Why is this taking so long? I thought we were supposed to be done by now.

Each pastorate is progressing at its own pace because every group of parishes has different needs and challenges.

As priests and staff started digging into the merger process and diagnosing the needs of the pastorate, some discovered deeper issues than expected, such as financial shortfalls, significant structural problems with buildings, and more retirements and staffing changes than originally anticipated, to name a few.

These issues required immediate attention and slowed progress in some pastorates as parochial administrators and their teams worked hard to address these bigger, sometimes unexpected, challenges.

Some pastorates are also more complicated to merge due to their geographical size, particularly in rural areas where boundaries cross county lines, or if they have more than one school. This creates additional layers of red tape during the various merger processes, which take more time to address.

“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” — James 5:7-8

Why are so many priests being moved? I thought they were supposed to stay put for several years.

While stability is a goal, several factors have led to more priest reassignments than originally planned, and each move sets off a chain reaction that requires adjustments across the diocese.

Since Into the Deep began, eight new priests have been ordained (praise God!), and they need placements. At the same time, several priests have retired, and others have requested transfers for personal reasons such as health, family needs, or workload concerns.

In some cases, personalities aren’t a match within a team of priests. Our priests are experiencing new living arrangements and working together in new ways, which can bring out unexpected challenges.

Also, as some pastorate boundaries have shifted, some reassignments were necessary to balance workloads and ensure coverage.

Like a domino effect, one change can lead to several others. Each priest brings different strengths, gifts, and pastoral styles, and those unique qualities are thoughtfully considered by Bishop Hying when making assignments to best serve the needs of each community.

It remains a goal of Into the Deep to limit the movement of priests as much as possible to create more stability and help our priests and parishioners come to know each other better.

Remember, our priests are human, too, and they have their own needs and issues like all of us, especially during this difficult season in their priesthood. Please continue to pray for them!

Please also pray for Bishop Hying, who has to make these difficult decisions.

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” — Acts 13:2-3

I’ve heard that some schools and churches have closed. Is that the goal of Into the Deep?

No, the goal is not to close churches or schools. However, a few closures have occurred over the past two years due to serious financial difficulties, low enrollment, or safety concerns. Decisions to close schools or churches are made locally by the parochial administrator/pastor in partnership with their pastorate leadership teams and in consultation with the diocese. In some cases, closures have been ordered by building inspectors upon discovering significant structural problems with church properties.

The Into the Deep process has helped pastorates identify and address underlying issues which could no longer be ignored. In some cases, these issues have prompted pastorate leadership to make the difficult decision to close a church or school.

Bishop Hying and our priests acknowledge the heartache these closures cause the parishioners who have loved and supported the affected schools and churches, in some cases, for many generations. But remember the bigger “why” behind these decisions: We are making sacrifices now to ensure a solid future for the generations to come.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11

Why have some programs and activities stopped at my church? Why do I have to travel to another location for religious education?

An unexpected number of staff departures and retirements during the first two years of Into the Deep has limited the capacity of many pastorates to host additional programs and activities beyond offering the sacraments, and put additional strain on the priests and the staff who have remained. Some parochial administrators also have chosen to postpone hiring new staff while they grapple with the pastorate’s finances and plan for a new staffing structure across churches in the pastorate.

Bishop Hying and our priests recognize these changes can create hardship when it comes to traveling to other communities to receive religious education, preferred Mass and confession times, and more. These changes are not being made simply for the sake of making changes. Remember: the path our parishes were on throughout the Diocese was not sustainable without making significant changes.

As Into the Deep rolls out, there are some glimmers of progress in this area. For instance, volunteers are beginning to work together from their different churches to coordinate larger and more vibrant ministries and events, such as a combined parish festival, traveling Bible studies, and pastoral visits for the homebound.

It will take time to work out new ways of being together as the Church. Please be patient and be gentle on our priests and staff as they navigate the road ahead.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2

Why is the Diocese involved in our bookkeeping? Are they taking our church’s money and redistributing it?

The Diocese’s Office of Parish Financial Services is helping your parish “keep the books,” but the Diocese is not taking the money from your parish or making any financial decisions for the parish. Decisions about salaries, spending priorities, and budgets all remain at the parish level.

Like an accounting firm, the Diocese provides professional bookkeeping services for the churches to ensure compliance with financial regulations and standard accounting practices. This provides parishes with the professional financial help they need, and it helps your parochial administrator do his job to be a good steward of your parish’s treasures.

“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds; for riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to all generations?” — Proverbs 27:23-24

Is it true that my parish’s money is being pooled into one fund for the whole pastorate? I don’t want my donations to go to the other churches.

In pastorates that have not yet merged, each parish remains a separate legal entity, and donations stay with the parish they’re designated for. Once parishes merge into a single new parish, however, all funds are combined to support the new entity’s mission, operations, and staffing.

This is one of the key benefits of Into the Deep because the combined resources mean that the new parish will be able to prioritize needs, hire staff in important areas, and save money by avoiding redundant spending and benefiting from economies of scale.

The mergers are asking us to embrace a broader vision of what it means to be a parish and what it means to be the Church. Sharing our resources raises all boats and helps us to be more strategic as we evangelize. Sometimes being a missionary means loving, supporting, and being Christ to the people of a nearby church or town.

“Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.” — Acts 4:32

Why aren’t Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison merging like other parishes?

Our Lady Queen of Peace and St. Thomas Aquinas are already very large parishes. The number of households in each of these parishes surpasses some of our already merged parishes in other parts of the diocese. There would have been significant complexities managing staff and resources for such a large entity if the parishes came together. This decision was made by Bishop Hying taking into account the presence of the Schoenstatt Fathers at the neighboring Blessed Sacrament Parish (Pastorate 27). There could be further discussion about shared ministry or collaboration among these parishes, and the parishes will still follow the same principles and goals of Into the Deep.

“For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” — Romans 12:4-5