About Three Holy Women Parish-Holy Rosary Site · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Three Holy Women Parish is a Roman Catholic community on Milwaukee's East Side, formed on July 1, 2000, by the merger of three long-standing neighboring parishes, each of which had been active for more than a century. The parish is named for the three patron saints of those original churches: Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary (of Holy Rosary Church), Hedwig, Queen of Poland (of St. Hedwig), and Rita of Cascia (of St. Rita). The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and is part of the city's 'Family of Four' (now 'Family of Five') collaborative of central-city parishes. Today, Three Holy Women continues to use all three historic worship sites for Mass and other sacraments.
- Established
- 1884 (as Holy Rosary Parish; joined into Three Holy Women Parish in 2000)
- Patron
- Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary (the parish's Holy Rosary Site is dedicated to her; the larger Three Holy Women Parish is named jointly for Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary, St. Hedwig, and St. Rita of Cascia)
- Rector
- Fr. Timothy L. Kitzke
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
Three Holy Women is a diverse, family-oriented Catholic community on Milwaukee's East Side that maintains three beautiful historic worship sites, each with its own cultural and architectural character. The parish is known for strong formation programs (OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, adult Confirmation, JustFaith, Eat Drink and Be Catholic, and a new SPRED community for friends with special needs), an active social-justice and outreach program (including the All Saints Meal Program and a Global Solidarity partnership with Padibe, Uganda), and the locally rooted Knights of Columbus St. Francis de Sales Council. Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed into a parish that honors the traditions of its three original congregations.
Mass times at Three Holy Women Parish-Holy Rosary Site
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM at Holy Rosary Church
- Saturday 3:30 PM at Holy Rosary (listed on parish mass times page)
- Weekday confessions also offered at Old St. Mary (Mon/Tue/Fri 11:30 AM), Ss. Peter & Paul (Sat 7:15 AM), and Old St. Mary (First Friday after 7:00 AM Mass)
Welcome to Three Holy Women Parish
Three Holy Women Catholic Parish describes itself as 'a Milwaukee East Side Catholic community' that serves a diverse congregation rooted in the Roman Catholic faith. The parish's mission statement reads: 'We, the people of Three Holy Women Catholic Parish, rooted in the Roman Catholic faith, honor the traditions of our diverse parish, and come together as a family of faith, worship and service.' The parish was incorporated as a brand new entity on July 1, 2000, and is part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's 'Family of Five Parishes' collaborative, sharing clergy and resources with the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, and Ss. Peter and Paul.
Holy Rosary Church (History & Architecture)
Holy Rosary Church at 2011 N. Oakland Avenue was built in 1885 in a blend of Queen Anne, Stick Style, and Romanesque architectural styles. It was designed by architect Edward Townsend Mix and is regarded as a rare surviving example of the Stick Style applied to a Catholic church. The parish was established by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1884 as the second territorial (English-language) parish on the East Side, carved from the territory of St. John's Cathedral Parish. Although not founded for any particular ethnic group, Holy Rosary acquired a strong Irish-American identity over the years. Extensive renovations have been carried out since 1986.
- Established: 1884 (parish) / 1885 (church building)
- Architect: Edward Townsend Mix
- Architectural style: Queen Anne / Stick Style / Romanesque blend
- Acquired Irish-American identity over time
- Renovations since 1986
- Original school ran 1885–1982 under the BVM Sisters
Sister Sites of the Parish (St. Hedwig and St. Rita)
St. Hedwig Church at 1702 N. Humboldt Avenue is an 1887 structure in Gothic and Romanesque styles, replacing a wooden church originally on Franklin Place where Mass was first celebrated on October 17, 1871. Built for and by the Polish inhabitants of the city, it once had a school (grades 1–8) that flourished under the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It now sits in the revived Brady Street neighborhood. St. Rita Church at 1601 N. Cass Street began in 1933 as a mission of the Italian parish of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii in Milwaukee's Third Ward; its basement was blessed as a new independent parish in 1937 and the present church was erected and blessed in 1939. The Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida Thouret have served the parish from the beginning and by 1937 were operating a school.
- St. Hedwig Church – 1702 N. Humboldt Ave. (1887, Gothic/Romanesque, Polish heritage, Brady Street)
- St. Rita Church – 1601 N. Cass St. (1933 as mission, 1937 independent parish, 1939 present church, Italian heritage, Sisters of Charity of St. Joan Antida Thouret)
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish runs an active Adult Formation program, with OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) as its centerpiece for those exploring the Catholic faith. OCIA meetings are held on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Old St. Mary's Parish Center (835 N. Milwaukee St), running weekly from September through May, with the sacraments of initiation received at the Easter Vigil. OCIA welcomes those never baptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, and Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation. A separate Adult Confirmation program prepares already-baptized Catholics for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- OCIA – Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 PM, Old St. Mary's Parish Center
- Adult Confirmation program
- Baptism Preparation – monthly, typically last Monday of the month
Adult Enrichment: Eat, Drink and Be Catholic & JustFaith
Two ongoing adult-formation programs complement OCIA. 'Eat, Drink and Be Catholic' is a casual, mixed-age gathering for women and men that uses elements of programs like Theology on Tap and RCIA to encourage intellectual, relational, and spiritual growth — typically with speakers, group discussion, movies, music, and food. JustFaith offers deeper formation through programs such as JustFaith, Engaging Spirituality, and Just Matters – Faith & Equity, inviting participants to encounter the Spirit of Jesus especially in the lives of people who are poor and vulnerable, in keeping with a vision of justice and reconciliation.
- Eat, Drink and Be Catholic – speakers, discussion, food and drink
- JustFaith – justice and spirituality programs
- Engaging Spirituality
- Just Matters – Faith & Equity
SPRED — Special Religious Development
SPRED (Special Religious Development) is a small faith community at the parish that welcomes children or adults with special needs. It integrates people with developmental disabilities more fully into parish life through faith formation, friendship, and fuller inclusion in the liturgy. The SPRED method uses symbol and relationships to develop a sense of the sacred, of Christ, and of Church. Three Holy Women is currently forming a SPRED group, with up to eight trained volunteers from the parish; the first session at the parish focused on young adults ages 17–21, with a waiting list of children and adults hoping to join additional groups.
- SPRED integrates people with developmental disabilities into parish life
- Method is grounded in symbol and relationships
- Volunteers serve as catechists; one training session and one observation required
- Initial Three Holy Women group serves young adults 17–21
- Contact: THW SPRED parish chair Rebecca Radtke, 815-401-3889
Social Justice, Outreach & Charity
Outreach is coordinated by the Director of Social Justice and Outreach, Idalia Nieves-Reyes. The All Saints Meal Program serves nearly 150 neighbors from the inner city of Milwaukee every Tuesday and Thursday evening; Three Holy Women parishioners purchase, prepare, and/or serve meals on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The parish also partners with the Global Solidarity ministry in Padibe, Uganda, supporting education, medical care, and farming; committee meetings are typically held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 PM at the parish office. JustFaith programs (Just Matters – Faith & Equity) provide a formation pathway that connects parishioners with the call to justice.
- All Saints Meal Program – serves ~150 guests on Tue/Thu evenings; THW serves on the 2nd Thursday
- Global Solidarity – Padibe, Uganda (education, medical care, farming); 3rd Wed/month, 5:00 PM
- Just Matters – Faith & Equity (part of JustFaith)
Knights of Columbus — St. Francis de Sales Council
Catholic men of the parish are invited to join the local Knights of Columbus St. Francis de Sales Council, which meets at Old St. Mary's Parish Center (835 N. Milwaukee St). The council supports the Family of Four (now Five) Parishes through charitable service, fundraising, and faith-building among its members and the wider community. Contact: Paul Wemlinger, 414-202-9677 (phone or text).
- St. Francis de Sales Council (Knights of Columbus)
- Meets at Old St. Mary's Parish Center, 835 N. Milwaukee St
- Contact: Paul Wemlinger, 414-202-9677
Catholic East Elementary School
After Holy Rosary, St. Hedwig, and St. Rita were forced to close their own parish schools, the three came together to support a new Catholic East Elementary School, established in 1982 and still in operation today. The former Holy Rosary school building now serves as the K3–1st Grade campus of Catholic East Elementary, meaning Catholic East uses the Holy Rosary parking lot during school days (though parking remains available for church visitors).
- Catholic East Elementary School – established 1982
- Holy Rosary school building = current K3–1st Grade campus
- Supported jointly by all three original parishes
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Timothy L. Kitzke as pastor, with Fr. Arul Ponnaiyan serving as associate pastor (announced in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's 2026 priest assignments, effective June 2026). Deacon Gary Nosacek assists at the parish. The lay staff includes Chad Griesel (Pastoral Associate), Steve Altman (Director of Maintenance), Terri Balash (Director of Pastoral Care), Brenda Buchanan (Parish Nurse, Columbia St. Mary's), Christine D'Amato (Director of Administrative Services), Theresa Griesel (Web Communications Administrator), Teresa Gross (Office Administrator), Lee Gwozdz (Director of Liturgy and Music), Mary Hessel (Wedding Coordinator), Joanne Krumberger (Sacristan), and Idalia Nieves-Reyes (Director of Social Justice and Outreach).
- Fr. Timothy L. Kitzke – Pastor ([email protected], 414-271-6577 x1003)
- Fr. Arul Ponnaiyan – Associate Pastor ([email protected], 414-962-2443 x306)
- Deacon Gary Nosacek – [email protected], 414-962-4997
- Chad Griesel – Pastoral Associate
- Terri Balash – Director of Pastoral Care
- Brenda Buchanan – Parish Nurse
- Lee Gwozdz – Director of Liturgy and Music
- Idalia Nieves-Reyes – Director of Social Justice and Outreach
- Mary Hessel – Wedding Coordinator
- Joanne Krumberger – Sacristan
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for and administers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptism Preparation sessions are held monthly (typically the last Monday of the month), walking parents through the rite, the role of godparents, and ongoing support. Adult initiation is through the OCIA process (Easter Vigil), and Adult Confirmation is offered separately. Marriage is coordinated by Wedding Coordinator Mary Hessel. Confession is heard at posted times at each site (see Mass & Confession Schedule). Pastoral Care and the Parish Nurse provide anointing-of-the-sick visits, home visits, and ongoing care for the sick, elderly, and homebound.
- Baptism (with monthly prep sessions)
- First Communion and Confirmation (via OCIA / Adult Confirmation)
- Marriage / Weddings
- Reconciliation (per posted schedule)
- Anointing of the Sick and Pastoral Care
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Timothy L. Kitzkecurrent pastor (as of 2026)
Remained pastor across multiple priest assignment cycles; announced 2024 and 2026 assignments to the Family of Five Parishes.
- Fr. Joseph HeitAssociate Pastor (assigned 2024)
Already serving as associate pastor at the time of the June 21, 2024 assignment announcement.
- Fr. Carlos LondoñoAssociate Pastor (assigned 2024)
Continued as associate pastor under the June 21, 2024 assignments.
- Fr. Brian MasonAssociate Pastor (assigned 2024)
Returned to the parish after completing a master's degree in addiction counseling; also assigned quarter time as a resource to the archdiocese for those with addictions.