Vicar General

In the Diocese of Madison, the Office of the Vicar General handles:

• Requests for dispensations and permissions for marriages (see side navigation)
• Letters of suitability (see below)
• Questions regarding canonical issues and concerns from priests
• Updates to the Official Catholic Directory and Roman (Vatican) Report Report
• Serving the priests and deacons ministering in this diocese as they fulfill their sacred duties

• Priest Letter of Suitability--Incoming
• Deacon Letter of Suitability--Incoming

• Applying for a Papal Blessing
• Tickets for Papal Audiences

• Rev. Randy Timmerman, to Pastor, St. John Henry Newman Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage to form St. John Henry Newman Parish, from Parochial Administrator, Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage.
  
  
• Rev. Sanctus Ibe, to Parochial Vicar, St. John Henry Newman Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage, from Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage.
  
  
• Rev. Savio Yerasani, to Parochial Vicar, St. John Henry Newman Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage, from Parochial Vicar, Good Shepherd Parish in Westfield, St. Faustina Parish in Buffalo and Pardeeville, St. John the Baptist Parish in Montello, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish in Briggsville, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portage.
  
  
• Rev. Chad Droessler, to Pastor, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville to form St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, from Parochial Administrator, Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville.
  
  
• Rev. Christopher Gernetzke, to Parochial Vicar, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville, from Parochial Vicar, Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville.
  
  
• Rev. Vincent Racanelli, to Parochial Vicar, St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville, from Parochial Vicar, Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville, St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville, St. Patrick Parish in Janesville, and St. William Parish in Janesville.

• Rev. Joseph Baker, to Pastor, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport, to form St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, from Parochial Administrator, Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport.
  
  

• Rev. Anthony Kersting, to Parochial Vicar, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport, from Parochial Vicar, Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport.
  
  
• Rev. Simon Tipps, to Parochial Vicar, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport, from Parochial Vicar, Blessed Trinity Parish in Dane and Lodi, St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee, and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport.

• Rev. Chad Droessler, to Parochial Administrator, Stella Maris Parish, per canon 539, until the appointment of a new pastor, as a result of the canonical merger of Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove, to form Stella Maris Parish, from Parochial Administrator,  Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove.

• Rev. Mark Foley, to Parochial Vicar, Stella Maris Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove, to form Stella Maris Parish, from Parochial Vicar,  Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove.
  
  
• Rev. William Van Wagner, to Parochial Vicar, Stella Maris Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove, to form Stella Maris Parish, from Parochial Vicar,  Christ the King Parish in McFarland, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona, and Saint Patrick Parish in Cottage Grove.
  
  
• Dcn. Jeffrey Bond, to parish deacon assignment, Stella Maris Parish, from parish deacon assignment, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona.

Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar for Clergy, announces the following priest appointments made by Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted, and announced Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 2025:

• Rev. Msgr. James Bartylla, to Formation Advisor on the residential faculty of St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, by the permission of the Bishop of Madison with appointment by the Archbishop of Milwaukee, per canon 239, from Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Diocese of Madison.

• Rev. Fr. Scott Jablonski, to Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Diocese of Madison, per canon 476, remaining as pastor, Holy Cross Parish, Cross Plains, and from Director of the Continuing Formation of Priests, Diocese of Madison.

• Rev. Fr. Enan Zelinski, to Director of the Continuing Formation of Priests, Diocese of Madison, remaining as parochial vicar, St. Paul Parish, Madison.

• Rev. Fr. John Del Priore, SJS, to ministry outside the Diocese of Madison according to the needs of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest, from parochial administrator, St. Augustine Parish, Platteville.

• Rev. Fr. Eric Nielsen, to pastor, St. Augustine Parish, Platteville, per canon 523, from parochial vicar, Mater Dei Parish, Berlin.

• (Rev. Fr.) William Kearley, to parochial vicar, Mater Dei Parish, Berlin, per canon 545, predicated upon earlier ordination to the presbyterate.

• Rev. Fr. Peter Auer, resignation from parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Benton, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Cuba City, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Hazel Green, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler, St. Mary Parish, Platteville, and St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa (St. Dominic Pastorate), to retirement from full-time active ministry.

• Rev. Fr. Bernard Rott, resignation from parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Benton, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Cuba City, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Hazel Green, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler, St. Mary Parish, Platteville, and St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa (St. Dominic Pastorate), to retirement from full-time active ministry.

• Rev. Fr. Joseph Bellamkonda, to parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Benton, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Cuba City, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville, St. Francis de Sales Parish, Hazel Green, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kieler, St. Mary Parish, Platteville, and St. Joseph Parish, Sinsinawa (St. Dominic Pastorate), per canon 545, from parochial vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe (Christ the King Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Christopher Gernetzke, to parochial vicar, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, St. Patrick Parish, Janesville, and St. William Parish, Janesville (St. Jane Frances de Chantal Pastorate), per canon 545, from parochial administrator, St. Philomena Parish, Belmont, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Darlington, St. Joseph Parish, Gratiot, St. Matthew Parish, Shullsburg, and St. John Parish, South Wayne (St. Isidore the Farmer Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. William Vernon, to parochial administrator, St. Philomena Parish, Belmont, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Darlington, St. Joseph Parish, Gratiot, St. Matthew Parish, Shullsburg, and St. John Parish, South Wayne (St. Isidore the Farmer Pastorate), per canon 539, from parochial vicar, Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Sun Prairie.

• Rev. Fr. Robert Butz, to parochial vicar, Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Sun Prairie, per canon 545, from parochial administrator, St. Isidore Parish, Hollandale, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Mount Horeb, and St. Bernadette Parish, Ridgeway (St. Francis of Assisi Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Patrick Wendler, to chaplain, University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, Madison, and UnityPoint Health Meriter Hospital, Madison, per canon 565, from parochial vicar, St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge, St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Jefferson, St. Mary Parish, Milton, St. Mary Parish, Palmyra, and St. Mary Help of Christians, Sullivan (St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. John Silva, to parochial vicar, St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge, St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Jefferson, St. Mary Parish, Milton, St. Mary Parish, Palmyra, and St. Mary Help of Christians, Sullivan (St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate), per canon 545, from chaplain, University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics, Madison, and UnityPoint Health Meriter Hospital, Madison.

• Rev. Fr. Brian Dulli, to parochial administrator, St. Isidore Parish, Hollandale, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Mount Horeb, and St. Bernadette Parish, Ridgeway (St. Francis of Assisi Pastorate), per canon 539, from parochial vicar, Holy Cross Parish, Cross Plains.

• Rev. Fr. Grant Thies, to parochial vicar, Holy Cross Parish, Cross Plains, per canon 545, from parochial vicar, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, St. Patrick Parish, Janesville, and St. William Parish, Janesville (St. Jane Frances de Chantal Pastorate).

• (Rev. Fr.) Bradley Grobbel, to parochial vicar, Holy Cross Parish, Cross Plains, per canon 545, predicated upon earlier ordination to the presbyterate.

• Rev. Fr. Chad Droessler, to parochial administrator, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, St. Patrick Parish, Janesville, and St. William Parish, Janesville (St. Jane Frances de Chantal Pastorate), per canon 539, from parochial administrator, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, Christ the King Parish, McFarland, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona (Stella Maris Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Matthew Pearson, to parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, Christ the King Parish, McFarland, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona (Stella Maris Pastorate), per canon 545, from parochial administrator, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville, Nativity of Mary Parish, Janesville, St. Patrick Parish, Janesville, and St. William Parish, Janesville (St. Jane Frances de Chantal Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Eric Sternberg, to parochial administrator, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, Christ the King Parish, McFarland, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona (Stella Maris Pastorate), per canon 539, from pastor, St. Paul Parish, Madison.

• Rev. Fr. David Carrano, to pastor, St. Paul Parish, Madison, per canon 523, from parochial administrator, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, and St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe, and from parochial vicar, St. Isidore Parish, Hollandale - with ministry limited to St. Joseph Church, Argyle (Christ the King Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Chahm Gahng, to parochial administrator, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, and St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe, per canon 539, remaining as parochial vicar, St. Isidore Parish, Hollandale – with ministry limited to St. Joseph Church, Argyle (Christ the King Pastorate), from parochial vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe (Christ the King Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Garrett Kau, to parochial vicar, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Belleville, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Monroe, and St. Isidore Parish, Hollandale - with ministry limited to St. Joseph Church, Argyle (Christ the King Pastorate), per canon 545, from parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo, Holy Angels Parish, La Valle - with ministry limited to Holy Family Church, La Valle, Sacred Heart Parish, Reedsburg, and St. Cecilia Parish, Wisconsin Dells (St. John Paul II Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. William Van Wagner, to parochial vicar, St. Joseph Parish, Baraboo, Holy Angels Parish, La Valle - with ministry limited to Holy Family Church, La Valle, Sacred Heart Parish, Reedsburg, and St. Cecilia Parish, Wisconsin Dells (St. John Paul II Pastorate), per canon 545, from parochial vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, Christ the King Parish, McFarland, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona (Stella Maris Pastorate).

• Rev. Fr. Mark Niehaus, ISP, to pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison, per canon 523, from parochial administrator, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Madison.

• Rev. Fr. Brian Wilk, to pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, per canon 523, from parochial administrator, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison.

• Rev. Fr. Jay Poster, from parochial vicar, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, remaining as parochial vicar, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison.
  

• Rev. Fr. Lawrence Oparaji, to parochial administrator, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, per canon 539, from parochial vicar, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Beloit, but remaining on the parish staff, as the continuing Supervisor of the parochial formation program for Rev. Mr. Luis Reyes, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Beloit.

• (Rev. Fr.) David Jaramillo, to parochial vicar, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Beloit, per canon 545, predicated upon earlier ordination to the presbyterate.

• (Rev. Fr.) Ryan Ruhle, to parochial vicar, Divine Mercy Parish, Madison, per canon 545, predicated upon earlier ordination to the presbyterate.

• Rev. Fr. Faustino Ruiz, SJS, from parochial vicar (part-time), Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Boscobel, remaining as the Local Superior, the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest.

• Rev. Fr. Juan Diego Borja, SJS, to parochial vicar, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Boscobel, per canon 545, while continuing internal responsibilities for the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest.

• Rev. Fr. Stephen Young Woo Nam, return to the Archdiocese of Seoul (South Korea), from chaplain, part-time ministry to the Madison Korean Catholic community, as an extern priest who served in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, effective Monday, March 31, 2025.

• Msgr. James Bartylla, Vicar for Clergy, on behalf of Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, also announces the following:

• (Rev. Mr.) Casey Cooney, to parish deacon summer assignment, St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, Christ the King Parish, McFarland, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Monona (Stella Maris Pastorate), predicated upon earlier ordination to the diaconate on Friday, May 16, 2025, and effective Saturday, May 24, 2025.

• (Rev. Mr.) Barry Meinholz, to parish deacon summer assignment, St. Pius X Parish, Cambridge, St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Jefferson, St. Mary Parish, Milton, St. Mary Parish, Palmyra, and St. Mary Help of Christians, Sullivan (St. Teresa of Calcutta Pastorate), predicated upon earlier ordination to the diaconate on Friday, May 16, 2025, and effective Saturday, May 24, 2025.

• (Rev. Mr.) Luis Reyes, to parish deacon summer assignment, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Beloit, predicated upon earlier ordination to the diaconate on Friday, May 16, 2025, and effective Saturday, May 24, 2025.

• (Rev. Mr.) Mark Wagner, to parish deacon summer assignment, Epiphany of the Lord Parish, predicated upon earlier ordination to the diaconate on Friday, May 16, 2025, and effective Saturday, May 24, 2025
  
  

• Rev. Bart Timmerman, to Pastor, Queen of Martyrs Parish, per canons 522-523, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton, to form Queen of Martyrs Parish, from Parochial Administrator,  Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton.

• Rev. James Murphy, to Parochial Vicar, Queen of Martyrs Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton, to form Queen of Martyrs Parish, from Parochial Vicar,  Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton.
  
  
• Rev. Lawrence Oparaji, to Parochial Vicar, Queen of Martyrs Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton, to form Queen of Martyrs Parish, from Parochial Vicar,  Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, St. Jude Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish all in Beloit and St. Stephen Parish in Clinton.

• Rev. Msgr. Kevin Holmes, to Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish, per canons 522-523, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Christopher Parish in Verona/Paoli and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, to form Divine Mercy Parish, from Parochial Administrator, St. Christopher Parish in Verona/Paoli and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison.

• Very Rev. Gabriel López-Betanzos, to Parochial Vicar, Divine Mercy Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Christopher Parish in Verona/Paoli and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison, to form Divine Mercy Parish, from Parochial Vicar, St. Christopher Parish in Verona/Paoli and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Madison.

• Rev. Msgr. James Gunn, to Pastor, Mater Dei Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro, to form Mater Dei Parish, from Parochial Administrator, All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro, and from Parochial Vicar at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish.

• Rev. Eric Nielsen, to Parochial Vicar, Mater Dei Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro, to form Mater Dei Parish, from Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro.

• Rev. Anthony Thirumalareddy, to Parochial Vicar, Mater Dei Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro, to form Mater Dei Parish, from Parochial Vicar, All Saints Parish in Berlin, Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Green Lake, Holy Family Parish in Kingston and Markesan, Saint John the Baptist Parish in Princeton, and Saint James Parish in Neshkoro.

• Dcn. Terrence Larbes, to parish deacon assignment, Mater Dei Parish, from parish deacon assignment, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Green Lake.

• Rev. Gary Krahenbuhl, to Pastor, Queen of Apostles Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Dennis Parish in Madison and St. Peter Parish in Madison, to form Queen of Apostles Parish, from Parochial Administrator, St. Dennis Parish in Madison and St. Peter Parish in Madison.

• Rev. Joseph Michael Tarigopula, to Parochial Vicar, Queen of Apostles Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Dennis Parish in Madison and St. Peter Parish in Madison, to form Queen of Apostles Parish, from Parochial Vicar, St. Dennis Parish in Madison and St. Peter Parish in Madison.
  
  
• Dcn. David Hendrickson, to parish deacon assignment, Queen of Apostles Parish, from parish deacon assignment, St. Dennis Parish, Madison

• Rev. Scott Jablonski, to Pastor, Holy Cross Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton, to form Holy Cross Parish, from Parochial Administrator, St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton.
  
  
• Rev. Brian Dulli, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Cross Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton, to form Holy Cross Parish, from Parochial Vicar, St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton.
  
  
• Rev. Michael Wanta, to Parochial Vicar, Holy Cross Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton, to form Holy Cross Parish, from Parochial Vicar, St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cross Plains, St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville, St. Mary Parish in Pine Bluff, and St. Peter Parish in Ashton.
  
  
• Dcn. Craig Wood, to parish deacon assignment, Holy Cross Parish, from parish deacon assignment, St. Bernard Parish, Middleton.

• Rev. Fr. Carlos Reinos, SJS, to Pastor, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, per canon 522, for a term of six years with the possibility of renewal, as a result of the canonical merger of Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope, to form Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, from Parochial Administrator, Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope.
  
  
• Rev. Fr. Christopher Padilla, SJS, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope, to form Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, from Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope.
  
  
• Rev. Fr. Faustino Ruiz, SJS, to Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, per canon 545, as a result of the canonical merger of Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope, to form Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, from Parochial Vicar, Corpus Christi Parish in Boscobel, Muscoda, Avoca, and Clyde, and Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, Castle Rock, and Mount Hope, remaining as Local Superior of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest.

The vicar general is a priest (of at least 30 years of age) who has been appointed by the diocesan bishop to assist him in the governance of the faithful entrusted to his care.  The vicar general is, by reason of his office, granted ordinary administrative power and jurisdiction over the whole diocese, a power which he exercises vicariously in the name of the diocesan bishop, whom he serves.  The large scope and executive nature of the office requires that the vicar general be of sound doctrine, of integrity, of prudence, and well versed in both canon law and theology.  While the historical origins of this office date back to the 4th century, the Second Vatican Council spoke of it as "the most important office in the diocesan curia", and the 1983 Code of Canon Law established it as a mandatory office in the organizational structure of a diocese.  In handling many of the day-to-day canonical operations of the diocese, the vicar general maintains frequent communication with the bishop so that he may always act in harmony with the intention and mind of the Successor of the Apostles [can. 475-481].

"For the nurturing and constant growth of the People of God, Christ the Lord instituted in His Church a variety of ministries, which work for the good of the whole body.  For those ministers, who are endowed with sacred power, serve their brethren, so that all who are of the People of God, and therefore enjoy a true Christian dignity, wrking toward a common goal freely and in an orderly way, may arrive at salvation.

"This Sacred Council, following closely in the footsteps of the First Vatican Council, with that Council teaches and declares that Jesus Christ, the eternal Shepherd, established His holy Church, having sent forth the apostles as He Himself had been sent by the Father; and He willed that their successors, namely the bishops, should be shepherds in His Church even to the consummation of the world.  And in order that the episcopate itself might be one and undivided, He placed Blessed Peter over the other apostles, and instituted in him a permanent and visible source and foundation of unity of faith and communion.  And all this teaching about the institution, the perpetuity, the meaning and reason for the sacred primacy of the Roman Pontiff and of his infallible magisterium, this Sacred Council again proposes to be firmly believed by all the faithful.  Continuing in that same undertaking, this Council is resolved to declare and proclaim before all men the doctrine concerning bishops, the successors of the apostles, who together with the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ, the visible Head of the whole Church, govern the house of the living God."

The Second Vatican Council
Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)
Article 18

On the Governing Office of the Bishop

"Bishops, as vicars and ambassadors of Christ, govern the particular churches entrusted to them by their counsel, exhortations, example, and even by their authority and sacred power, which indeed they use only for the edification of their flock in truth and holiness, remembering that he who is greater should become as the lesser and he who is the chief become as the servant.  This power, which they personally exercise in Christ's name, is proper, ordinary and immediate, although its exercise is ultimately regulated by the supreme authority of the Church, and can be circumscribed by certain limits, for the advantage of the Church or of the faithful.  In virtue of this power, bishops have the sacred right and the duty before the Lord to make laws for their subjects, to pass judgment on them and to moderate everything pertaining to the ordering of worship and the apostolate.

"The pastoral office for the habitual and daily care of their sheep is entrusted to them completely; nor are they to be regarded as vicars of the Roman Pontiffs, for they exercise an authority that is proper to them, and are quite correctly called "prelates," heads of the people whom they govern.  Their power, therefore, is not destroyed by the supreme and universal power, but on the contrary it is affirmed, strengthened and vindicated by it, since the Holy Spirit unfailingly preserves the form of government established by Christ the Lord in His Church."

The Second Vatican Council
Lumen Gentium (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)
Article 27