Basilica of St. Josaphat

09/05/2026

Celebrating 125 years in true Basilica style! Our Evening of Celebration was a wonderful gathering of friends, parishioners and supporters who came together to honor the rich history, vibrant community and enduring legacy of the Basilica. We were delighted to welcome Milwaukee historian John Gurda, who shared stories of the “People’s Basilica,” and Mayor Cavalier Johnson presented a special proclamation declaring it Basilica of St. Josaphat Day.

The evening featured delicious homemade Polish, Mexican and Ukrainian treats, beautiful Basilica-inspired artwork, lovely music and, most of all, wonderful conversation. Here’s to 125 years!🥂

08/31/2026

The Kosciuszko Park pool, shown here in 1946, was built during the New Deal as part of a project by Works Progress Administration. Completed in 1941, the pool served the community over 50 years. The pool was replaced in 1997.

Kosciuszko Community Center

08/31/2026

"The world does not need an artificial intelligence that diminishes humanity; rather, it needs human intelligence enlightened by wisdom, political authority guided by conscience and technological innovation directed by charity. Only then will artificial intelligence become not a rival to humanity but a servant of the common good.”

Join us September 19 at Mary, Mother of God Parish - Chicago for a symposium reflecting on Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.

Featuring Joseph Vukov of The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, Rocco Sacconaghi of DePaul Catholic Studies, Sr. Damien Marie Savino, FSE of McGrath Institute for Church Life, and Kent Lasnoski of San Damiano College for the Trades.

Cosponsored with the National Center for the Laity, The Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological Union, Midwest Augustinians, and the ACTA Foundation.

MORE INFO HERE: https://www.stgregoryhall.org/magnificahumanitas.html

08/31/2026

Check out this great event from our friends at Catholic Church Tours and Chicago Catholic Artists including an organ demonstration at St. John Cantius Church and a tour of the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago!

https://www.catholicchurchtours.com/events/organ-art

08/27/2026

✨There’s still time to join us for the first of three First Friday Pilgrimages! ✨

Join us on Friday, September 4 for a special day of prayer, learning and Franciscan spirituality.

📍 9:30 AM | Basilica of St. Josaphat
Begin with a talk by one of our friars on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, followed by a docent-led tour of the Basilica.

Then, you’ll travel to St. Francis of Assisi Church (Vel R Phillips and Brown St) for Mass, lunch and a special presentation by a Capuchin friar on the Christology of St. Francis.

💰 $25 per person | 👉Reserve your spot at thebasilica.org/pilgrimage

Come spend time walking in the footsteps of St. Francis! 🙏

08/27/2026

A beautiful Mass and procession in honor of Our Lady of Częstochowa! 💙🤍

We were blessed to come together in prayer honoring Mary under her beloved Polish title and entrusting our families, parish, and community to her loving intercession. The procession was a beautiful expression of our Polish heritage.

May Our Lady of Częstochowa continue to guide us, protect us, and draw us ever closer to her Son. 🙏🏼✨

Mary, Queen of Poland, pray for us!

08/26/2026

Today we joyfully celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Częstochowa, Patroness of Poland and a beloved presence in the life of our parish and Polish Catholic community here at the Basilica of Saint Josaphat.

For generations, Polish families have turned to Our Lady of Częstochowa with faith, hope and trust. As a Polish church in the heart of Milwaukee, we venerate and continue that beautiful tradition by entrusting our parish, families and community to her loving intercession.

Join us tonight, Aug. 26th at 6 PM, for a special bilingual Mass in English and Polish honoring Our Lady of Częstochowa.

Following Mass, we will carry the image of Our Lady in a prayerful procession around the Basilica block. A reception with refreshments and brief talk from a member of our Polish community will follow. All are welcome!

Our Lady of Częstochowa, pray for us!🙏

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

Last night we had our last OCIA and Adult Confirmation Summer potluck to build community for those preparing to join our OCIA and Adult Confirmation program this fall and to keep building up community for those that were in OCIA this past year. Please continue to pray for those who were in OCIA this past year and for those who will be in our OCIA class this fall.🙏

08/17/2026

🎉 THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS TODAY! 🎉

We’re just 3 days away from Orientation Day! 💥

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ Doors open at 2:00 PM
📍 St. Josaphat Parish School

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED! Orientation Day counts as a school day, so we can’t wait to see everyone there! 📚❤️

Families will have two opportunities to attend our Family Presentation in the Gym:
➡️ 2:30 PM
➡️ 5:00 PM

Following the presentation, families will:
🏫 Visit classrooms
📚 Drop off school supplies
👩‍🏫 Meet their teachers
📸 Have student pictures taken in the library

📦 Ordered school supplies through Impacks? Your supplies will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom!

There’s lots more happening, too! Be sure to:
⚽ Sign up for sports
🎨 Sign up for clubs and activities
🎻 Register for instrumental lessons
🔥 Purchase your BLAZE DAY T-shirts
❤️ Shop for Spiritwear
🏀 Purchase gray gym T-shirts for Grades 4–8

📋 Need the school supply list or school calendar? You can find both on our website: sjpsmke.com

We are SO excited to welcome our students and families back to SJPS! 🎉🔥

See you Thursday! ❤️📚