New Title

Dear parishioners,

Here are the top three suggestions for the name of the new Ottumwa parish.  Since I am needing to be with my family, I am postponing the date of the next joint Parish Council meeting. Once I am back, the new meeting date will be determined. It will be at that meeting that the Parish Council will vote on the new name. After that, I will write a letter to the Bishop to get his formal approval at the Presbyteral Council meeting in May. Then the hard work continues, wherein we will need to look at all the details involved in this merger. 

               *     St. Joseph

               *     St. Nicholas

               *     St. John Paul II

There are many possible names, most of which would certainly be great, but we need to eventually choose one. I realize this may be a very emotional concern for some, so I ask for your understanding. Please remember that each church building will retain its name; it is the name of the new parish that needs to be decided upon. 

I invite you to pray for the discernment of God's voice in guiding our Parish Council in arriving at a name that will inspire the Catholic community of Ottumwa to "leave everything behind, follow Jesus, and become fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)

Blessings, Fr. Joseph Sia

You may speak in person with any Parish Council member to

express your thoughts on the new names. Or email these members.

48jthomas@gmail.com              ed@bufferoverrun.com

kawilson54@gmail.com             pam.ward50@gmail.com

weberdancer@gmail.com          mccright56m@hotmail.com

Parish Council members/Miembros del consejo parroquial

St. Mary's of the Visitation: Ed Wilson, Merlin Bueltel, Pam Ward, Ted Haas, Pablo Martinez, Mary Conlon.
St. Patrick: Robert LaPoint, Cindy Smith, Denis Anstey, Susan Cenci, Sandy Mottet, Bob McCright, Steve Parsons, John Smith, Jane Thomas, Michele Weber, Laura Bates-Glenn, Kathy Wilson.