Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Christopher Check to speak about the historic
Battle of Lepanto
at St. Therese Church, Kenosha
Tuesday Oct. 6, 7pm

Christopher Check, who since 2015 has served as President of Catholic Answers, the largest lay-run Catholic apologetics and evangelization organization America, will speak on the historic Battle of Lepanto, at St. Therese Church, 2020 91^st St., Kenosha on Tuesday, October 6 at 7pm. This date is significant: it is the eve of the date of the actual battle. He will finish his talk with a recitation of G.K. Chesterton’s magnificent poem, Lepanto.
 
On October 7, 1571, the most important sea battle in history was fought near the mouth of what is today called the Gulf of Patras, then the Gulf of Lepanto (off the coast of Greece). The war galleys of the Catholic Holy League confronted those of the Ottoman Turks, rowed by tens of thousands of Christian galley slaves. Although the battle decided the future of Europe, few Europeans, and even fewer European Americans, know the story much less how close Western Europe came to suffering an Islamic conquest.
 
On October 7, 1911, the celebrated author G.K. Chesterton honored the battle with the greatest ballad of the 20th Century. He wrote it while the postman impatiently waited for the copy. It remained popular for years. John Buchan, wrote to Chesterton in 1915 from the trenches in France during World War I: “We shouted your Lepanto to one another today....” Little wonder the poem’s stirring images inspired soldiers locked in a struggle for the soul of Europe. The ballad is no less inspiring today and is more timely than ever as the West faces the growing threat of Islam. 
 
Chesterton’s celebration of this signal moment in history is a needed reminder that Europe without Christ is emptied of meaning, and that Islam is an age-old enemy of the West. As the political and religious conflicts of 16th-Century Europe were imperiling civil harmony and national security, the Turk was threatening to devour Christendom. It took the daring leadership of Don Juan of Austria, the deep faith of Pope St. Pius V, and the intervention of the Blessed Virgin to save it.
 
Chris’ background: After graduating in 1987 with a degree in English Literature from Rice University, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After serving in various exercises and deployments throughout the world, he was promoted to Captain in March, 1992. His decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and The National Defense Medal. 
     Following service in the Marine Corps, Chris served for two decades as Executive Vice President of the Rockford Institute in Rockford, Illinois. Chris’s writings have appeared in, among others, Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture, Catholic Answers Magazine, Touchstone, The Wanderer, Angelus, New Oxford Review, Gilbert, Culture Wars, and the Chicago Tribune. Since 2015 he has served as President of Catholic Answers.
     Chris has addressed audiences at home and abroad including the University of London, the Pontifical Augustinian University in Rome, the Serbian Writers Union in Belgrade, the National Press Club, the American Chesterton Society, Legatus, Catholic Citizens of Illinois, Saint Michael's Abbey, Silverado, California, Saint Gregory's Academy, St. Martin’s Academy, Benedictine College, The Institute for Catholic Culture, The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Ave Maria University, Argument of the Month Club, and the Irish Rose Saloon in Rockford, Illinois. 
     He is the creator and voice of The Lepanto Lectures, a series of audio recordings on glorious and tragic events in Church history about which Fr. Peter Stravinskas declared: “Christopher Check has performed a valuable service in providing historically reliable information on certain neuralgic topics, often used to discredit the Church. Each lecture is presented in an engaging style and full of facts geared to make an intelligent response to various ‘black legends.’ I recommend these talks most enthusiastically.”
     With William Fahey, Dan Kerr, Dale Ahlquist, and Joseph Pearce, Chris is one of the five Prairie Troubadours, who meet monthly over YouTube and annually in Ft. Scott, Kansas to explain with joy and mirth what’s wrong with the world and what to do about. “Tuesdays with the Troubadours” is distinguished among such programs for the fact that it may have fewer viewers than participants!
     Chris and Jackie met in San Diego in 1988 and were married there in May of 1991 before beginning their life in the Midwest, where they raised their four sons, Nicholas, Alexander, John Paul, and Nathanael. In 2013, the Checks returned to Southern California, where Chris’s enthusiasms include reading the lives of California heroes from Junipero Serra and Christopher Carson to John Ford and Frank Capra to Brian Wilson and Warren Zevon. He climbs California’s mountains and learns and forgets the names of native California plants. 
     For 20 years, Jackie and Chris have been breeding and showing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, famed companions of the Stuart Kings, under the kennel “Top Meadow Cavaliers,” named after G.K. Chesterton’s Beaconsfield Estate. Jackie is the genetic expert. Chris is the unpaid kennel help.

Reverend John J. Richetta, 97, of Kenosha, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Brookside Care Center.

Born on March 8, 1929, in Milwaukee, WI, he was the beloved son of the late Domenic and Maria (Ciochetto) Richetta. He was Baptized and Confirmed in Immaculate Conception Church in Milwaukee, WI. He received his First Holy Communion in the Church of St. Andrew Pavone, Italy.

Father attended St. Francis Minor and Major Seminary and was ordained a priest on May 14, 1955, by Albert Cardinal Meyer.

From 1955 until 1961 Father Richetta was an associate at St. Joseph’s in Racine, WI. During his assignment there he took care of the Spanish Mission on Durand Road and taught Church History at St. Catherine’s High School. From 1961 until 1966 he was an associate at Old St. Mary’s in Milwaukee.

Father worked with the Puerto Rican Community Cuban Refugees and Latin American Students. Father Richetta was appointed administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish on February 2, 1966, and served until his retirement.

He shared his talents with the community through his work with the YMI youth program at Marytown and through his teaching of Italian at Gateway Technical College.

He always enjoyed the opportunity to travel, and he learned to respect the ways of different people. He was a true linguist, and he appreciated the music and foods and customs of others as a learning experience.

Father Richetta will be remembered fondly for his remarkable intellect, vast knowledge of foreign customs and cultures, and ability to speak many languages. He was a true walking encyclopedia and the ultimate Trivial Pursuit partner.

He is survived by many special friends who became like family over the years.

A visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. beginning with a Rosary Service at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Entombment in All Saints Mausoleum will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Wisconsin Right to Life/Veritas Society, or the Shalom Center would be appreciated.

Welcome to the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel website!

Our Pastor is Fr. Dwight Campbell.
 Rev. Fr. Robert T. Mc Dermott is our Associate Pastor. Both are also appointed to the same positions at St Therese Parish in Kenosha. 

We the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, both individually and collectively, dedicate ourselves to KNOWING, LOVING and SERVING our God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We strive to Know Him better by providing solid, Catholic teaching in our Youth and Adult Religious Education Programs.

We strive to Love Him more fully by the faithful and reverent celebration of His Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

We strive to Serve Him wholeheartedly through Service to our neighbors, young and old alike, especially those most unable to help themselves.

We pray that with the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse; all the Angels and all the Saints; we will be true to this mission until we gather again in Heaven with Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are a Christ-centered faith community that believes in Jesus’ love for all people, so hospitality is one of our core values. We are working hard to have a vibrant parish community that can offer something for everyone. We are in the midst of an exciting time. Please use the navigation links at the top of the page to learn more about our parish. You are welcome to join us!

Church:
5400 19th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140

Rectory:
1919 54th Street, Kenosha, WI 53140

Phone: 262-652-7660