Fr. Justin Monaghan, pastor of St. Marys Parish of Joplin made the announcement to the faithful during Easter Mass yesterday that land had been purchased for the rebuilding of St. Marys parish. Reading from a letter written to him by Bishop James V. Johnston, Fr. Justin announced:

I am pleased to let you know that the land which you (Fr. Monaghan), St. Marys Parish Council, and I agreed would be the best available site for St. Marys to rebuild, was purchased this week with the benefit of a generous $250,000 gift.

The 23.36 acre property is located at the intersection of West 32nd Street and South Central City Road. In addition to the $250,000 gift, the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau provided the remaining funds necessary to make the land purchase possible.

St. Marys Catholic Church and school were destroyed during the tornado storms that tore across Joplin on May 22, 2011. The original location was at 2415 S. Moffett and extended towards 26th Street.

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