MONROE/MOUNT HOREB — On the joyful occasion of Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, two new pastors were installed in the Diocese of Madison. Fr. Chahm Gahng was installed as pastor of Christ the King Parish, and Fr. Brian Dulli was installed as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

Father Gahng installed at Christ the King

On the cold morning of December 14, a good crowd gathered at St. Victor Church in Monroe for the installation of Father Gahng as pastor of Christ the King Parish.

The parish consists of St. Victor Church in Monroe, St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belleville, St.

Joseph Church in Argyle, St. Patrick Church in Albany, and St. Rose of Lima Church in Brodhead. St. Victor School in Monroe is also part of the parish.  

The installation Mass was beautiful, with the servers, lectors, and music ministry demonstrating their reverence and care for the occasion.

Fr. Garrett Kau and Fr. Milot Frederique, SMM, parochial vicars, concelebrated. Msgr. Larry Bakke, a former pastor of the area, also concelebrated to show his support.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison said in his homily, “It’s been a long process in our diocese, in terms of Into the Deep, and it certainly isn’t finished, but it’s a profound milestone, because we see the Lord join us together . . . We ask ourselves this Advent, what is it God is asking of you and me? What word does He want to speak to us? . . . What hope or desire still lays unfulfilled in us?”

“Do we believe that God is doing something new in us, in this moment, in the creation of this new parish?” the Bishop continued.

“And in all the challenge and change of that, to keep our eyes and hearts laser focused on Christ as the unchanging, fixed North Star of our life.”

After the homily, the installation rite was completed, with Father Gahng emphatically declaring his oath of fidelity to the magisterium. The parish staff, trustees, and councils were then presented to Father Gahng by the bishop.

After the Mass, many of the crowd remained for the light reception, and Father Gahng was warmly greeted and congratulated by parishioners.

Father Dulli installed at St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi Parish held a special Mass at 1 p.m. on December 14 for the installation of Father Dulli as pastor.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish consists of St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Mount Horeb, Holy Redeemer Church in Perry, St. Bridget Church in Ridgeway, Immaculate Conception Church in Barneveld, St. Patrick Church in Hollandale, Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville, and St. Michael Church in Yellowstone.

Fr. Prabhakar Singareddy, parochial vicar, and Fr. Rob Butz, former parochial administrator, concelebrated the Mass. The Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard for the occasion.

After the bishop’s homily, Father Dulli swore his oath of fidelity, and then greeted the staff, councils, and trustees. He also led the congregation in the Profession of Faith, a solemn reminder of his duty to pass on the Faith as a true teacher.

During Communion, the choir sang “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” a prayer commonly associated with St. Francis of Assisi, the new parish patron, which made a beautiful meditation.

A program offered parishioners a brief history of each parish and a message from Father Dulli, as well as a worship aid.

Father Dulli also spoke during the Mass, offering his gratitude to all those involved in the Mass and to the parish.

“Just in a really short time, you can see all the kindness and goodness woven together by the people of our six church communities, and I cannot help but feel honored and humbled to be installed today as pastor,” Father Dulli said.

“Jesus Christ has not let me down for all these 17 years of ministry. And I encounter Him in the Eucharist, I encounter Him in prayer, and I encounter Him in all of you . . . I believe that I am right where Jesus needs me to be. On those days when my own faith feels shaky, I know that one of the dear parishioners always seems to pick me up with your faith. So we do this together.”

Mass was followed by a reception hosted by the Council of Catholic Women. They decorated the tables beautifully and provided a full lunch for the event. Father Dulli’s parents were present to join in the celebration.

This year’s Gaudete Sunday certainly held extra joy and gratitude for St. Francis of Assisi and Christ the King Parishes, as they rejoiced in the installation of their pastors.