Holy Spirit Parish was officially established on July 1, 2015.  

St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish and Newman University Parish, while neighbors for many years, have existed as separate entities within the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse.  Our worship, programs and other aspects of parish life have been separate from one another.  Over the last two years, however, we have been encouraged by practical considerations, as well as the Bishop, to work together more and, ultimately, we have determined the best course moving forward is as one faith community.  That has led to the process of "Creating Something New” as we anticipate and prepare to become a faith community that features the best of what we have been while also being open to new opportunities and possibilities. 

St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish and the church in which we worship will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2018.  St. Stans has a strong tradition of parish involvement, worship participation and engagement in social justice.  The parish’s patron was a studious young man of Polish nobility who was accepted into the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, in 1567 at the age of 17.  Long in fragile health, he died a year later.  He is the patron saint of youth, students and seminarians.  His feast is celebrated on Nov. 13.

Newman University Parish was established in 1970 as a response to enrollment increases on campuses such as UW-Stevens Point and a recognized need for ministry to Catholic students.  The parish takes its name from Blessed John Henry Newman, a cardinal in Great Britain who led a 19th-century intellectual renewal within the Church, whose feast day is Oct. 9.  Many campus ministry programs embrace Newman as their patron because of his resolve that intense faith and intellectual rigor should not be at odds with one another in the university setting.

If you'd be interested in learning more about Holy Spirit Parish and possibly joining our community, please contact our pastor, Fr. Steve Brice.