Father Bruch serves as Marian Home chaplain

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
The Fort Dodge Marian Home and Village announced that retired priest Father Jim Bruch has accepted the position as the new chaplain for the long-term care center.
 
“With decades of experience in pastoral ministry, Father Bruch brings a compassionate presence and deep commitment to his new role,” said Tracy Trotter, Marian Home executive director. “As chaplain, he will provide spiritual guidance, celebrate Mass, offer sacraments and be a source of comfort for residents, families and staff.”
 
The priest said he had retired in Manson a few years ago at the invitation of his cousin Father Lynn Bruch, who was pastor at the time. The St. Thomas Parish rectory was empty and there were many opportunities to assist in the parish.
 
“I appreciated that because I liked to keep as active as I could,” Father Bruch said.
 
He explained he was encouraged by others this winter to move to the Marian Home and Village as his on-site ministry would be welcomed. He moved to Fort Dodge on Feb. 6.
 
“I have Mass every day at 10 a.m. and Stations of the Cross every Friday. I hear confessions, I am available to Catholics and non-Catholics and I anoint those having difficulties,” the retired priest said of his service to the Marian Home. “I am very happy here.”
 
Trotter said with the facility’s faith-based approach to care, and it's to address both physical and spiritual well-being is enhanced by the new chaplain.
 

Father Bruch, left, and Father Larry McCarty in the chapel

“With Father Bruch at the helm of pastoral care, the Marian Home and Village continues its mission of compassionate service, ensuring that residents feel supported in every aspect of their lives,” the executive director said. 

Father Bruch said working with Trotter to provide ministry at the facility has worked well and they have good communication with one another. The Marian Home has a chapel, sacristy and conference rooms available for the chaplain’s ministry – all within the same building as Father Bruch’s apartment.
 
 Fellow retired priest Father Larry McCarty also lives in the facility and retired priest Father Jim Tigges lives in Fort Dodge and both will assist Father Bruch if needed.
 
The residents and their families are very happy with Father Bruch’s new ministry, Trotter said, noting she has received positive feedback, especially regarding his homilies and Masses.
 
“The residents seem to appreciate my presence,” Father Bruch said. “I’ve had a lot of good comments for Mass.”

 The chaplain said he has reached out to Msgr. Kevin McCoy, offering his assistance to Holy Trinity Parish, which is on the same campus as the Marian Home and Village. Msgr. McCoy is pastor of Holy Trinity and Humboldt St. Mary Parish.
 
“I like being able to work and offering Mass as long as I am able. I thank God for the opportunity to do that,” the priest said. “With the shortage (of priests), I am happy to be of assistance.”
 
The retired priest will celebrate his 60^th ordination anniversary this summer. He was ordained a priest June 5, 1965. (Other priests celebrating their 60^th this spring and summer include Father Clair Boes, Father Emmet Farrell and Father Gene Murray.)