Parish Staff
Our parish staff are dedicated to the St. Matthias mission and its community, fostering a welcoming and supportive environment. To introduce our team better, here is an overview of our dedicated members.
Fr. Jerry Herda
Fr. Jerry’s primary mission is to lead his parishioners toward eternal life, often stating, "My job is to get you to heaven." At St. Matthias, he fosters a deeper connection with God by emphasizing the importance of prayer, the Mass, and active community engagement. Beyond the parish, he serves as the Chaplain for the Milwaukee Brewers and contributes his leadership to several organizational boards.
PastorAdministrative AssistantJodi Bowers
Jodi brings extensive administrative expertise to our team, having previously served as a parish administrative assistant and as the administrative assistant for the Vicar of Clergy at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. We have been fortunate to have her skills and experience on board since she joined us in October
Director of Administrative ServicesMonica Cardenas
As the Director of Administrative Services, Monica manages St. Matthias’s financial health, technological infrastructure, staffing, and facilities. She draws upon extensive leadership experience across the corporate and nonprofit sectors to ensure the parish's resources and grounds are expertly maintained
Director of Youth & Adult MinistriesBrian Jens
Brian brings a lifelong connection to St. Matthias, having grown up in the parish and graduated from our school. He is dedicated to helping individuals develop a personal and transformative relationship with Jesus Christ through a balanced focus on prayer, service, and spiritual formation.
St. Matthias School PrincipalTim Kasprzak
An alumnus of St. Matthias School, Tim brings years of dedicated experience as a Catholic school educator to his leadership role. He is passionate about fostering a faith-filled environment that nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—equipping students for a lifetime of leadership and service.
Director of Child FormationPeter Morello
Peter is dedicated to educating the children of our community and providing them with a solid foundation in their faith. His primary goal is to nurture their spiritual health and foster a lasting, personal relationship with Jesus, guiding them toward a lifelong journey of growth and salvation.
Director of Music & LiturgySam Skogstad
Driven by a passion for how music elevates our connection to Jesus, Sam serves as our Director of Liturgy and Music. A talented vocalist and pianist, he manages the adult choir, choristers, cantors, bell choir, and instrumentalists. In close collaboration with the Pastor, Sam plans and implements all parish worship to ensure 'full, conscious, and active participation' in the Mass and sacraments. Sam is dedicated to fostering a welcoming, reverent environment that aligns with the teachings of the Church
Administrative AssistantKathy Shields
After a successful career in physical therapy, Kathy felt a spiritual calling to serve our parish. Having discovered a profound sense of belonging here, she is now dedicated to helping others find that same connection. Today, Kathy plays a vital role in our community by supporting liturgical ministries, coordinating liturgical ministers—including readers, ushers, and servers—managing cemetery services, and parish office operations.
Financial ClerkMaureen Ocasio
Maureen ensures the financial health of our parish by managing day-to-day bookkeeping, tracking donations, and overseeing all transactions. By generating precise financial reports and maintaining strict regulatory compliance, she provides the essential foundation for our pastors and finance committees to make informed strategic decisions. Her dedication to transparency and accountability directly supports our church's mission and long-term stability.
Head of MaintenanceChris Wierzbinski
Chris ensures the parish buildings and grounds are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing for worship, events, and daily operations, managing everything from routine repairs (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and vendor coordination to budgets, safety compliance (fire, security), and overseeing staff/volunteers, all while supporting the Church's mission and upholding Catholic values