News

Cathedral project to honor retired bishop

Place to gather What: Bishop Wycislo Center Who: Bp. Aloysius Wycislo served as Green Bay's bishop from 1968 to 1983. He has lived in retirement on the diocesan campus and continues to minister, speak and write. Where: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay. The 11,000-square-foot addition will include a gathering space and museum. Cost: $1.95 million. Information: Cathedral office, 139 S. Madison St., Green Bay WI 54301; phone (920)432-4348. Checks made out to the Bishop Wycislo Center can be sent to that address.

Catholics around the Green Bay Diocese are being invited to honor a former bishop by helping fund an 11,000-square-foot addition to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral -- the parish church of the diocese.

The two-level Bishop Wycislo Center, to be built on the cathedral's north side, will include a gathering space and a museum, said James Schmitt, project committee co-chairperson.

The upper level will house gathering space for diocesan, parish and educational events and a serving kitchen. When used for banquets, it will seat 232 people.

The lower level will house a state-of-the-art museum for diocesan religious and historical artifacts, Schmitt said.

The estimated cost of the project is $1.95 million. Around $900,000 or 48% of that has been received or pledged. When donations total 75%, ground will be broken, said Schmitt, who hopes that will happen next spring.

Because the Cathedral is "the parish church of the diocese," the committee is inviting people from throughout the diocese to contribute to the project, said Msgr. Roy Klister, rector and pastor.

The cathedral is where "we gather for principal events in the sacramental life of the church of Green Bay" -- ordinations, installations in ministries, the blessing of holy oils and anniversaries, Msgr. Klister said.

Until now there has been no real gathering space. Priests vesting for events such as ordinations or the annual Chrism Mass during Holy Week have had to do so at neighboring churches or buildings. Nor has there been a place for receptions afterwards.

The museum, he said, "provides a means of preserving our cultural heritage by way of having a place to display artifacts." It can also "serve as an educational instrument for the people and youth of the diocese."

The present museum, in the cathedral basement, is available for tours, but many major artifacts are in storage, Schmitt said.

William Calawerts, project committee treasurer, pointed out that with parish closings and the priest shortage, "we lay people have to do something to perpetuate or keep the church going." The museum "is one way. There's a lot of history there, a lot of meaning."

He and James Baenen, building and grounds committee co-chairperson, said the center's name will recognize Bp. Wycislo's "legacy" to the diocese. "He is so well liked throughout the diocese," noted Baenen.

Martinson Architects of Green Bay said the addition will compliment the cathedral's architectural details.

The center will be accessible to persons with disabling conditions. It will include a carport, a covered walkway into the church and a new elevator.

Two garages next to the cathedral will be torn down to make way for the addition. The adjacent parking lot will have more handicapped parking stalls.

The cathedral was completed in 1881. The last major renovation was in 1957.