Pastor's Message
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WelcomeHello Website Visitor!I’m glad you are visiting the website of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. We hope it is an opportunity to learn more about our parish. There’s much happening here even in the midst of summer. So browse a bit and learn more!I’m new here as pastor of St. Joseph. My service here as pastor started in July. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. My 39 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque has unfolded in a variety of ways. Nearly all (minus one) of my years has allowed me to serve as a parish priest, either as pastor or in the earlier years as an associate pastor. This has been the best part of my priesthood.I really enjoy parish ministry. Stops along this journey have included four years at Sacred Heart in Waterloo, three years at St. Wenceslaus and St. Ludmila in Cedar Rapids, seven years at Sacred Heart, Fillmore, 12 years at St. Elizabeth Seton in Hiawatha and finally 12 years at Epiphany Parish in Mason City. One additional year not in a parish was spent finishing up some additional graduate study at Notre Dame.That year was followed by seven years as Director of Liturgy for the archdiocese under Archbishops Kucera and Hanus. I loved this too but was able to serve as a pastor in these years as well. There is just one other role I’ve served…I was a high school theology teacher for seven years at Waterloo Columbus and LaSalle here in Cedar Rapids. All my various roles have been good and satisfying, but I’ve always loved parish life. Sunday Mass and the sacraments have always been at the heart of that!So now, I’m looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you at St. Joseph in Marion. I’m grateful for that. I hope to meet you soon.Sincerely,Fr. Neil Manternach
