Seek the one seeking you
Are you searching for a deeper relationship with God? Come and find Him in the Eucharist.
Be renewed. Be encouraged. Be found by the One seeking you.
Join us Corpus Christi weekend (June 20-22, 2025) for the Oshkosh Area Eucharistic Congress, held at St. Raphael Catholic Church and Lourdes Academy.
Sponsoring Catholic Parishes
Most Blessed Sacrament, Oshkosh
St. Jude the Apostle, Oshkosh
St. Mary, Omro
St. Mary, Winneconne
St. Raphael, Oshkosh
guest speakers
In addition to the speakers listed below, we look forward to hosting a panel of local community members who participated in the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
Jackie Parkes
emcee
Jackie grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, with her twin sister and parents. She was baptized and enrolled in Catholic school, but it was through her high school youth minister, a mission trip to Uganda, a deep encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist, and a lot of grace that her relationship with the Lord developed. In college at Indiana University, Jackie studied Secondary Math Education and Counseling, but it was her efforts in the Catholic community on campus that made her feel most fully alive.
After college, Jackie became a FOCUS Missionary, serving as Team Director at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point. In the summer of 2024, Jackie moved to Denver, Colorado, to continue her work with FOCUS as a Program Director for the North Area, providing support to the regional directors, missionaries, and students on campus.
Fr. michael thieL
friday evening talk: "Come to the Heart, come to the fire"
A native of Oshkosh (and you can bet your cheese curd he’s a Packer fan), Fr. Michael Thiel was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 25, 2016. He currently serves as the Parish Priest at St. Denis in Shiocton and St. Patrick in Stephensville, which is pretty cool.
Always down for caffeine and good conversation, you can find Fr. Michael engaged in lively discussion about life and discipleship. When he’s not on his fifth cup of coffee, you can find Fr. Michael adventuring around the Great Outdoors. Anything involving water, fire, or the mountains, and he’s there.
If you find yourself on the other side of a few of his homilies, you’ll come to know that the Eucharist, Confession, and Mary are three pillars of not just his preaching, but his own spiritual life.
fr. John girotti
saturday Mass celebrant & panelist
Fr. Girotti currently serves as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay. He was ordained a priest in 2002, has served at multiple parishes in the diocese, and has held several positions at the diocesan level. Fr. Girotti earned a master’s degree in theology, a bachelor’s degree in music, and holds a license in Canon Law.
Fr. Girotti became a priest because he loves introducing people to Jesus Christ. His hobbies include restoring vintage European automobiles and collecting vinyl records.
sara scheunemann
Saturday afternoon Talk: "Let the fire burn"
Sara Scheunemann, originally from West Bend, was raised in a faithful Christian home, where she learned at a young age to love Jesus, his Word, and his people. In 2016, her desire to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and her calling to belong entirely to him led her to seek full communion with the Catholic Church. Three years later, she was consecrated by Bishop Ricken as a virgin living in the world, a vocation of spousal love and commitment to Jesus Christ in ordinary life.
Prior to joining the St. Raphael staff, Sara served at the Oshkosh Newman Center, the John Wesley Honors College of Indiana Wesleyan University, and with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. You are most likely to find her before the Blessed Sacrament, walking in beautiful places, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Fr. ben pribbenow
sunday afternoon Talk
Fr. Ben Pribbenow was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay in July of 2023. He is the youngest of three children and grew up in Kimberly. Graduating from UW Madison in 2017, Fr. Ben is a Badger through and through. He only missed one home Badger football game while a student! Beyond sports, it was at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison that Fr. Ben met the Lord and discerned the call to the priesthood. Priestly formation brought him to Mundelein Seminary in Illinois and then to the North American College in Rome. He is currently the Associate Pastor at St. Raphael and Chaplain at Lourdes Academy.
Fr. Ben has a full life with many loves. He loves to visit his parents, siblings, and eight nieces and nephews who still live in Kimberly. He loves playing and watching almost any sport and has a passion for Specialty Coffee. And above all, Fr. Ben loves being a priest of Jesus Christ.
schedule
Corpus Christi Weekend 2025 at St. Raphael Catholic Church & Lourdes Academy
6:00 pm: Arrival at St. Raphael
6:30 pm: Eucharistic Adoration & Talk with Fr. Michael Thiel:
"Come to the Heart, Come to the Fire"
8:00 pm: Benediction & Closing Prayer
Social to follow at St. Raphael
9:00 am: Arrival and check-in at St. Raphael
9:30 am: Holy Mass with Fr. John Girotti, Vicar General for the Diocese of Green Bay, presiding
* Childcare (under age 5)
10:30 am: Panel with Participants from the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress
"Fire of Love: How the Eucharist Has Changed Our Lives"
* Childcare (under age 5) and kids' activities (age 5-12) offered during the panel
12:00 pm: Lunch / Confession available
1:00 pm: Eucharistic Adoration with Confessions & Talk with Sara Scheunemann -
"Let the Fire of Love Burn"
* Childcare (under age 5) and kids' activities (age 5-12) offered during Adoration
2:30 pm: Benediction & Closing Prayer
Eucharistic Processions depart from Most Blessed Sacrament - St. Peter's (2:20 pm),
St. Jude - Sacred Heart (2:40 pm), and St. Raphael (2:00 pm)
3:00 pm: Arrival at Lourdes Academy - Speaker Fr. Ben Pribbenow, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Benediction
Celebration Cookout to follow at Lourdes
Free Will Donations welcome
To help cover the costs of this Eucharistic Congress, we will be collecting a free will offering at the event (cash or checks payable to St. Raphael). You may also make an online donation here by selecting "Eucharistic Congress" from the dropdown list.
All are welcome, regardless of ability to contribute, but we thank you in advance for giving generously as you are able!
Thank you, and God bless you!
OAEC MISSION
To renew our Oshkosh, Omro, and Winneconne communities by enkindling a love for the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
OAEC Planning Team
Maria Grygleski, Chair, Most Blessed Sacrament
Natalie Carney, Lourdes Academy
Courtney Foster, St. Jude
Deacon Rick Hocking, Most Blessed Sacrament
Jolene Johnson, St. Mary, Omro & Winneconne
Sara Scheunemann, St. Raphael
Patty Volp, St. Mary, Omro & Winneconne
