Our New Bishop

24 Nov

Typically, I post a daily reflection on this blog.  However, today, I post the news of a new bishop being assigned to the Diocese of Gary to replace Bishop Dale J. Melczek who resigned last year after having reached the age limit of 75.

(Vatican Radio) The Holy Father has named an Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee, Donald J. Hying as the new Bishop of Gary, USA. He succeeds Bishop Dale J. Melczek, whose resignation Pope Francis accepted upon having the age limit.

Bishop Hying is a native of West Allis, Wisconsin. Born to Albert and Catherine Hying (both deceased) on August 18, 1963, he is the youngest of six sons. After attending St. Aloysius and Immaculate Heart of Mary grade schools, he graduated from Brookfield Central High School and Marquette University. He earned his Masters of Divinity from Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on May 20,1989.

His first priestly assignment was as associate pastor for St. Anthony Parish, Menomonee Falls from 1989 to 1994. From 1994 to 1997, he was a team member for La Sagrada Familia Parroquia, in the Dominican Republic. Bishop Hyling was temporary administrator at St. Peter Parish, East Troy, 1998, and later served as pastor at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish, Milwaukee from 1999 to 2005 and St. Anthony Parish, Milwaukee from 1998 to 1999. He served as temporary administrator at St. Augustine Parish, Milwaukee in 2006, then as dean of Formation at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, from 2005 to 2007.

In 2007 Bishop Hyling was named as rector of Saint Francis de Sales Seminary by then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a position he held from 2007 to 2011.
On July 20, 2011, he was ordained the seventh auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

There will be a press conference at the Diocese of Gary this morning at 10:00 a.m.  You can watch the news for further information.

FAITH ACTION:  Kindly pray for Bishop Melczek who has served the Diocese of Gary since he first came to us as an Apostolic Administrator in 1992 that his retirement years be richly blessed.  Pray, as well, for the new bishop of the Diocese of Gary, that the Holy Spirit guide him as he leads us into the future.