Music and Liturgy Staff
Immaculate Conception
Judy Wilsing |
My name is Judy Wilsing, and I have been the Music Director for Immaculate Conception Parish for the past 27 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lakeland College, K-8, and my first teaching positions were at St. Clement’s and SS. Cyril and Methodius’ Elementary Schools until their closings in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I was the Music Director at St. Clement Parish for 10 years, and am currently still employed as head organist and accompanist. I also directed the Holy Name Choir for 8 years prior to my current position at Immaculate Conception. I have enjoyed providing music for numerous community events and fund-raisers all my life. My daughter and son-in-law live in the Twin cities in Minnesota, and I treasure my visits with them.
Music and children are the two loves of my life, and I thank God every day that God created both! I have always enjoyed directing the amazing Immaculate Conception Choir, the CCA Girl’s Choir (the only one of its kind in the county!), the Children’s Choir, and most recently the Boy’s Choir. In addition, I work closely with our school, Christ Child Academy, in producing the school play and preparing students for school Masses and weekend liturgies each week. Each year, I enter our students in the Middle School Music Festivals, and am proud to say that for the past three years, all entries have been first-place blue ribbons! I also give private voice, piano, and organ instruction. Music helps us all envision God, and to that end, I strive every day to provide that vision to all the people I serve! I am a strong advocate of bringing children and families into the church. As Christ said, “Let the little children come unto me.” |
St. Peter Claver
Fredrick Strassburger |
My name is Frederick Strassburger and I have been the Director of Music and Liturgy at Saint Peter Claver since June of 2007. I graduated from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education in May of 1981. I then began teaching high school music at Saint Bede Academy in Peru, IL. In 1987 I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s degree in Music and Liturgy. Originally from Peoria, IL, I was a member of the Benedictine community of Saint Bede Abbey in Peru, IL from 1977-2007 before moving to Sheboygan. Besides my ministry at Saint Peter Claver, I am also a composer of two Mass settings published by Liturgical Press. I also directs the German Concordia Singers in Sheboygan and also sing with the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus. In addition I also tune pianos, and give private instruction in piano, organ, guitar and voice. Music has been a big part of my life from an early age and using music as a ministry to help people worship has always been a priority in my life. |
Rochelle Ross |
My name is Rochelle Ross, I have been involved in Liturgy at St. Peter Claver since I graduated from High School in 1973.
I am a lifelong member of St. Peter Claver. I received all of the sacraments here and I went to St. Peter Claver School. I come from a family of 5 brothers and 1 sister. I learned early on in life the importance of service from my mother who learned it from her mother, both of whom were lifelong members of the parish. I work full time at St. Nicholas Hospital. I starting working at the Hospital when I was 16 years old, which puts me in my 45th year of service. |
SS. Cyril & Methodius
|
My name is Monica Virant and I have been the Organist and Music Director at SS. Cyril & Methodius since 1978. By profession, I was a Physical Education Teacher with the Sheboygan Area School District for 32 years. I have a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Physical Education for the Handicapped from UW – La Crosse, a minor in Health Education from UW – Milwaukee, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Lakeland College. My music career was launched as a 4th grader at Holy Name Catholic School, (now St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), when I played Immaculate Mary for my first Perpetual Help Devotions. I played the organ at Holy Name Church as a Student Organist from 4th – 10th grade. I then played for the Adult Choir at St. Paul’s UCC in Sheboygan for a year or two. I came to SS. Cyril & Methodius in 1978 when our organist, Patrick Ziegenhorn left to play at St. Peter Claver Church and my Dad, who was a Choir member, volunteered my services as Organist. I’ve been here ever since!!! I enjoy working with our Adult and Funeral Choirs. I love serving God in a capacity I had never planned on. I believe that my music ministry is more a vocation rather than a job. As Sister used to say, “All for the Greater Honor and Glory of God!” |
Monica Virant