Queen of Apostles Catholic Church on Capitol Drive in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is known as one of the area's largest houses of worship while retaining the close-knit character of a parish whose roots reach into the mid-1800s. Its three values, Humble Service, Steadfast Faith and Heartfelt Welcome, shape a Catholic life centered on Mass, formation from childhood through adulthood, liturgical music, sacramental preparation and service beyond the parish.
Two Pewaukee Congregations, One Parish
Before Queen of Apostles existed, Pewaukee's Catholic life was rooted in two mission congregations. Sts. Peter and Paul organized in 1848 and St. Mary in 1858. Sts. Peter and Paul built a small log church in 1859 and replaced it in 1875 with the brick church that remains on Duplainville Road. St. Mary dedicated a stone church on Wisconsin Avenue in 1868, then reconstructed it in 1887 to accommodate more parishioners. St. Mary's was incorporated in 1883, with Father Becker as its first pastor. Both historic churches are treasured parts of the community, and their cemeteries remain in use.
St. Mary broke ground for a school building in 1957, and first classes were held on September 3, 1958. Sts. Peter and Paul grew from 30 families in 1959 to more than 200 in 1968. The Archdiocese named Sts. Peter and Paul a parish, with Father Robert Huettl as its first pastor, and a larger church followed in 1970. Construction of the Parish Center, now called the Alberte Center in honor of St. Mary's former pastor Father Alberte, began in October 1992.
The two congregations came together to serve their faith community better and create more opportunities in ministry, outreach and stewardship. They joined as a prayerful community with common Catholic values and mission. On June 26, 1999, Archbishop Rembert Weakland, OSB, dedicated Queen of Apostles Catholic Church. The present church was built in 1999, giving the combined parish a common home after more than a century and a half of development.
The parish logo draws on traditional Marian and apostolic symbolism. Its central medallion includes a detail from the reverse of the Miraculous Medal, with the initial M intertwined with the Cross of the Savior. Twelve stars surround the medallion, recalling Our Lady's description in the Apocalypse of St. John and symbolizing both the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Apostles of the Lord.
Weekend Mass, Daily Mass and a Devotional Rhythm
Queen of Apostles Catholic Church is at N35W23360 Capitol Drive, Pewaukee. Weekend Mass is celebrated Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass is Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Worship has a distinctly liturgical shape. Lectors proclaim the Scripture and lead the Universal Prayer; altar servers assist the priest; greeters welcome people and distribute worship aids; ushers assist seating, the collection and the Communion procession; and Eucharistic ministers share the Body and Blood of Christ. Gift bearers, cantors, choir members and musicians also serve. The Environment Team changes the sanctuary and gathering space to mark the liturgical seasons.
Saturday Confession is offered from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., followed by Vespers at 4:15 p.m. The weekday pattern also includes a morning Rosary and Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration. Prayer and Worship Commission members study the parish's liturgical needs, plan celebrations for special seasons and feasts, and help recruit, train and form the people who serve at liturgies and other prayer services.
Mass intentions may be requested for deceased loved ones, people who are sick, birthdays or anniversaries, thanksgivings and prayer intentions that do not conflict with Church teaching. The parish follows Canon Law in setting limits and reserving Masses for the people, and requests that cannot be accommodated within twelve months may be forwarded to the Archdiocese or another approved organization.
Mass is also available through the parish's YouTube livestream, and financial support can be offered through WeShare Giving.
Choir, Cantors and Many Ways to Serve
Music ministry has several ways to participate. The youth and adult Choir sings at weekend liturgies and rehearses on Thursday evenings and one hour before Mass. Cantors proclaim the psalm through song, while musicians accompany the choir. The Handbell Choir plays at Christmas and Easter liturgies, and the Resurrection Choir sings at funerals as needed. Music reading experience and rehearsals are required for the handbell and instrumental roles.
The parish also welcomes people into Children's Liturgy of the Word, where youth and adult leaders guide a child-focused reflection on the day's readings. Communion Service Leaders bring Communion to churches, nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, while Communion Ministers assist at Mass. The Audio Visual team coordinates technology for worship, and trained sacristans prepare vessels, linens, candles and other materials.
Formation from K4 Through Adult Faith
The mission of Child and Youth Formation is to help children, youth and families grow in personal conversion to God, active membership in the Church and transformation of society. Queen of Apostles treats Christian formation as lifelong rather than a program with a beginning and end. Joshur Mazzone directs faith formation, with Kelly Farrell assisting, and financial assistance and volunteer discounts are available for program fees.
- Grades K4-5: Sunday morning classes meet from 9:10 to 10:20 a.m. with families, or Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:10 p.m. are mostly Zoom and include families.
- Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is centered in Grade 2, although it is open to older children and youth. Most preparation happens at home on the family's schedule, with retreats and celebrations added.
- Grades 6-8 meet Sundays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. twice a month, and Grades 9-11 meet at the same time twice a month. The program combines large-group teaching with small-group discussion and activities.
- Confirmation preparation is usually in Grade 11 and is also open to Grade 12, with monthly Sunday sessions. It includes a retreat, sponsor and candidate events, service experiences and documentation required by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Service is part of formation rather than an assignment limited to one year of religion class. Middle school students complete five hours of service annually, while high school students complete ten. Youth choose among service within liturgy, parish life and the community. Liturgical roles include greeter, usher, server, lector, cantor, choir member, instrumentalist, decorator and audio-visual technology. Middle school and high school students can also serve at Youth Masses.
Each middle and high school student is expected to complete one retreat each year through the parish. Mission trips, retreats and service experiences are integral to the high school program, and young people are encouraged to use their gifts in ways that serve people beyond the parish.
Lifelong Faith Formation offers more ways to learn and serve. Catholic Bible Study, book study, faith-sharing small groups and hospitality are recurring opportunities. Catechists are needed for K4-5, youth and small-group roles, and no prior teaching experience is required. The commission also assembles Advent and Lent care packages for college-age adults, welcomes families preparing for Baptism, and offers the FOCCUS couple program for engaged couples.
Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation
For families preparing for a child's Baptism, the parish offers a preparation session roughly every other month. A team of parishioners facilitates the session, which covers the Rite of Baptism and forming the child in the faith. The administrative assistant helps families begin the process and arrange a meeting with the pastor before the Baptism is scheduled.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation normally centers on Grade 2, with at-home preparation, retreats and family celebrations. Children who do not attend a Catholic school also register for grade-level formation. Families arriving from another parish may join Queen of Apostles or obtain a letter of permission from their pastor.
Confirmation is the final of the three Sacraments of Initiation, following Baptism and Eucharist. Its celebration includes the laying on of hands and anointing with Sacred Chrism, and it strengthens candidates for action in the Church and the world through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The minimum age in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is 16. Preparation includes classes, an overnight retreat, sponsor and candidate events, service experiences and Archdiocesan documentation.
Adults baptized Catholic who have received First Communion but not Confirmation may be candidates for Adult Confirmation, normally with a separate preparation process. The Archdiocese celebrates Adult Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday at the Cathedral with a bishop, although the sacrament may also be celebrated at the parish with the local pastor.
Becoming Catholic and Continuing the Journey
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults welcomes people who have never been baptized, were baptized in another Christian tradition, are baptized Catholic but have not received Eucharist and Confirmation, or have children in third grade or above who want to celebrate Baptism. Noncommittal instruction begins in September for non-baptized adults, adults returning to the Catholic faith and people seeking Confirmation. Candidates and sponsors are welcome, and Joshur Mazzone serves as ministry contact.
Service That Reaches Beyond the Parish
Queen of Apostles exists to proclaim the gospel by healing, consoling, educating, listening to and helping people in need. Service is organized in the Human Concerns Commission and reaches people in Pewaukee, Milwaukee and beyond through food, clothing, companionship, advocacy and hands-on work.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society serves people in the Pewaukee area in association with Waukesha County SVDP. Its work includes meeting with people in need and providing financial assistance, food and clothing. Parishioners also donate requested food to the St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program on the third Thursday of alternating months. Volunteers transport and serve prepared food at the South Side meal site in Milwaukee every other month.
The parish supports a Honduras mission through donated goods and volunteer work that packs, labels and counts boxes for shipment. The emphasis is on practical support carried out by parish members, from gathering supplies to preparing them for delivery.
Mercy Mats turns plastic shopping bags into plarn and crocheted sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers may make mats from home or gather at the parish on the second Monday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; no crocheting experience is required. The finished mats are distributed with the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary in Milwaukee.
Queen of Apostles has also supported Blessings in a Backpack, which provides food to children eligible for free or reduced-price lunches in Waukesha County schools. Although food now ships directly to schools, parish volunteers can help fill bags at a Waukesha storage unit. The Adopt-a-Highway team cleans the northern side of a two-mile section of Capitol Drive between Springdale Road and Highway 164 at least three times a year.
The parish Fish Fry is both a gathering and a service opportunity. Selected Friday fish fries are served dine-in or drive-thru from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., and volunteers help prepare, serve and clean up. The rotating schedule includes a menu of baked or fried fish and fried shrimp, with potatoes or potato pancakes, bread, coleslaw, sauce and dessert.
Other Human Concerns ministries meet concrete needs in different ways. Bereavement companions offer support to those grieving a loss; funeral ministers assist families, and volunteers provide food and luncheons after funerals. Home Outreach contacts homebound parishioners by phone or in person, while the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls for comfort. The St. Dismas Jail Ministry offers a spiritual approach to prisoners seeking to strengthen their relationship with God. Respect Life raises awareness of human life from conception to natural death, and The Band brings vocal music to area nursing homes and senior centers.
Four Commissions and an Open Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, and everyone is welcome to attend. Its work is supported by four commissions that connect worship, formation, concern for people and stewardship.
- Prayer and Worship Commission: second Tuesday, 4:00 p.m., Grellinger Hall
- Lifelong Faith Formation Commission: first Tuesday, 5:00 p.m., Grellinger Hall
- Human Concerns Commission: third Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Grellinger Hall
- Stewardship Commission: second Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Grellinger Hall
Stewardship is expressed through the words SEE, HEAR, ASK, RESPOND and ENGAGE. Its activities welcome new parishioners through phone calls, visits and seasonal gatherings; organize refreshments after selected Masses; and encourage fellowship through a parish picnic, trivia night, name-tag weekends, a men's golf league and parish fish fries. The Knights of Columbus offers men a place to put faith into action as leaders in their families and communities.
Humble Service, Steadfast Faith, Heartfelt Welcome
Queen of Apostles carries the history of two Pewaukee congregations into the church dedicated in 1999. Its identity is found in the combination of rooted Catholic tradition and active parish life: Mass and the sacraments at the center, formation that continues from childhood through adulthood, music shaped by many voices, and service that reaches beyond the parish. Humble Service, Steadfast Faith and Heartfelt Welcome remain the concise expression of that shared life at Queen of Apostles.