About Saints John and Paul · Altoona, Iowa
Ss. John and Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Altoona, Iowa, serving the growing east-side Des Moines metro area as part of the Diocese of Des Moines. The parish celebrates Mass seven days a week — a Saturday vigil and two Sunday morning Masses, plus weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, and a special First Saturday morning Mass. It is widely known across the diocese for its pioneering intergenerational faith formation model, which has brought parishioners of all ages together for two decades to learn and pray as one household. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Mark McGeary and a sizable lay staff and ministry team, Ss. John and Paul offers sacramental preparation, youth ministry, adult formation, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), music, Eucharistic Adoration, Knights of Columbus fellowship, and parish outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- Saints John and Paul (early Christian martyrs, Roman-Latin tradition)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark McGeary
- Diocese
- Diocese of Des Moines
Why belong here
Ss. John and Paul is a mid-sized suburban parish with a robust sacramental life — daily and weekend Masses, twice-weekly confessions on Saturdays, and one of the most extensive weekly Eucharistic Adoration schedules in the area. Families and singles are drawn by its two-decade-old intergenerational faith formation program, which welcomes grandparents raising grandchildren, parents, and children learning the same material together. A staff of two youth ministers, a Director of Adult Faith Formation, a Director of Music, and a Parish Nurse — alongside the Knights of Columbus and the parish Prayer Chain — mean there are real people to walk with you through every stage of Catholic life, from OCIA (becoming Catholic) to Confirmation, marriage prep, and ongoing adult growth.
Mass times at Saints John and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (or by appointment)
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Monday: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- Wednesday: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Thursday: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- First Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Parish History & Identity
Ss. John and Paul Parish was incorporated under Iowa law on November 15, 1983, as a Revised Domestic Non-Profit religious corporation at 1401 1st Avenue S., Altoona — the address it still uses. The parish grew with the eastern Des Moines suburbs and is now a fixture of Catholic life in Polk County. Its name honors the joint memorial of Saints John and Paul, two early Christian martyrs traditionally venerated together in the Roman-Latin tradition. The parish is part of the Diocese of Des Moines and falls under its parish directory listings. Over the years it has been served by a succession of pastors; Rev. Timothy Fitzgerald appears in the parish's state filing as a former pastor, with Rev. Mark McGeary as the current pastor.
- Incorporated: November 15, 1983
- Legal entity: SS. JOHN AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ALTOONA (Iowa Entity #90596)
- Pastors of record include Rev. Timothy Fitzgerald and the current Rev. Mark McGeary
Clergy, Staff & Leadership
The parish is pastored by Rev. Mark McGeary and assisted by Deacon Steve McGee. A full lay staff supports the parish's ministries — including a Business Manager, Office Manager, Office Assistant, Director of Faith Formation, Faith Formation Assistant, Junior High Youth Minister, High School/Confirmation Youth Minister, Director of Adult Faith Formation, and Director of Music. The Parish Nurse and Knights of Columbus council contact round out the published leadership team.
- Pastor: Rev. Mark McGeary (ext. 015, [email protected])
- Deacon: Rev. Mr. Steve McGee (ext. 014, [email protected])
- Office Manager: Laurie Delvaux (ext. 010, [email protected])
- Business Manager: Maxine McEnany (ext. 012, [email protected])
- Office Assistant: Monna Sullivan ([email protected])
- Director of Faith Formation: Jenni Lihs (ext. 021, [email protected])
- Faith Formation Assistant: Shelly Hiemer (ext. 023, [email protected])
- Junior High Youth Minister: Kristina Frank ([email protected])
- High School / Confirmation Youth Minister: Angie Julander (ext. 022, [email protected])
- Director of Adult Faith Formation: Vivian Day McGee (ext. 018, [email protected])
- Director of Music: Patty Hormann (ext. 013, [email protected])
- Parish Nurse: Kris Flater (515-490-4843)
- Knights of Columbus contact: Mike Villa (515-314-8093)
Intergenerational Faith Formation
Ss. John and Paul's signature ministry is its intergenerational faith formation program, which in 2022 marked twenty continuous years. After hearing John Roberto — a leading voice in intergenerational Catholic faith formation — speak in Des Moines, the parish's pastor at the time invited his staff to adapt the model locally. Today the parish gathers twice per month, either Sunday or Wednesday evening, with parishioners choosing the time that fits their household. Each session opens with a shared meal (childcare provided), then moves into a group activity and prayer. Some evenings split into age-level small groups; others stay together and rotate through stations on a shared topic. The 2025–26 program year is titled 'Learning with the Parables,' exploring how Jesus used everyday stories to teach about the Kingdom of God, mercy, humility, and forgiveness — with catechesis for youth and adult formation running in parallel so families can discuss the same material at home.
- Model adopted locally: ~2002; celebrated 20 years in November 2022
- Sessions twice monthly: Sunday or Wednesday evening
- Shared meal + childcare provided at every session
- Current year theme (2025–26): 'Learning with the Parables'
- Includes youth ministry for grades 3 and up, sacramental formation, and adult growth opportunities
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
The parish also runs a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium and has hosted Level 1 CGS training, with scholarships available for parishioners interested in serving in the atrium. CGS is a Montessori-based religious formation approach for children that emphasizes contemplation and hands-on engagement with Scripture and liturgy.
- CGS Level 1 training offered at the parish
- Atrium-based formation for children
- Parish scholarships available for parishioners training to serve as catechists
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
Ss. John and Paul runs an Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process for inquirers and candidates exploring Catholic faith and sacraments. The parish also offers tailored Confirmation formation for baptized Catholics who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Volunteers are recruited to serve as Faith Journey Companions (mentors), sponsors, hospitality helpers, and Dismissal Leaders who walk with those journeying toward the Easter sacraments.
- OCIA inquiry and formation for unbaptized and baptized Christians
- Confirmation formation for already-baptized Catholics
- Volunteer roles: Faith Journey Companion, Sponsor, Hospitality, Dismissal Leader
- Contact: Vivian Day McGee, Director of Adult Faith Formation
Youth Ministry
Separate youth ministers lead programming for the parish's junior-high and high-school students, with sacramental preparation for Confirmation woven into the high school track. Youth ministry is part of the wider intergenerational formation approach but is structured to engage young people at age-appropriate levels.
- Junior High Youth Minister: Kristina Frank (319-269-8232, [email protected])
- High School / Confirmation Youth Minister: Angie Julander (ext. 022, [email protected])
Music & Liturgy
The parish's Director of Music, Patty Hormann, leads liturgical music across the weekend and weekday Mass schedule.
- Director of Music: Patty Hormann (ext. 013, [email protected])
Outreach & Parish Social Ministry
Ss. John and Paul maintains a Parish Social Ministry that connects parishioners to social justice and outreach efforts. During Lent, the parish supports Mary's Meals — a charity that began with one daily meal for children attending school and now feeds over 2.5 million children each day in 20 countries. Parishioners pick up a blue solo cup in the gathering space on Ash Wednesday and follow a calendar of suggested acts of solidarity through the season.
- Parish Social Ministry program
- Lenten almsgiving partnership: Mary's Meals (feeding schoolchildren worldwide)
- Calendar of suggested Lenten solidarity practices distributed Ash Wednesday
Prayer, Devotions & Care Ministries
Beyond the Mass and Adoration schedule, the parish sustains a Prayer Chain, a Family Rosary gathering, and a Parish Nurse ministry that supports homebound and elderly parishioners. Knights of Columbus provide fraternal fellowship and service.
- Prayer Chain — contact via parish office or [email protected]
- Family Rosary gatherings (see parish events page)
- Parish Nurse: Kris Flater (515-490-4843)
- Knights of Columbus: Mike Villa (515-314-8093)
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at (515) 967-3796 or by email at [email protected]. The parish is located at 1401 1st Avenue South in Altoona, Iowa. A parish bulletin is published regularly and is available through the Parishes Online archive.
- Address: 1401 1st Avenue South, Altoona, IA 50009
- Phone: (515) 967-3796
- Fax: (515) 967-7197
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ssjohnpaul.org
- Faith Formation microsite: https://www.ssjohnpaulfaithformation.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ssjohnpaulcatholicchurch/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Timothy Fitzgerald
Listed as a former pastor on the parish's Iowa business registration and on a third-party parish profile page.