, devotions to Mary and support of the missions.
- Main campus: 3329 S. 10th Street — phone 414-744-7188
- Second campus: 3344 S. 16th Street — phone 414-383-3453
- Hours: 7:45 a.m.–2:45 p.m. (10th St) / 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (16th St)
- Principal: Mrs. Myriam McClellan
- School Secretaries: Mrs. Graciela Martin and Mrs. Marissa Hernandez
- Participates in the Milwaukee Parental School Choice program
- Special programs: music, computers, world languages, PE, library, athletics, after-school programs, Scouts, altar servers
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at SJPII Parish serves children and adults through its Religious Education Program and the RCIA process for those entering the Catholic Church. Director of Faith Formation is Amelia Monserrat Avila. Baptism prep classes are offered bilingually each month, and older children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation are catechized through the parish school and the Religious Education Program.
- Religious Education Program
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Baptism prep: 1st Tuesday (English) / 1st Thursday (Spanish), 6 p.m.
- Director of Faith Formation: Amelia Monserrat Avila
Parish Ministries
SJPII Parish supports a wide range of lay ministries, in both English and Spanish, to serve the spiritual, emotional and material needs of parishioners and neighbors. The Prayer Shawl group knits comfort for the sick; the St. Vincent de Paul Society provides clothing, furniture and other aid to the poor, sick and disabled; Hospital Ministers bring Communion and prayer to patients; the St. John Kanty Christian Women, Holy Name Society and Prayer Group sustain traditional Polish-Catholic devotional life; the Elizabeth Ministry walks with expectant mothers; and the Bereavement Ministry supports families through the loss of a loved one.
- Prayer Shawl
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (clothing, furniture, school supplies, scholarships)
- Hospital Ministers
- St. John Kanty Christian Women & Holy Name Society
- St. John Kanty Prayer Group
- Elizabeth Ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society exists to help the poor, sick, disabled and needy by providing clothing, furniture and other services. Funding comes from benefactors and the poor-box offerings located in the churches. The society also maintains the book racks in the church vestibule, supplies school materials to needy children, and evaluates candidates for high school scholarships. Volunteers and donations of time or money are always welcome.
- Provides clothing, furniture and other services to those in need
- Maintains church vestibule book racks with helpful information
- Supplies school supplies to needy children and awards high school scholarships
- Main Office: 414-462-7837
St. John Paul II Food Pantry
The St. John Paul II Food Pantry is one of the parish's signature outreach ministries, distributing groceries to south-side neighbors in need. Pre-registration is required; appointments can be made by calling 414-744-3695. Food Pantry dates are the third Saturday of the month, with summer adjustments in June, July and August when distribution shifts to the third Friday. Visitors come to 3329 S. 10th Street (lower level), enter the door to the left of the elevator, and should bring photo identification and current proof of address.
- Held the 3rd Saturday of the month (June/July/August: 3rd Friday)
- 2026 dates: Mar. 21, Apr. 18, May 16, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 21, Dec. 19
- Location: 3329 S. 10th Street (lower level), across from Ohio Park
- Call 414-744-3695 to schedule an appointment
- Bring photo ID and current proof of address
Parish Staff
SJPII Parish is led by a bilingual pastoral team that serves both church sites (St. Helen and St. Alexander) and the parish school.
- Fr. Michael A. Ignaszak — Pastor
- Fr. Gabriel Zavala — Associate Pastor
- Deacon Edwin Reyes — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Manuel Maldonado-Villalobos — Permanent Deacon
- Sharon Dahle — Director of Administrative Services
- Awilda Aranda — Pastoral Associate
- Robert Martin — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Amelia Monserrat Avila — Director of Faith Formation
- Myriam McClellan — Principal, St. John Paul II Catholic School
- Doreen Petrovic — Safeguarding Coordinator & Administrative Assistant
- Sophia Espinoza Ferreria — Bilingual Secretary
- Miguel Herrera — Director of Maintenance
Contact & Location
The parish office and St. Helen Church sit just south of downtown Milwaukee, across from Ohio Park, with easy access from the south side neighborhoods the parish has served since 1925.
- Parish office: 3307 S. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215
- St. Helen Church (Santa Elena): 3329 S. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215
- St. Alexander Church (San Alejandro): 1568 W. Holt Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53215
- Phone: 414-744-3695
- Fax: 414-744-2874
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (lunes a viernes)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Constantine F. Wasniewski1925–1951
Founding pastor; previously assistant at St. Hyacinth's; ordained June 8, 1913; later named Monsignor; built the church (dedicated March 6, 1927) and opened the parish school with Felician sisters in September 1926.
- Rev. John Brzonkala1951–1961
Second pastor; ordained March 10, 1912.
- Msgr. John A. Wieczorek1961–1974
Third pastor; ordained February 2, 1930; responsible for the major remodeling of the school.
- Rev. Albin F. Sowinski1974–1995
Fourth pastor; ordained May 25, 1951; directed the 1987 church renovation (new pews, statues, altars, stained glass) re-dedicated by Archbishop Weakland on May 9, 1987; retired in 1995.
- Rev. Michael A. Ignaszak1997–present
Fifth pastor; ordained May 18, 1984; appointed February 25, 1997.