DE PERE, WI — St. Gianna Clinic, announced that they will be hosting an event with Bishop David Ricken to bless an ultrasound machine that was donated by the Knights of Columbus on July 29, 2026, at 2 p.m.

“(The Knights of Columbus’) generous donation of a new ultrasound machine will allow St. Gianna Clinic to continue providing compassionate, life-affirming healthcare through our community and beyond,” said the clinic, a nonprofit healthcare facility that provides health care that aligns with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

St. Gianna Clinic is located at 1716 Lawrence Drive, De Pere, Wisconsin 54115.

For more information, visit: stgiannaclinic.com/ 

The Pontifical Mission Societies USA invites Catholics nationwide to participate in Archbishop Sheen’s beatification through the world mission rosary

NEW YORK, NY — The Pontifical Mission Societies USA is inviting Catholics across the country to participate in the September 24 beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen by helping create World Mission Rosaries that will be distributed to pilgrims attending the historic celebration in St. Louis, a recent press release said.

The nationwide initiative has already inspired an extraordinary response from religious communities, families, prayer groups, diocesan mission offices, and individual Catholics who wish to share spiritually in the beatification of the beloved missionary archbishop, even if they cannot attend in person.

Hundreds of religious sisters, along with families, parish groups, and diocesan offices, are currently making rosaries as a shared act of prayer and missionary solidarity. But more are needed if each of those attending the beatification is to receive one.

“At the suggestion of women religious serving on the beatification planning committee, we turned to religious communities throughout the country in the hope that they might help make at least 75,000 rosaries,” said Monsignor Roger J. Landry, national director of The Pontifical Mission Societies USA. “After God himself, women religious united are the most powerful force in the Church.”

Among the communities participating are the Poor Clares in Kokomo, Indiana, who had already completed hundreds of rosaries when Monsignor Landry visited them earlier this month.

“The sisters began making the rosaries on May 13, 2026,” Monsignor Landry said. “Only later did they discover that May 13, 1977, was the exact day Archbishop Sheen visited their monastery, celebrated Mass, made his holy hour, and gave them a conference. Such providential connections seem to accompany this effort.”

The rosaries will be distributed to pilgrims attending the beatification, where missionaries and mission leaders from around the world will lead a World Mission Rosary before the Beatification Mass, highlighting the universal nature of the Church and its missionary call.

Archbishop Sheen served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, from 1950 to 1966. During those sixteen years, he became one of the Church’s most influential missionary voices, using television, radio, books, and public preaching to encourage American Catholics to support the missions through prayer and sacrifice. In 1951, he introduced the World Mission Rosary, assigning each decade a different color representing one of the continents. More than seven decades later, the devotion remains one of his most enduring contributions to the missionary life of the Church and stands at the center of the nationwide effort surrounding his beatification.

Each of its five decades of the World Mission Rosary represents a different region of the world: green for Africa, blue for Oceania, white for Europe, red for the Americas, and yellow for Asia, visibly expressing the unity of the Church in mission.

“What began as a simple but powerful devotion in the United States spread throughout the world,” Monsignor Landry said. “Today, in many mission countries, children learn to pray the World Mission Rosary from a young age and wear it joyfully as a sign of their faith.”

The Pontifical Mission Societies USA hopes the initiative will provide Catholics with a meaningful opportunity to participate in Archbishop Sheen’s beatification through prayer and missionary solidarity.

“Many Catholics who deeply admire Archbishop Sheen may not be able to travel to St. Louis,” Monsignor Landry said. “By making a World Mission Rosary, they can still become part of this historic moment and share in Archbishop Sheen’s missionary vision for the Church. Our hope is not only to place a rosary in the hands of each pilgrim attending Archbishop Sheen’s beatification, but to inspire a renewed commitment to pray for the missions and to live the call to bring the Gospel to all nations.”

Any rosaries not distributed during the celebration will be sent to mission territories around the world, where Catholics often face significant material challenges but possess a vibrant missionary faith.

“In many places throughout the missions, resources are scarce, but love for Christ and zeal for the mission ad gentes are abundant,” Monsignor Landry said. “We hope that what began as an effort to place a rosary in the hands of pilgrims will become a gift to Catholics in mission territories, linking them spiritually to Archbishop Sheen’s missionary vision.”

By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission

At first hearing, today’s Gospel can make us stop and think that, on the day he said this, Jesus must have been sitting out in the hot sun a little too long. His words seem contrary and don’t make sense. Really — “love me more than your mother?” That sounds like the kind of statement that might get you quietly removed from the Thanksgiving seating chart. But Jesus wasn’t being exclusionary; he was being clear. When he said to love him above family, he didn’t mean “instead of,” but rather that loving him first is actually the only way to genuinely love our family and others well.

When we put family and relationships first in an absolutist fashion, we often end up loving in small, anxious, controlling ways. We protect, we cling, we worry. We may place extreme expectations on others and feel rejected and disappointed when those expectations are not met. When this happens, our love can become a little tight-fisted. 

But when God is the center of our lives, love isn’t a shrinking love — it’s ever-expanding. We don’t need to prove our worth — we’re already grounded in God. We don’t need to control every outcome — we can trust more and love more freely. We can tell the truth, forgive, and even let go, because when God is at the center, everything else — family, friends and even ourselves — finds peace by being in its proper place. We no longer have to teeter on a wobbly faith (kind of like a grill with one weak leg that seems fine until the brats start sliding) because God steadies us. 

Then Jesus comes out with his harder line: “Take up your cross.” Today we wear crosses on necklaces as a sign of our faith and trust in Jesus, but in Jesus’ earthly time, the cross wasn’t jewelry — it was something deadly. No one went looking for a cross because it meant execution. Jesus reminds us to see our cross today not as a fashion statement but as something that carries true weight. We need to be willing to carry the weight of doing what’s right when it costs us something, the weight of integrity when it’s inconvenient, the weight of forgiveness when it’s hard, the weight of truth when it’s unpopular.

And then, just when what Jesus asks of us feels a little too heavy, he softens the landing. He talks about welcome, kindness and reward. A cup of cold water. Something small. Ordinary. Almost easy to miss. And then he says, “It matters. It all matters.” 

We do not have to conjure up our inner Moses and part the Red Sea on a daily basis. We don’t need to do anything spectacular. A “cup of cold water” kind of life — quiet, steady and generous — is holy living. 

And here’s the part we don’t expect: When we finally loosen our grip on life, that’s the moment it stops slipping through our fingers. That’s when we can say, in the words of today’s Gospel acclamation, “(We) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation … called out of darkness into (God’s) wonderful light.”

The readings for Sunday, June 28, can be found at Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.

GREEN BAY, WI — Sr. Sharon Lasee, OSF, age 82, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, died on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The former Sharon Ann Lasee was born March 13, 1944, in De Pere, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Gerald and Beatrice (Gottier) Lasee. She entered the convent in 1962, professed her vows in 1965 and celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2023.

Sr.r Sharon earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin, and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago. Sr. Sharon taught at St. John the Baptist, Howard; St. Kilian, New Franken; Holy Family, Marinette; Holy Angels, Darboy; St. Mary, Peshtigo; St. Isidore, Osman; and Notre Dame, De Pere. She later volunteered at Red Smith School, Green Bay, and taught religious education at Holy Cross Parish, Bay Settlement, for many years.

Sr. Sharon looked forward to her retreat time each year, as well as other religious opportunities offered by the diocese and Norbertine Center for Spirituality in De Pere. She treasured her time with the sisters in the community, sharing prayer, work and fun. Sr. Sharon walked daily and enjoyed reading, playing Cribbage and Sheepshead, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. She was a wonderful example of prayer, presence and hospitality!  

Survivors include the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and Associates; her sisters, Carol Kekula and Marjorie Lasee, Green Bay, Mary Holl, Appleton, and Julie (Rollin) Gridley, Pulaski; brothers, Gary (Joyce) Lasee, Freedom, and Randy (Cyndi) Lasee, Sobieski; sister-in-law, Peggy Lasee; brothers-in-law, Duanne Buechler and Michal Klann; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Joanne Buechler and Barbara Klann; brother, Donald, his wife, Marmie, and sons, Jerry and Daniel; brother, Mark; and brothers-in-law, Robert Kekula and Roger Holl.

Visitation was held at Holy Cross Parish (3009 Bay Settlement Rd., Green Bay, WI), Monday, June 22, 2026, from 9 to 10:45 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. with Rev. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem, celebrant. Burial was in the Holy Cross and Sisters’ Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit newcomergreenbay.com.

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and family of Sister Sharon wish to express gratitude to the nursing staff at St. Francis Convent and Woodside Lutheran Homes for their loving care and support for Sister Sharon.

The Mass was a part of the pre-summer camp open house all-day event

By William Van de Planque | On Mission 

SHAWANO, WI — This year, 2026, has been a year full of celebrations for Camp Tekakwitha. The first weekend of June, just before the first camp session of the summer began, was no different. 

As a kick-off to the 100th summer of camp, with the theme simply “celebrate,” Camp Tekakwitha held an open house and a Mass celebrated by Bishop David Ricken on June 6, 2026. 

The day began promptly with youth, parents, families, and alumni staff and campers from across the diocese participating in guided tours of the grounds, which have changed significantly over the years.

An important theme of the day’s activities, which included a history presentation in the middle of the day, a “history center” set up in the Thunderdome, and different sports and crafts activities, was looking back in time to celebrate the long history of the camp and emphasize the deep impact of the Camp Tekakwitha experience on every generation.

At the Mass, McKenna Runde, the camp director who is spending her 14th summer at camp, thanked everyone who came to support the camp and celebrate its history.

The spirituality and intercession of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the namesake of the camp and the first Native American saint, has been a staple of the camp experience since it was renamed from Catholic Girls Camp to Camp Tekakwitha in 1964. 

“We call upon St. Kateri’s intercession incessantly at Camp Tekakwitha as we share her love for Jesus and ecology,” reads a page on the Camp Tekakwitha website.

After the Mass, there was a special opportunity for the faithful to venerate and pray before a relic of St. Kateri, with which Bishop Ricken also blessed the those gathered.

During the closing blessing of the Mass, Bishop Ricken quoted a well-known saying from St. Kateri: “Let this place resound with the words of Kateri Tekakwitha: ‘I am not my own; I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love. I can have no other spouse but Jesus Christ. I have considered myself content to live in poverty and misery for his love.’”

The camp has already held many events this year to celebrate its 100th anniversary, with more scheduled, including the Family Camp Opportunity on July 25 and the Staff Reunion/Alumni Day on August 15.

To learn more, visit: camptekakwitha.org/welcome/100-year-history.

To read more about the impact of camp across generations, visit: onmiss.io/hundredyearsatcamp.

The founder of an international mental health ministry association speaks at a retreat hosted by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay

By Halle Beranek | For On Mission

DE PERE, WI — When Katie Shoener died by suicide, her father, Deacon Ed Shoener saw how vital it was that Catholic parishes become places of ministry for those struggling with and impacted by mental health issues. 

As a response to this, Deacon Ed created the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers to provide resources and training to Church communities as they provide spiritual mental health ministry.  

Nearly ten years after Katie’s death, Deacon Ed came to speak at the Diocese of Green Bay Mental Health Ministry Retreat to provide prayerful discernment time, connection, resources, and guidance to those interested in pursuing mental health ministries in their parishes.

This initiative has come through the work of the Mental Health Ministry Council, an outreach of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay, whose mission is to reduce stigma, provide resources, and ensure that no one feels alone in their struggles by cultivating networks of understanding and support through the parishes. 

Over ninety diocesan community members including lay people, religious sisters, and deacons participated in keynote talks, Mass, a panel discussion, and networking time. 

After hearing about the free resources available for leading mental health support groups, prayer guides, and video resources for parishes, one retreatant shared that she had “not been aware of these things in our diocese.” 

Thanks to the work of Deacon Ed Shoener, the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, and the Mental Health Ministry Council from Catholic Charities, retreatants learned that they can “help their parishes in small ways without needing to know all the answers,” they said. 

If you are curious about starting a mental health ministry in your parish to walk alongside those who struggle with or have been impacted by mental health illness, reach out to Catholic Charities today to receive free guidance and support from the Mental Health Ministry Council. 

In mental health ministry there is tremendous power in saying “It is good that you exist” to those who are impacted by mental illness and to accompany our sisters and brothers in Christ. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay is proud to support parishes and their communities in the work to minister to those in need.   

The annual event at St. Willebrord Parish is more than a parish festival

By Michael Cooney | For On Mission

GREEN BAY, WI — “Open doors, open hearts” is the motto at St. Willebrord Parish in downtown Green Bay, and according to its pastor, Fr. Andrew Cribben, O. Praem., the annual “St. Willy’s Jam” is one of the parish’s clearest expressions of that mission.

“For me, it’s community building,” Fr. Cribben said. “I love to introduce people to one another. People have told me, ‘We met each other at Willy’s Jam.’ That makes me very happy.”

The annual parish festival, formerly known as “St. Willy’s Bash,” drew more than 600 people June 14 to the streets surrounding the historic church, including about 400 worshipers for the outdoor Mass that opened the celebration.

Held outside St. Willebrord Church at 209 S. Adams St., the event featured live music, family games and an extensive selection of homemade foods representing the parish’s Hispanic communities alongside traditional American picnic fare.

Fr. Cribben, who has served as pastor for 15 years, said the festival has been part of parish life throughout his ministry there. Originally held on Labor Day weekend, it was later moved to the second weekend in June.

“It’s been wonderful and beautiful ever since,” he said.

The downtown parish has become known for serving a diverse Catholic community that includes longtime Green Bay families, Hispanic Catholics from across Latin America and an increasing number of bilingual young families.

“I would say we’re eclectic,” Fr. Cribben said. “We try to live our motto by inviting anybody who wants to come here.”

He noted that the parish’s Hispanic membership itself reflects many cultures and traditions.

Fr. Cribben regularly celebrates Mass and ministers in both English and Spanish. He said parishioners have encouraged him as he continues improving his fluency.

“They tell me it’s pretty good,” he said of his Spanish. “I feel like I’m still learning, and I stumble over my words sometimes, but I try to be humble, and the people are very gracious.”

The diversity was reflected in both the crowd and the food served throughout the afternoon.

“This is as authentic as it gets,” said Leo Castro, this year’s event coordinator.

Castro, who works testing cheese at a local factory, volunteered for the leadership role after attending an organizational meeting where no one stepped forward to coordinate the event.

“I kept waiting for somebody to raise their hand,” he said with a laugh. “Nobody did. After nobody did, I said, ‘Okay, if I’m going to do it, I guess let’s do it all the way.’”

The menu included Mexican, Colombian and Nicaraguan specialties, most of them homemade and donated by parish families.

“Everybody enjoys bringing the dishes they enjoy eating,” Castro said. “That’s what they bring for everybody to enjoy.”

The food also reflected regional styles within Hispanic culture, giving festival-goers an opportunity to experience traditions from different countries and regions.

Robyn Hallet, president of the parish council, said the event helps strengthen relationships within the parish’s multicultural community.

“The best part is the community and the way we can build bridges between the two main cultures here, the Hispanic culture and the Anglo culture,” Hallet said. “It doesn’t matter if you speak the same language. You can enjoy the same food and music and just enjoy being together.”

Children moved between game booths while families lingered over homemade meals and conversations in both English and Spanish.

For Castro, seeing the event come together after months of preparation was deeply rewarding.

“Before, it was all logistics — what do we need, where are we going to get it, when do we need it,” he said. “Now you can see everybody out there enjoying themselves.”

Parish leaders said the festival is more than a fundraiser. It is also part of the parish’s mission of hospitality, creating a place where newcomers feel welcomed and longtime parishioners remain connected to their faith community.

Although located within blocks of both St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, St. Willebrord Parish continues to attract parishioners from throughout the Green Bay area.

“There are not a lot of people who live downtown anymore,” Fr. Cribben said. “People choose to come here.”

For many Hispanic Catholics, he added, St. Willebrord remains especially significant.

“For the Hispanics, this is the mother church,” he said. “Even though they may live closer to other parishes now, they still love this place.”

Nearly a century after Norbertine priests first began serving St. Willebrord Parish in 1932, the parish continues to define itself through Fr. Cribben’s simple description: “We serve all people, all comers,” a mission reflected in a festival built around hospitality, culture and community.

GREEN BAY, WI — Fr. David Barrett retired in 2012 following 48 years of service in a number of pastoral leadership roles with the Diocese of Green Bay. Fr. Barrett was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on June 29, 1938, to Homer and Regina (Starr) Barrett. His home parish was Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Green Bay, where he attended grade school and then West High School in Green Bay, graduating in 1956. He attended two years at St. Henry Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, Illinois, with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Barrett then studied at St. Francis Major Seminary in Milwaukee, graduating in 1964.

On May 16, 1964, Fr. Barrett was ordained a priest at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral by Bishop Stanislaus Bona. Fr. Barrett began his ministry as assistant at St. Joseph Parish in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for two years and then at St. Mary Parish in Oshkosh in 1966.

Fr. Barrett was appointed associate pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Kaukauna on June 14, 1969. He was named chaplain of Winnebago State Hospital in 1971 while remaining at St. Mary of the Annunciation. In 1972, Fr. Barrett became chaplain of the Catholic Community of Westhaven, Oshkosh, while continuing as associate pastor of St. Mary and chaplain of Winnebago. The Westhaven Catholic Community would later become St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Oshkosh.

In 1976, Fr. Barrett was appointed pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Appleton, where he ministered until 1980, when he was named pastor of St. Michael Parish, Keshena, where he remained for 28 years. In 1991, he was also named temporary administrator for St. Anthony Parish in Neopit, while continuing at St. Michael Parish. In 2000, Fr. Barrett was named administrator of St. Francis Solanus Parish, Gresham, while remaining pastor of St. Michael Parish, Keshena, and St. Joseph of the Lake Mission, South Branch.  

Fr. Barrett served as regional vicar from 2002 to 2007. He retired in July 2008 and then continued at St. Michael Parish, Keshena, as minister of the sacraments. From 2009 to 2012, he served as minister of the sacraments at St. John Parish, Gillett; St. Michael Parish, Suring; and Chute Pond Station (St. Michael Chapel), Chute Pond. Fr. Barrett fully retired in 2012.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 24, beginning at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish, 321 S. Sawyer St., Shawano, 54166, until the time of the funeral Mass. The funeral Mass, expressing our faith in the glory of the Lord’s resurrection, was offered at 11 a.m. with the Very Reverend John Girotti, vicar general, presiding. Burial is Thursday, June 25, at Fort Howard Cemetery, Green Bay.

What this means for the Catholics of the Diocese of Green Bay

By Roy Rasmussen | For On Mission

ORLANDO, FL — On June 11, 2026, Bishop David Ricken joined the U.S. bishops gathered in Orlando, Florida, to consecrate America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The historic gathering was convened in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops president Archbishop Paul Coakley presided over Mass and led the bishops in a solemn prayer of national consecration. Congressional representatives introduced a resolution recognizing the consecration, and the White House released a message of support. In preparation for the event, Bishop Ricken invited Green Bay Catholics to join in consecrating America to the Sacred Heart, sharing resources on how to participate through prayer, adoration and works of mercy.

Entrusting America to the Sacred Heart

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori delivered the homily. His homily stressed that consecration is an act of faith, hope and charity which entrusts the U.S. Catholic Church and the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In faith, we acknowledge the role God’s Providence has played in blessing our nation, showing mercy for our shortcomings and healing our wounds. In hope, we place our hopes and anxieties about the future in the merciful heart of Jesus. In love, we unite ourselves with the love of Jesus and the mission of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Father’s love with our nation.

Joining our prayers with Catholics around the country

In preparation for the celebration, Bishop Ricken invited Green Bay Catholics to participate prayerfully in the consecration as an opportunity to help turn our nation back to Jesus. He emphasized the need for prayer to bring us to Jesus and the Divine Mercy found in his Sacred Heart.

Bishop Ricken placed this request in the context of his ongoing Adoration for the Nation initiative, in which local parishes participate in Holy Hours to promote a national Eucharistic revival. He asked for continued adoration at the parish level as well as consecration of individuals and families to the Sacred Heart. He provided resources to assist with this effort, including prayers to the Sacred Heart and links from the U.S. bishops inviting American Catholics to participate in 250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy.

Setting America aside as holy

By joining the nation’s bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart, we are asking God to make America holy and use our country for his purposes. To consecrate something is to set it aside for holy use. Just as the priest at Mass blesses ordinary bread and wine so that God can transform it into the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are asking God to transform our nation by bringing us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The consecration of America to the Sacred Heart recalls Our Lady of Fatima’s request to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart. This is no coincidence, for in 1846, the U.S. bishops proclaimed Mary the patroness of the United States under her title of the Immaculate Conception, and the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima has been touring the country since 1947. The Immaculate Heart of Mary always points us to the Sacred Heart of her son Jesus, and just as Mary asked for prayers of reparation at Fatima, the prayers the U.S. bishops have composed for the consecration of America to the Sacred Heart include prayers of reparation for offenses against God and human dignity that have taken place in our nation. In turning the nation back to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we seek mercy and healing for our country to make us truly one nation under God.

How Green Bay Catholics can help consecrate America to the Sacred Heart

Catholics in the Diocese of Green Bay can participate in the consecration of our nation by honoring the Sacred Heart in a variety of ways, including:

• Consecrating yourself and your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

• Offering prayers and novenas to the Sacred Heart

• Participating in Holy Hours during the 250 Hours of Adoration

• Performing works of mercy in honor of the Sacred Heart to participate in the 250 Works of Mercy

Another special way to dedicate our nation’s 250th anniversary to the Sacred Heart is to visit the Catholic Saints of America exhibit on display at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion from July 1-9. This exhibit features displays and relics dedicated to 76 American saints and candidates for sainthood, including St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann. The display coincides with the anniversary of the death of Champion visionary Adele Brice, recently recognized as a Servant of God. Visit America’s saints in Champion and invoke their intercession through the Sacred Heart on behalf of our nation.

DE PERE, WI — At a time when many colleges across the country are facing mounting financial uncertainty, St. Norbert College ranks in the top quintile of 20 Wisconsin schools included in a new analysis after achieving two consecutive years of audited positive operating results and projecting a third consecutive year of positive operating results in FY26.

New data from Forbes’ 2026 College Financial Grades, which evaluated more than 900 private colleges and universities, highlights the growing financial strength of St. Norbert College with a financial GPA of 3.28 (B) in 2026, up from 2.85 in 2025 and 1.88 in 2024. Nationally, nearly half of the institutions in the report received a C or worse, with 27 percent earning a D. 

The news comes amid a period of significant disruption in higher education. Colleges and universities across the country are navigating declining enrollment, increasing tuition discounts, loss of public confidence, and changing student interests and expectations.

“Advancing our inspiring mission requires financial strength, which does not happen by accident. It reflects the courageous choices an institution makes to ensure its mission continues in perpetuity,” said Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D., president of St. Norbert College. “The financial progress the college has made is remarkable and results from the campus community’s unwavering commitment to advancing our mission and serving our students. Together we are building a more resilient future for St. Norbert College.” 

During the past three years, St. Norbert College has taken proactive steps to sustain its mission by adding new academic programs, expanding athletic offerings, deepening partnerships, aligning its staffing with student enrollment, and diversifying revenue streams while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and communio.

The college’s national reputation, positive student outcomes, and impressive financial metrics demonstrate the resolve of the college’s leadership and community to adapt in a rapidly changing environment.

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center reaches major milestone in renovation, expansion efforts

GREEN BAY, WI — HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center is one step closer to a new six-story, state-of-the-art inpatient tower that will increase access to care on Green Bay’s west side. Demolition is now underway on the hospital’s North Building — the future site of the new tower — marking the latest milestone in HSHS’ historic $270 million capital investment to revitalize its Green Bay hospitals.

The North Building is separate from the main hospital building and has been a part of the St. Mary’s campus since 1958. In recent years, it was used for a range of clinic and administrative needs.

The new patient tower will significantly expand the hospital’s capacity to care for the community, with more than 100 new patient rooms for medical/surgical and intensive care. Most notably, capacity for intensive care patients at St. Mary’s will more than quadruple, growing from eight beds to 36. The tower will also include two new cardiovascular operating rooms and a cardiac procedural room. 

“We recognize the history held within these walls, and now our mission requires us to look forward at the needs of our community,” said Bob Erickson, president and CEO, HSHS Wisconsin Market. “We already see a demand for higher acuity care at St. Mary’s — for those navigating illnesses, surgical procedures or requiring intensive care — which will only continue as our population grows and ages. Adding this tower will ensure more patients have access to the care they need in a more modern environment that matches our clinical excellence.”

For the past several months, contractors have been dismantling the inside of the North Building piece by piece, taking a “surgical” approach to prepare the structure for demolition. Every step of the demolition and subsequent construction has been meticulously designed to ensure patient care is not interrupted and all services in the main hospital remain fully operational.

Work is also being done to revitalize the larger hospital campus, including the creation of a new main entrance, added parking and enhanced security features. New kitchen and dining are also part of the remodeling plans.

“While we work to transform our physical space, our commitment to providing exceptional care remains strong,” said Leah Bergstrom, chief administrative officer at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center. “Our main priority will always be to deliver the highest standard of care in the present, while we build new infrastructure to enhance it for the future.”

In alignment with the mission of The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, the order of Franciscan Sisters who founded HSHS, the ongoing demolition and expansion at St. Mary’s is being executed with a focus on environmental sustainability and community mindfulness.

When a different building on the campus was demolished in fall 2025 as part of the expansion project, HSHS utilized an innovative onsite recycling process. Rather than transporting waste to landfills, recyclable items were separated and concrete materials were crushed to be reused as foundational fill for the hospital’s new patient tower.

As work transitions to demolition of the North Building, HSHS remains committed to repurposing and recycling construction materials. Beyond structural recycling, medical equipment and furnishings from the now-vacant North Building have been donated to organizations like Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach — which distributes medical supplies to communities in need around the world — and the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity — which supports local housing initiatives.

“By keeping these materials out of landfills and placing them back into the service of others, we are honoring our founding Sisters’ commitment to stewardship and the care of our environment,” Erickson said.

Groundbreaking on the new patient tower is expected to take place in late summer/early fall this year. The entire St. Mary’s revitalization project is anticipated for completion in 2028. For more information about the St. Mary’s project, please visit: stmarysgb.org/future.

By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission

One of the things I do as a pastor is listen. People stop me after Mass and share different events and stories with me. I love hearing how people have sensed that God was with them in a situation, or how a sign they saw confirmed what they should do.

In our first reading, the prophet Jeremiah might be experiencing a bit of spiritual desolation. He feels defeated. He senses people are seeking his demise. He believes they want him to stumble or fall so they can exploit it for their benefit. But Jeremiah has been a faithful servant. He has trusted in God and continues to do so. Even as he walks in this dark valley, he is able to acclaim, “The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion” (Jer 20:11). What a stalwart faith he had to witness evil people around him and still be able to say God is with him.

This is a spiritual truth that has helped me in so many ways throughout my ministry and life. I have experienced God with me in difficult situations. And I remind people of this so often — God is with us, he has not forgotten or abandoned you.

• He is with you and sends the Holy Spirit when you must have a difficult conversation with someone. 

• He is with you in the doctor’s office, awaiting a diagnosis. 

• He is with you in your grief when someone dies, reminding you of the many memories you had with the person and comforting you with the promise of everlasting life.

• He is with you when you are persecuted or hated by others because of your Christian beliefs.

• He is with you in whatever struggle you are facing. The Lord is encouraging you and giving you the grace you need in that moment.

The good news is that he is with us not only in difficult moments, but also in the ordinary ones, as we go about our days. Imagine how different we would live our lives if we called the presence of God to mind more readily.

Jeremiah was able to say that the Lord was with him in the stormy moments he faced. While it is true that the Lord is with us, we may not see his presence in the storm. It is only later, after further reflection, looking back, that we can see and believe that the Lord was with us as our helper and guide. Take some time today and notice how God has always been with you, in the good and in the bad.

The readings for Sunday, June 21, can be found at Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.

Fr. Edward Looney serves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano. He is an author and podcaster, with a presence on various social media platforms under the handle @FrEdwardLooney.