About St. Joseph · Green Bay, Wisconsin
St. Joseph Parish is a Catholic community in Green Bay, Wisconsin, founded in 1914 to serve the growing west side of the city, which had previously been served only by St. Patrick Church. It is one of the four parishes of the Quad Parishes of Green Bay, a collaborative family that also includes Annunciation, St. Jude, and St. Patrick parishes. The parish takes its name from St. Joseph, patron of workers, the Universal Church, and immigrants — a fitting patron for a community built by common laborers. Today St. Joseph is served by Conventual Franciscan (OFM Conv.) priests and a team of deacons, religious, and lay staff, offering Mass in English, faith formation for children and adults, and outreach through the Hope Center pantry and other ministries.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- St. Joseph (patron of workers, the Universal Church, and immigrants)
- Rector
- Rev. Erick Ondieki, OFM Conv. (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a welcoming, working-class west-side Green Bay parish with more than a century of history and a clear baptismal mission to follow the example of Jesus in all things. Parishioners gather for Sunday and weekday Mass, faith formation for every age (including RCIA and 'Growing in Faith' programs), and active outreach through the Hope Center food pantry and Love Life Ministry. The parish also offers children's 'Gospel Time' during the Sunday 10:30 am Mass, English language classes, and the Alpha course, making it a true home for families, newcomers, and long-time Catholics alike.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:30 am (St. Joseph site)
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1914 to serve the expanding west side of Green Bay, which had been served only by St. Patrick Church. The parish was named for St. Joseph, patron of laborers, because its territorial boundaries included many of the city's common laborers and less-wealthy families — unlike most of Green Bay's earlier parishes, which were organized by ethnicity. The first pastor, Rev. Matthias Kraus, led St. Joseph from 1914 to 1930, and the parish grade school opened in 1917 under the Sisters of St. Agnes. By 1938, the original buildings had deteriorated so badly that the parish built an entirely new church, school, and convent on the same site; these are the buildings that make up today's St. Joseph complex, with the school thereafter staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Manitowoc.
- Founded 1914 to serve west-side Green Bay
- First pastor: Rev. Matthias Kraus (1914–1930)
- School opened 1917 under the Sisters of St. Agnes
- Current church, school, and convent built 1938
- School re-staffed by Franciscan Sisters of Manitowoc; opening enrollment 354
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at the Quad Parishes is centered on building strong Catholic families. Children and youth meet weekly on Wednesdays for K–8 classes (5:30–6:45 pm) and high school classes (6:30–8:00 pm), with a Middle School Youth Group from 6:45–8:00 pm. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion typically takes place in second grade, after a year of prior faith formation and including a retreat experience. Older youth and adults preparing for Confirmation or Baptism are served through the RCIA process.
- K–8 Faith Formation: Wednesdays 5:30–6:45 pm
- High School Faith Formation: Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 pm
- Middle School Youth Group: Wednesdays 6:45–8:00 pm
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation (contact Business Office)
- Baptism preparation (contact Business Office)
Growing in Faith — Adult Formation
The Quad Parishes offer a range of adult faith-formation opportunities, including Bible Study, the RCIA journey, Catholic-themed movie days, and the 'Embers From the Fire' young adult program. Alpha is offered as an open door for those exploring the Christian faith, and English language classes are available to parishioners and neighbors. Young adults can also get involved through the parish's Young Adult Houses (separate men's and women's houses) and accompanying small-group community.
- Bible Study
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Alpha
- English Classes
- Embers From the Fire (young adults)
- Young Adult Houses (men and women)
- Catholic movie days
Children, Youth & Family
Gospel Time is a children's program for ages 4–10 that takes place during the 10:30 am Sunday Mass at St. Joseph. Children are called up before the readings, go to a nearby room with a trained adult leader to hear and discuss the Gospel at their own level, and return to their families after the homily. The program is free and requires no registration. The parish also offers Wednesday-evening Faith Formation for K–8 and high school students, a Middle School Youth Group, and special family events such as the 'Teaching on the Mass' gathering for 3rd-grade students and their parents.
- Gospel Time during 10:30 am Sunday Mass (ages 4–10)
- Wednesday Faith Formation K–8 and High School
- Middle School Youth Group
- Teaching on the Mass (3rd-grade families)
Prayer & Worship
St. Joseph's worship life is centered on the Sunday Eucharist and the other sacraments. Beyond Mass, the Quad Parishes offer Reconciliation at the St. Joseph site on Sundays at 9:30 am, and parishioners are encouraged to make life-long faith formation a priority through the various prayer, study, and retreat opportunities available across the four parishes.
- Sunday Mass at 10:30 am
- Weekday Masses Wednesday and Saturday 8:00 am
- Sunday Reconciliation at 9:30 am
Outreach: Hope Center & Love Life Ministry
St. Joseph is part of the Quad-Parish outreach that runs the Hope Center and Love Life Ministry. The Hope Center Pantry, located at 401 Gray Street, Green Bay, distributes food Monday through Thursday from 1:00–3:00 pm (920-437-3356). Love Life Ministry, at 505 Clinton Street, Green Bay, is open Thursdays 1:00–4:00 pm except the 5th Thursday of the month (920-497-1087), offering support to mothers and families. Pastoral Minister Sr. Jan Villemure also visits the sick at home, in care centers, and in hospitals.
- Hope Center Pantry — 401 Gray Street, Mon–Thu 1–3 pm, 920-437-3356
- Love Life Ministry — 505 Clinton Street, Thu 1–4 pm (not 5th Thu), 920-497-1087
- Visits to the sick (home, care centers, hospitals) by Sr. Jan Villemure
Hispanic Ministry
Hispanic Ministry is a Quad-Parish-wide effort led by Lorena Gomez. While Spanish Mass is celebrated at Annunciation Parish (Sundays 12:30 pm, and 6:00 pm on the first Friday of the month), the Hispanic Ministry office is open Monday and Tuesday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm to accompany Spanish-speaking parishioners and families across the four parishes. Confessions in Spanish are heard at Annunciation on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 5:30 pm and on the first Friday of the month at 5:30 pm.
- Hispanic Ministry contact: Lorena Gomez, 920-496-2160 x142, [email protected]
- Spanish Mass at Annunciation: Sundays 12:30 pm
- Confessions in Spanish at Annunciation: 2nd/4th Thursdays 5:30 pm and 1st Friday 5:30 pm
Quad-Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Joseph is served by a collaborative team of Conventual Franciscan (OFM Conv.) priests, deacons, religious, and lay staff. The current Administrator is Rev. Erick Ondieki, OFM Conv., with Rev. Dominic Wambui, OFM Conv., serving as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Dan Wagnitz assists at the parishes, and Dcn. Bill Gerl serves as Business Administrator. The wider staff includes Sr. Jan Villemure (Pastoral Minister), Mike Walters (Pastoral Associate), Patti Phillips (Religious Education), Mark Phillips (Liturgical Coordinator and Administrative Assistant), Jim Bertler (Music Coordinator), Mary Jane (MJ) Smithers (Bookkeeper), Lorena Gomez (Hispanic Ministry), and Patrick Jelen and Jerry Leisgang (Maintenance).
- Rev. Erick Ondieki, OFM Conv. — Administrator ([email protected])
- Rev. Dominic Wambui, OFM Conv. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Dan Wagnitz ([email protected])
- Dcn. Bill Gerl — Business Administrator ([email protected])
- Sr. Jan Villemure — Pastoral Minister ([email protected])
- Mike Walters — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Patti Phillips — Religious Education ([email protected])
- Mark Phillips — Liturgical Coordinator ([email protected])
- Jim Bertler — Music Coordinator ([email protected])
- Mary Jane Smithers — Bookkeeper ([email protected])
- Lorena Gomez — Hispanic Ministry ([email protected])
- Patrick Jelen — Maintenance Coordinator
- Jerry Leisgang — Maintenance
Visit, Connect & Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at St. Joseph and across the Quad Parishes. The parish invites visitors to attend Mass, sign up for the weekly bulletin and emails, and explore the 'I'm New' page of the website. There are opportunities for every age and stage of life: Alpha for those exploring faith, English Classes for newcomers, Growing in Faith for ongoing formation, Children & Youth programs, Prayer & Worship, Sacraments preparation, Care & Support ministries, and Justice & Service outreach.
- Try Alpha
- English Classes
- Growing in Faith (RCIA, Bible Study, Young Adults)
- Children & Youth programs
- Prayer & Worship
- Care & Support (visits to the sick, Hope Center, Love Life)
- Justice & Service (Hope Center Pantry, Love Life Ministry)
Locations & Contact
St. Joseph Parish is located at 936 9th Street, Green Bay, WI 54304. The St. Joseph site office is open Monday and Tuesday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (or by appointment) and can be reached at 920-497-7042. The Quad-Parish Business Office is at 1087 Kellogg Street, Green Bay, WI 54303, and is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (closed Friday); phone 920-496-2160, fax 920-496-2167. After-hours emergency line: 920-510-9257 or 920-510-3578.
- St. Joseph site — 936 9th Street, Green Bay, WI 54304 (920-497-7042)
- Quad-Parish Business Office — 1087 Kellogg Street, Green Bay, WI 54303 (920-496-2160)
- Hope Center Pantry — 401 Gray Street, Green Bay, WI 54303 (920-437-3356)
- Love Life Ministry — 505 Clinton Street, Green Bay, WI 54303 (920-497-1087)
- After-hours emergency: 920-510-9257 or 920-510-3578
- Web: quad-parish.org | Facebook: facebook.com/thequadparishes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Matthias Kraus1914–1930
First pastor of St. Joseph Parish, appointed when the parish was established.