OREGON/DODGEVILLE — Two parishes in the Diocese of Madison recently celebrated their canonical unifications. Fr. David Wanish was installed as pastor at St. Cletus Parish, and Fr. Tafadzwa Kushamba was installed as pastor at St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish. 

St. Cletus Parish

Holy Mother of Consolation Church in Oregon hosted the Sunday Mass on October 26 for Father Wanish’s installation. Other churches that belong to the parish are St. Joseph in Edgerton, St. Paul in Evansville, St. Augustine in Footville, and St. Ann in Stoughton, with St. Ann School in Stoughton also part of the parish. 

Prior pastors of the parish and retired priests of the Diocese of Madison made the effort to be present. Msgr. Gerard Healy, Fr. Gary Wankerl, Fr. Kevin Dooley, Fr. Raymond Dischler, and Fr. Tom Kelley all came to be part of the celebration. 

With Fr. Randy Budnar and Fr. John Bosco Pudhota as parochial vicars, and Deacon Mark Priniski as the parish’s deacon, there was an abundance of clergy assembled in support of the unity of St. Cletus Parish.

Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison came to install Father Wanish, and he spoke to the occasion. 

“Every Sunday we rejoice in the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. Today with extra joy we have the blessing of the installation of Father David, the unification of your parish, and it gives us a profound moment to reflect on the gift of the Church, the gift of the Lord acting through the Church to bless us, to forgive us, to save us . . . Today is a day of great joy and thanksgiving, as your communities are coming together in this new parish of St. Cletus.” 

The name of the parish, St. Cletus, is after a saint from very early in the Church’s history; St. Cletus was the third pope and is mentioned in the Roman Canon. 

It is also a nod to more recent and local history — Bishop Cletus O’Donnell, who was the second bishop of Madison, served the diocese from 1967-1992.

Father Wanish professed his oath of fidelity, and the Mass continued as a true celebration of joy. 

Father Wanish remarked about St. Cletus, “What distinguishes this parish is its life-giving faith. I am struck repeatedly by this realization as I share in the community life of our five churches which are now one parish. Our Go Make Disciples initiatives have sparked a continual growth in our desire for God and for Jesus in the Eucharist. We invite others to share in this life, and I am thrilled every time I hear a non-Catholic express an interest in our parish. I thank God who has loved us and given us a great staff and many new sisters and brothers in our new community.”

The parish staff and trustees were thanked by the Bishop and commended to Father Wanish as part of the Mass. 

Corrine Willson, communications coordinator and youth ministry assistant at St. Cletus, commented about the occasion. 

“It was a beautiful celebration of unity and looking forward to all that we can do as one parish!” Wilson said. 

“I feel we are so blessed in our Church community of St. Cletus Parish, both for the parishioners that are the hands and feet of our parish and for our new pastor, Father David, who has, since the beginning, guided us with compassion, consideration, and faith.”

Ginny Joyes, a parishioner who generally attends Mass at St. Ann Church in Stoughton, said, “The Mass truly felt like a celebration! There was joy and hope throughout the whole event.”

St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish

November 2 saw Bishop Hying presiding at St. Joseph Church in Dodgeville, as Fr. Tafadzwa Kushamba was installed as pastor. 

This installation celebrates the unification of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) Parish, which in addition to St. Joseph in Dodgeville, consists of Sts. Anthony and Philip in Highland, Sts. Mary and Paul in Mineral Point, and St. Thomas in Montfort, as well as St. Joseph School in Dodgeville.

Several fourth degree Knights of Columbus added to the solemnity of the occasion, and Father Kushamba concelebrated with Fr. Alex Carmel, who is the parochial vicar. 

The bishop spoke on the hope contained in All Soulss Day, commenting that even when dealing with death, Christ is our true constant, our “north star.” He continued, “The Church will always flourish . . . when we give our hearts to Him.” 

After encouraging the people of St. Pius to look to their new patron saint, he went on to say, “I’m grateful to all of you that when we are together, we are stronger and better, that we can unify our resources, that we can share our leadership, that we can come together in new ways, and not be isolated . . . the Lord wants to lay a foundation built out of all the goodness that has gone before us, that our forebearers built.” 

Father Kushamba renewed his ordination promises, and then the parish staff, councils, and trustees were presented to him by the bishop.

Father Kushamba then made his oath of fidelity, promising to always teach in accord with the Church in his new position. 

At the end of Mass, as he announced that there would be a reception, he commented, “You can mix and mingle with the Bishop, and just tell him how awesome our parish is!” He continued, “From the bottom of my heart, I just want to thank every member of our parish. Serving you has been a great joy . . . One thing I ask of you . . . to pray for me, to pray for Fr. Alex . . . that we might serve you with a sincere heart.”