About St. Mary - Holy Family Parish · Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
St. Mary Church is one of six worship sites that make up Holy Family Catholic Community, a vibrant, multi-cultural parish of approximately 5,700 families in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Located in the downtown area at 59 East Merrill Avenue, St. Mary is one of the northernmost parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, situated on the south shore of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest inland lake. Holy Family Catholic Community was formed on July 1, 2000, when six historic Fond du Lac parishes—Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Louis, St. Mary, St. Patrick, and St. Peter—consolidated into a single parish to better serve the spiritual needs of the community. The parish now celebrates nearly 20 Masses each week across its six sites, with St. Mary hosting a 7:15 am Sunday Mass and a 7:00 pm Spanish Mass on Thursdays.
- Established
- 2000 (Holy Family Catholic Community formed July 1, 2000)
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) — for the parish as a whole; St. Mary for the St. Mary Church worship site
- Rector
- Very Rev. Ryan J. Pruess (Fr. Ryan Pruess)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Holy Family Catholic Community is a vibrant, multi-cultural parish that combines the strengths and traditions of six historic Fond du Lac parishes into one large, mission-focused family of faith. With six worship sites serving 5,700 families, the parish offers an unusually wide range of ministries—from sacramental preparation, Christian formation, and youth programs to outreach like the Warming Shelter, meal programs, and immigration housing. Members can worship in English or Spanish, participate in perpetual Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart, and be part of a parish that partners closely with St. Mary Springs Academy and ministers to inmates at Taycheedah Correctional Institution. The parish is also an active member of the Fond du Lac Area Ministerial Association, supporting ecumenical and community initiatives across the region.
Mass times at St. Mary - Holy Family Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 7:00 to 7:45 pm at St. Mary (primarily in Spanish)
- Saturday night: Beginning an hour before all evening Masses and ending 15 minutes before the start
- Monday – Friday: Following 7:00 am Mass at Holy Family
- Monday and Friday: 11:15 to 11:45 am prior to 12:00 pm Mass at Sacred Heart
- Wednesday: 11:15 to 11:45 am prior to 12:00 pm Mass at Marian University's Dorcas Chapel, and at 5:00 pm at Sacred Heart
- Saturday morning: Following 8:00 am Mass at Holy Family
- Sunday morning: 9:00 to 9:45 am before 10:00 am Mass at Our Risen Savior
- Communal penance services during Advent and Lent
- Adoration with confession Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 pm at Our Risen Savior
- Adoration with confession Thursdays 6:30–7:30 pm at Presentation
Adoration times
- Sacred Heart Eucharistic Adoration Chapel: Sunday–Saturday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm (parish website) / 4:00 am to 10:00 pm (adoration page)
- St. Mary Church: 7:00 to 8:00 pm the fourth Friday of each month (Adoration primarily in Spanish)
- Our Risen Savior (N6499 Cty Y, Eldorado/Woodhull): Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 pm (priests available for confessions during the Holy Hour)
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Thursdays beginning at 6:30 pm (Adoration and Confession 6:30 to 7:30 pm, followed by Mass at 7:30 pm)
- Cor Jesu at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 1st Thursday of the month, 6:30 to 7:30 pm Adoration and Confession, 7:30 pm Mass with music
About Holy Family Catholic Community
Holy Family Catholic Community is a vibrant, multi-cultural parish of approximately 5,700 families in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin — one of the northernmost parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, located on the south shore of Lake Winnebago, the largest inland lake in Wisconsin. The parish operates as a city-wide parish with nearly 20 Masses each week, 12 of them on weekends, celebrated across six worship sites: Holy Family Church (the main/east-side church with parish offices), St. Mary (downtown), Sacred Heart (west side, with Christian Formation and Youth Center), St. Peter (the 'country church' in the township of St. Peter), Our Risen Savior (Eldorado/Woodhull), and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (North Fond du Lac). The parish is led by a pastor with associate pastors and deacons, advised by a Pastoral Council and Finance Council, and organized into four commissions: Worship, Formation, Human and Pastoral Concerns, and Stewardship. The parish partners closely with St. Mary Springs Academy and provides Catholic Masses and formation services to inmates at Taycheedah Correctional Institution.
- Pastor and associate pastor model with deacons
- Pastoral Council and Finance Council (elected and ex-officio parishioners)
- Four Commissions: Worship, Formation, Human and Pastoral Concerns, Stewardship
- Member of the Fond du Lac Area Ministerial Association
Our History
Holy Family Catholic Community was established on July 1, 2000, when six historic Fond du Lac parishes — Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Louis, St. Mary, St. Patrick, and St. Peter — consolidated into a single parish. The merger was decided in 1998 and officially became one church in 2000. Designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects (project designer John Holz), the new 53,000-square-foot Holy Family Church was built to accommodate 1,250 people and intentionally incorporates elements from the six merged parishes: stained glass and the pipe organ from downtown St. Joseph were reused in the new worship space, and six octagonal pavilions symbolize the former parishes (three of which serve as memorial rooms for St. Joseph, St. Louis, and St. Patrick). In 2016-17, partner school St. Mary Springs Academy moved into a new facility at the corner of Hwy 23 (Johnson Street) and County Highway K. As the parish approached its 25th anniversary in 2025, it celebrated a growing portfolio of outreach ministries including three meal programs and an outreach center that began as a daily warming shelter and transitioned into housing for newly immigrated neighbors.
- Founded July 1, 2000
- Merger decided 1998
- Six merged parishes: Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Louis, St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Peter
- New Holy Family Church designed by Plunkett Raysich Architects
- St. Mary Springs Academy moved to new facility in 2016-17
- 25th anniversary celebrated in 2025
Our Locations
The parish worships at six sites across Fond du Lac and the surrounding communities. Parish offices are at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way (corner of Co. Rd. K and Fourth Street). St. Mary Church is in the downtown area at 59 East Merrill Avenue (corner of East Merrill Avenue and Marquette Street). Sacred Heart Church is at 200 S. Peters Ave. on the west side of town. St. Peter Church (the 'country church') is at N8079 Church Road in Malone. Our Risen Savior Church is at N6499 Co. Rd. Y in Eldorado. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is at 705 Michigan Ave. in North Fond du Lac.
- Holy Family Church — 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac (parish offices)
- St. Mary Church — 59 E. Merrill Ave., Fond du Lac (downtown)
- Sacred Heart Church — 200 S. Peters Ave., Fond du Lac (west side)
- St. Peter Church — N8079 Church Rd., Malone (country church)
- Our Risen Savior Church — N6499 Co. Rd. Y, Eldorado
- Presentation of the BVM Church — 705 Michigan Ave., North Fond du Lac
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor and multiple parochial vicars, along with several deacons. The current pastor is Very Rev. Ryan J. Pruess (Fr. Ryan Pruess), who began his assignment at Holy Family on June 19, 2012, and was ordained on May 19, 2012 by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. Fr. Ryan also serves as an Executive on the Board of Directors for St. Mary Springs Academy. Parochial vicars have included Fr. Kevin Durand, Fr. Patrick Behling, Fr. Matthew Kirk, Fr. Kevin Tanel, and Fr. Fernando Torres — with the latter four announced in early 2025 as taking new assignments elsewhere in the Archdiocese beginning in June 2025. Fr. Craig Richter and Transitional Deacons Alex Becker and Nick Waddell are scheduled to join the parish in June 2025. Deacons currently serving include Deacon Marty Ryan, Deacon Ricardo Muñoz, and Deacon Dale R. Paczkowski.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Ryan J. Pruess (since June 19, 2012)
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Kevin Durand, Fr. Patrick Behling, Fr. Matthew Kirk, Fr. Kevin Tanel, Fr. Fernando Torres
- Incoming June 2025: Fr. Craig Richter, Dcn. Alex Becker, Dcn. Nick Waddell
- Deacons: Marty Ryan, Ricardo Muñoz, Dale R. Paczkowski
Christian Formation & Religious Education
The Christian Formation Office serves to help all parishioners enter fully into the Sacramental life of the Church. Programs include Faith Formation for grades 1–8, High School Formation for 9th and 10th grade, Confirmation preparation (public, Catholic, and homeschool students), a High School Youth Group (meeting the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month for 9th–12th graders), Vacation Bible School, and a two-week Summer Program for public-school children in grades K-7 (June 8–19, with AM and PM sessions at Sacred Heart School). Special Needs Faith Formation is also offered. For Sacramental prep, contact Trisha Zimmerman ([email protected]) for First Reconciliation/First Communion and Angie Bestul ([email protected]) for High School Formation and Confirmation.
- Faith Formation Grades 1–8
- 9th & 10th Grade High School Formation
- Confirmation Sacramental Preparation
- High School Youth Group (2nd & 4th Wednesday)
- Vacation Bible School
- Two-week Summer Program (June 8–19)
- Special Needs Faith Formation
- Incoming 9th Grade Retreat: July 15 at Marian University Stayer Center (Saint Carlo Acutis theme)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Holy Family's Becoming Catholic program (formerly RCIA, now OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) invites adults to inquire about the Catholic faith and journey toward full initiation. Sabina Carter, Director of Christian Formation, oversees the program. The parish also offers OCIA adapted for children of catechetical age.
- Director of Christian Formation: Sabina Carter
- Adult OCIA process
- OCIA for Children (adapted for catechetical age)
Parish Devotions & Devotional Life
The parish encourages a rich devotional life beyond the Mass. The Rosary is prayed Monday–Friday at 6:00 pm at Sacred Heart. First Friday Mass/Novena is celebrated at 9:00 am at Sacred Heart. First Saturday Mass/Novena is celebrated at 8:30 am at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Five First Saturdays Devotion is observed at the 8:00 am Mass at Holy Family on the first Saturday of each month, including Confession, Holy Communion, five decades of the Rosary, and 15 minutes of meditation on the mysteries. Cor Jesu is held on the first Thursday of the month at Presentation. The parish publishes a Monthly Devotions guide to help parishioners pray throughout the liturgical year.
- Daily Rosary at Sacred Heart (Mon–Fri, 6:00 pm)
- First Friday Mass/Novena at Sacred Heart (9:00 am)
- First Saturday Mass/Novena at Presentation (8:30 am)
- Five First Saturdays Devotion at Holy Family (1st Saturday, 8:00 am)
- Cor Jesu at Presentation (1st Thursday)
- Monthly Catholic Devotions guide
Outreach & Human Concerns
Holy Family's Human Concerns Ministry leads several outreach initiatives that serve both parishioners and the wider Fond du Lac community. In recent years, the parish has launched three meal programs and opened an outreach center that began as a daily warming shelter and has since transitioned into housing for newly immigrated neighbors. Fr. Matthew Kirk helped establish the Holy Family Warming Shelter and raised more than $190,000 in a single season by hovering above the shelter in the wind, sleet, and snow as a fundraising stunt. The parish also provides Catholic Masses and formation services to prisoners at Taycheedah Correctional Institution, and is an active member of the Fond du Lac Area Ministerial Association, a collaborative ecumenical clergy association.
- Three meal programs
- Holy Family Warming Shelter
- Outreach Center (housing for newly immigrated neighbors)
- Ministry to Taycheedah Correctional Institution inmates
- Member of Fond du Lac Area Ministerial Association
Sacraments
Holy Family celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Sacramental preparation is family-centered and coordinated by the Christian Formation Office. Baptism certificates can be requested via the parish. First Reconciliation is typically prepared for during the second-grade year and celebrated during the parish Advent penitential services. First Eucharist follows family-centered preparation. Confirmation is prepared for in 9th and 10th grade. Reconciliation (private and communal during Advent/Lent) is offered widely; arrangements can be made with a priest for urgent private confession. Marriage preparation is coordinated through the parish, along with Anointing of the Sick and Funeral arrangements.
- Baptism (request a Baptism Certificate via the parish)
- First Reconciliation (2nd grade)
- First Communion / First Eucharist
- Confirmation (9th–10th grade)
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals
- Becoming Catholic / OCIA (adults and children)
St. Mary Springs Academy
Holy Family Catholic Community collaborates closely with St. Mary Springs Academy, a K3–12 regional Catholic school in Fond du Lac. Fr. Ryan Pruess serves as an Executive on the Academy's Board of Directors, and Fr. Matthew Kirk (during his assignment) served as chaplain of the school's football team. The Academy moved into a new facility on the 'ledge' adjacent to its previous high school location, at the corner of Hwy 23 (Johnson Street) and County Highway K, at the start of the 2016-17 school year.
- K3–12 regional Catholic school
- Board Executive: Fr. Ryan Pruess
- Former football chaplain: Fr. Matthew Kirk
- New facility opened 2016-17 at Hwy 23 and Co. Hwy K
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ryan PruessJune 19, 2012 – present
Ordained May 19, 2012 by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki; serves as one of four pastors and as an Executive on the Board of Directors for St. Mary's Springs Academy.