BRODHEAD - St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Brodhead is merging with St. Victor Catholic Church of Monroe, but the Brodhead church isn't closing, the Rev. Michael Moon said.
"Funeral Masses, weddings and Masses on special occasions will continue," Moon said. "The church will be open on a daily basis. The usual Friday devotions at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. will continue."
The Rev. Michael Klarer will become pastor at St. Rose and will continue to serve St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe.
Sunday Masses will be held in Monroe, but not in Brodhead.
Moon has been a priest at St. Rose for almost four years. He will become pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belleville. He will continue to serve St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Albany, which will merge with St. Francis.
The last regular Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's was held July 4, Moon said. Effective July 13, the weekday Mass in Albany will be moved from 8 a.m. Wednesdays to 8 a.m. Tuesdays.
According to Brent M. King, director of communication with the Diocese of Madison, planning has been going on for four years to determine what changes to make in local parishes based on parish population and retirements.
The main reason for the mergers is a declining number of priests, Moon said.
Weekday Masses at St. Rose ended yesterday.
St. Rose has been a place of worship in Brodhead since 1868. Moon said some parishioners are concerned about the changes, since there will no longer be Sunday Mass at the church.
"Some (parishioners) have been attending weekend Mass at St. Rose for more than 60 years," Moon said. "There is a certain sense of loss."
He said some church members have talked to other about carpooling to services in Monroe. That could help some of the older church members get to church, he added.
Moon said Linda Faessler will continue to serve as administrative assistant at the church. She can be contacted at the parish office at (608) 897-2666.
Moon said he will miss the people in Brodhead.
"I have been blessed to work with many people from all walks of life and from various church denominations," he said. "I urge all of us to continue praying for one another."
"Funeral Masses, weddings and Masses on special occasions will continue," Moon said. "The church will be open on a daily basis. The usual Friday devotions at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. will continue."
The Rev. Michael Klarer will become pastor at St. Rose and will continue to serve St. Victor Catholic Church in Monroe.
Sunday Masses will be held in Monroe, but not in Brodhead.
Moon has been a priest at St. Rose for almost four years. He will become pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belleville. He will continue to serve St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Albany, which will merge with St. Francis.
The last regular Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's was held July 4, Moon said. Effective July 13, the weekday Mass in Albany will be moved from 8 a.m. Wednesdays to 8 a.m. Tuesdays.
According to Brent M. King, director of communication with the Diocese of Madison, planning has been going on for four years to determine what changes to make in local parishes based on parish population and retirements.
The main reason for the mergers is a declining number of priests, Moon said.
Weekday Masses at St. Rose ended yesterday.
St. Rose has been a place of worship in Brodhead since 1868. Moon said some parishioners are concerned about the changes, since there will no longer be Sunday Mass at the church.
"Some (parishioners) have been attending weekend Mass at St. Rose for more than 60 years," Moon said. "There is a certain sense of loss."
He said some church members have talked to other about carpooling to services in Monroe. That could help some of the older church members get to church, he added.
Moon said Linda Faessler will continue to serve as administrative assistant at the church. She can be contacted at the parish office at (608) 897-2666.
Moon said he will miss the people in Brodhead.
"I have been blessed to work with many people from all walks of life and from various church denominations," he said. "I urge all of us to continue praying for one another."