St. Patrick

Parish History

Catholic life in Hudson began in 1840 with French fur traders Louis Massey and Peter Bouchea. The first Mass was offered by Fr. George Keller of St. Paul in 1855, and a frame church dedicated to St. James was built the next year — Hudson's first church bell (2,000 lbs.) rang morning, noon, and night. In 1868 Fr. Adrian Verwyst established the parish school; in 1874 Bishop Michael Heiss of La Crosse blessed a larger church at Fourth and St. Croix Streets and gave the parish its present patronage of Saint Patrick. Fr. John Barney's 36-year pastorate (from 1889) brought a new school staffed first by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, then (from 1905) by the Sisters of St. Agnes of Fond du Lac, who served Hudson for over 90 years. Knights of Columbus Council 1762 was chartered in 1914. After Vatican II, the parish welcomed the Carmelite sisters who still live at the Carmel of the Sacred Heart, and in 1991 Bishop Raphael Fliss dedicated today's church at 1500 Vine Street, making Saint Patrick the largest parish in the Diocese of Superior.

• 1855 — First recorded Mass offered by Fr. George Keller
• 1856 — First church built (St. James) at Second and St. Croix Streets
• 1874 — Parish re-dedicated under the patronage of Saint Patrick; new church at Fourth and St. Croix blessed by Bishop Michael Heiss
• 1914 — Knights of Columbus Council 1762 chartered
• 1963 — Carmelite sisters arrive from Allentown, PA at Bishop Hammes' invitation
• June 9, 1991 — Current church at 1500 Vine Street dedicated by Bishop Raphael Fliss
• 2024 — Sesquicentennial (150 years as St. Patrick) celebrated with Bishop James P. Powers

Clergy & Staff

The parish is currently served by its pastor, Fr. John Gerritts, who arrived in December 2011 after 15 years in Rhinelander, and associate pastor Fr. Dan Tracy, who joined the parish as his first assignment for the Diocese of Superior. Three deacons — Dcn. Howard Cameron, Dcn. Tom Kroll, and Dcn. Gregg Miller — assist with preaching, marriage preparation, Jail Ministry, OCIA (Becoming Catholic), the Evangelical Catholic team, and science teaching at the parish school. The broader team includes a Director of Worship, Director of Hispanic Ministry, Director of Parish Finances, Director of Development, Coordinator of Parish Communications, Youth Discipleship Coordinator, Director of Youth and Family Discipleship, Administrative Assistant & Cemetery Administrator, and two parish trustees.

• Fr. John Gerritts — Pastor (since Dec 2011); serves 12 additional parishes as Southwest Dean
• Fr. Dan Tracy — Associate Pastor
• Deacon Howard Cameron
• Deacon Tom Kroll — OCIA, Revived, Evangelical Catholic team, school science teacher
• Deacon Gregg Miller — Jail Ministry, marriage preparation, Pastoral Council (ordained 2006)
• Jackie Valois — Director of Hispanic Ministry
• Emily Todd — Director of Youth and Family Discipleship & Chief Mission & Operations Officer
• Tera Fox — Youth Discipleship Coordinator
• Sari Althoff — Coordinator of Parish Communications
• Julie Wire — Administrative Assistant & Cemetery Administrator
• Mark James — Director of Worship
• Sam Cari — School Principal & Chief Administrative Officer
• Stacie Ramthun — Youth & Family Discipleship Administrative Assistant
• Dan Bell — Facilities Manager

Saint Patrick Catholic School

Saint Patrick Catholic School, located at 403 St. Croix Street, Hudson, serves over 250 students from 3-year-old Preschool through 8th grade with a staff of 36. It is an option for the Hudson School District's four-year-old kindergarten program. School Masses are celebrated weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM in the school gym, with the first Wednesday of the month held at 9:15 AM in the church.

• Preschool (age 3) through 8th grade
• 4K option through Hudson School District
• Weekly Wednesday school Masses
• Catholic Schools Week celebrations with Bishop and the three other St. Croix County Catholic schools

Becoming Catholic (OCIA)

The Becoming Catholic Ministry — the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) — welcomes adults and children older than 2nd grade who are unbaptized, baptized in another tradition, or already Catholic and seeking to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. Discovery Sessions are held year-round on an individual basis, the formal process begins each fall, and participants receive their sacraments at the Easter Vigil. Deacon Tom Kroll is a contributing part of this ministry.

• Open to unbaptized, baptized non-Catholics, and Catholics completing sacraments
• Discovery Sessions year-round by appointment
• Process begins each fall; sacraments at Easter Vigil
• Sponsorship opportunities for parishioners

Youth & Family Discipleship

Saint Patrick partners with parents to form children into disciples through a tiered family discipleship program: GROW (4K–5th grade), BELONG (6th–8th grade), CHOSEN (9th–12th grade) — which meets for the Wednesday Night Experience on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM (October 15 – May 6) with confessions available at 6:00 PM — and SENT for post-Confirmation teens. Junior and senior students may also take on leadership and mentor roles in the parish.

• GROW (4K–5th grade)
• BELONG (6th–8th grade)
• CHOSEN (9th–12th) — Wednesday Night Experience, 6:30–8:30 PM
• SENT (post-Confirmation)
• Fees: 1 child $85; 2 children $160; 3+ $225; $50 sacrament material fee per child

Outreach & Charity

Saint Patrick lives out a deep commitment to corporal works of mercy through a network of outreach ministries. The Hudson Food Cupboard provides groceries by appointment (715-338-0332), and a Monday Morning Food Giveaway distributes surplus bakery and produce at 9:00 AM in the parish lower level. The Backpack Program packs weekend food for children identified by school personnel. Jail Ministry at St. Croix County Jail has operated since 1998, with classes the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month. Fill The Cracks Ministry helps men and women being released from jail find transportation, housing, employment, clothing, sober houses, and treatment. The Respect Life Committee, Faith in Action, HOME Meals Program, and Ministry to the Homebound round out the parish's service to the wider Hudson community.

• Hudson Food Cupboard (by appointment) — 715-338-0332
• Monday Morning Food Giveaway — 9:00 AM, lower level of church
• Backpack Program — weekly
• Jail Ministry at St. Croix County Jail — 1st Monday & 3rd Wednesday, 6:30–7:30 PM
• Fill The Cracks Ministry — re-entry support; contact Deacon Gregg Miller, 612-270-0388
• Ministry to the Homebound
• HOME Meals Program (Bethel Lutheran)
• Respect Life Committee

Adult Discipleship, Fellowship & Prayer

Men, women, and young adults find community through a full calendar of small groups, retreats, and parish life. The Evangelical Catholic (EC) team facilitates parish-wide small groups; women's groups include the Council of Catholic Women, Walking with Purpose, Ladies of Grace, and an annual Women's Retreat; men's groups include the Knights of Columbus Council 1762, That Man Is You (TMIY), and a Men's Retreat. The Minnesconsin Young Adult Group, Revived adult formation, Haven, Prayer Groups, and a Friday Social keep adults engaged across every stage of life. Volunteers are also needed for Discipleship Formation, Friday Social, Launder Linens, Dust Busters, and the Grounds Crew.

• Evangelical Catholic (EC) small groups
• Council of Catholic Women
• Walking with Purpose, Ladies of Grace, Women's Retreat
• Knights of Columbus Council 1762, That Man Is You (TMIY), Men's Retreat
• Minnesconsin Young Adult Group
• Revived adult formation
• Prayer Groups

Liturgical Ministries

Parishioners serve the Sunday and weekday liturgies as Sacristans, Readers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Greeters, AV Ministry (including livestream), and Arts and Environment. Mark James serves as Director of Worship, and Sari Althoff coordinates communications.

Connect & Visit

The parish office is open Monday–Friday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM (closed Fridays May–August) and can be reached at 715-381-5120 or [email protected]. In emergencies, call 715-550-0725. The church building is open Sunday 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Monday–Thursday 7:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Saint Patrick Catholic School is located at 403 St. Croix Street, Hudson, WI 54016.

• Parish office: 715-381-5120 / [email protected]
• Emergency line: 715-550-0725
• Office hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM (closed Fridays May–August)
• Church building hours: Sun 7 AM–1 PM; Mon–Thu 7 AM–9:30 PM; Fri 7 AM–5 PM; Sat 7 AM–7 PM