Fr. Nick Baumgardner-Parish Administrator
Fr. Nick was ordained a priest in May 2019 by Archbishop Jerome Listecki. After serving for three years as Associate Pastor at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hartland, Fr. Nick was appointed Administrator of St. Joseph Parish in June 2022.
Fr. Nick was born and raised in Greendale and is the second youngest of seven children. He attended St. Alphonsus Grade School and Pius XI High School before going on to UW-Madison to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. Although he thought about being a priest from a very young age, it wasn’t until he was a student at Madison that he seriously discerned his calling.
Through his involvement at the St. Paul Catholic Student Center in Madison, and Catholic Youth Expeditions in Door County, he made the decision to leave Madison and enter seminary. He did his philosophy studies at Loyola University Chicago and his theology studies at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee.
Fr. Nick loves being a priest. He especially loves preaching, celebrating the Sacraments, spending time in the classrooms, and accompanying those who are most in need of God’s mercy. He is eager to get to know you and help you grow in your relationship with Christ and His Church.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 103 / nbaumgardner@stjosephgrafton.org Al Lazaga-Deacon
Al and his wife Raquel (Rocki) joined St. Joseph parish early in 1978 with their two daughters, Rachel and Debbie. After encouragement from the parish, Al started in the Diaconate program for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1987 and was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1992. Six months after ordination, his employment took him first to the Philadelphia area for four years and then to southwest Michigan for the following 14 years. He continued his diaconal responsibilities in those locations. After his retirement from the business world, Al and Rocki decided to return to the area they so love, returning to St. Joseph Parish in 2009.
As part of his ministry, Al visits those in the county jail and spends time with their families. He also visits those in hospitals and nursing homes who need his presence. Al is also the director of the continuing clergy formation program for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Scott Wiese-Deacon, Director of Administration
Scott was ordained a deacon on September 8, 2012 by Archbishop Jerome Listecki. As a deacon, Scott assists and preaches at Mass, witnesses marriages, conducts baptisms, and presides at funerals and other prayer services. He is a member of the Human Concerns committee and the ministers of care at the parish. Scott and his wife Jenny help engaged couples prepare for marriage through the FOCCUS pre-marital inventory process and Archdiocesan Engaged Enrichment programs. They also coordinate the FOCCUS program for the parish.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting in 1985 from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin and is a CPA. He is currently the controller for a manufacturing company in Milwaukee.
Scott and Jenny became members of St. Joseph Parish shortly after their marriage in 1985. They moved out of state in 1992, but joined the Parish again upon their return to the area in 1998. They live in Grafton and have two adult children, Ben and Emilee.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 102 / swiese@stjosephgrafton.org Sheri Hanson-Pastoral Associate
Sheri is the Pastoral Associate. She joined the Parish Staff in July 2013. She is responsible for organizing and implementing the Child and Youth Ministry classes, K4 – 11th graders’ sacramental preparation (Baptism, 1st Communion, 1st Reconciliation, and Confirmation), retreats, community outreach activities including Workcamp, and Vacation Bible School.
Sheri has a B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Scranton, a M.A in Christian Doctrine from Marquette University, a M.S. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a certificate in Elementary and Middle School Education from Marquette University. Prior to working at St. Joseph Parish, Sheri conducted research on the cognitive development of young children, organized community events for a small town in North Carolina, and worked (and volunteered) at non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations. Sheri also volunteered as a catechist for many years at churches in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and, most recently, here at St. Joseph.
Sheri and her husband, Bob Wheeler, have been members of St. Joseph Parish since they moved to Wisconsin in June 2010. They have two daughters, both of whom attend our Christian Formation classes.
Bill joined the parish staff in May 2023 as the Director of Liturgy and Music. In his role he is responsible for guiding and inspiring all who come to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to pray to Our Lord through music.
William was raised in the Archdiocese of Chicago, where he found his passion to play the organ, and the appreciation for the sacred liturgy.
William studied the Liturgy at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame (IN). Prior to joining St. Joseph Parish, William worked and subbed at parishes in Wisconsin as well as Illinois. He hopes that together we can draw closer to God and become more aware of His love within us and our responsibility of sharing that love with others in communion
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 106 / wstevens@stjosephgrafton.org Madonne Rauch-Director of Stewardship and Parish Bookeeper
Madonne joined the pastoral staff in August, 2020 as Director of Stewardship and Bookkeeper. Her position is to provide financial record keeping for the Parish and serving the parish by cultivating and growing the resources of the parish, promoting habits of good stewardship and communication among the parishioners, parish leadership, and parish administration.
Madonne is also on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and is Deanery Representative for Ozaukee/Milwaukee. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s, Madonne worked as a Sales and Marketing Analyst for over 22 years with a global manufacturer of motors.
Madonne has two adult sons, Shane and Jon and three beautiful grandchildren, Anthony, Nathan and Sloane.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 122 / mrauch@stjosephgrafton.org Amanda Matthews-Grade School Principal
Amanda became the Principal of St. Joseph Parish School in 2018. Before becoming Principal, she was a St. Joseph Parish School teacher for fourteen years, teaching 3rd and then 4th grade. She has been a St. Joseph Parish member since 2003 when she moved to Grafton with her husband, Greg. Amanda received her Elementary Education degree from the University of Milwaukee in 2003.
Additionally, Amanda holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction from Cardinal Stritch University. Amanda enjoys reading, cycling, and traveling with her three beautiful children, Grant, Aidan, and Isabelle.
Contact: 262-375-6505 / amatthews@stjosephgrafton.org
Sue Henke – School Secretary
Sue and her husband, Dan, have been parish members since 1988. They have two children, Ryan and Melissa, who graduated from St. Joseph Parish School.
Contact: 262-375-6505, ext 150 / schooloffice@stjosephgrafton.org John Knetzger-Associate Director of Formation
John joined the parish staff in September 2021 in the new role of Associate DIrector of Formation. He is responsible for helping Sheri Hanson organize and implement formation for 4K-11th grades.
John holds a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Norbert College and a Master of Music degree from Boston University. A former music educator and music minister, his most recent vocation was as an at-home dad.
John met his wife Sara in the parish choir and they were married here at St. Joseph’s in 2009. They live in Grafton with their three elementary schoolers.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 104 / jknetzger@stjosephgrafton.org
Becky Meyer—Christian Formation Administrative Assistant
Becky has been a life-long member of St. Joseph Parish and a graduate of St. Joseph Parish School. She and her husband, Phil, have 3 children who also currently attend St. Joseph Parish School.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 120 / cfoffice@stjosephgrafton.org
Bonnie Reineking-Communications Coordinator
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 121 / breineking@stjosephgrafton.org Barb Newton-Parish Secretary
Barb joined the Parish’s support staff as the Parish Secretary in April 2006. Her position has responsibility for maintaining parish membership records and preparing the weekly bulletin, along with many other duties. She is often times the first face and voice of the parish. Barb came to St. Joseph Parish with over 25 years of secretarial experience, 15 years with Wisconsin Electric Power Company and 10 years with the Grafton School District.
Barb and her husband, Jim, have been parishioners of St. Joseph Parish since 1980.
Contact: 262-375-6500, ext 100 / parish@stjosephgrafton.org
Ryan Dreikosen-Maintenance
Ryan Dreikosen has been the Head of Maintenance for the parish since May 2002. He is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the parish facilities and equipment. Ryan oversees the work of outside contractors who perform maintenance or repairs to all equipment. He is also the person behind most of the set-ups for meetings and events at the parish.
Prior to this position at the parish, Ryan worked in the printing industry. He was born and raised in Grafton and is a long time member of St. Joseph Parish.
Contact: 262-375-6500 / rdreikosen@stjosephgrafton.org