Father John Mittelstadt

Father John Mittelstadt, a Franciscan, has been the pastor at St. Mary Mission since 1989. Father John has a reputation for making things happen wherever he is and Tohatchi is no exception. He exercises an active but light-handed supervision over the many ministries and programs at Tohatchi and the remote missions at Naschitti and Coyote Canyon.

Father John rallies support for the Mission from many parts of the country, with twin parishes in Fremont, California; Reading, Ohio; and Greensburg, Indiana. Many of his days are occupied corresponding with other missions, many friends and supporters, interviewing prospective volunteers, arranging for the transportation of goods to the mission from distant parts of the country. Often he makes a journey to places like Denver, Colorado, and Kingman, Kansas, where he brings truckloads of building materials, household items, food and clothing for use by the mission and for distribution through the "Clothes Closet" at the various locations.