Each parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is an independent religious corporation established according to the Civil Statutes of the State of Wisconsin. The directors of the parish corporation board are the archbishop, a vicar general of the archdiocese, the pastor and two lay members of the parish referred to as “trustees.” The pastor holds the position of vice-president; the lay trustees serve as treasurer and secretary, and the archbishop is the president. The Board of Directors of the parish corporation administers all the temporal matters that are affected by civil law.

Trustees are elected by the parishioners to serve the parish as advisors, overseers and councilors, entrusted with assisting the pastor in caring for the corporate well-being of the parish. Though elected by the congregation, trustees are subject to the approval of the archbishop. Trustees must be Catholic, at least 25 years old, and a registered and practicing parishioner.