Thomas James

How did you know you were being called to the priesthood? My mother was born in Ottumwa, the youngest of 13 children. Her father, an immigrant from Ireland, came to America at 17 and settled in the Ottumwa area. He was a very loyal Catholic and shared his faith and great Irish humor with his family. The example of his faith “stuck,” and as long as I can remember, every member of the family was a devoted Catholic. My father was born in a little town close to Ottumwa, the oldest of six boys. My great-grandfather was an immigrant from Holland who eventually settled in Ottumwa. My father’s family was very active in the Methodist church. My father converted to Catholicism four years after his marriage to my mother.