St. Patrick

About St. Patrick Parish

St. Patrick Parish, located in Mauston, WI, has been an integral part of the community since 1857. The parish, now 550 families strong, is an established Catholic community in the Diocese of La Crosse that welcomes all. Parishioners engage in various parish and community events focused on faith and service, and the parish has long encouraged the propagation of faith and education through its continued support of the Pre K–8th grade school. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the parish office can be reached at (608) 847-6054 or [email protected].

Parish History

The parish was founded in 1857 by Catholic families who had settled in the Cattail Valley and Lemonweir area of Juneau County. The first resident priest, Father Roach, arrived in 1862. Two earlier churches preceded the present building: the first was built in 1857, and the second — built on the current site — burned in 1901. The present red-brick church was built the same year for $29,425. Three major interior renovations followed: in 1951 the original ornate altars were removed, in 1970 the altar was turned to face the congregation, and in 1996 a $730,000 renovation returned the interior to a Gothic look, added a gathering area, and installed an elevator for handicapped access to all floors. By its 160th anniversary in 2017, the parish had been served by 25 pastors and 25 associate pastors/assistants.

• 1857 — Parish founded by Irish and other Catholic settlers
• 1862 — First resident priest, Father Roach
• 1901 — Present church built on Mansion Street (cost $29,425)
• 1910–1950 — Father George Schleicher, longest-serving pastor
• 1951 — Original altars removed; brick exterior painted white
• 1970 — Altar turned to face the congregation
• 1996 — Gothic-style interior renovation ($730,000); elevator and gathering area added
• 2017 — Parish celebrates 160th anniversary; 550 families

Buildings, Renovations & School

The parish has had three school buildings: the first in 1895, the second in 1929, and a large addition in 1951. From 1950 to 1966 the parish operated Madonna High School. The original rectory, located between church and school, became the Sisters' convent when the new school was built in 1929; a new rectory was built east of the church. The convent was moved in 1991 and now serves as housing for low-income families. The 1996 renovation added a large gathering area and an elevator that makes all floors of the church accessible.

• St. Patrick Grade School — 325 Mansion Street, Mauston; (608) 847-5844
• Currently educates nearly 150 Pre K–8th grade students
• School office hours 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on school days
• Pastor: Fr. Todd Mlsna; Principal: Toni Ross; School Secretary: Peggy Miller

Pastor & Staff

St. Patrick's current pastor, Rev. Todd A. Mlsna, was appointed by Bishop Gerard W. Battersby of the Diocese of La Crosse on January 20, 2026, having previously served as Parochial Administrator. A native of Sparta, Wisconsin, Fr. Mlsna attended the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped in Janesville (1975–1985) before completing high school in Sparta, earning a degree in secondary religious education at St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, and completing theology at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity of the University of St. Thomas. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of La Crosse on November 7, 1998. The parish is also served by Deacon Juan Delgado.

• Pastor: Rev. Todd A. Mlsna
• Deacon: Juan Delgado
• School Principal: Toni Ross
• Maintenance: Larry Moore
• Jennifer Laursen (parish staff)

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish recognizes parents and guardians as the primary educators of their children's faith and supports them through school-based and parish-based programs. Children whose families do not enroll them in St. Patrick School are expected to register for Wednesday evening Religious Education classes. The program is built on instruction, celebration, social activities, and outreach, with the goal that students will grow in love of God, deepen their Catholic faith, and use their gifts to live the Gospel in parish, community, and world. Sacramental preparation is tied to grade level, with First Reconciliation beginning in 1st grade, First Holy Communion in the spring of 2nd grade, and Confirmation preparation beginning the freshman year of high school (with First Reconciliation preceding Confirmation).

• Religious Education: Wednesday evening classes for non-school children
• Sacramental preparation in school and Faith Formation program
• First Reconciliation (1st grade)
• First Holy Communion (spring of 2nd grade)
• Confirmation (freshman year of high school)
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — open to all seeking full communion with the Catholic Church

Lay Ministries & Pastoral Care

St. Patrick has a wide range of lay-led ministries, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care for the homebound, grieving, and elderly. Volunteers regularly bring Eucharist to nursing-home residents and the hospitalized, send birthday and anniversary cards to milestone parishioners, knit and crochet prayer shawls and lap afghans, and gather weekly to make rosaries that are sent to missions throughout the world. Adult faith formation opportunities — including Advent and Lent studies and small discussion groups — are offered throughout the year.

• RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Adult Group / Studies (Advent, Lent, and seasonal offerings)
• Home Visits and Eucharist to the Homebound
• Fairview Nursing Home ministry
• Prayer Network
• Birthday & Anniversary Ministry
• Bereavement Ministry
• Prayer Shawl Ministry
• Rosary Making Group
• Transportation Ministry

Sacraments

Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. Patrick Parish is published on the parish website. Baptisms are normally celebrated during weekend Masses, with an infant baptism preparation class required; school-aged baptism preparation takes approximately eight months. Couples requesting marriage should contact the rectory at least six months before the anticipated date; weddings are not celebrated during Advent or Lent. First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation follow the Faith Formation schedule described above.

• Baptism (with preparation class for infants)
• First Reconciliation
• First Holy Communion
• Confirmation
• Marriage (6-month notice; not in Advent or Lent)
• Pastoral Care / Anointing of the Sick for the homebound and hospitalized

Community Outreach & Events

The parish is a visible presence in Mauston civic life. The Community Sharing Pantry got its start in a corner of Reardon Hall and continues to serve neighbors in need. Parishioners are active in the Mauston Ministerial Association and deliver Meals on Wheels to the homebound two months out of each year. The parish hosts an annual Fall Festival that has been held for more than 25 years with broad community support, and the Hunters Night Out fundraiser benefits the parish school's athletic program.

• Community Sharing Pantry
• Mauston Ministerial Association
• Meals on Wheels (two months per year)
• Annual Fall Festival (25+ years)
• Hunters Night Out (supports school athletics)

Parish Cemeteries

St. Patrick Parish maintains two cemeteries: St. Patrick Cemetery, located just east of Mauston on US Hwys 12 & 16, and Holy Rosary Cemetery in the Town of Lindina in Juneau County. Information about either cemetery can be obtained by contacting the parish office at (608) 847-6054. The parish publishes rules for the adornment of lots — including restrictions on glass decorations, plantings, and grading without management approval — and posts cleanup notices on its website.

• St. Patrick Cemetery — east of Mauston on Hwys 12 & 16
• Holy Rosary Cemetery — Town of Lindina, Juneau County
• Parish office: (608) 847-6054
• Lot-adornment rules published on the parish website