Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family

Pastoral Staff


Michael VanderBloomen Deacon	336-4033	mvanderbloomen@lourdesdepere.org
Mike grew up in West DePere attending grade school at St. Boniface and High School at Abbot Pennings. He has an associate degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Civil Engineering, working as a Land Surveyor for many years. Mike and his wife Mary Jo Drewiske were married at St. Joseph’s church in 1982. They have four children, David (Wendy), Bryan, Steven and Kelsey. In 1996 Mike entered the Diaconate Formation program in the Diocese of Green Bay and was ordained a Deacon on May 31, 2003 at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay by Bishop Robert Banks. Mike is the coodinator of the marriage prep (FOCCUS) and the Baptism preparation in the parish. Mike also presides at weddings and baptisms. Deacon Mike makes himself available to the teachers in the Our Lady of Lourdes Day School and to the coordinators of the Religious Education program in the parish. He talks to the classes, conducts prayer services, retreats and helps with sacramental formation. Mike facilitates the RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) program in the parish. Working with children, and their parents who need the sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist, because of the lack of Religioius Education. Deacon Mike serves at the altar and preaches at weekend and school liturgies on a regular basis. His ministries of service also include coodinating the monthly food collections to benefit the local pantries. He organizes and leads volunteers on mission trips to the hurricane ravaged city of New Orleans partnering with St. Leo the Great parish in New Orleans. Mike makes hospital, nursing home and homebound visits. Deacon Mike is available by appointment to talk or just sit and listen.

“The greatest gift God has blessed me with besides my family, are the people of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is such an honor and privilege to have them as a part of my life”.


Kathy Kocken Parish Administrator	336-4033	kkocken@lourdesdepere.org
Kathy began work as Shared-Parish Administrator in February 2011, shadowing Lynn Meulemans until July 2011 when she retired after 29 years as Parish Manager. Kathy’s duties include secretary for the Pastor, Deacon and Youth Minister, office receptionist, maintaining census records, recording secretary for the Pastoral Council, Finance Council and staff meetings. LoSec Cordinator for the parish, school, religious education and youth ministry programs. Kathy and her husband Ron have been parishioners since 1996. They have two children, Zak and Leah. Kathy is a 4-H Leader with the Rockland 4-H club. She enjoys spending time with her family and attending all her kids activities.


Lory Wieseckel Parish Secretary	336-4033	lwieseckel@lourdesdepere.org
Lory began working as the parish secretary with St. Joseph Parish in 1991 and continued in that position when the parish merged into Our Lady of Lourdes. Her duties include publishing the weekly bulletin, sacramental recording, receptionist, scheduling mass intentions, organizing the First Friday Communion visits, recording census information, and preparing materials needed for liturgies and the parish staff. She and her husband Gary have been parishioners for twenty four years. They have two daughters, Ann and Pam. All four Wieseckels are excellant soloists and talented musicians. Gary and Lori direct the parish’s Angelus Choir.


Chris Perry Financial Secretary	336-4033	cperry@lourdesdepere.org
Chris was hired by Fr. Gilbert Jacobs O. Praem, and started working for St. Joseph Parish on November 28, 1988 as the financial secretary. She continues in that position with the consolidated parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. Chris’s duties include the payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable for the parish, Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs, plus all the monthly and annual financial reports which are required. Born and raised in Green Bay, Chris is married to Ray D. Perry, Jr. and they have three children, Ray, Mike, and Jennifer, and three grandchildren. Chris is a member of St. Matthew Parish in Green Bay.


Rachel Gretzinger Director of Youth Ministry	336-4033	rgretzinger@lourdesdepere.org
Rachel Gretzinger joined the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish as Director of Youth Ministry in the summer of 2011. Rachel is originally from Wausukee, WI and Menominee, MI, where much of her family still resides today. She has earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theology from Silver Lake College of the Holy Family in Manitowoc, and is currently working toward her Master of Theological Studies from St. Norbert College. While living in Manitowoc, Rachel volunteered as a Core Member in the Life Teen Youth Ministry Program at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. She has also led many Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) retreats through the years. It was through her participation in these ministries that she began to hear God’s call to “feed his sheep” (John 21: 15-17). At Our Lady of Lourdes, Rachel plans middle school and high school Youth Ministry programming (Edge and Life Teen), hoping to help lead teens closer to Christ. This programming includes Life Nights and Edge Nights on Sunday’s, monthly service opportunities, retreats, conferences, and service trips.


Carol Wilda Director of Liturgical Music	336-4033	cwilda@lourdesdepere.org
Carol has been working in music ministry all of her life – or at least since the 7th grade when she first started playing organ for church. That was in Merrill, WI where she grew up, the oldest of five children. After graduating from St. Norbert College with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984, Carol held music teaching positions in both parochial and public schools while also directing a church choir as well as serving as organist and cantor in her home parish. Married in 1985 Carol and her husband, Steve moved with their family to Green Bay in 1990. After serving as the Coordinator of Liturgical Music and Art and Environment for St. Norbert College Campus Ministry for several years, Carol was hired as the Parish Music Director for the former St. Joseph Parish in 1994. She continues in this position at Our Lady of Lourdes where she oversees all aspects of the parish music ministry. Outside of the parish Carol is involved with the Northeast Wisconsin Pastoral Musicians Association, and is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. She and her husband are involved in many musical endeavors throughout the community, but are mostly kept busy with the activities of their three children. “I will make the Lord my Music—I will make His love the key which tunes my heart to Him and gives my life its harmony.”


Frater Jacob Sircy O. Praem	336-4033	jsircy@lourdesdepere.org
Frater Jacob started his Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family in September 2011. He is currently taking classes in philosophy at St. Norbert College as part of the apostolic year of the Norbertine novitiate as well as working 10-12 hours a week at the church. He grew up in Minocqua, WI, attended Holy Family Catholic Church, and was graduated from Lakeland Union High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Youth Ministry from St. Norbert College in 2009. After graduation from St. Norbert College, he worked for a year at the Norbertine Volunteer Community. After that, he entered the Community of the St. Norbert Abbey. In his first year, he asked to leave the world behind and look within himself. The shift from “contemplitive life” to “church ministry” is a big change, but he is excited with the chance to get back to the church ministry and is thoroughly excited to work with the youth of the parish. A former cross country and track runner, he is helping the St. Norbert College Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track team when he finds time. In his spare time he enjoys running, reading and getting together with family and friends. In this coming year, Frater Jacob hopes to get involved in the Religious Education Program, Youth Ministry Program, the School Ministry, the Home Bound Ministry, and other exciting opportunities. Frater Jacob is in the Parish Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am – 3:00pm.