MADISON — The 10 a.m. Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Madison on August 3 was filled with joy as Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison installed Fr. Mark Niehaus, ISP, as pastor.

The installation — while not related to the Into the Deep initiative — still served as an important milestone for the parish, which a year earlier underwent a change in leadership, from the Dominican Friars to the Schoenstatt Fathers.

At the conclusion of the installation, Bishop Hying thanked Father Niehaus for his leadership as Blessed Sacrament’s administrator since the summer of 2024.

Addressing Father Niehaus, he said, “Your holiness and humility always stand out to me as tremendous traits that equip you to lead this parish. And so today, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude and prayer and love for you.”

Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Cristobal Ansejo, ISP, a priest-in-residence at Blessed Sacrament; Father Niehaus’ brother, Fr. Tom Niehaus; and Fr. Felipe Perez, ISP.

Deacon Todd Burud, who serves in pastoral care and evangelization at Blessed Sacrament Parish, assisted at the Mass.

Also in attendance were Schoenstatt Sisters and Knights of Columbus.

From Dominican to Schoenstatt

The Schoenstatt Fathers’ arrival at Blessed Sacrament Parish on July 1, 2024, started a new chapter at the parish.

Up until then, the parish was in the care of the Dominican Friars, who founded it in 1922.

In January 2024, the Dominican Friars of St. Albert the Great announced that, due to other pastoral needs within their province, they would be withdrawing from Blessed Sacrament Parish at the end of June of that year.

Their departure posed a unique challenge to the diocese, particularly as it continued its Into the Deep process. Because Blessed Sacrament Parish was not served by diocesan priests, it was not grouped with any other parishes when Into the Deep began.

During his homily at Father Niehaus’ installation Mass, Bishop Hying shared that, after the Dominicans announced their departure, he prayed about who would next serve Blessed Sacrament. “And of course, God always provides,” said Bishop Hying.

Though Father Niehaus’ installation did not mark the creation of a new parish the way that other pastor installations in the diocese have, the new pastor expressed that his installation represents Blessed Sacrament “solidifying its future” as a parish operated by the Schoenstatt Fathers, and the intention of the Schoenstatt priests to “carry and take responsibility for the parish in the future.”

‘We’ll go with you!’ and the Blessed Mother

At the reception following the Mass, Blessed Sacrament parishioners expressed their appreciation for Schoenstatt devotion to Mary and for Father Niehaus’ reliance on her as he leads the parish.

Jean Robertson has been a member of Blessed Sacrament for 46 years.

She said she is grateful for the Schoenstatt priests coming to her parish because of their great devotion to Mary, which the Dominicans also shared. She described Father Niehaus as “a very gentle leader” who “leads us with the help of Blessed Mother to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Stacy Nuryadi, a young adult parishioner, has been part of Blessed Sacrament for three years. She said that she has found a home in Schoenstatt spirituality, which she described as “bringing everything . . . to the Blessed Mother, so she can bring it to Jesus.” She said that Father Niehaus is “nice and humble, always has time to talk to you . . . and he always points to the Blessed Mother.”

In remarks that he gave during the reception, Father Niehaus credited Mary for his vocation to the priesthood and entrusted Blessed Sacrament Parish to her guidance.

“Whatever we do, whatever I do as your pastor, is because the Blessed Mother is going to take us on that tour. So that’s what you’re in for,” said Father Niehaus, to the laughter of parishioners.

“We’ll go with you!” chimed one woman in response.

About the Schoenstatt Movement

The Schoenstatt Movement was founded by Fr. Joseph Kentenich in Germany in 1914.

A hallmark of Schoenstatt spirituality is Marian consecration, which features an attachment to a local shrine to Mary Thrice Admirable.

The shrine at Schoenstatt Heights on Madison’s east side was the first Schoenstatt Shrine in the United States, dedicated on June 20, 1953.

The Schoenstatt Movement has branches for families, priests, men, and women.

The Schoenstatt Fathers have the mission “to network the different branches within the national and  international Schoenstatt movement,” according to Blessed Sacrament’s website.

The Schoenstatt Sisters have long had a presence in the Diocese of Madison and continue to serve here today.

Father Niehaus is originally from Minnesota.

He previously served in parish ministry, a Catholic high school, and the Catholic center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater before coming to Blessed Sacrament Parish.