The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has called for prayers after an SUV drove through the crowd at Waukesha's Christmas Parade on Nov. 21, killing six and injuring 48.

An archdiocese priest and parishioners were among the injured, according to the archdiocese's statement issued Monday, Nov. 22.

"Our prayers are with the people who have been injured and killed during the tragic incident in Waukesha," the statement posted to the archdiocese's Facebook page said. "Among the injured are one of our Catholic priests, as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic school children. Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those who are traumatized from witnessing the horrible scene."

Washington County Insider and WBAY identified the Rev. Pat Heppe, who for three years was assigned to Holy Angels Parish in West Bend and also previously was assigned to Holy Family Catholic Community in Fond du Lac, as among the injured.

"With great gratitude to our Lord, we are able to report that Fr. Heppe is recovering from his injuries and has left the hospital," Holy Family Catholic Community said in a Facebook post earlier today. "We ask that you please continue to pray for him and his recovery, as well as for all those who were injured, killed or affected by the events.

Heppe was reassigned from pastor of Catholic Community of Waukesha to serve as the community's parochial vicar in September, the archdioscese's Catholic Herald reported at the time.

In his own video statement in a separate Facebook post, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki said he felt "compelled to stand in solidarity with those who've been affected by this senseless act. When confronted with the shock and the grief encountered by our brothers and sisters in Waukesha, it is now important for us to turn to our faith, which offers us God’s loving presence and consolation. Our prayers are with the people who have been injured and killed during the tragic incident in Waukesha."

Listecki concluded that the entire area faith community "will call their communities together and offer to God their sense of confidence in His ability to guide us through this difficult period and offer hope and healing. God bless you."

The theme of this year's Christmas Parade in Waukesha had been "Comfort and Joy," according to a Fox 6 Milwaukee news story Monday, Nov. 22. The parade began at 4 p.m. at Main and Whiterock and, 39 minutes in, a red 2010 Ford Escape sped through the crowd after driving through a police barricade.

"Last night, our wonderful Waukesha Christmas Parade became the scene of a horrific tragedy," Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said in the news story.

Police have since identified 39-year-old Darrell Brooks, described in various local news stories as a Milwaukee-area amateur rapper released from prison days before the parade, as the driver of the Ford Escape. Brooks, a registered sex offender in Nevada, has a long history of criminal activities, including reckless endangerment, battery, domestic abuse, resisting arrest, bail jumping, obstructing officers, a felony marijuana charge and felony possession of a firearm, according to various news reports.

Brooks was expected to make his initial court appearance sometime today to face five counts of intentional homicide and other charges, according to the Fox 6 news story.