About St. Maximilian Kolbe · Sobieski, Wisconsin
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish is a small Roman Catholic parish in the village of Sobieski, Wisconsin, within the Diocese of Green Bay. It was created on the Easter Vigil of 2007 from the merger of three historic Polish-heritage farm communities: St. John Cantius in Sobieski, St. Louis in Abrams, and the mission parish of St. Joseph in Chase. Today the parish is linked with Holy Trinity Parish in Oconto and is led by Fr. Francis Nusi, a priest from India who serves both communities. The parish's patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe, was a Conventual Franciscan priest, martyr, and recognized patron of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement.
- Established
- 2007
- Patron
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Francis Nusi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Maximilian Kolbe is a tight-knit rural parish where the life of the community is built around the Sunday Eucharist, weekday Mass, Adoration, and the sacraments. The parish warmly welcomes new families, runs a Faith Formation program for grades 1–11, offers OCIA (the adult initiation process), and walks couples through Marriage Preparation. With two historic parish cemeteries still under parish care and a faithful Polish Catholic heritage carried forward from Sobieski, Abrams, and Chase, it is a welcoming place for anyone seeking a small, prayerful Catholic home in the Oconto County countryside.
Mass times at St. Maximilian Kolbe
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday, 8:15 AM
- Reconciliation service during Lent: March 4, 4:30–8:00 PM
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the month, after the 8:00 AM Mass at St. Maximilian Kolbe
- Every Friday at Holy Trinity, 8:30–9:30 AM
- Holy Thursday: Adoration until Midnight following the 6:00 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper
About St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Sobieski, Wisconsin, is a small Catholic community in the Diocese of Green Bay rooted in the Polish farming settlements of Oconto County. The parish was formed in 2007 through the merger of three earlier parishes, all of which had been served together by Conventual Franciscan friars for nearly thirty years. Its patron, St. Maximilian Kolbe, is recognized as patron of drug addicts, prisoners, families, and the pro-life movement, and his feast day is August 14.
- Patron: St. Maximilian Kolbe — Catholic priest and Conventual Franciscan Friar
- Feast Day: August 14
- Diocese: Green Bay
- Current pastoral administrator: Rev. Fr. Francis Nusi
- Linked parish: Holy Trinity, Oconto
History of the Parish
The parish is the direct descendant of three 19th-century Polish Catholic farm communities. St. John Cantius in Sobieski was organized in 1897 when local land promoter J.J. Hof donated land for a church and cemetery; a larger sanctuary was begun in 1902. St. Louis in Abrams and St. Joseph in Chase (a mission of St. John Cantius) shared the same immigrant Polish Roman Catholic roots. Fr. Gerald Prusakowski, OFM, of the Assumption BVM Province in Pulaski pastored all three parishes together from about 1988 until they merged in 2007.
- 1897 – St. John Cantius Parish, Sobieski, organized; land donated by J.J. Hof
- 1902 – Construction begins on a larger St. John Cantius church under Father Polaczk
- c. 1988 – Fr. Gerald Prusakowski, OFM, becomes pastor of all three parishes
- 2006 – Parishes vote to merge
- Lent 2007 – Three parishes formally closed
- Easter Vigil, April 7, 2007 – St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish created
- 2011 – Linked with St. Benedict (Suamico) and St. Pius (Little Suamico); Fr. Everard Scesney, OFM, assigned as parochial vicar
- July 1, 2017 – Link dissolved; Frs. Gerald and Everard retire
- 2017 – Fr. Antonio "Tony" de los Santos (Philippines) assigned as pastor
- August 2020 – Fr. Tony reassigned; parish linked with Holy Trinity, Oconto; Fr. Francis Nusi (India) assigned as pastor
Parish Mission
The parish's stated mission is to 'enthusiastically promote the reign of God' in the local community and the wider world. In keeping with its founding out of three farming parishes, the community places a strong emphasis on preaching the Gospel, building community, fostering prayer and worship, educating children, and involving the laity in parish life.
- Preaching the Good News of Salvation
- Building an Earthly Kingdom of Love, Justice, Mercy and Peace
- Fostering Prayer and Worship
- Educating our Children
- Providing Involvement for the Laity
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation classes are held on Wednesday evenings during the school year and serve children from Grade 1 through Grade 11. The program is designed to help parents pass on the Catholic faith within the family, and all staff and volunteers are VIRTUS-trained through the Diocese of Green Bay's Safe Environment program. Registration for the upcoming year is open via a Google Form posted on the parish website.
- Grades 1–6 — Wednesdays, 5:30–6:45 PM
- Grades 7–11 — Wednesdays, 7:00–8:15 PM
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Allison Peshman
- Contact: [email protected]
- Safe Environment: VIRTUS training required of all staff and volunteers
OCIA (Adult Initiation)
The parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly called RCIA) for adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or already baptized Catholics who wish to complete the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). Sessions meet in a small-group setting and prepare candidates to receive the sacraments at Easter.
- Coordinators: Deacon Dave & Cindy Westenberg
- Classes resume in Fall 2026
- Inquiries: (920) 822-5255 or (609) 390-0664
Marriage Preparation
Engaged couples preparing for marriage at St. Maximilian Kolbe are guided through the parish's Marriage Preparation Course, coordinated by Deacon Dave and Cindy Westenberg. Couples are encouraged to contact the parish office early in their engagement.
- Coordinators: Deacon Dave & Cindy Westenberg
- Inquiries via parish office: (920) 822-5255
Lenten & Holy Week Schedule
The parish publishes an annual Lenten and Holy Week schedule that coordinates Masses, devotions, and confession between St. Maximilian Kolbe and its linked parish, Holy Trinity. Of particular note is the Blessing of Easter Baskets on Holy Saturday morning at St. Max — a beloved Polish Catholic tradition carried forward from the parish's heritage.
- Stations of the Cross & Mass every Friday of Lent — 6:00–6:30 PM
- Reconciliation — March 4, 4:30–8:00 PM at St. Max
- Holy Thursday — Mass of the Lord's Supper 6:00 PM, Adoration until Midnight
- Good Friday — Stations 11:00 AM, Passion at Noon
- Holy Saturday — Blessing of Easter Baskets 11:00 AM–1:00 PM at St. Max
- Easter Vigil — 8:00 PM at Holy Trinity
- Easter Sunday — 9:00 AM at St. Max; 7:00 AM & 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity
Cemeteries
The parish continues to oversee two historic Catholic cemeteries inherited from its predecessor communities. Both cemeteries have dedicated sextons for burial arrangements and upkeep.
- St. John Cantius Cemetery — located behind the church in Sobieski; Interim Sexton Scott Wallenfang, (920) 655-8720
- St. Joseph Cemetery — in Chase; Sexton ChaseAllen Blaser, (920) 899-3031
Parish Staff & Office
The parish is served by a small staff supported by a network of volunteers. The parish office is located in the house adjacent to the church, and office hours are limited. Fr. Francis Nusi is available in person on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
- Pastoral Administrator: Rev. Fr. Francis Nusi — (715) 927-3224, [email protected] (Tue/Thu 9 AM–Noon)
- Secretary-Bookkeeper: Ann Lopata — (920) 822-5255, [email protected] (Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–1:00 PM)
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Allison Peshman — [email protected]
- OCIA & Marriage Prep Coordinators: Deacon Dave & Cindy Westenberg
- Office address: 6051 Noble Street, Sobieski, WI 54171
Getting Involved
New parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. Anyone interested in joining the parish, registering children for Faith Formation, beginning OCIA, preparing for marriage, or helping with parish ministry is encouraged to email the parish office or reach out to the relevant coordinator listed on the contact page.
- General inquiries: [email protected]
- Phone: (920) 822-5255
- Faith Formation sign-up form posted on the parish website each spring
- Volunteers must complete VIRTUS Safe Environment training through the Diocese of Green Bay
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gerald Prusakowski, OFMc. 1988–2017
Conventual Franciscan (Assumption BVM Province); served all three predecessor parishes and the merged parish; retired in 2017.
- Fr. Everard Scesney, OFM2011–2017
Parochial Vicar assigned by the Franciscans and Bishop Ricken during the Suamico link; retired in 2017.
- Fr. Antonio "Tony" de los Santos2017–August 2020
From the Philippines; assigned by the Diocese of Green Bay; reassigned August 2020.
- Fr. Francis NusiAugust 2020–present
From India; serves both St. Maximilian Kolbe and Holy Trinity, Oconto.