In 2010, Bishop Clark approved the merger of our previous cluster parishes to a new parish: Saints Isidore and Maria Torribia parish. We are the first parish in our diocese to be given married patron saints. A copy of Bishop Clark’s decree is posted on the bulletin boards of each of our churches.

Who are these saints, and why were we assigned them?

Saints Isidore and Maria were married to one another, lived in Spain in the 12th century, and they were farmers. This is why they are the patron saints of farmers and rural communities, and why they are assigned to us.

Legend has it that Isidore, who loved to attend daily Mass, once had an angel do the plowing so he could attend Mass.  They had a son, who died in childhood. Also per legend, the story has their son had fallen into a well, and was miraculously saved when his parents, unable to go into the well, prayed, and the water level rose to lift the child to their embrace. This miracle so touched them that they devoted the rest of their days to a celibate life.

Maria would outlive Isidore by some forty years. She lived as a hermit, performing miracles and having visions.