The Diocese of Madison has announced the creation of two new merged parishes — Christ the King Parish and St. Francis of Assisi Parish — effective November 22.

The merger of Christ the King Parish unites the church communities of St. Patrick Church in Albany; St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belleville; St. Rose of Lima Church in Brodhead and St. Victor Church in Monroe (formerly merged as St. Clare of Assisi Parish); and St. Joseph Church in Argyle (formerly part of St. Isidore Parish).

St. Victor School in Monroe is also part of the parish.

Fr. Chahm Gahng will serve as the pastor, with Fr. Garrett Kau and Fr. Milot Frederique, SMM, serving as parochial vicars.

A Mass of installation for Father Gahng will be celebrated at a later date.

The merger of St. Francis of Assisi Parish unites the church communities of St. Ignatius Chuch in Mt. Horeb and Holy Redeemer Church in Perry (formerly merged as St. Michael the Archangel Parish); Immaculate Conception Church in Barneveld and St. Bridget Church in Ridgeway (formerly merged as St. Bernadette Parish); and Immaculate Conception Church in Blanchardville, St. Patrick Church in Hollandale, and St. Michael Church in Yellowstone (formerly part of St. Isidore Parish).

Fr. Brian Dulli will serve as the pastor, with Fr. Prabhakar Singareddy serving as parochial vicar.

A Mass of installation for Father Dulli will be celebrated at a later date.

Future Catholic Herald articles will cover these installations and more about the mergers.