Meet Jerry and Julie Wildhaber: Giving Back in Stewardship to the Parish Community

When asked to share their favorite part of being involved at St. Mark’s, Jerry and Julie Wildhaber don’t hesitate to give a heartfelt answer.

“We love our parish and everyone in it,” Julie says. “It’s one big family.”

It’s because of their love for our Lord and our parish that the couple is involved in several ministries at St. Mark’s.

“You feel good being involved,” Julie says. “You are helping, and that’s what we are here for.”

Jerry and Julie were both raised as cradle Catholics, and they have practiced the Catholic faith all through their lives.

The couple moved to Denton in 2011 to be near their twin grandchildren. They initially began attending St. Mark’s for the 7 a.m. Sunday Mass and they loved the community they found here. Both Jerry and Julie have really enjoyed getting to know Fr. George. They feel blessed to have him as our Pastor, and they appreciate his caring and considerate personality.

Jerry and Julie spent many years helping care for their young grandchildren. However, when the twins went to kindergarten, Jerry and Julie knew it was time to get more involved at St. Mark’s. For the past five years, Jerry has led the Catholic Way Bible Study.

“I am a cradle Catholic, but I have really learned a lot in Bible study,” he says.

“Jerry is the teacher, and I’m more like the clean-up crew,” Julie adds.

Jerry is also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus through the various churches has attended over the years, including here at St. Mark’s.

For Julie, one ministry she really enjoys is counting the collection on Monday mornings with a group. She also helps with washing the altar linens.

“I enjoy that ministry because I really like to iron,” she says with a laugh.

Jerry and Julie Wildhaber

As a couple, they volunteer for the Welcome Committee. They call people who are new at St. Mark’s to welcome them and answer any questions. Each month, they also help with the Bread of Life Ministry by picking up excess food from local grocery stores and delivering it to organizations that help those in need. The couple had also been involved with the Religious Education program in prior years, and hope to volunteer again in the future.

Both Jerry and Julie are so thankful for the opportunity to be involved in all these ministries. They admit, when they were both working, it was hard to find the time to volunteer.

“After the twins went to kindergarten, we said, ‘Now we have the time — let’s give back,’” Julie says.

For the couple, there are so many beautiful and impactful aspects of the Catholic faith. But they each have something that is personally meaningful to their faith journeys.

“I just really care about little people, both the born and unborn,” Jerry says.

“I really love St. John Paul II,” Julie says. “I’m Polish and he reminds me of my grandpa.”

As Julie notes, she loves St. John Paul II’s message, “Be not afraid.”

As they continue to share their gifts with St. Mark’s, Jerry and Julie feel blessed by everyone around them.

“We have never belonged to a church that is so welcoming,” Jerry says.