You might already know that …….
The Catholic Messenger is the official newspaper of the Diocese of Davenport, and is a great resource for information on events and happenings in and around the Diocese, and is a real bargain at just $30 for 50 issues per year, and you can receive it in paper or electronic form – or both!
But did you know…….
The Catholic Messenger is NOT a free publication? When parishioners don’t pay for their subscription – the Parish is held responsible.
If you are currently receiving The Catholic Messenger and you have not submitted your subscription payment for 2025, please do so ASAP.
Payment checks should be made out to
THE CATHOLIC MESSENGER.
You may mail payment directly to the Messenger, or you can drop it in the weekly collection, or mail it to the Parish Office (222 N Ward).
Thank you!!
We are the people of St. Mary of the Visitation Church, a multicultural Catholic Christian parish in Ottumwa, Iowa. We are growing in commitment to Christ, proclaiming the Good News and offering charity to all.
Help Support St Mary of the Visitation Church
You can support the ministries of St Mary of the Visitation Church in the following ways:
Regular Offering Envelopes: The envelopes from your monthly packet can be used to make regular weekly and/or monthly donations. If you are not able to attend weekend Masses, you may leave envelopes in the slot of the church office door or mail them to the church office.
Online Giving: Online giving is another way to support the church by setting up regular donations that are either sent by your bank or transferred electronically via a secure online site. The options are:
1.) Setup Bill Pay with your bank to have checks automatically sent to St Mary of the Visitation on a schedule that you determine; OR
2.) Through our secure online partner Vanco via bank ACH or credit/debit card. See instructions for Vanco at the bottom of the page.
Special Collections: There are envelopes in your monthly packet that can be used for many special collections. If you don't have envelopes, you can simply use a plain envelope marked for the special collection. These can be dropped in the weekly collection basket or you can send a check to the church.
-- NOTE: Ottumwa Catholic Religious Education (OCRE) & Capital Improvement Fund donations are available for online giving via Vanco.
Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA): Every year the parish is assessed an amount to be paid to the diocese to help cover the cost of services that the diocese provides to the parishes. Each family of the parish is asked to pledge an amount to this appeal. Payments of pledges can be set up to be paid directly to the diocese or we can forward payments to the diocese. Please give to this appeal if you are able as our parish must pay the assessed amount even if we do not collect the amount assessed. If we receive more than the assessed amount it is given back to the parish for our general funds.
Specific Fundraising Events: Occasionally there will be special fundraising events for specific projects. We are currently in the third year of the diocesan capital campaign Upon This Rock.
OCRE (Ottumwa Catholic Religious Education): By supporting our religious education program you help us to inspire and enlighten the youth of our parish with the teachings of the Catholic Religion. Among other things, the funds received help to cover costs of extra materials used in sacramental preparation and the extra activities offered to the students. Your monthly envelope packet contains a pink envelope for OCRE donations and we are now set up with Vanco for online giving to OCRE.
Benefits of E-Giving include:
Credit card option allows you to take advantage of rewards such as air miles or cash bonuses.