Parish Information /Clergy

---

    St. Mary's parish is the only Catholic parish in Storm Lake. We have 750 envelope holders (families). We are located at 320 Seneca Street, at the corner of Third and Seneca.

    Plans for the first Catholic church in Storm Lake were discussed in 1871. It was a small frame building. From those humble beginnings, we have a church building, convent, rectory and K-12 Catholic School. The school first opened its doors in 1912.

St. Mary's Parish is a vibrant, active parish with over 750 envelope holders and an estimated 200 + non-registered Hispanic families. We host a preK-12 Catholic School, Religious Education classes, 2 parish choirs, regular scripture study, Sacramental preparation, alumni events, summer Vacation Bible School, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, and a large variety of volunteer opportunities from Adopt-A-Garden to music ministries to working with children in our school.

As a help to our Spanish-speaking parishioners, Religious Education classes are offered in Spanish and English. St. Mary's Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration brings faithful of all cultures from throughout the region each December.

Please browse through our website to learn more about us!

Saturday: 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish)
Sunday: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and noon (Spanish) periodic 2 p.m. Lao mass
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday from 4-5 p.m. or by appointment
Communal Reconciliation services before Christmas and Easter.

St. Mary’s Parish

Our mission:

To be a faith community living and passing on a vibrant Catholic faith.

Our vision:

To be a community where each parishioner will live according to Christ’s teachings and example.

Our values:

• Welcoming – reaching out and taking a genuine interest in others

• Respect – respecting the dignity and diversity of others

• Liturgy – developing our relationship with God through prayer and sacraments

• Faith Education – teaching our Catholic beliefs, traditions and values

Pastor:      Rev. Bruce A. Lawler            (712)732-3110 Ext. 13       balawler1@aol.com

Associate Pastor:   Rev. William J. Vit      (712)732-3110 Ext. 14      wvit@iw.net

Deacon:   Rev. Mr. Mark Prosser    (712)732-3110    prossermd@iw.net

Parish Offices (rectory): (712)732-3110 - Pat Johnson - parishstm@iw.net mornings.      Sr. Josita Zieser - smbulletin@iw.net, afternoons.
St. Mary's PreK-12 School: (712)732-4166 - Beverly Mach, PreK-12 Principal    bmach@stmarys-storm.pvt.k12.ia.us
Business Office (rectory) (712)732-3110 -  - Martha Smith Finance Director     smbusiness@iw.net
Director of Faith Formation (325 Seneca St.): (712)732-5160 - Carolyn Brown      cary@iw.net
Minority Outreach (rectory): (712)732-3110 Ext. 14 - Fr. William Vit  and Sr. Joyce Blum, FSPA, Ext. 16   jblum@iw.net
Stewardship, Development and Alumni Relations (rectory): (712)732-3110 Ext. 15 - Dawn Prosser, Development Director    smalumni@iw.net
 
 

 
 
  Rev. Bruce A. Lawler came to St. Mary's late February 2003 from Sacred Heart Parish in Sioux City. He now serves as St. Mary's pastor. He is a native of Clare, Iowa, and a graduate of Fort Dodge St. Edmund.  Fr. Bruce is a big Notre Dame fan - go Fightin' Irish!

Father William Vit came to Saint Mary's in July 2006 after completing graduate studies in Rome.  Although he studied business in college, after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa Father Vit decided to enter seminary and pursue priestly ministry.  Initially he studied philosophy at Conception Seminary and languages at Catholic University of America and Middlebury College.  Father later received his Bachelor's in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, as well as his graduate degree (STL) with a specialization in Patristic Theology.  Father Vit currently serves as the Parochial Vicar of our parish as well as Chaplain to Saint Mary's High School where he also teaches.  Father also serves our Hispanic community through his sacramental ministry in both English and Spanish.

Rev. Mr. Mark Prosser is St. Mary's parish's first deacon. He was ordained March 4, 2007 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany by Bishop R. Walker Nickless. Mark serves the parish by assisting the priests at masses, preparing homilies, visiting the sick, baptising, presiding at funeral vigils and presiding at marriages outside of the mass among others services needed by the parishioners of St. Mary's. He has been a parishioner since 1989, coming to St. Mary's from O'Fallon, Illinois. His "day job" is Public Safety Director and Police Chief for the City of Storm Lake. Mark has a wife, Dawn, and daughter, Jessica.

We also have two religious women serving our parish from the Dubuque Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary order - Sr. Donna Determan, K-4 religion educator and Sr. Josita Zieser,  afternoon parish administrative assistant. One Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, Sr. Joyce Blum, FSPA, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, serves as our Hispanic Pastoral Minister.