Parish Organizations
Church of St. Mary
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 are Barb O'Brien and 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.
President: Jane Salzl
Secretary/Treasurer: Denise Kociemba
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.
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.
Church of St. Andrew
Christian Women
Wanda Ahrens – President
Kris Winter – Vice President
Angie Barten – Secretary
Amy Stueve – Treasurer
Catholic Aid Society
Mike Barten, President
Kenny Kulzer, Vice President
Ann Barten, Secretary
Linda Schmiesing, Fraternal Secretary
Robert Nietfeld, Treasurer
MCCL
Joyce Welle
Church of St. John
St. John's Society
Jim Leukam
Dean Meyer
Rita Meyer
Tim Meyer
Geralyn Primus
Abby Zenzen
Poor Souls Society
Ray Schneider
Catholic United Financial
Cindy Schneider, President
Gloria Schneider, Vice President
Linda Schneider, Secretary
Emily Schneider, Fraternal Secretary
Kathy Illies, Treasurer
Auditors for CUF
Ruth Klaphake
Rachel Schneider
Marcy Klaphake
Church of St. Michael
Christian Women
Kim Meyer, President
Lou Kalthoff, Treasurer
Deb Betram, Secretary
St. Joseph's Society
Jim Welle, President
Jim Schoenberg, Treasurer
Catholic United Financial
Diane Welle, President
Tony Gruenes, Vice President
Ruth Heinen, Secretary
John Schulzetenberg, Fraternal Secretary
Melvin Kalthoff, Treasurer
Auditors for CUF
Tom Wuertz
Eldred Klaphake
Kathleen Meyer