Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl called it an “opportunity and [a] privilege to unite together two distinct, holy, and stable parishes [and] to create something new — the parish of Queen of Apostles.”
For the sixth time, as part of the Diocese of Madison’s Into the Deep comprehensive strategic planning process, multiple parish communities have been brought together as a new and merged parish.
Queen of Apostles Parish is made up of the former St. Dennis Parish and St. Peter Parish, both in Madison.
The churches retain their former parish names as the names of their worship sites.
St. Dennis School in Madison is also part of the new parish.
Father Krahenbuhl was installed as pastor of the new parish during a Mass at St. Dennis Church on March 23.
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison was the main celebrant of the Mass.
Also concelebrating and assisting were Fr. Tait Schroeder, vicar general of the diocese; Fr. Michael Tarigopula, Queen of Apostles Parish parochial vicar; retired priests of the diocese Fr. William Nolan and Fr. Michael Resop, who assist with Masses at the parish; and Permanent Deacons Jack Alexander, David Hendrickson, and William Kearley.
Deacon Kearley is scheduled to be ordained to the priesthood later this year.
A ‘day of great joy’
Prior to his homily, Bishop Hying presented Father Krahenbuhl as the new pastor of the community which was met with applause by the assembly gathered in the church.
Father Krahenbuhl had been assigned to Queen of Apostles Pastorate, made up of the two former parishes, since July of 2023.
During his homily, Bishop Hying said, “It is a day of great joy and thanksgiving and of praise to God as we celebrate the creation of Queen of Apostles Parish, the installation of Father Gary as your pastor, and the union of St. Peter and St. Dennis [Churches].”
He added that “Our whole vision of Go Make Disciples and Into the Deep is to be focused on Jesus Christ and the salvation that He offers us.
He continued, “Everything that we do, everything that the Church does, is to lead every single human person into a living and saving relationship with God . . . today is a day of trust and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
To serve the parish and its people
Following Bishop Hying’s homily, he invited Father Krahenbuhl to renew his priestly promises in front of his parish community.
These included “celebrate the mysteries of Christ devoutly and faithfully and in accord with the tradition of the Church,” “worthily and wisely fulfill the ministry of God’s word,” and “respect and obedience to [Bishop Hying] and his successors.”
Members of the new parish pastoral and finance councils were then invited to come forward.
Father Krahenbuhl pledged to them to “seek their counsel, guidance, and advice in the spiritual and temporal care” of the parish.
He then shook hands with and greeted each member.
The new parish civil trustees came then forward for a similar formality.
Bishop Hying encouraged Father Krahenbuhl to be a “loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher of your people so that you may lead them to Christ who will strengthen all that you do.”
Faith and fidelity
Father Krahenbuhl then led his parish community in a profession of faith — the Nicene Creed.
Following that, he proclaimed an oath of fidelity.
He said aloud that he “believed everything contained in the Word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition.”
He added, “Furthermore, I, Reverend Gary Krahenbuhl, in assuming the office of pastor, promise that in my words and my actions, I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church.”
With the high number of people in attendance for the Mass, ushers were hard at work finding a place for everyone, including allowing for seating outside of the church toward the hall area where parts of the Mass could be heard electronically.
Heard at the Mass was the music ministry of the St. Dennis Worship group made up of instrumentalists and vocalists that leads music at Masses and events throughout the year.
Visit qoap.org for more information on Queen of Apostles Parish and links to many parish recourses and ministries, including a video of the Installation Mass.