The parishes involved are Our Lady of Angels, Armstrong; St. Michael, Dotyville; and St. Mary, Eden. The parishes will merge on January 1, 2001. The merger is a result of an on-going parish planning initiative that began in the 10-county Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the late 1980's. The parish planning process resulted in recommendations for many parishes throughout southeastern Wisconsin to work more closely together or directed parishes to merge.

Although the parish planning directives issued by Archbishop Weakland in November 1997 did not call for these parishes to merge, the leadership of the three parishes asked the archbishop for permission to merge, which he approved. Each church will remain open and Sunday Mass will be celebrated at each site.

"As we worked together and did strategic planning we realized that becoming one parish was our best option," said Fr. Kevin Wester, pastor of the three parishes. "The communities have grown close and our parish leaders are united. By becoming one, we believe we will reduce our administrative responsibilities and increase our ability to provide an inviting worship experience, as well as increase our outreach and education work within the community."

Previously, in June 1998, Our Lady of Angels parish merged with St. Michael parish in Mitchell, Sheboygan County. That church was designated a chapel and will remain affiliated with the newly formed parish. Fr. Kevin Wester has served the three parishes as pastor since May 1, 1999. Fr. Wester was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Angels parish and St. Michael parish in October 1997.

The name Shepherd of the Hills arose from an active process that invited parishioners to submit possible names and then, through a round of voting, overwhelmingly brought people to the name Shepherd of the Hills. The name reflects not only the rural heritage of the parishes, but also refers to the hilly terrain of Dotyville, South Eden, and the Kettle Moraine which encompasses the parish.

The new parish will celebrate its inception with Masses of Thanksgiving on New Year's Eve at 4 p.m. at Dotyville, and on New Year's day at 8:15 a.m. at Armstrong, and 10:30 a.m. at Eden. The 4 p.m. New Year's Eve Mass at Dotyville will conclude with exposition of the Eucharist. Exposition will continue throughout the night with a closing service at 11:45 p.m. and Benediction celebrated New Year's Day at 12:01 a.m. This service will celebrate both the formation of the new parish and the close of the Jubilee Year 2000.