About St. Leonard Congregation · Muskego, Wisconsin
St. Leonard Congregation is a Roman Catholic parish of more than 1,900 families serving Muskego, Wisconsin, a growing suburb southwest of Milwaukee. Founded in 1957 by Fr. Leonard Drewek and now in its seventh pastorate under Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin (installed June 2025), the parish operates a K3-Grade 8 Catholic school, an active Christian Formation program for all ages, a vibrant Human Concerns/Outreach ministry including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and a packed weekend Mass schedule at its Westwood Drive campus. Its mission statement — 'Growing as Catholics in the Image of Jesus Christ through worship, formation and community' — is lived out through weekend Masses, two weekly Eucharistic Adoration sessions in the Divine Mercy Chapel, and dozens of lay ministries and small groups.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Leonard
- Rector
- Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. Leonard is a large, multigenerational Catholic community of more than 1,900 families that combines a strong parish school (K3-Grade 8, recognized with Exemplary Status by the Archdiocese in 2023) with lifelong faith formation for every age — from elementary Christian Formation through a two-year Confirmation program for grades 7-11, plus OCIA for adults. Parishioners can encounter Christ daily through Sunday Mass (also livestreamed), two weekly sessions of Eucharistic Adoration in the Divine Mercy Chapel, and a long roster of ministries ranging from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the parish Food Pantry to the South Side Meal Program, music and liturgy, and parish small groups. It is a place with deep local roots — built by the hands of its own members — that continues to grow in Muskego after more than 65 years.
Mass times at St. Leonard Congregation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Adoration times
- Monday 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (in the Divine Mercy Chapel)
- Wednesday 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. (in the Divine Mercy Chapel)
Parish History
St. Leonard Congregation was incorporated on July 17, 1957, when Archbishop Albert G. Meyer appointed Fr. Leonard Drewek as founding pastor of what was then a small Catholic presence in rural Muskego. The first 'church' was four un-partitioned classrooms inside a multipurpose building, and parishioners themselves built the rectory (1959) and convent (1962). A new church was dedicated on September 7, 1980 by Bishop Leo Burst, and the 21st century has brought a gym/lobby addition (2002), the Parish Center (2017), the Marian Prayer Garden (2018), a memorial crucifix from a felled tree (2020), and the renaming and refresh of the chapel as the Divine Mercy Chapel (2022).
- Founded July 17, 1957
- Seven pastors since 1957
- Dedicated new church September 7, 1980
- 50th anniversary celebrated in 2007
- Parish Center opened November 2017
- Marian Prayer Garden blessed October 2018
- Chaple renamed Divine Mercy Chapel April 2022
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Council
Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin became St. Leonard's seventh pastor on June 17, 2025, installed by Archbishop Grob. He is assisted by two permanent deacons, Dcn. Rick Wirch and Dcn. Larry Ramsey, and a lay pastoral team covering liturgy, formation, stewardship, communications, administration, school leadership, and facilities.
- Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin — Pastor
- Dcn. Rick Wirch — Permanent Deacon
- Dcn. Larry Ramsey — Permanent Deacon
- Bridget Klawitter — Pastoral Associate
- Bryan Staedler — Director of Music and Liturgy
- Lisa Jachimiec — Director of Child Formation / Safeguarding Coordinator
- Bethanne Maus-Schaefer — Director of Youth Ministry
- Karen Tenfel — Director of Administrative Services and H.R.
- Michelle Kreuser — Director of Stewardship
- Samantha Dresen — Director of Communications and Marketing
- Laura Bisher — School Principal
Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin — A Short Bio
Fr. Pat grew up in Milwaukee, graduated from Thomas More High School, and spent ten years in college and graduate school in Cincinnati, Madison and Chicago before entering the seminary in 1994. During formation he interned at St. Paul Parish in Genesee Depot and did CPE at St. Luke Hospital in Milwaukee. He was ordained in 1999 — the only priest ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee that year — and previously served as pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Oak Creek (2008–2025) and St. Mary by the Lake Parish in Racine (2016–2024).
- Milwaukee native and Thomas More HS graduate
- Ordained 1999 for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Former pastor of St. Matthew, Oak Creek (2008–2025)
- Also served St. Mary by the Lake, Racine (2016–2024)
- Lives in the house he grew up in; commutes 10 miles to St. Leonard
Christian Formation (Lifelong Learning)
The Christian Formation office (262-679-0880) coordinates catechesis from age 3 through adulthood. Elementary Formation (grades 1–6) is led by Lisa Jachimiec; Youth Ministry (grades 7–11) is led by Bethanne Maus-Schaefer; Adult Formation and the Vine and Branches small-group ministry are led by Bridget Klawitter. The Christian Learning and Spirituality Committee (CLAS) meets quarterly to guide the work and fundraise for programs.
- Elementary Christian Formation (grades 1–6) and First Communion prep
- Youth Ministry (grades 7–11) and Confirmation prep
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA)
- Sacraments at a Later Age (SALA) for grades 4–10
- Adult Formation and Vine and Branches small groups
- Men's Ministry
St. Leonard Catholic School (K3–Grade 8)
St. Leonard School opened in September 1960 to grades 1–6, taught by three School Sisters of Notre Dame and three lay teachers. It has since grown to serve children from K3 through 8th grade. In June 2023 the school was awarded Exemplary Recognition in Mission and Catholic Identity by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Office of Catholic Schools, cited for faith development, integration of Catholic Social Teachings, unified parish-school mission, and academic excellence. The principal is Laura Bisher.
- Grades served: K3, K4, K5, and 1–8
- Principal: Laura Bisher
- Exemplary Recognition in Mission and Catholic Identity (Archdiocese of Milwaukee, June 2023)
- On-site at W173 S7777 Westwood Drive
- Office: 262-679-0451 / [email protected]
Sacrament Preparation
St. Leonard prepares parishioners of all ages for the sacraments. Infant baptism begins with a parent class (best taken before baby arrives); children ages 7+ who are not yet baptized follow the Sacraments at a Later Age (SALA) two-year track. First Reconciliation and First Communion are a two-year process anchored by weekly Sunday Mass. Confirmation is a two-year program for grades 7–11 with elective classes, retreats, service hours and prayer services. Adults seeking Baptism, full communion, Confirmation, or Marriage are served through OCIA and the Marriage Prep (FOCCUS) ministry.
- Baptism (infant, child, adult)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion (two-year)
- Confirmation (two-year, grades 7–11)
- Marriage (FOCCUS facilitated in parish homes)
- OCIA for adults
- Anointing of the Sick (third Saturday monthly)
Outreach & Human Concerns
The Human Concerns Committee and the Muskego conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul coordinate the parish's charitable works. The SVdP chapter, honored with the 2023 Ozanam Medallion for excellence in service, helps neighbors with rent, utilities, food certificates, furniture, appliances and clothing, funded through 'poor boxes' in the narthex, special collections, and the Advent Giving Tree. The parish Food Pantry collects nonperishables year-round, with surplus shared with the Muskego Food Pantry and a sister parish.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Muskego Conference)
- Parish Food Pantry
- Advent Giving Tree and Winter Wear Drive
- Thanksgiving and Easter Food Distributions
- South Side Meal Program (monthly at 10th & Madison)
- Lenten Collections (HOPE Center, Community Smiles Dental, Kathy's House, Women's Center, Street Angels)
- Hunger Task Force stock-box packing
- Dinners for The Guest House
- Right to Life / Social Justice advocacy
Facilities & Campus
The St. Leonard campus on Westwood Drive in Muskego includes the parish offices (former 1959 rectory), the church (dedicated 1980), the school (with a 2002 gym/lobby addition on the southwest corner), the Parish Center (opened November 2017, with Gathering Space, food pantry, meeting rooms and the Little Leos child-formation space), the youth center (the former 1962 convent), the Divine Mercy Chapel, and the Marian Prayer Garden blessed in October 2018. The campus hosts weekend Masses, daily Mass as scheduled, two weekly adoration periods, the parish school, Christian Formation, and outreach ministries.
- Parish Center with Gathering Space (opened 2017)
- Little Leos Room for child formation during 9 a.m. Sunday Mass
- Marian Prayer Garden (blessed 2018)
- Divine Mercy Chapel (renamed 2022)
- Gymnasium, concessions kitchen and lobby (2002)
- Memorial crucifix from a felled tree installed 2020
Music and Liturgy
Liturgy at St. Leonard is coordinated by Bryan Staedler, Director of Music and Liturgy. The Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass is also livestreamed for parishioners at home or in the hospital.
- Director of Music and Liturgy: Bryan Staedler
- Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass livestreamed
Getting Involved
The parish encourages involvement across formation, outreach, liturgy, and small-group ministry. Membership on the Christian Learning and Spirituality Committee is open to all parish members age 18 and older, with quarterly meetings on the second Monday of the month. The Marriage Prep Ministry also invites married couples to be trained as FOCCUS facilitators. To volunteer for the South Side Meal Program, contact Mary Dentice at 414-412-2802.
- Join CLAS Committee (open to adults 18+)
- Become a FOCCUS Marriage Prep facilitator couple
- Volunteer at South Side Meal Program (3x/year)
- Donate to Food Pantry or St. Vincent de Paul
- Join a Vine and Branches small group
Contact & Visit
Parish, school and Christian Formation offices share the Westwood Drive campus but have separate phone numbers and emails. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m.–noon. The parish is in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
- Parish Office: 262-679-1773 / [email protected]
- School Office: 262-679-0451 / [email protected]
- Christian Formation Office: 262-679-0880
- Office hours: M–Th 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; F 8:30 a.m.–noon
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Milwaukee (archmil.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Leonard Drewek1957-1976
Founding pastor; parish incorporated July 17, 1957 under Archbishop Albert G. Meyer
- Fr. Joseph Sukup1976-1986
- Fr. Kenneth Derfus1986-1995
- Fr. Jerome Rinzel1995-2005
- Fr. William Kohler2005-2012
- Fr. Daniel Janasik2012-2025
Oversaw major building projects including Parish Center (2017) and Marian Prayer Garden (2018)
- Fr. Patrick O'Loughlin2025-present
Seventh pastor; installed by Archbishop Grob on June 17, 2025; previously pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Oak Creek (2008-2025)