PLATTEVILLE — St. Dominic Parish recently held the installation of their pastor. 

Fr. Greg Ihm was installed as pastor on September 13 during a Mass at St. Mary Church in Platteville.

St. Dominic Parish consists of Holy Ghost Church in Dickeyville, Immaculate Conception Church in Kieler, St. Francis de Sales Church in Hazel Green, St. Joseph Church in Sinsinawa, St. Mary Church in Platteville, St. Patrick Church in Benton, and St. Rose of Lima Church in Cuba City. 

It also includes St. Rose of Lima School in Cuba City, St. Joseph School in Sinsinawa, and Holy Ghost-Immaculate Conception School in Dickeyville and Kieler.

It was a lovely morning for the 8:30 a.m. Mass. 

A Knights of Columbus Honor Guard was present for the occasion. 

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison celebrated the Mass and installed Father Ihm. 

In his homily, he spoke of the mystery of the Church. 

“The Church was there when we were born; the Church will be there when we die, leading us to Christ.” 

He said that the goal of Into the Deep is not to erase the identity or existence of individual churches, but to make them part of a bigger reality.

He spoke of the Dominican missionary Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, whose influence was so foundational in the area. 

“Your parish name, your parish identity, in many ways, exists because of his evangelizing fervor 170 years ago. 

“And so he planted the seeds of the Gospel here, and those seeds have grown in the hearts of our families, and in our own hearts and souls. And so our parish will be as strong and faithful, as generous and committed, as each one of us.”

After the homily, the rite of installation continued with Father Ihm renewing his ordination promises, leading the congregation in the Profession of Faith, and making his oath of fidelity to the Magisterium.

The ceremony also included the bishop presenting to Father Ihm his fellow laborers in the vineyard at St. Dominic Parish: The parochial vicars, deacons, parish staff, trustees, finance council, and pastoral council.

The parochial vicars at St. Dominic Parish are Fr. Tom Kelley and Fr. Joseph Bellamkonda. Permanent Deacons Lee Eggers and Larry Tranel also serve the parish. 

After Mass, Father Ihm greeted people, receiving their congratulations and offering his gratitude for their presence on this day.

There was also a festive breakfast in the church hall, with the bishop and Father Ihm joining parishioners who stayed to celebrate.

The bishop had commented during Mass, “As I look at all of you, especially the beautiful young families here, I have tremendous hope, not just for the future of the Church, but for the present.”

“The Holy Spirit was felt by so many in the church for Father Greg Ihm’s installation as Pastor. It was such a great step in unity for our large parish of seven churches and three schools to move forward as one,” said Deacon Eggers. 

“I am honored to serve this parish.”

“The installation of Father Greg this past Sunday as our pastor of St. Dominic’s is a long awaited step towards the goal that was started several years ago with the Into the Deep initiative,” said Craig Timmerman, trustee of the parish. 

“Bishop Hying’s homily on Sunday further helped form a connection between my role of a newly elected Trustee of the parish and both Fr. Mazzuchelli and our namesake St. Dominic. Both led during a period of change much like the changes we are going through today. 

“My hope is this change will continue to grow and strengthen the faith and vitality of our new parish.”