On South Washington Avenue in downtown New Richmond, Wisconsin, the stone and brick walls of Immaculate Conception Church have welcomed Catholic worshipers from the city and the surrounding St. Croix County farmland for more than a century. A few miles out of town on County Road G, in the rolling fields of Erin Prairie, stands St. Patrick Church, a country parish that predates the diocese that contains it. Together, these two parishes now form the ICSP Catholic Communities, a single pastoral team led by Father John Anderson that shares clergy, staff, Catholic Formation programs, sacramental preparation, and a common vision of ministry.
The two churches operate as one cluster but keep their own identities and their own buildings. Immaculate Conception, the larger and more urban of the pair, hosts the parish offices, the main Sunday Mass, the livestream broadcast, and most weekday liturgical activity. St. Patrick, a smaller country parish founded by Irish immigrants and described locally as a "quaint" church seated among the farmlands of St. Croix County, hosts its own Sunday Mass and a wide calendar of fellowship gatherings in its Blarney Hall. Together they serve the city of New Richmond and the broader Erin Prairie area, providing the full range of Catholic sacramental and formation ministry for families across all stages of life.
Mass Times at the Two Churches
Weekend Mass at the cluster is celebrated at three times and in two buildings. On Saturday evening, Mass is offered at 5:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church. On Sunday morning, Mass is celebrated at 9:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church and at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Church. Before each Mass, the rosary is prayed in the church: at 8:25 AM at Immaculate Conception, and at 10:25 AM at St. Patrick. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass at Immaculate Conception is livestreamed each week, allowing homebound parishioners and those traveling to participate in the celebration remotely.
Weekday Masses are spread across both parishes. At Immaculate Conception, weekday Mass is celebrated on Tuesday at 5:00 PM, on Wednesday morning, on Thursday at 8:15 AM and again at 5:00 PM, and on Friday at 8:15 AM. On Wednesday, the morning Mass moves to 9:45 AM during the school year so that students from St. Mary School can attend together with the parish. At St. Patrick, the single weekday Mass is celebrated on Friday at 9:30 AM.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon at Immaculate Conception Church from 4:00 to 4:45 PM, with the rosary prayed immediately afterward at 4:25 PM. Confessions are also available by appointment through the parish office.
Eucharistic Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has a regular place on the parish calendar. On the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic Adoration is held at Immaculate Conception Church from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. On the third Thursday of each month, adoration moves to St. Patrick Church and runs continuously from 9:00 AM Thursday through 9:00 AM Friday. These extended periods of prayer give parishioners a quiet setting for personal devotion, confession preparation, and time before the exposed Eucharist.
The Seven Sacraments
The cluster celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The parish staff describes the sacraments as visible outward signs joined to the spiritual reality of grace, instituted by Christ and recognized by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is celebrated both for infants and for older children and adults. Parents of infants attend a one-evening preparation session prior to the baptism, preferably before the child is born. Sessions are held every other month on the first Thursday at 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church, and registration is handled through the parish office or by email to baptism@icspcatholic.com. Children older than first grade and unbaptized adults are prepared through the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC) or the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are prepared as a family-based program that requires parent participation, beginning in second grade after a child has been attending Catholic Formation or enrolled in a Catholic school. First Reconciliation preparation begins each September and the sacrament is celebrated in December; First Eucharist preparation follows in the spring. Both include required parent-child gatherings in addition to the regular formation curriculum.
Confirmation is prepared through a two-year journey beginning in tenth grade. The program includes weekly Discipleship Groups, four Confirmation classes, a spiritual retreat, opportunities for service, dedicated sponsor and parent meetings, a personal conversation with the priest, and a letter of intent to the bishop. The sacrament is celebrated in the fall. Adults who have been baptized Catholic but have not been confirmed prepare through the OCIA process.
Marriage is celebrated for Catholic couples and for couples in which one party is a practicing Roman Catholic. The parish asks couples to schedule an introductory meeting with the church office and follow the parish's published wedding preparation guidelines.
Anointing of the Sick is offered by request to anyone facing physical, mental, or spiritual illness, preparing for major surgery, or dealing with the effects of aging. The sacrament can be celebrated in the parish churches, in the hospital or other medical facility, or in a private home. Because of HIPAA privacy rules, hospitals cannot notify the parish of an admission; parishioners or their families are asked to contact the church office directly.
Holy Orders is supported through the Diocese of Superior Office of Vocations. Men and women discerning a call to the priesthood, religious life, or the permanent diaconate are encouraged to speak with Father John and to use the resources of the diocesan vocations office.
Becoming Catholic: OCIA and OCIC
The OCIA/OCIC Ministry fosters discipleship by helping individuals encounter Jesus and develop a personal relationship with Him. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the formal process for adults who have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as for baptized Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist, Reconciliation, or Confirmation. The Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC) is the parallel process for children ages 7 to 17 who have not received their sacraments.
The OCIA program begins each fall with weekly one-to-two-hour sessions in which participants explore Catholic faith, prayer, the sacramental life, Scripture, and the traditions of the Church. Inquirers from any background, baptized or unbaptized, Catholic or non-Catholic, are welcome; the program is offered at no cost and there is no obligation to continue. The formal journey culminates with the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. OCIA inquiries are directed to Deacon Mike Germain.
For children, OCIC creates an individualized program that meets each child at their stage and prepares them for the sacraments they have not yet received. Inquiries are directed to Kristin Dittman, the Children's 3y-5th Grade Formation Coordinator.
Catholic Formation for Children and Youth
Catholic Formation at ICSP covers children from age 3 through high school, with separate tracks by age and a regular cadence of formation events.
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium sessions are offered at three regular times. A Friday morning CGS Level 1 Session meets at 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church. A Sunday morning CGS Level 1 Session meets at 9:45 AM at St. Patrick Church. A Wednesday evening CGS Level 1 and 2 session meets at 6:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Church. The CGS approach uses hands-on materials in a specially prepared room to help children enter into the religious life of the parish at their own pace.
K-8th Grade Sunday Morning Formation meets at 9:45 AM at Immaculate Conception Church for grades K-8, with sessions running until 10:45 AM. K-8th formation is also offered at St. Patrick Church in Blarney Hall during the Sunday morning formation hour. The Sunday morning track mirrors the timing of the Sunday 9:00 AM Mass so that families can attend Mass together before or after the formation hour.
Wednesday Evening Formation offers two age groups. Grades K-5 meet from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, and grades 6-10 meet from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Sessions are held at Immaculate Conception Church, with the K-5th grade meeting occasionally held at St. Mary School. Wednesday formation includes a shared dinner, giving families a chance to eat together before splitting into age groups. An attendance line, reachable by phone or email, lets parents report absences in advance.
High School Formation continues the Wednesday evening track for grades 9-12, feeding into the two-year Confirmation preparation journey.
Summer Youth Events
The Catholic Formation team runs a full summer calendar aimed at building friendships and drawing young people deeper into the faith.
Vacation Bible School is held in partnership with St. Anne Church in Somerset. Open to children age 3 through grade 4, the week-long summer program uses a creative theme each year, with past years exploring everything from the deep ocean to outer space. Older students and adults serve as volunteers. The summer 2026 program is themed around the rainforest.
Totus Tuus, named for the motto of St. Pope John Paul II, brings a team of four young adult missionaries to the parish for one week each summer. The day program serves incoming grades K-6 and the evening program serves incoming grade 7 through high school, with catechesis, Eucharistic worship, and high-energy evangelization offered at both Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick.
Extreme Faith Camp (EFC) is a week-long summer camp for grades 6-12 held at CrossWoods Adventure Camp near Mason, Wisconsin. The program blends adventure activities like rock climbing, high ropes, mountain biking, canoeing, and swimming with daily Mass, adoration, Reconciliation, small group time, and inspirational speakers.
PULSE is the middle school youth group that gathers quarterly on Sunday evenings during the formation year at St. Mary School. Open to all students in grades 6-8 regardless of faith background, PULSE uses games, creative activities, and friendly competition to build a supportive peer community that bridges middle school into the high school years.
High School Discipleship Weekend is an annual fall retreat held at CrossWoods Adventure Camp for youth in grades 9-12. Built around Sacramental Encounter, Christian Community, and Intimate Prayer, it offers a focused setting for teens to explore a life of discipleship with their peers.
WorkCamp Mission Trip sends high school youth and adults on a week-long service trip each July through the CHWC organization. Participants serve in neglected and marginalized communities through physical labor, prayer, and the sacraments, living as disciples for the duration of the trip.
March for Life Pilgrimage takes high school youth to Washington, D.C. each January to join thousands of Catholics in the national march. The pilgrimage is structured around prayer, witness, and community.
Adult Formation
Adults at ICSP can grow in their faith through several ongoing programs.
The Rescue Project meets on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM in Corrigan Hall at Immaculate Conception Church. It is a multi-week adult formation experience designed to lead participants into a deeper encounter with the heart of the Gospel.
Living Joy Small Group is a women's small group study. Sessions meet Tuesday mornings at 10:00 AM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church, with periodic fall editions open for registration.
Reignite Men's Group gathers on Wednesday mornings at 5:30 AM in Corrigan Hall at Immaculate Conception Church. The early morning format is designed for working men who want to invest in their spiritual life before the workday begins.
In Christ Women's Group meets in multiple formats through the week. An evening gathering meets Thursday at 7:00 PM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church, and a morning gathering meets Friday at 9:30 AM in the same space. The group offers women a chance to study Scripture and share faith together.
OCIA Classes, beyond their role as preparation for the sacraments, are open to anyone who wants to brush up on Catholic teaching. The sessions are held Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church.
Rosary and Divine Chaplet are prayed together on Monday mornings at 9:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Wednesday morning rosary at 7:15 AM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception before the weekday Mass.
Parish Fellowship Around the Masses
Fellowship is built into the rhythm of the weekend at both churches. After the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass at Immaculate Conception, parishioners gather in Corrigan Hall for the Sunday Social, a chance to catch up over coffee and snacks before heading out. The Sunday Social follows the same format every week.
At St. Patrick, the fellowship offerings change through the month. SP Donut Sunday takes place on the first Sunday of the month at noon in Blarney Hall. The St. Patrick 3rd Sunday Brunch fills Blarney Hall on the third Sunday of the month at noon, with a full meal. The St. Patrick Women's Group also meets monthly in Blarney Hall.
Seasonal and one-off fellowship events are scheduled throughout the year, including the Apple Crisp Social, the St. Patrick Annual Fall Festival, and Parents' Night Out evenings in Corrigan Hall.
Ministry to Seniors and Those Who Are Homebound
The cluster maintains a visible ministry to older parishioners and to those who can no longer easily come to Mass. OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) meets on Thursday mornings at 8:30 AM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church, providing seniors with regular fellowship and programming.
Mass and Word and Communion services are celebrated at two local care facilities. Mass at the Health Care Center is celebrated on the first and third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM, alternating between a full Mass and a Word and Communion service. Mass at Deerfield follows a similar pattern on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. These visits bring the liturgy to residents who might otherwise be unable to attend.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to anyone facing illness or preparing for surgery, and can be brought to the home, the hospital, or any medical facility. The parish asks families to notify the office directly when a loved one is hospitalized, since HIPAA privacy rules prevent hospitals from sharing that information.
Catholic Services Appeal and Stewardship
Each year, the cluster participates in the Catholic Services Appeal of the Diocese of Superior, an annual diocesan appeal that supports programs across the diocese. Every dollar contributed to the appeal also helps offset the parish's yearly diocesan assessment, so the CSA serves both the wider Church and the local parish.
Within the cluster, the Stewardship Committee, the Council of Ministries, and the Evangelization Steering Committee meet regularly to plan the parish's gifts of time, talent, and treasure. The Stewardship Meeting gathers on Tuesday afternoons in Corrigan Hall at Immaculate Conception Church. The Evangelization Steering Committee meets on Thursday mornings in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church. The IC Council of Ministries meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 3:00 PM in Room 1 at Immaculate Conception Church.
Safe Environment
The safety of children is a stated priority of the cluster. In alignment with the Diocese of Superior and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the parish provides abuse-awareness training for students in grades K-12 and requires all adult employees and volunteers to complete the diocesan CMG Connect program before working with minors. The CMG Connect program includes Safe Environment Certification through online training, mandatory background checks, and renewal every five years. Trevor Swanson coordinates the program for the cluster.
Giving and Online Offerings
The cluster uses PushPay as its online giving platform, having migrated from the older Vanco system to take advantage of a mobile-friendly interface, integrated church management software, and easier event and campaign payments. Parishioners can give one-time or recurring gifts to either Immaculate Conception or St. Patrick, contribute to Holy Day collections on the major feasts of the liturgical year, and give to diocesan special collections such as the Retirement Fund for Religious, Catholic Communications, Peter's Pence, Catholic University of America, and the World Mission Sunday appeal. A dedicated St. Patrick Capital Campaign supports the needs of the country parish.
Weekly envelopes remain an option for those who prefer not to give online. Gifts can be made from checking or savings accounts and from major credit cards, with receipts delivered by email. The parish office is happy to help anyone set up a PushPay account.
St. Mary School
The cluster maintains a strong partnership with St. Mary School, a regional Catholic elementary school in New Richmond that serves the children of the parish and the broader community. During the school year, the Wednesday morning Mass at Immaculate Conception is celebrated at 9:45 AM so that SMS students can attend alongside parishioners, and the K-5th grade Wednesday evening formation occasionally meets at the school. The parish shares administrative and operational staff with the school, and the cluster describes the school as one of the cornerstones of faith and education in the region.
The Building, the Campus, and the Cemetery
Immaculate Conception Church, located at 151 S. Washington Ave, anchors the cluster with its downtown New Richmond location. The parish offices, the business office, Corrigan Hall (used for fellowship and formation), and Room 1 (used for small groups, OCIA, and committee meetings) are all part of the Immaculate Conception campus. St. Patrick Church, at 1880 County Road G in Erin Prairie, is a country parish surrounded by the farmlands of St. Croix County. Its Blarney Hall serves as the gathering space for its Sunday fellowship events and the monthly women's group meetings. The cluster also maintains a Catholic cemetery as part of its parish life ministry.
Clergy and Staff
The cluster is led by Father John Anderson, pastor of ICSP Catholic Communities. He is assisted by Deacon Mike Germain and Deacon Mel Riel. The Catholic Formation team includes Arlene Tenner, Interim Director of Catholic Formation; Kristin Dittman, Children's 3y-5th Grade Formation Coordinator; Trevor Swanson, Middle School Formation Coordinator; and Karen LaBossiere, High School Formation and Youth Discipleship Coordinator. The business office is led by Jessica Jackson, Business and Development Manager for ICSP and St. Mary School. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday and can be reached at 715-246-4652 or office@icspcatholic.com.
Pastoral Vision
The ICSP Catholic Communities describes itself as a collaborative partnership of two parishes that share a single pastoral vision. Through shared leadership, shared staff, and shared formation programs, Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick together provide a comprehensive range of spiritual services for their combined congregations and for the broader New Richmond community, including the rural Erin Prairie area. The cluster frames its mission as a model of unity and cooperation, with the goal of providing a solid foundation of faith, fellowship, and service that can address the evolving needs of a growing Catholic population in western Wisconsin.