
Church of St. Mary
Boards & Committees
The parish of St. Mary's is led by many varied councils, boards, and committees whose members are men and women of the parish. The members of some of these groups are elected officials of the parish who serve to lead the parish in good stewardship God's gifts. Other committees have volunteer members who wish to serve their parish with gifts of talent and expertise. All members of the parish are welcome to serve in these leadership positions.
Board of Directors
Bishop Donald Kettler, President
Fr. Marvin Enneking, Pastor
Jody Wehlage, Trustee, Treasurer
Ray Primus, Trustee, Secretary
Parish Council
The Parish Council is the primary consultative body of the parish. It has the duty and responsibility of directing all the functions of the parish life in cooperation with the pastor, parish staff, and all parish organizations. The council has team members: the pastor, two trustees, and seven elected members of the parish. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Parish Center.
Several committees report directly to the Parish Council: Building and Grounds, Liturgy, Gambling, Board of Education, Cemetery, Endowment, Social Concerns and Finance.
Parish Council members:
Tricia Klaphake, Chair, Finance Co-Liaison
Jane Salzl, Faith Formation/Religious Ed Liaison and ACC Liaison
Jody Wehlage, Trustee, Charitable Gambling Liaison
Joe Roehrl, Building & Maintenance Co-Liaison
Jenna Middendorf, Stewardship Liaison, Social Concerns Liaison
Harvey Middendorf, Cemetery Liaison, Finance Co-Liaison
Carl Worms, Building & Maintenance Co-Liaison, Human Resources Liaison
Troy Tomford, St. Mary's School - Board of Education Liaison, Endowment Liaison
Ray Primus, Trustee
Fr. Newton, Hispanic Ministry
Morgan Kempernich, Liturgy
Deacon Ernie, Social Concerns
Finance Council
The Finance Council works together with the Parish Council to direct the financial affairs of the parish. Members are appointed and prepare the annual parish budget, approve major expenses, review disbursements, and develop stewardship programs. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Parish Center.
Finance Council members:
Diane Budde, Co-Chair Parish Council liaison
Sue Rademacher
Karl Funk
Tricia Klaphake
Board of Education
Board of Education members direct the total education program of St. Mary's School. Regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the school.
Pete Klaphake, Chair
Cory Ellering, Vice Chair
Ross Wiechmann
Bob Arceneau
Ali Arnzen
Cindy Hemmesch
Jenn Ellering, Administrative Assistant
Troy Tomford, Parish Council Liaison
Endowment Committee
Members of the Endowment Committee oversee the St. Mary's Education Endowment Fund. Regular meetings are held the first Tuesday of January, April, July and October.
Mark Meyer, Chair
Cindy Anderson, Treasurer
Rosie Athmann
Mary Spanier
Alice Schaefer
Ex officio members:
Fr. Marvin Enneking
Autumn Nelson, St. Mary’s School Principal
Troy Tomford, Parish Council Representative
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is the source of all communication to the Parish, via bulletin, website, social media and spoken messages. As well as the diocese, ACC and Catholic School. This group meets as needed and at least once a month. Members are appointed by the Pastor
This Committee is no longer needed
Building & Grounds Committee
Members of the Building & Grounds committee oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the parish buildings and grounds. Meetings are scheduled as needed.
Butch Haider, Chair
Carl Worms, Co-Chair
Jim Mohs, Co-Chair
Glen Klaphake
Bill Kemper
Joe Roehrl
Virgil Metzger
Allan Wiechmann
Stewardship Committee
The Stewardship Committee works with Catholic Stewardship Consultants bringing a Stewardship Way of Life to the Parish. This group oversees the monthly Newsletters, Ministry Catalog, the Hospitality Committees, speaking engagements, annual Stewardship Renewal, annual Survey and the Parish Retreats. This group meets monthly and reports to the Parish Life Committee and Father Marv Enneking. Also this group coordinates all parish mailers from CSC.
Bob and Jan Leukam, Co-Chair
Ernie and Denise Kociemba, Co-Chair
Jodi and Jon Maus
Terri and Chris Ellering
Jenna Middendorf, Pairsh Life liaison
Pat Tomasek
Cemetery Committee
Members of the Cemetery Committee oversee the maintenance and care of St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Cemeteries, manage the finances, and establish policies. Cemetery guidelines are available from the parish office. Meetings are scheduled quarterly.
Mark Mayers, Chair
Romie Bertram
Andy Heinen
Char Van Drehle
Mike Meyer
Harvey Middendorf, Parish Council liaison
Jim Maus, Caretaker
Christian Mothers/Women
St. Mary's Christian Mothers/Women Society brings together women of the parish to share ideas on family life and spirituality and to support one another in prayer. The organization began in 1913 and meets quarterly. The Christian Mothers/Women updates the Hospitality Groups, sponsor the annual St. Patrick's Day supper and social, and prepare receptions for the Confirmation liturgy, sixth-grade graduation and other parish functions.
Caroline Jacobs, President
Karen Weber, Secretary
Diane Budde, Treasurer
Hospitality Volunteers
St. Mary's Parish's hospitality volunteers serve funeral luncheons, receptions, and other parish-sponsored dinners and events. Each and every parishioner is given the opportunity to help with hospitality for the parish events. Hospitality is a primary Christian virtue which all are called upon to exercise.
Coordinators:
Barb O'Brien
Rita Woeste
Mission Society
The purpose of the Church of St. Mary’s Mission Society is to provide opportunities for parishioners to fulfill their basic duty as faithful disciples of God to be missionary. All baptized Christians are asked to extend Christ’s body beyond their physical boundaries and to serve those in need with prayer, active work or fostering interest in the work that our foreign and domestic priest and sister missionaries do. We work for propagation of our Catholic faith and support local efforts that work for the betterment of the lives of others.
St. Mary's Mission Society meets the second Tuesday of the month Oct. through May at 10:30 a.m. at the Melrose Senior Center.
Jane Salzl, Pesident
Denise Kociemba, Secretary/Treasurer
Sts. Elizabeth & Bernard Catholic Aid Societies
This is a society of the Catholic Aid Association. CAA is a life insurance program and members raise funds for matching grant programs. Citizens for Educational Freedom, Masses for deceased members, sponsorship of the rosary on a local radio station, and other charitable causes.
Legion of Mary
St. Mary's parish has an active Legion of Mary group, which is an international association of Catholic women and men. Members attend weekly meetings on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at the Parish Center. Active members make weekly visits to the sick, shut-ins and bereaved. Auxiliary members pray a rosary and other Legion prayers daily.
Margaret Imdieke
Caroline Jacobs
Lorraine Bierschbach
National Catholic Society of Foresters
The NCSF is another fraternal organization for Catholics. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Melrose City Center.