Greetings from Fr. Mark J. Niehaus, I.S.P.

Hello Everyone,

It is said that even Olympic swimmers dread their first jump into a cold pool, even though they know that within minutes their bodies will become accustomed to the temperature of the water. Nonetheless, the first jump into the water is the hardest. 

Well, for months, we have been waiting for that first jump into the newest stage of Blessed Sacrament Parish’s history, and it has finally arrived! We have passed through many emotions when we learned about the Dominicans' decision to leave. Then we waited to hear what would happen to our parish. Finally, we heard that a new religious community would be coming—the Schoenstatt Fathers—to assume the parish administration. Who are they? What will they want to do here? How do you pronounce their name? Questions and more questions! 

Well, no more dipping our toe in the water. It is time to jump into the pool and start swimming- both you, as a parish, and us, as a, religious community. Little by little we will get to know each other but for now, let me tell you who we are and who will be living in the priory. 

The US Schoenstatt Fathers is a small community-based in three places. We are 10 fathers in all. Some live in Austin, Texas (6), Miami, Florida (2), and now Madison, Wisconsin (2). We have been living in Wisconsin for over 50 years and in the past years, we have been looking for a place where we can both serve the Church and our Schoenstatt ministries. In particular, we have been looking for a place where we can minister to those who visit our Schoenstatt Shrines, to young adults and to families. 

We first spoke with Bishop Hying a couple of years ago, sparking his thinking in us when he found out about the Dominicans’ departure. Madison has a Schoenstatt Shrine (on Cottage Grove Road) and Blessed Sacrament is close to an area with young adults and families. He offered us the opportunity to administrate your parish and continue our Schoenstatt ministries, a challenge we decided to take.  

Since July 1, 2024, two of us have been living in Madison, here at Blessed Sacrament. First, is Fr. Cristobal Asenjo, one of our community’s Chilean men who has lived and worked in Austin, Texas for five years. He has worked with university students, married couples, and was rector of our Austin Schoenstatt Shrine. He will live in-house, help with parish ministries, and look for open doors to bring our charism into the Madison area. I am Fr. Mark Niehaus and was asked to be parish administrator. Born in Minnesota, I have administrated a parish and worked at a Catholic High School. I look to continue the wonderful work that Fr. Andy and the Dominicans have done at Blessed Sacrament Parish. 

As Fr. Cristobal and I are settling into the rectory (the former priory), we have been discovering more and more things in its numerous corners and closets. Our Dominican brothers were very generous in what they had left us, but had also been diligent in cleaning much of it. At least for me, it’s been a fascinating experience that captures in tiny, and numerous, ways the life that the fathers and brothers lived here for 80 years. 

One particular piece that we’ve found (and are happy to have) has been lots of laundry detergents, stain removers, and such. As I thought about it, I was reminded that the Dominicans wear their white habit, beautiful and full of meaning, but also probably easy to stain, just like when eating spaghetti wearing a white shirt! They had to be attentive to keep their habit clean and white. This can be an image what we need to do in our own lives, particularly in our relationship with God. 

We are challenged to be carriers of God’s word into the world. Knowing that we are small, needing regular cleaning can help us have the humility to serve others with the Gospel. Jesus sends the Twelve out two by two to tell others about their experiences with him and expel any unclean spirits they encountered. They weren’t supposed to have anything extra as they went, simply sharing this good news and healing others. It must have been powerful and humbling. God was working through them and yet, it wasn’t their power. Having almost nothing with them, they must have been aware of all the many stains to be cleaned in their own lives. 

As we Schoenstatt Fathers settle into our time with you, we have had similar experiences already. Blessed Sacrament Parish (and the Diocese of Madison, for that matter) have been very open to us and accepted us as your new pastoral team. We have benefited from the work of so many who have gone before us, who have shared their experiences of God and walked and worked with you. Most of all we have benefited that you did so, understanding their humanity and continuing need to wash any stains that they may have had. 

Fr. Cristobal and I come to you during this first time desiring to walk with you and help you love our Lord and his Mother more. Although we do not wear white habits, we have and will have stains to be cleaned, and we thank the Father for your patience and prayers as we do so.

In this we can together understand that “in [Jesus] we have redemption by his blood, forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he has lavished upon us.” (Eph 1: 7-8a). I desire to share this grace with you more deeply as your parish administrator and are grateful God has given us this chance to walk together. 


During the coming months we want to meet you and see how we can strengthen the life present in the parish. We will do our best to carry on the Dominican traditions present here, particularly their connection with the Blessed Mother. We look forward to getting to know you all and seeing how we can serve you with the gifts and graces God has given us and the Schoenstatt charism. As we all jump into the cold water of this new time, we do it knowing that once we get accustomed to the water, we will help each other grow in our faith and love for Jesus and Mary!

Blessings, Fr. Mark