Rev. William E. Reynolds

The Rev. William E. Reynolds became pastor of St. Mary's on November 26, 1996.

He was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Davenport on April 3, 1980, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, during the Chrism Mass, by the Most Rev. Gerald O'Keefe, Bishop of Davenport.

Following the completion of seminary studies at the Saint Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, he was ordained a priest on June 13, 1981, at St. Mary's Church in Oxford, Iowa, his hometown. His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Davenport, Iowa, from July of 1981 until June of 1986.

In late June of 1986 he moved to Rome, Italy, to begin two years of graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas, from which he received the J.C.L. in 1988. On his return to the Diocese of Davenport he was assigned as pastor of St. James Church in Toronto and Sacred Heart Church in Lost Nation, where he remained until his appointment to St. Mary's in Grinnell. In June of 1996 his responsibilities were expanded as he became pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Oxford Junction, Iowa, a joint appointment of the Bishop of Davenport and the Archbishop of Dubuque. Even though Sacred Heart of Oxford Junction is in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, it was opportune for one priest to serve all three parishes, an arrangement which successfully continues.

The transfer of Fr. Reynolds from Eastern Iowa to St. Mary's in Grinnell was announced in early November, 1996. He presided at Mass in Grinnell for the first time on Thanksgiving Day, 1996, the day after his move to Poweshiek County.

From August of 1998 to July of 1999, Fr. Reynolds served as pastoral administrator of St. Patrick's Church in Brooklyn, Iowa, 16 miles east of Grinnell.

Does Father Reynolds have a fondness for big city life? It seems so, considering his appointments in Rome, Toronto, and Brooklyn!

He occasionally tells a humorous story or joke at the end of Mass.The following is one of his favorite stories:

A priest awoke one morning to find a dead donkey in the front yard of the rectory. He had no idea how it got there, but he knew he had to get rid of it. So, he called the sanitation department, the health department, and several other agencies, but no one seemed able to help him. In desperation, the good Reverend called the Mayor and asked what should be done.

The Mayor must have been having a bad day. "Why bother me?" he asked."You're a clergyman. It's your job to bury the dead."

The priest lost his cool. "Yes," he snapped, "But I thought I should at least notify the next-of-kin!"

Father enjoys hearing jokes and stories, especially those he can tell at Mass. He is easily entertained-good people playing a wicked game of euchre will keep him entertained for hours!

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