Fox Valley Catholic Bible Study Group

(A Brief History)

Fifty years ago, eight individuals, fresh from a retreat at Monte Alverno and hearing scripture explained to them for the first time, decided they wanted more. This was the beginning of “The Friday Morning Bible Study” with Fr. Bill Alcuin as its facilitator. When Fr. Alcuin was transferred, the group moved to St. Bernard’s, where Fr. Janssen took over for the next 17 years. Following his death, our group transferred to St. Pius X, and now St. Bernadette, where Fr. Don Zuleger had presided for the last 27 years. Due to his retirement, we are now extremely fortunate to have Fr. Joseph Dorner as our facilitator.

From the beginning, Fr. Alcuin’s theme for the group was “To establish the Kingdom of Heaven in the Fox Valley”. A number of members took his message to heart. From this group has sprung the following service organizations:

St. Joseph’s Food Pantry (Provides food for 550+ recipients daily)

Tom Schiltz and Jim Asmuth

Loaves and Fishes (Financial assistance for food)

Carol Burns

Hortonville Community Food Pantry (Food assistance for the poor)

Bob Harper

Pioneer Village & Pioneer Haven (Elderly assisted care for the needy)

Tom Wolf

LEAVEN (Financial assistance & housing)

Fr. Udulutsch and Tom Schiltz

FISC (free financial assistance to the needy)

Tom Wolf Dan Jansen

COTS (community shelter for the homeless)

Fr. Orville Janssen & Lee Benjamin

Fox Valley Homeless Center (Churches caring for the homeless)

Don & Carol Stoegbauer

Casa Clare (home for women in need)

Claire Kiepke

Widows of Prayer (Assistance for recently widowed women)

Mary Reardon

Appleton Youth Mentoring Program

Deacon Rick Simon

Parish Vitality Initiative

Arthur Schmidt & Jim Hyde

Thanksgiving Shepherds Fund Drive

Jim Hyde – LEAVEN – COTS – Riverview Gardens – Loaves & Fishes

What was once over 270 members, but due to Covid our group has shrunk appreciably. Our new challenge is what can we do to bring those numbers back. We have a great facilitator! Donuts and coffee are free. Can you help us spread the word?