News & Notes
St. Norbert Abbey news from the past year
Obituary: Father Kenneth J. De Groot, O. Praem.
May 21, 2026 – Fr. Kenneth Jerome Jude De Groot, O. Praem., 91, a priest of St. Norbert Abbey, has gone to his rest in the peace of Jesus Christ; he died peacefully on Thursday, May 21st – the eve of his birthday – at the abbey.
Fr. Ken was born on May 22, 1935 in Green Bay, WI to Raymond & Josephine (Beemster) De Groot, and baptized “Jerome Jude”. He was the oldest of seven boys. The family’s home parish is Holy Cross in Bay Settlement. He attended Annunciation Grade School, and Central Catholic High school, graduating in 1953 as salutatorian of the class.
Following high school, he entered St. Norbert Abbey on August 28, 1953. He was inspired by his father’s aspirations, the example of his mother and of several religious aunts and uncles, and his Norbertine high school teachers. He professed Solemn Vows in 1958 and was ordained to the Priesthood 65 years ago, on May 23, 1961.
He was graduated as valedictorian of his class from St. Norbert College with a B.A. in Philosophy. He also received an M.S. degree in Mathematics Education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, and an M.S. degree in Religious Education from Fordham University in New York.
Fr. Ken’s ministry began as a teacher at Abbot Pennings High School (1959-1978). Besides teaching math and religion, he also was very involved in the athletics program, serving on the state board for private high school athletics. He was also athletic director and coach for the freshman football and basketball teams.
In 1978 he was named pastor of St. Louis Parish in Dyckesville. In 1980 he became pastor of St. Willebrord Parish in Green Bay, where he ministered to a diversity of people for the next 31 years. He developed many lay ministries and a diverse staff to serve the various needs of his parishioners.
In 1991 he began the first parish ministry for Spanish-speaking Catholics in the Green Bay Diocese. He worked closely with Fr. Harvey Toonen, O. Praem., the Diocese of Green Bay, and parishioners to welcome the then-small community of Spanish-speaking Catholics to celebrate Mass weekly at St. Willebrord Parish. Knowing that the only way to pastorally care for the new parishioners was by knowing their language and culture, Fr. Ken went to Mexico three times to be immersed in culture and language studies. The one weekend Mass soon evolved into four Spanish Masses every weekend.
After retiring in 2011, Fr. Ken co-founded Casa ALBA Melanie Hispanic Community Resource Center of Green Bay, with Sister Melanie Maczka and several Latino leaders, to develop ways to meet the varied needs of the growing population, and to nurture the talents and contributions of Latinos in northeast Wisconsin. After ten years of working to establish the center, as well as encouraging the leadership of the staff, he retired from Casa Alba in 2022. He continued for several years to celebrate Masses in Spanish at St. Anne Parish in Coleman and SS. Peter & Paul Parish in Institute.
In 2024 Fr. Ken, along with Sr. Melanie, was awarded an honorary doctorate from St. Norbert College for the many years of service and ministry among the Hispanic population in this area. Fr. Ken was very proud of this honor bestowed upon him by the college.
Fr. Ken is survived by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Tom (Eleanor), Bill (Trudy), Fred (Elaine), Mike (Judy) as well as sister-in-law, Della; many nieces and nephews; cousins; and his dear friend and co-worker in the vineyard, Sister Melanie Maczka, HMIED.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Dan (Darlene) and John.
The Reception of the Body and Visitation will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at St. Willebrord Church, 209 S. Adams Street, Green Bay. A Memorial Mass will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Fr. Andy Cribben, O. Praem. presiding and serving as homilist.
Reception of the Body and “Morning Prayer for Those Who have Died” will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29 at St. Norbert Abbey, with Visitation following in the Chapter Room until 10:15 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial, expressing our faith and hope in the promised glory of the Lord’s Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Abbot Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., presiding, and Deacon Luis Sanchez serving as homilist.
Burial will be in St. Norbert Abbey Cemetery following the Mass.
The Norbertine Community would like to thank the nurses at St. Norbert Abbey, the Staff of Unity Hospice, Sister Melanie and all those who cared for Fr. De Groot.
Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the Norbertine Community.
Fr. Shillcox appointed as prior of St. Norbert Abbey
FEBRUARY 9, 2026 – The Rt. Rev. Bradley Vanden Branden, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, has announced the appointment of Fr. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem., as Prior of St. Norbert Abbey, effective on February 10, 2026.
The role of Prior is that of a religious superior and vicar of the Abbot. ln the absence of the Abbot, he functions with full authority. The Prior’s position is primarily pastoral in nature, reaching out to those who serve and live within the Norbertine context and ministering to them on a one-to-one basis. He also represents the Abbot and Norbertine Community at religious and civic events, meetings and celebrations.
“I welcome the opportunity to offer pastoral care to the Norbertine Community and to support Abbot Bradley,” said Fr. Shillcox.
Fr. Shillcox, son of Wayne and Germaine (Siebers) Shillcox, was born and raised in Appleton, where he was a member of St. Pius X Parish.
He is a graduate of Appleton West High School (1972) and Lawrence University (1976). Fr. Shillcox earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and a M. Div. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1987.
Fr. Shillcox spent 10 years teaching art and religion at Premontre / Notre Dame High School. He then served as a parish priest for 30 years within the Diocese of Green Bay at St. Agnes in Green Bay, Holy Cross in Bay Settlement, Our Lady of Lourdes in De Pere, Resurrection in Allouez, and St. Rose in Clintonville / St. Mary’s in Bear Creek.
For the past four years. Fr. Shillcox has served as the Director of Formation at St. Norbert Abbey. He will continue in that role as well.
Fr. Shillcox succeeds Abbot Vanden Branden as Prior. Abbot Vanden Branden served as Prior from 2018 until last month, when he was elected Abbot. Abbot Vanden Branden, who turned 39 earlier this month, is the youngest Abbot in the Abbey’s 133-year history, and he is the first member of the community to serve as Prior and then become Abbot.
Vanden Branden elected as abbot of St. Norbert Abbey
JANUARY 15, 2026 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey elected the Very Rev. Bradley R. Vanden Branden, O. Praem., as the eighth abbot in its 133-year history. Abbot Vanden Branden was elected this afternoon for a term of nine years and begins his term immediately.
A total of 34 priests, brothers and men in formation are attached to St. Norbert Abbey, whose members can be found in houses in De Pere, Wis., and Chicago, Ill.
Abbot Vanden Branden succeeds Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem., who recently reached his retirement age after nearly eight years as abbot. Shortly after the election concluded, Abbot Vanden Branden received his mozzetta (abbatial cape) and pectoral cross, which has been worn by every abbot at St. Norbert Abbey since 1955. Abbot Vanden Branden also placed his hand on the Book of Gospels and read the Oath of Fidelity and the Profession of Faith.
Born in Green Bay, Wis., in 1987, Abbot Vanden Branden, 38, is the youngest Abbot elected in the history of St. Norbert Abbey. His family includes his parents, Tom and Joan Vanden Branden, and a sister, Kally Verheyen, and her husband, Cody, and their daughters.
Abbot Vanden Branden is a graduate of West De Pere High School and pursued undergraduate studies in Music Education at St. Norbert College. His theological training took place at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Theology (Liturgy).
Abbot Vanden Branden was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.
His assignments included:
* Chaplain at Notre Dame Academy (2016-2018).
* Prior at St. Norbert Abbey (2018-2026).
* Director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality (2024-present).
In preparation for the abbatial blessing Mass in April at St. Norbert Abbey Church, a coat of arms will be developed by Abbot Vanden Branden. At the Mass, the Bishop will confer on him his miter, crozier and ring, symbols of authority and service.
The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey is part of a worldwide Norbertine Order founded in 1121 by Norbert of Xanten. In addition to daily Mass, morning prayer (Lauds) and evening prayer (Vespers) at St. Norbert Abbey Church, the local Norbertines have a presence at eight apostolate schools and parishes, including: St. Norbert College (De Pere), Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic School (Green Bay), St. Willebrord Catholic Church (Green Bay), St. Norbert College Parish (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic Church (Green Bay), and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (De Pere).
The National Shrine of St. Joseph, on the St. Norbert College campus in De Pere, has been a ministry of the Norbertine Community since 1898. And the Norbertine Center for Spirituality is located at St. Norbert Abbey.
In 1893, Fr. Bernard Pennings, O. Praem., and two fellow Norbertines left Berne Abbey in Holland for a cross-Atlantic journey to the Door Peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin. Led by Fr. Pennings, the Norbertine group took up pastoral work with immigrants from Belgium, Holland and France who had settled in Wisconsin’s peninsula.
Over time, the religious community and its impact grew, and on Feb. 10, 1925, St. Norbert Priory in De Pere received approval from Pope Pius XI to become St. Norbert Abbey. The Norbertine Community is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary of abbey status.
The list of previous abbots at St. Norbert Abbey include, in chronological order, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem. (1925-1955), Abbot Sylvester Killeen, O. Praem. (1955-1970), Abbot Jerome Tremel (1970-1982), Abbot Benjamin Mackin, O. Praem. (1982-1994), Abbot Thomas De Wane, O. Praem. (1994-2003), Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem. (2003-2018), and Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. (2018-2026).
The mission of the Norbertine Community is: “We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditions of Saints Norbert and Augustine. We live a common life ‘one in mind and heart on the way to God’ through celebration of the Eucharist, liturgical prayer and service to the People of God.”.
Norbertines donate $100,000 to Aspiro
JANUARY 8, 2026 – The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey donated $100,000 to Green Bay-based Aspiro. Joining Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. for the check presentation were Nicole Hoffmann, Aspiro Vice President of Development, and Ryan Ruzziconi, Aspiro President.
Aspiro serves over 1,400 individuals and their families, from birth through their senior years, in the Green Bay area. Aspiro’s mission is to “create opportunities for people experiencing disabilities to live their best lives by reaching their goals, connecting to their community, and achieving their independence.”
The Norbertines’ support of Aspiro is part of a special initiative celebrating the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Norbertine Order in France by St. Norbert of Xanten in 1121.
Starting in 2021 and continuing for a total of nine years, annual jubilee grants for $100,000 are being awarded by the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey through its Augustine Stewardship Fund. The fund provides grants locally and internationally to non-profit organizations to assist those in need.
Previous jubilee grants were presented to:
* 2021: Jahara Mission Elementary School in India
* 2022: Habitat for Humanity
* 2023: Four local food pantries – Community Pantry of Pulaski, Christian Outreach Food Pantry, Hope Center Pantry, and Manna for Life Ministries
* 2024: N.E.W. Community Clinic
* 2025: Freedom House
To learn more about the positive impact Aspiro makes throughout our community, please visit aspiroinc.org.
Fraters Profess Simple Vows
AUGUST 28, 2025 – During the celebration of the Solemnity of St. Augustine, the Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey joined with gathered family members and friends to witness the Profession of Simple Vows of Frater Thomas Madden, O. Praem. (left) and Frater Gabriel McNally, O. Praem. (right) with Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. Having completed their two-year novitiates, Frater Thomas and Frater Gabriel professed Simple Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for a period of three years.
