Decree of Extinctive Union of Our Lady of Grace and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish

October 14, 2025

Extinctive Union of Our Lady of Grace Parish and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Whereby Our Lady of Grace Parish is incorporated into Ss. Peter and Paul Parish

Due to reasons of declining participation in the sacramental life and pastoral activity of Our Lady of Grace Parish, the structural and financial deterioration of Our Lady of Grace Parish, and principally considering how best to provide for the pastoral care of parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Parish, consideration must be given as to whether sufficient just cause exists for the extinctive union of Our Lady of Grace Parish (203 Adair Street, Griswold, Iowa) and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish (106 West 6th Street, Atlantic, Iowa) whereby Our Lady of Grace Parish is incorporated into Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. 

Noting Our Lady of Grace Parish was originally established as St. Mary’s Parish on May 19, 1918 and subsequently renamed Our Lady of Grace Parish on February 24, 2012;

Having heard, in accordance with canon 50, all those whose rights might be injured through consultations with myself and diocesan Vicar General Father David Fleming on July 29, 2025, August 19, 2025, and September 20, 2025; 

Recognizing from parish foundation documents and deeds that there are no other major donors or heirs to be heard; 

Having consulted with the diocesan Presbyteral Council (c. 515 §2) on September 26, 2025, and receiving their positive recommendation; 

Seeing the already existing collaboration and sharing of resources between Our Lady of Grace Parish and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, including the sharing of a pastor and parochial vicar, and attentive to the need to enhance collaborative ministry to ensure the best utilization of clergy and lay personnel; 

And having carefully considered alternative solutions to the present difficulties, leading to a conviction that an extinctive merger is the only viable action to serve the good of souls; 

Having God before my eyes; 

In accord with canon 515 §2, having judged that sufficient just cause is indeed present, I hereby extinctively unite Our Lady of Grace Parish and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish whereby Our Lady of Grace Parish is incorporated into Ss. Peter and Paul Parish.

This decree is to be effective November 10, 2025, at which time the parishioners of Our Lady of Grace Parish will become parishioners of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, and the territory, goods, patrimonial rights and obligations of Our Lady of Grace Parish are subsumed into Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, with respect given to the intentions of founders and donors (cf. c. 121). 

In order to facilitate this extinctive merger, I ask that regularly scheduled Masses cease at Our Lady of Grace Church after the weekend of November 8-9. 

This decree is to be communicated to the pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish and Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, who is the legal representative of the parishes (c. 532). Further notification shall be made through publication on the diocesan and parish websites, and inclusion of this decree in the parish bulletins the weekend of October 11-12, 2025.

Reconsideration of this decree may be sought within a peremptory time limit of ten days from legitimate notification according to the norm of canon 1734 §§1 and 2.

Given at the Chancery, Des Moines, Iowa this 9th day of October 2025.

Most Reverend William M. Joensen
Bishop of Des Moines