Based on recommendations from parishioners, Bishop Edward U. Kmiec and the diocesan Strategic Planning Commission have approved the merging of

St. Martin Parish in Langford, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in New Oregon and St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Collins Center. 

Bishop Kmiec said, “When we began our journey, one of our stated goals was to be responsive to the needs at the parish level.  In this case, parishioners and parish leadership initiated these developments.  It is important for us to be responsive to their needs, and I continue to encourage other parishes to follow the lead of these parishes in agreeing on and presenting workable solutions to new parish life.”

A new parish, Epiphany of Our Lord Parish Community, in Langford, will have its first gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 11, with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. followed at 7:15 p.m. by a special evening prayer beginning the life of the new parish.  Evening prayer will have a special focus on priestly vocations. 

The parish will be located on the St. Martin Parish property in Langford.  St. Martin’s was selected as the site of the new parish because of its proximity to the other two parishes, the church has a larger capacity, and it is handicap accessible.  St. Martin and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception parishes have been linked since 1985.  In 1991, St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Collins Center became an additional responsibility for the pastor. 

Since that time, collaboration among the three parishes has increased.  Sister Regina Murphy, SSMN, director of Research and Planning for the diocese, noted, “When these parishes began the Journey in Faith and Grace process, the decision that they should merge into a single parish at one site came fairly quickly.  Since these three parishes also comprise the regional cluster, they were automatically ahead of the timeline.”

 “I give a lot of credit to our parishioners,” said Father Peter Karalus, pastor of all three parishes and pastor of the new faith community.  “They have taken a good, strong and active role in this plan.  I’m encouraging them to be creative on what to do with our new parish.”

The past few weekends, Heritage Weekend celebrations were held at each parish to honor and celebrate all that each has been and what they are bringing to the creation of the new parish community.  “We are all the living stones of the Church.  Buildings come and go, but the Church is the people,” Father Karalus said.  “How we live out the message of Christ is who we are.  That’s what makes us Church.”

Parish cemeteries at St. Martin and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception will continue to operate under their current names.

The first weekend liturgies at the new parish community will be this weekend.  Masses will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.  Bishop Kmiec will celebrate a special inaugural Mass at the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.