Saturday

Sunday  

Sunday  

Sacrament of Reconcilliation Saturday at 9:00 am

 

History of Holy Family Parish

Holy Family is home to 1,400 families, or approximately 4,500 members, making it the largest Catholic parish in the North Shore. About 15 families join the parish each month. Enrollment at Holy Family Parish School is also increasing.

The marvelous facilities we enjoy today would not have been possible without the sacrifice, work and creativity of the parish's founding members and those who have followed. Alice Goss recalls the monthly card parties in those early years. Participants paid one dollar apiece to play, and when the kitty reached $100 it was turned over to the parish. Each of those 100 clubs had the task of decorating one of the school's classrooms in the theme of a foreign country for a fund-raiser, and that events weekend became one of the most memorable in modern American history. As some of us were preparing the displays, someone came in and told us John Kennedy had been shot and there was a discussion whether to hold the event, says Alice. It was too late to cancel.

Fellowship also was fostered by the Leisure Club, a senior group which thrived throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Ruth Petranek remembers speeches, travelogues, bridge games and outings that were enjoyed by more than 150 parishioners. Eventually, membership dwindled to just a couple dozen and the club held a final luncheon at Pandl's and disbanded. "I turn in the 'Keys to the Kingdom,'" says Ruth, "leaving me with many happy memories and acquaintances over the years and especially grateful for the few who become my best friends."

During the Jubilee Year, parishioners published a cookbook of favorite recipes. They also organized and hosted a Parish Festival in September as well as annual events such as the Auction and Dinner Dance, Pancake Breakfast, Spaghetti Dinner, and an Advent Feast and Craft Fair. Spirituality was enhanced by Teaching Masses, Bible Study, a Lenten video/discussion series, evenings of reflection and numerous classes and presentations on family life. A newly installed bronze statue, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, just outside our front doors provides a continuing reminder of the Holy Family's example to us all.

Holy Family was founded July 29, 1949 when Archbishop Moses Elias Kiley announced the formation of the parish on a 10.5 acre tract of weeds and swamp bounded by Hampton, Marlborough, Wildwood and Chateau. It was anticipated that 500 to 600 families would be on the initial parish registry. Of those founding members, nearly 70 were on the rolls in 1999. They were honored at Mass and a dinner on November 6, 1999.

Father George H. Wollet, from Eagle, Wisconsin was Holy Family's first pastor. The lobby of Whitefish Bay High School was the site of the parish's first Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon on September 4, 1949. Preparation for weekly Masses involved setting up a portable altar and 400 folding chairs. Coincidentally, during this time, Bay Shore Lutheran Church and Roundy Memorial Baptist Church were using Cumberland School for worship and Sunday school activities. Holy Family's weekday Masses, baptism, weddings and funerals were held in the rustic 125 seat St. Monica's Chapel, which had been converted from a barn. It was a serviceable but less than ideal structure - a minor fire broke out during one Tuesday morning Mass in March 1950, the result of the faulty operation of an oil burner. Today, the property is occupied by Dominican High School.

Holy Family's first Christmas Midnight Mass was celebrated at the Shorewood Theatre, transformed into a worship space by the addition of poinsettias, evergreen trees and a vested choir. Sunday Masses continued in the high school lobby for nearly three more years. Fittingly, a theatre party was held at the Shorewood Theatre in June, 1950 to benefit Holy Family's building fund.

On a gray, 25-degree afternoon of December 3, 1950, some 400 parishioners attended a ground-breaking ceremony for Holy Family's permanent home. A cornerstone was prepared and laid on the corner of East Chateau and North Wildwood Avenue. By October 1952, the $750,000 church-school was completed and Masses were moved to the present-day school gymnasium space. Holy Family Parish School moved into the building September 1953. There were 280 pupils in six grades, instructed by four Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and two lay teachers. The seventh and eighth grades were added in the two subsequent years. The newly appointed Archbishop of Milwaukee, Albert G. Meyer, dedicated the building on November 8, 1953.

Soon, it was apparent that the school's teaching sisters needed a home. In the Spring of 1957, a campaign began to raise money for the convent. The convent was dedicated in November, 1960, permitting the sisters to move out of four classrooms they occupied in the school.

Finally in 1965 a campaign was started for the construction of a church building. A goal of $450,000 was established and was exceeded by some $100,000. The cornerstone was blessed by Fr. Wollet on Nov. 30, 1969. The following Sunday the first mass was offered in the 900 seat church. Not only did the completion of the church provide a more suitable worship space, it also freed up the gymnasium for school classes and activities. Speaking of the gym, it was in 1970 that Holy Family's athletic teams were dubbed the Cyclones, the result of a school-wide vote. "The winning name was something like the 'devils', which Sr. Catherine rejected out of hand," recalls John O'Neill, then an 8th grader. "When she said 'somebody think of another nickname,' I said 'Cyclones', because I had seen a commercial for a car called a Cyclone the night before and I liked the name."

Just five years after the completion of the church building, Holy Family was ready to mark its 25th anniversary. The parish has not simply marked its milestones, it has celebrated them. Gladys Schwarz shared this memory of her daughter, Jeanne, on that wonderful occasion: "Jeanne had just taken a cookie from the tray when Archbishop Cousins came up and took the cookie from her, took a bite out of it and handed it back to her. Jeanne's father, Ed, who was Master of Ceremonies that evening, announced that his daughter at age 8 already had the Archbishop eating out of her hand."

Vatican II presented new challenges for Holy Family as it did for most parishes. There were members who welcomed the change and those who resisted. After Father Wollet's retirement, Holy Family was led briefly by Father Harold Ide who became ill and resigned.

In 1972 Father Robert McCormick, then a Pastor in Delavan, received a call from the Diocese asking if he'd like a challenge. He was to be assigned Pastor of Holy Family. The Parish was divided on the Vatican II changes, and in financial trouble.

Father McCormick accepted the challenge and came to Holy Family. The first Parish Council was elected and a meeting was held. A council member suggested they begin their meetings with a prayer and there started a long-lasting tradition, reflected Father McCormick. Sometimes the prayer would last a half-hour prior to the start of the meeting.

At the first meeting, Cliff Kowalski, President of the Parish Council, raised the question of whether Holy Family was going to go along with the Vatican II changes. Cliff said the Parish could not have any more division, they would agree with Fr. McCormick's decision. Father McCormick said Holy Family would accept the Vatican II changes, and there were no further disputes. This first Parish Council eventually went on annual retreats at Holy Hill and grew to be a strong and cohesive group.

A financial drive was begun with members going to each home asking for additional contributions to help the financial status of the Parish. Eventually the Parish's overall condition improved. Father McCormick gives much credit to the strong lay leadership at Holy Family during this time. He believes the parish was enriched because of its struggle to overcome difficulties.

As the parish's financial status became more stable, a member accustomed to being asked to tithe, suggested that the parish too should tithe. A decision was made to donate 3% of the collections to charities. The charities would be represented by international, national and local groups. A meeting was held each month to decide to whom the money would be given.

The Liturgy became the main focus of the parish. Randy Hilgers was hired as Director of Liturgical Music. The liturgies became well known in the area for beautiful music. Masses were well attended by both members and visitors.

Father Thomas Kerstein joined Holy Family in 1982 and he and Father McCormick began the team Pastor concept. They worked together for four years and shared the same vision of the Church, reflected Father McCormick. He described Father Tom as a humble person who was very sensitive to others and had a good sense of humor. Father McCormick retired in 1986.

Recently parishioners contributed $1.5 million over a three-year period for facility maintenance, capital improvements, school/education endowment, and outreach. Memories will be created. Friendship will be forged. Faith will grow.