Stella Maris/Sister Bay

About Stella Maris Parish

Stella Maris Parish is the Roman Catholic faith community of Wisconsin's Northern Door County, with worship sites in Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Fish Creek, Jacksonport, Sister Bay, and Washington Island. The mission statement reads: "Stella Maris Parish prayerfully unites people in the love of Jesus, guided by our patron, Mary." A distinctive feature is how the faith community grows seasonally as visitors return each year, which is reflected in additional summer Mass times published on the parish website and app.

History of the Six Northern Door Churches

The Catholic story of Northern Door County began in 1874 with the construction of St. Mary of the Lake in Baileys Harbor — the first Catholic church in the region. It was followed by St. John the Baptist in Egg Harbor (1878, log construction), St. Michael the Archangel in Jacksonport (1882), St. Rosalia in Sister Bay (1910), and St. Paul the Apostle in Fish Creek (1921). Washington Island Catholics have long worshipped at the island's Lutheran church as their mission site. Each church's patron saint was chosen for a particular spiritual quality — Mary as loving Mother of the Church, John the Baptist as preparer, Michael the Archangel as protector, Rosalia as devotional inspirer, and Paul as messenger of the Word.

• 1874 — St. Mary of the Lake, Baileys Harbor (first Catholic church in Northern Door)
• 1878 — St. John the Baptist, Egg Harbor (log construction)
• 1882 — St. Michael the Archangel, Jacksonport
• 1910 — St. Rosalia, Sister Bay
• 1921 — St. Paul the Apostle, Fish Creek
• Washington Island Station — ecumenical mission site

The Stella Maris Mosaic and the Parish Name

The parish takes its name from a mosaic placed over the front entrance of St. Mary of the Lake Church in Baileys Harbor in the late 1950s. The mosaic — created by artist Johann Minton of Oakbrook-Esser Studios of Milwaukee using thousands of small Italian tiles from Orsoni — was commissioned by Father Noonan (pastor 1956–1969) and donated by Mr. Harry Ridings. It depicts Mary with outstretched hands welcoming a fleet of ships into the harbor of her protection. Five ships are thought to symbolize the five mainland worship sites, with the surrounding waters representing the Washington Island mission. Hidden in the larger vessel's rigging are three maritime flags spelling O-M-I, honoring the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order that shepherded Northern Door Catholics for many years.

• Mosaic by Johann Minton, Oakbrook-Esser Studios, Milwaukee
• Italian tile from Orsoni, Italy
• Commissioned by Father Noonan (pastor 1956–1969)
• Donated by Mr. Harry Ridings
• Three hidden maritime flags: O-M-I for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Worship Sites

Stella Maris Parish worships in six locations across Northern Door County. Sister Bay (St. Rosalia, 2410 S Bay Shore Drive) and Fish Creek (St. Paul the Apostle, 6236 WI-57) are the largest by seating capacity, followed by Baileys Harbor (St. Mary of the Lake, 8013 WI-57), Egg Harbor (St. John the Baptist, 7710 WI-42), Jacksonport (St. Michael the Archangel), and Washington Island (gathering for Mass at the Lutheran church). The parish encourages visitors to experience all six sites, describing each as "traditionally and historically beautiful in its own way."

• Sister Bay — St. Rosalia (largest)
• Fish Creek — St. Paul the Apostle (largest)
• Baileys Harbor — St. Mary of the Lake
• Egg Harbor — St. John the Baptist (parish office location)
• Jacksonport — St. Michael the Archangel
• Washington Island — ecumenical mission site

Faith Formation

Guided by its Education Commission, Stella Maris Parish offers Faith Formation for both youth and adults as part of lifelong spiritual growth. The bulletin and parish website list current offerings and contact information for the Faith Formation team. Adult Faith Formation includes Days of Reflection, Small Groups, Scripture Groups, and a Book Club, with both daytime and evening programs. Angela Packard serves as Faith Formation / Funeral Coordinator and can be reached at (920) 868-3241.

• Youth Faith Formation
• Adult Faith Formation — Days of Reflection, Small Groups, Scripture Groups, Book Club
• Coordinator: Angela Packard — (920) 868-3241

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA / RCIA)

Adults interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, becoming Catholic, completing sacraments they have not yet received (First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation), or returning to the Church are invited into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA — formerly RCIA). There is no charge for OCIA; a parish leader arranges the meetings and the parish supplies books and materials. The process follows the classical stages — Period of Inquiry, Rite of Acceptance, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, the Easter Vigil (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist), and Mystagogia. Sponsors accompany candidates throughout the journey. RCIA inquiries are directed to Becky Nash at (920) 421-3332.

• Period of Inquiry
• Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens
• Catechumenate
• Rite of Election
• Easter Vigil — Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist
• Mystagogia
• Contact: Becky Nash — (920) 421-3332

Ministry Opportunities

Stella Maris Parish describes stewardship as a way of life and invites parishioners to share their gifts through a wide range of ministries — liturgical (ushers, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, lectors), musical (cantor, choir, choir director, organist), catechetical, service (sodality, parish council, committees), and practical (maintenance, grounds, office support). Information about specific openings and training is published on the parish website and bulletin.

• Liturgical ministries — ushers, greeters, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, lectors
• Music — cantor, choir, choir director, organist
• Catechists
• Sodality
• Parish Council and committees
• Maintenance and grounds

Sacraments and Pastoral Care

The parish supports the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Christian burial — together with pastoral care for the sick and dying. Wedding coordination is provided by Mary Niedzwiecki; funeral coordination by Angela Packard; and faith formation inquiries by Angela Packard.

• Wedding Coordinator: Mary Niedzwiecki
• Funeral Coordinator: Angela Packard
• Faith Formation Coordinator: Angela Packard

Parish Staff

Stella Maris Parish is served by a full staff of clergy and lay leaders based at the Egg Harbor office. Contact forms on the parish website allow parishioners to email individual staff members directly.

• Deacon Tony Abts — Deacon
• Larry Leporte — Business Manager / Local Security
• Jan Malchow — Pastoral Associate
• Angela Packard — Faith Formation / Funeral Coordinator
• Lorie Orthober — Secretary / Receptionist / Bulletin Editor
• Laura Paider — Bookkeeper
• Mary Niedzwiecki — Wedding Coordinator
• Diane Kahlscheuer — Worship and Administrative Coordinator, Washington Island
• Jim Charles — Maintenance Coordinator

Contact and Office Hours

The parish office is located at 7710 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 (mailing address: PO Box 49, Egg Harbor, WI 54209-0049). Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00am–12:00pm and 12:30pm–4:30pm, and Friday 8:00am–12:00pm. The parish office phone is (920) 868-3241 and the general email is [email protected].

• Address: 7710 State Highway 42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209
• Mailing: PO Box 49, Egg Harbor, WI 54209-0049
• Phone: (920) 868-3241
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00am–12:00pm and 12:30pm–4:30pm; Fri 8:00am–12:00pm