PORTAGE — As Catholics worldwide celebrate Pope Leo XIV’s designation of St. John Henry Newman as a Doctor of the Church, the parish bearing his name in the Diocese of Madison marked a milestone of its own with the installation of its new pastor on September 14.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison formally installed Fr. Randy Timmerman as pastor of St. John Henry Newman Parish during Mass at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Portage, celebrated on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  

“Today is a day of great joy and thanksgiving for us because unification of your parish represents a joining of people, a joining of leadership, joining of resources, to ensure not only the continued existence of the Church in these local communities that comprise your parish, but also that that flourishing may continue, that many, many people may be brought to Christ, that our communities will grow and expand not only in number but also in holiness,” Bishop Hying said.

The parish was canonically merged on August 16, bringing together six faith communities: St. Mary Help of Christians in Briggsville, St. Andrew in Buffalo Township, St. John the Baptist in Montello, St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary in Pardeeville, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Portage, and Good Shepherd in Westfield.

The parish is also home to one school, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Portage.

In addition to Father Timmerman, the parish is served by parochial vicars Fr. Sanctus Ibe and Fr. Savio Yerasani, along with Deacon Steve Letourneaux.

During the installation Mass, Bishop Hying formally entrusted the care of the parish to Father Timmerman, who renewed his priestly promises before parishioners.

Parish staff and members of the pastoral and finance councils were also introduced, underscoring their role in supporting the pastor and representing the voice of the parish community.

“The prayer in my heart is great gratitude to God for the gift of this call and this gift of the priesthood, the gift to be with you and your response,” Father Timmerman said.

“A prayer that’s long been on my heart is, ‘Lead me where you need me.’ A couple of years ago, I prayed that prayer, and I have come to trust that prayer.

“Thank you, Bishop, for this assignment from the depths of my heart to fall in love, not only with the priesthood, but with the people here in Columbia and Marquette County. And thank you for the gift of John Henry Newman. Truly, I have become acquainted and familiar with much of his writing over these last couple of months.”

Christ as the ‘north star’

During his homily, Bishop Hying reminded parishioners that the work of evangelization belongs to everyone.

Parish staff, council members, and all the Baptized share responsibility for building up the Church and sanctifying the world by living out their vocations with fidelity.

“It’s also a moment to ask the Lord’s blessing on all of the leadership of our parish, both clergy and lay,” he said.

Drawing on the Mass’ second reading from Philippians 2:6-11 — the “Kenotic Hymn” — Bishop Hying spoke of three movements at the heart of Christian life: God’s humility in the Incarnation, Christ’s acceptance of human sin and suffering on the Cross, and the ultimate victory of life over death in the Resurrection.  

“There is no death, there is no defeat that has the final word on us, because Christ has gained the victory for us in his death and Resurrection,” Bishop Hying said.

He noted that change can be difficult, whether it involves changes in parish life, leadership, or Mass schedules.

The bishop also recognized the wider turmoil affecting both the world and the diocese, and he urged the faithful to keep their eyes fixed on Christ as their “north star,” trusting that the Lord will guide them through every challenge and transition.

“In all of that, perhaps we can in moments feel overwhelmed, perhaps even feel despair,” Bishop Hying said.

“Yet it’s in those moments that the Lord invites us to run to the Cross and, with the Blessed Virgin, to stand at the foot of the Cross as witnesses to hope, as messengers of the Resurrection, as a people who know that God has gained the victory for us in Christ.”

As the parish embarks on this new chapter, Bishop Hying commended the community to the intercession of its new patron, St. John Henry Newman.

He noted that Newman offers a model of faith and intellect that can inspire the parish in its mission to grow in holiness and to bring others to Christ.

“And so, we entrust all that to the powerful intercession of your new patron, St. John [Henry] Newman, who the pope just declared a Doctor of the Church,” Bishop Hying said.