About St. Philip the Apostle · Green Bay, Wisconsin
St. Philip the Apostle Parish is a bilingual English/Spanish Catholic parish in Green Bay, Wisconsin, belonging to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. Founded in 1938 by Fr. Theodore Verbeten and dedicated by Bishop Rhode on September 8, 1940, the parish serves the east-side Green Bay community with two weekend Masses in English and two in Spanish each week. It currently hosts St. John Paul II Classical School on its grounds (since 2019) and operates a robust bilingual Faith Formation program. The parish is pastored by Fr. Juan M. Zárate, a priest ordained at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, supported by Dcn. Daniel Garcia and a large lay staff.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Juan M. Zárate
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Philip the Apostle offers an unusually welcoming bilingual parish family in east Green Bay, with two English and two Spanish weekend Masses, vibrant Faith Formation for grades 1–12 in both languages, and a full Spanish-language OCIA (RCIA) program for adults on Sundays. The campus hosts St. John Paul II Classical School, gives parishioners many liturgical, social, and outreach ministries to join (including a Hispanic Charismatic Prayer Group, Cursillo, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, and St. Vincent de Paul), and lives the Diocese of Green Bay's "Disciples on the Way" pastoral vision — inviting everyone to 'Come and See' as St. Philip himself did.
Mass times at St. Philip the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 – 3:45 PM (English), or by private appointment
- Saturday 5:00 – 5:30 PM (Español)
- Sunday 10:00 – 10:30 AM (Español), or by private appointment
Adoration times
- 1st Thursday of the month: Holy Rosary & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament before the 8:15 AM Mass
- 1st Thursday of the month: Hora Santa (Holy Hour in Spanish) at 6:00 PM (excepto julio de 2025)
About Our Parish
St. Philip the Apostle Parish was founded in the summer of 1938 when Fr. Theodore Verbeten was appointed as its first pastor. Bishop Rhode formally dedicated the church, an eight-classroom school, a convent, and a rectory on September 8, 1940. Over the decades the parish has grown into a vibrant bilingual community serving east-side Green Bay with two English and two Spanish weekend Masses, bilingual Faith Formation, and a wide range of ministries.
- Founded 1938 by Fr. Theodore Verbeten
- Church dedicated September 8, 1940 by Bishop Rhode
- Verbeten Hall (VH) on campus named for founding pastor
- Member of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay
- Lives the diocesan pastoral plan 'Disciples on the Way'
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
St. Philip is led by Fr. Juan M. Zárate, who was ordained on May 17, 2008 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, where he ministered in children's catechesis, choirs, youth, family, and charitable pastoral work. On July 1, 2021 Bishop David Ricken appointed him parochial vicar, and he soon became pastor/administrator. A team of deacons, religious, and lay staff support the parish's day-to-day life.
- Fr. Juan M. Zárate — Pastor/Administrator (born Mexico City, ordained 2008, appointed 2021)
- Dcn. Daniel Garcia — Liturgical Associate, Ext. 104
- Fr. Philip Dinh-Van-Thiep — visiting celebrant (per calendar)
- Sr. Helen Keyzer — Pastoral Ministry, Ext. 114
- Bill Noel — Business Manager / Development Director, Ext. 107
- Silvia Martinez — Office & Volunteer Coordinator, Ext. 115
- Linda Barquero — Evangelization & Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Ext. 106
- Delia Gómez — Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Coordinator, Ext. 102
- Ana Castro — Faith Formation / Youth Ministry Admin. Assistant, Ext. 111
- Diana Sturgeon — Media Coordinator / Admin. Assistant, Ext. 105
- Mike Eggert — Maintenance; Pedro Vázquez — Custodian; Tom Hannon — Custodian
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's bilingual Faith Formation program serves students in grades 1 through 12 in both English and Spanish. Sacramental preparation follows a two-year track: First Reconciliation and First Communion begin in 1st grade (children must know how to read), and Confirmation typically begins in 8th grade. New 12th-grade students are referred to the parish's Spanish-language OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program. The parish also publishes bilingual class schedules, a Confirmation schedule, and a Catechist Hub for volunteer catechists.
- Faith Formation for Grades 1–12 in English and Spanish
- Two-year sacramental preparation: 1st Reconciliation/Communion (1st grade) and Confirmation (typically 8th grade)
- Bilingual FF 2025–26 Class Schedule and Confirmation 2025–26 Class Schedule
- Catechist Hub for volunteer catechists
- Children with special needs or learning disabilities are referred to the Spec. Ed Program at Nativity of Our Lord Parish (2270 S. Oneida St.)
- Registration deadline for 2026–27 program: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Contact: Delia Gómez (Coordinator, Ext. 102) or Ana Castro (Admin. Assistant, Ext. 111)
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
St. Philip runs a Spanish-language OCIA process for adults (18+) seeking Initiation into the Catholic Church. Sessions meet on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:30 AM in the St. Philip Center (SPC), and adult candidates come together with the parish community at the bilingual Sunday Masses.
- OCIA / OICA Program for Adults 18+
- Sundays 9:00–10:30 AM in the St. Philip Center (SPC)
- Offered in Spanish
Worship Ministries
A large team of liturgical ministers supports St. Philip's Mass schedule in both English and Spanish. Volunteers serve at the altar, proclaim the Word, distribute Communion, sing in the choirs, care for vestments and the church environment, and welcome parishioners as ushers and greeters.
- Altar Server & Sacristan
- Church & Garment Maintenance
- Eucharistic Minister
- Hospitality (Ushers & Greeters)
- Hispanic Liturgical Minister
- Lector & Cantor
- Liturgical Environment
- Music (Instrumentalist & Choir)
- Volunteer sign-ups through Silvia Martinez at 920-468-7848
Parish Life Ministries & Fundraisers
Beyond the sanctuary, the parish runs a wide variety of community, cultural, and charitable groups in both languages. Many of them double as the parish's seasonal fundraisers — the Spring Fiesta San Felipe, the Summer Parish Picnic, and the Winter Christmas at Riverside benefit — alongside longtime service groups like the Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, and Cursillo movement.
- Altar Society
- Bakers
- Bingo
- Christmas at Riverside (Winter Fundraiser)
- Cursillo
- Feast of St. Philip / Celebración San Felipe (Spring Fundraiser)
- Hispanic Ministry Support
- Knights of Columbus
- Office & Clerical Support
- Parish Picnic / Fiesta San Felipe (Summer Fundraiser)
- Reflective Prayer Group
- Rummage Sale
- Falcon Athletic Program — Football for grades 5–8 (independent, directed by Pete Mears, [email protected])
Outreach & Social Justice
St. Philip's Outreach Ministries anchor the parish in service to the wider Green Bay community, partnering with diocesan and local agencies under the Gospel call to serve 'the least of these' (Mt. 25:40). Parishes members visit the homebound, serve food pantries, and volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul.
- Casa ALBA Melanie
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
- St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay
- Homebound visits and food-pantry volunteering
St. John Paul II Classical School
In the fall of 2019, St. John Paul II Classical School relocated to the St. Philip parish campus at 312 Victoria Street, restoring on-site Catholic elementary education in the tradition of the parish's original 1940 school. The school serves Pre-K through Grade 8 with small class sizes and is supported by a dedicated staff including several Sisters of St. Francis.
- St. John Paul II Classical School welcomed to the parish campus in Fall 2019
- Grades Pre-K through 8, co-educational
- Enrollment ~119 students with average class size ~12
- Operates independently of parish school governance that closed in 2006
- Contact admissions through the parish office (920) 468-7848
Parish Facilities & Rooms
The St. Philip campus at 312 Victoria Street includes the church, the rectory, and a number of parish halls used for Faith Formation, OCIA, committee meetings, and fundraisers. Reservations are coordinated through the parish office.
- SPC — St. Philip Center (main meeting space)
- VH — Verbeten Hall (named for founding pastor)
- SHH — Sacred Heart Hall
- STR — St. Therese Room
- GC — Guadalupe Center
- SJPIIR — St. John Paul II Room
- SF — St. Francis
- SPR — St. Pio Room
- Room reservations: 920-468-7848 or [email protected]
Office & Practical Information
Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with the office closed for the staff lunch break from 12:30 to 1:00 PM. Appointments may be made outside office hours by calling the parish. The parish maintains an active Facebook page and a regularly updated website.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:30–1:00 PM for lunch)
- Address: 312 Victoria St., Green Bay, WI 54302
- Phone: (920) 468-7848
- Fax: (920) 468-1025
- Languages of service: English & Spanish
- Official Facebook: facebook.com/StPhilipParishGB/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Theodore Verbeten1938 – founding pastor
Founded the parish in 1938; the parish's Verbeten Hall is named in his honor.