As the Diocese of Madison continues its strategic initiative, Into the Deep, structural changes have taken shape across parishes and pastorates.

While the merger process may feel daunting for many, the benefits extend beyond the pews and into schools, meeting rooms, parish halls, and even barns.

Parishioners are connecting in new and unique ways, often traveling past their historical parish boundaries to meet Christ in other communities.

Summer Barn Talks

For parishioners at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in the eastern part of the diocese, unity arrives in the form of pork, brats, and hospitality in a local parishioner’s barn.

For the third consecutive summer, the parish has hosted its popular “Summer Barn Talks,” which regularly draw more than 150 attendees.

The parishioner-initiated event began when Marty and Andrea Dula reached out with the desire to open up their barn to host dinner and a speaker.

The Dulas hosted dinners before the COVID-19 pandemic for the students at Saint Paul’s Catholic Student Center at UW-Madison, and thought now was the perfect opportunity to open it up to the entire parish.

“They have a gorgeous barn all set up for dinner and a speaker, and Marty cooks a free dinner, so there’s no burden of having to pay for dinner,” Anne Auger, director of evangelization at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, said.

Auger noted that the neutral territory of a barn, rather than one of the parish’s churches, gives the event a different, fun feeling.

“People come with the understanding that we’re all going to be meeting each other. It’s a very entry-level, safe place for anybody to come.”

Auger organizes the logistics of the event, and Marty Dula cooks the massive meal over an open fire while adults mingle in the barn and children play backyard games.

The impact on parish unity has been immediate.

“My own family was new to the parish,” Auger shared.

“My kids made great friendships playing baseball at the Barn Talks, and then you see those families at Mass, and there’s an instant connection. It has made us feel like part of the community.”

The evenings have also provided a unique setting for parishioners to interact casually with their priests.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison has visited, too.

“The bishop walked around the tables chatting. It was like he came to [a parishioner’s] backyard barbecue,” Auger recalled.

In addition to community fostered in a barn, Auger works closely with Dede Van Loenen, director of religious education, to ensure that evangelization and formation are never isolated.

“We want to make sure everyone is a part of the parish, not just their own bubble,” Van Loenen said.

Additionally, other parish groups and events are helping integrate parish life, such as the Dead Theologians Society, bonfires with Parochial Vicar Fr. David  Drefcinski, and even cross-pastorate collaboration with nearby St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish to launch the “Light of the World” retreat.

Bridging generations and classrooms

During Catholic Schools Week at Queen of Apostles Parish in Madison, students from St. Dennis School were bused to St. Peter Church for a school Mass.

It was both a logistical and pastoral effort initiated by Pastor Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl.

The Mass was intended to break down geographic barriers and connect the parish with its youngest members.

“Buses can be expensive, but our St. Dennis Home & School Association funded the transportation. They thought it was a great way to support our unity,” Carol Jacques, office and communications manager and school parent, explained.

Jacques described the liturgy as a beautiful image of a whole parish family. Students were mixed in the pews alongside St. Peter’s daily Mass parishioners, who adjusted their usual morning Mass time to accommodate the school and bus schedule.

The collaborative spirit extended to music, as the choir consisted of teachers from St. Dennis School, accompanied by guitar and piano.

“The parishioners at St. Peter, many of whom are older, absolutely loved it,” Jacques said.

“Seeing the student altar servers adapt to a different sanctuary and seeing the older parishioners watch the kids and enjoy the music was special.”

Following the liturgy, students and parishioners gathered for a shared snack in the fellowship hall.

Students also enjoyed the new connections built.

According to Jacques, “My own son came home and said, ‘Mom, it was really cool to go over there [St. Peter Church] and experience that.’”

The energy of that day is seen in the structural life of the parish as well.

Queen of Apostles Parish has combined its liturgical ministries, meaning lectors, ushers, and Eucharistic ministers can volunteer interchangeably at either church.

The parish also hosts combined nights of reflection in the fall and spring to unite their ministries.

“With our churches here, it’s working,” Jacques said.

“We’re seeing the outcome I think people are looking for.”

Aligning leadership

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Columbia and Dane Counties has found its momentum by intentionally aligning its leadership in formation, growth, and community during seasonal meetings where staff and engaged parishioners gather to eat, pray, and learn together.

Led by Pastor Fr. Joseph Baker and Director of Mission and Catholic Identity Lindsay Finn, the “Mission Mornings” bring together leadership from across the parish, including the pastoral council, the finance council, the school advisory committee, catechists, OCIA team members, and other leaders of active parish groups like Brothers in Christ and the Council of Catholic Women.

“Our parish is vibrant, strong, and full of faithful individuals with willing spirits,” Finn said.

“Bringing those individuals together to create a more intentional community rooted in mission and prayer is at the heart of Mission Mornings. They have been vital in continuing to build an authentic sense of community, offer formation for mission, and acknowledge that the good work we want to accomplish has to come from a spiritual well,” she added.

“They have provided an opportunity to engage with our invested parishioners on how we should live what we are to become.”

The rhythm of a “Mission Morning” begins with attendees gathering for Mass, sharing breakfast, and spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, where all pray with a common Scripture passage.

This is followed by intentional discussion and formation on the Church’s mission of evangelization and how it is lived in the parish.

The group also shares lunch to keep the conversation and relationships flowing.

The mornings have helped the parish connect and work toward a common goal.

As stated on the parish website, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish is “Centered in Christ,” and is a community “who humbly seek[s] to know the truth and to live that truth in love.”

From the pioneer merger to everyday graces

As the very first parish to officially merge under the Into the Deep strategic plan, Epiphany of the Lord Parish in Dane and Jefferson Counties has already been living under the rhythm of unified parish life.

Fr. Michael Johnson, parochial vicar, recalled how the initial merger Mass, when Bishop Hying installed Fr. Vince Brewer as pastor, was a tangible sign of a united identity.

“[The merger Mass] was really good because people from all of the churches came, as well as the Hispanic community,” Father Johnson said.

“It was probably the first time that there was representation from all over the parish, and it was a good step towards people from different churches seeing how this was all coming together.”

To help parishioners put names to faces across the newly unified community, a team of parishioners created a pictorial directory with photo sessions at each church.

Father Johnson pointed out that it is a challenge to recall names of new people you meet, and the directory has been helpful not just for the parishioners but also for the priests.

Some of the spiritual fruits of the parish were felt this past year during a three-night parish-wide Lenten mission led by Deacon Chris Schmelzer, director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.

Deacon Schmelzer’s talks focused on living out Lent in daily life.

“He made it really down to earth for people, and I think people were really able to connect with that,” Father Johnson explained. “The only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough, which I think is a good sign that people were engaged with the talks and each other.”

The true heart of the mission

While Into the Deep has altered the landscape of the Diocese of Madison, these community highlights reveal that spiritual renewal is evident, even amidst structural changes and adjustments.

As unified parishes and pastorates, the faithful are discovering wider and more vibrant communities grounded in Christ.

“Sometimes in ministry, you have to remember that you don’t see the fruits right away,” Van Loenen reflected.

“You have to trust that the Lord plants those seeds, and then all of a sudden it pops up. There is genuine joy starting to branch out here.”

“It’s kind of like we are married. We’re together, and the more we do things together, the more people will connect,” Jacques said.