About St. John XXIII Congregation - St. Peter of Alcantara Church · Port Washington, Wisconsin
St. John XXIII Catholic Parish in Port Washington, Wisconsin, is a unified Catholic congregation formed on July 1, 2016, through the merger of Immaculate Conception, St. Mary's, St. Peter of Alcantara, and Port Catholic School. The parish serves Port Washington, Saukville, and greater Ozaukee County under the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, with Mass and ministry celebrated across three historic church campuses. Its mission is to 'Be Christ Inspired — Joyfully Live Our Call,' strengthening faith, nurturing families, and providing vibrant service and outreach.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. Peter of Alcantara (born Peter Garavita, 1499, Alcantara, Spain; founder of many monasteries)
- Rector
- Father Matthew Kirk
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. John XXIII brings together three historic worship sites — including St. Peter of Alcantara on the north side of Port Washington — into one welcoming Catholic community with strong faith formation for every age, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a vibrant Catholic school (Port Catholic/St. John XXIII School), and active ministries like the long-running St. Vincent de Paul conference that has served neighbors in need since 1961. Whether you're drawn by the Sunday 5:00 p.m. Mass at the St. Peter's site, faith formation for your children, or the chance to serve, this is a parish that meets people where they are and sends them out as Christ's hands, feet, and voice.
Mass times at St. John XXIII Congregation - St. Peter of Alcantara Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:30 am — at St. Peter's Church Site (per the parish Mass/Confession schedule page and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee listing)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 9:00 am with Benediction at 5:30 pm — at St. Mary's Church Site (parish-wide adoration)
- Online Eucharistic Adoration available via the parish's recorded sessions with Deacon Mike Burch, Pat Jentges, Tim Handle, and Elizabeth Handle
St. Peter of Alcantara Church — Parish History
St. Peter of Alcantara was built in the mid-1960s by parishioners of St. Mary's, Port Washington, who wanted to expand the religious education of their children. A committee was appointed in January 1963 to work with St. Mary's pastor Father Edgar Braun, and the new church was formally dedicated on October 19, 1966. It is named for Saint Peter of Alcantara (Peter Garavita, 1499), the Spanish founder of many monasteries. A major liturgical renovation in 1994–95 reshaped the worship space around a central chancel, baptistery, Eucharistic chapel, and daily Mass chapel; the renovated church was dedicated April 30, 1995, by then-pastor Father Paul Lippert. Archbishop Timothy Dolan joined parishioners for the 40th anniversary Mass on November 18, 2006.
- Dedicated October 19, 1966
- Renovated/rededicated April 30, 1995
- 40th anniversary Mass with Archbishop Timothy Dolan on November 18, 2006
- Merged into St. John XXIII Catholic Parish on July 1, 2016
St. John XXIII Congregation
St. John XXIII is a 'fairly new congregation but with a long and rich history.' On July 1, 2016, Immaculate Conception, St. Mary's, St. Peter of Alcantara, and Port Catholic School merged to form a single parish serving Port Washington, Saukville, and greater Ozaukee County. Each former parish brought its own heritage: Immaculate Conception is known for its architecture and longstanding community involvement; St. Mary's is recognized for engaging programs and ministries; St. Peter of Alcantara for its social-justice and outreach efforts; and the school for academic and spiritual excellence.
- Mission: 'Be Christ Inspired — Joyfully Live Our Call'
- Vision: 'To be a dynamic Catholic Community, seeking to grow in faith and discipleship through Jesus Christ.'
- Three church campuses + one parish school
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John XXIII Faith Formation 'serves all parishioners from our littlest ones to mature adults in helping them to understand what it means to be a disciple of Christ.' Programs include intentional catechesis through the CRE (Catholic Religious Education) program for K–10, sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation, retreats, Bible studies, service opportunities, and special events. CRE for K–8 meets on Mondays, September through April; 9th and 10th graders choose from Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday evenings, with a summer option for elementary grades.
- CRE — K–10 religious education
- Confirmation preparation (11th grade)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation
- Adult formation programs, Bible studies, retreats
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Port Washington/Saukville Conference at St. John XXIII Parish was established in March 1961 — predating the construction of St. Peter's itself. Members serve as Vincentians, growing spiritually through person-to-person visits (always in pairs) with neighbors in need. The conference helps those experiencing financial hardship or in need of food or shelter, and offers companionship to the homebound, hospitalized, and institutionalized. The international Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris in 1833 and now serves more than 4,500 communities across 154+ countries.
- Local conference established March 1961
- Home visits in pairs; material and spiritual assistance
- Companionship to homebound and hospitalized
- Contact: 262-685-6034 — new members welcome
St. John XXIII Catholic School
St. John XXIII Catholic School — formerly Port Catholic School — is the parish's preschool-through-elementary (and into middle school) Catholic school, 'a pillar of Catholic education in the area, fostering academic excellence and spiritual growth.' The school is supported collectively by the merged parish and continues a tradition of integrated, hands-on education that 'encourages creative expression, promotes critical thinking, and provides students with an opportunity to obtain skills needed to be successful, compassionate learners.' Principal Marie Lippe leads the school, with Father Matthew Kirk serving as parish pastor.
- Preschool–elementary Catholic school
- Principal: Marie Lippe
- Pastor (school liaison): Father Matthew Kirk
Leadership & Staff
St. John XXIII is led by Pastor Father Matthew Kirk, who began June 16, 2025, succeeding retiring Father Patrick Wendt (who had led the parish since 2005). The deacon team includes Dcn. Scott Wiese (ordained 2012) and Dcn. Bill Henkle, with Dcn. Mike Burch contributing through online adoration recordings. Lay staff oversee Faith Formation & Pastoral Care (Maureen Rotramel, with Barbara Lettiere, Lesa Staehler, and Carrie Ehrlich as associate directors/admins; Katie Rutz as Pastoral Care Coordinator), Music and Liturgy (Tim Handle), Communications & Stewardship (Allyson Olivier), and Administrative Services (Dawn Goodno).
- Pastor: Father Matthew Kirk (since June 2025)
- Deacon: Scott Wiese
- Deacon: Bill Henkle
- Deacon: Mike Burch (online Adoration)
- Director of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care: Maureen Rotramel
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Tim Handle
- Director of Communications & Stewardship: Allyson Olivier
- Director of Administrative Services: Dawn Goodno
- Pastoral Care Coordinator: Katie Rutz
Why Belong or Visit
St. John XXIII is a unified Catholic community where every parishioner — from north-side Port Washington families at St. Peter's to longtime Immaculate Conception and St. Mary's households — is invited to grow as a disciple. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass across three campuses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration with online options, sacramental preparation for every age, a thriving Catholic school, social-justice outreach through the long-running St. Vincent de Paul conference, and opportunities to serve locally and on mission trips. Its tagline says it plainly: 'Be Christ Inspired — Joyfully Live Our Call.'
- Three worship sites + one parish school
- Weekly Adoration + online adoration options
- St. Vincent de Paul charity since 1961
- Parish school, CRE, Confirmation prep, adult formation
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Edgar Braun
Pastor of St. Mary's, Port Washington; in January 1963 he was appointed to lead the committee that designed and built the original St. Peter of Alcantara parish.
- Father Paul Lippert
Pastor at the time of the 1994–95 renovation and rededication on April 30, 1995; wrote the dedicatory letter to parishioners.
- Father Patrick Wendt2005–June 30, 2025
Came to Port Washington as pastor of St. Peter of Alcantara in 2005; led the parish through and beyond the 2016 merger into St. John XXIII; retired June 30, 2025.
- Father Matthew KirkJune 16, 2025–present
Announced by Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob as the new pastor; first pastor assignment; previously parochial vicar at Holy Family, Fond du Lac; ordained May 2022.