About St. Thomas · Newton, Wisconsin
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community is a Roman Catholic parish in the rural town of Newton, in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, within the Diocese of Green Bay. The current parish was formed on July 1, 2001, through the merger of several historic mission churches serving the surrounding farmland communities. Today the parish is served by Father Dave Beaudry, two deacons, and a large lay staff, and it celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish. Its mission statement calls it to 'radiate the true spirit of Jesus Christ at all times to all people, especially the poor and needy,' and the parish actively embraces its cultural diversity while celebrating oneness in Christ.
- Established
- 2001
- Patron
- St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Father Dave Beaudry
- Diocese
- Diocese of Green Bay
Why belong here
St. Thomas the Apostle offers a genuine bilingual Catholic community in rural Manitowoc County where every age is welcomed through faith formation, liturgical music, and a wide range of lay ministries. The parish runs 'Creating Catholic Disciples' religious education for Grades 1–12, supports an active OTIS youth group, a Young Adult ministry, and a Hispanic Ministry, and provides extensive outreach including a prison/jail ministry, a homeless shelter partnership (Hope House), a Giving Tree, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, and visits to the homebound. With three Sunday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, a Thursday morning Mass, and a Saturday reconciliation, plus ministries for every talent from choir to rosary-making, there are many ways to belong and to serve.
Mass times at St. Thomas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
About St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Community is a parish of the Diocese of Green Bay serving the rural Newton area in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Its vision is to 'radiate the true spirit of Jesus Christ at all times to all people, especially the poor and needy,' embracing cultural differences while celebrating oneness in Christ. The parish focuses on including all ages through opportunities of education and evangelization, with the ultimate goal of glorifying God's name in word and deed.
- Welcomes, Prays, Feeds, Heals, Comforts — ALL
- Pastoral Associate & Liturgy Coordinator: Vickie Frauenfeld
- Operations Manager: Luanne Gasparek
- Bilingual worship (English and Spanish)
Parish History
The present parish was canonically created on July 1, 2001, by merging six small historic Catholic communities of Manitowoc County into one faith community. In 2009, the parish was joined by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity when Sister Marlita Henseler, OSF, was commissioned Parish Director, and St. Thomas the Apostle Convent was added to the order's roster of homes.
- St. Joseph, Alverno — founded 1872
- St. Wendel, Cleveland — founded 1855, merged 2001, closed 2002
- St. Casimir, Northeim — founded 1868
- St. Isidore, Osman — founded 1851, closed 2001
- St. George, Centerville/Cleveland — founded 1861, closed 1953
- St. Fidelis, Osman — founded 1875, closed 1960
- Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity arrived September 20, 2009
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is led by its pastor with the support of two deacons and a large lay staff including a Director of Liturgical Music, Religious Education coordinator, Hispanic Ministry coordinator, Operations Manager, Administrative Assistant, and Cemetery Manager.
- Pastor: Father Dave Beaudry ([email protected])
- Deacon: Steve Zimmer ([email protected])
- Deacon: Rich Bahnaman ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate & Liturgy Coordinator: Vickie Frauenfeld ([email protected])
- Operations Manager: Luanne Gasparek ([email protected])
- Hispanic Ministry: Alina De Witt ([email protected])
- Assistant Bookkeeper: Mary Erdmann
- Director of Liturgical Music: Julie Koenig ([email protected])
- Administrative Assistant & Cemetery Manager: Sara Wilke ([email protected])
- OTIS Youth Coordinator: Monserrat Luna ([email protected])
- Young Adult Coordinator: Joyce Price ([email protected])
- Cemetery Groundskeeper: Joe Backhaus ([email protected])
- Maintenance: Ken Jacky, Marge Engelbrecht, Charlie Geiser
- Trustee Treasurer: Bonnie Jacky
- Trustee Secretary: Brian Gottsacker
- Parish Council Chairperson: Barb Graf
- Finance Council Chairperson: David Diedrich
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, with clear contacts to the parish office for each. First Reconciliation and First Communion are received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation preparation begins in 12th grade. Marriage preparation begins at least six months in advance, and baptisms are scheduled at least six weeks in advance.
- Baptism — call at least 6 weeks in advance
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:15 PM; first Reconciliation in 2nd grade
- First Communion — 2nd grade preparation
- Confirmation — 12th grade preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office for a minister of Care
- Matrimony — call as soon as engaged, at least 6 months in advance
- Holy Orders — contact the Diocese of Green Bay
- OCIA / RCIA — for those becoming Catholic or strengthening their faith
- Eucharist to the Homebound — call the parish office
Faith Formation: Creating Catholic Disciples
The parish's religious education program, called Creating Catholic Disciples, serves students from Grade 1 through Grade 12. The 2025–2026 Religious Education Calendar is published on the parish website, and inquiries go through the program's coordinator.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Cathylee Dreiling ([email protected])
- Phone: 920-726-4228
- Grades 1–9 and Grades 10–12 tracks
- 2025–2026 Religious Education Calendar available on the website
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all musical and liturgical talents are invited to serve at the altar and in the worship space. St. Thomas the Apostle runs a full complement of liturgical roles to support its weekday, weekend, and bilingual Masses.
- Accompanist
- Cantor
- Choir
- Eucharistic Minister
- Hospitality
- Instrumentalist
- Lay Presiders
- Mass Servers
- Proclaimer / Lector
- Sacristan
Outreach Ministries and Service
The parish maintains a wide network of outreach ministries reaching the local community and beyond, including care for the sick and homebound, support of a homeless shelter, prison ministry, and ongoing prayer support through a parish Prayer Chain.
- ALPHA Bible Study
- Care Ministry
- Faith Responders
- Giving Tree
- Grief Support
- Home Bound Ministry
- Hope House (Homeless Shelter)
- Jail Ministry
- Pastoral Ministry
- Prayer Chain
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Respect Life
- Reverse Collections
- Rosary Maker's Guild
- Sunday Communion Ministries
- The Haven
Parish Communities and Committees
Beyond outreach and liturgy, the parish organizes its lay leadership into communities and committees that care for buildings, finances, fundraising, justice, education, and worship. These groups form the backbone of parish governance and life.
- Art & Furnishings
- Cemetery Committee
- Christian Women
- Education Community
- Finance Council
- Fundraising
- Hispanic Community
- Living Justice
- Maintenance / Buildings & Grounds
- Pastoral Council
- Stewardship Community
- Worship Community
Youth, Young Adults, and Parish Life
St. Thomas the Apostle actively cultivates faith across generations through its OTIS youth group, Young Adult ministry, and a calendar of parish-wide social and fundraising events that bring the community together throughout the year.
- OTIS Youth Group — Coordinator: Monserrat Luna ([email protected])
- Young Adult Ministry — Coordinator: Joyce Price ([email protected])
- Church Picnic & Fiesta
- Hispanic Guadalupe Celebration
- Mission Trip
- Scrip program
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Event
Cemetery
The parish operates a cemetery with dedicated staff responsible for its administration and grounds care. Inquiries about the cemetery go through the parish office.
- Cemetery Manager / Administrative Assistant: Sara Wilke ([email protected])
- Cemetery Groundskeeper: Joe Backhaus ([email protected])
Visit Us and Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Thomas the Apostle by phone or email during the published office hours, and the parish provides a contact form on its website for message submission.
- Address: 8100 Brunner Road, Newton, WI 53063
- Phone: (920) 726-4228
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stthomasnewton.org/
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM–12:00 PM