Catholic Herald (9/23/2021)
When Appleton native Joseph Wittmann was a young boy, he developed a strong love for the liturgy. He learned the organ and played for daily Mass in grade school and on Sundays in high school. “I had a great organ teacher, Miss Pat VanAble.
My grandmother, Mildred, was a student of theology. We had countless conversations and debates from an early age until her death; she was a great support,” he said. “I have served three parishes as director of music in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: St. Leonard, Muskego; St. Rita, West Allis; and Old St. Mary, Milwaukee, as well as St. Bernadette in Appleton”
While serving on the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, Dean Daniels invited Wittmann to chair the committee that created the document for then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan for the construction and renovation of churches in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
“Once the document was completed, the archbishop said to me, ‘You get this stuff. I need your help,’” he said. “I then enrolled in the two-year post-graduate program, the Institute for Liturgical Design Consultants, at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. I have been helping ever since.”
In his current role as a liturgical consultant, Wittmann guides parishes through the comprehensive process of building or renovating churches, chapels and other sacred spaces. He believes that for a church to be functional, it must first be beautiful, which happens when the parish community and architectural professionals share a similar vision.
“Each parish church is a unique expression of the Universal Church and the local community, a living church. I tell parishes that are undertaking this process that first and foremost, this planning process is an act of worship and the building of community,” he said. “The reality of the outcome of the project is already in front of them; I am just there to help them realize that. Together we create a vision, and I assist them in identifying the many artists and trades professionals that can best help them best realize their vision.”
One of his most comprehensive projects was Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon, where he assisted in merging two congregations and creating space to accommodate everyone. The initial plans were not coming together, so they shared their vision and situation with Wittmann. After reviewing the plans, he told them the altar was in the wrong place.
“The altar needs to be the center of the life of the parish,” he said. “The worship space was too dark and not befitting a parish named after the Light of Christ. The entire campus has since been transformed and now makes sense.”
Wittmann has helped more than 30 parishes in the Wisconsin Province.
< Back to Awards & Testimonials
My grandmother, Mildred, was a student of theology. We had countless conversations and debates from an early age until her death; she was a great support,” he said. “I have served three parishes as director of music in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: St. Leonard, Muskego; St. Rita, West Allis; and Old St. Mary, Milwaukee, as well as St. Bernadette in Appleton”
While serving on the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission, Dean Daniels invited Wittmann to chair the committee that created the document for then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan for the construction and renovation of churches in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
“Once the document was completed, the archbishop said to me, ‘You get this stuff. I need your help,’” he said. “I then enrolled in the two-year post-graduate program, the Institute for Liturgical Design Consultants, at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. I have been helping ever since.”
In his current role as a liturgical consultant, Wittmann guides parishes through the comprehensive process of building or renovating churches, chapels and other sacred spaces. He believes that for a church to be functional, it must first be beautiful, which happens when the parish community and architectural professionals share a similar vision.
“Each parish church is a unique expression of the Universal Church and the local community, a living church. I tell parishes that are undertaking this process that first and foremost, this planning process is an act of worship and the building of community,” he said. “The reality of the outcome of the project is already in front of them; I am just there to help them realize that. Together we create a vision, and I assist them in identifying the many artists and trades professionals that can best help them best realize their vision.”
One of his most comprehensive projects was Lumen Christi Parish in Mequon, where he assisted in merging two congregations and creating space to accommodate everyone. The initial plans were not coming together, so they shared their vision and situation with Wittmann. After reviewing the plans, he told them the altar was in the wrong place.
“The altar needs to be the center of the life of the parish,” he said. “The worship space was too dark and not befitting a parish named after the Light of Christ. The entire campus has since been transformed and now makes sense.”
Wittmann has helped more than 30 parishes in the Wisconsin Province.
< Back to Awards & Testimonials