Father Bruce Lawler is a native of Clare, Iowa. He attended St. Matthew Grade School in Clare and St. Edmond High School in Fort Dodge. He attended minor seminary at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and major seminary at North American College Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 5, 1980 at St. Matthew Church in Clare. He has served at Holy Spirit Parish and Kuemper Catholic High School, Carroll; Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City; Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City; St. Joseph Parish, Salix; Sacred Heart Parish, Sioux City; St. Mary Parish, Storm Lake; St. Joseph Parish, Schaller; St. Mary Parish, Larchwood; Holy Name Parish, Rock Rapids; and St. Mary Parish, Rock Valley. He also served as Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Sioux City from 1988-1999. He became pastor of All Saints Parish in Le Mars and St. Joseph Parish in Ellendale in June 22, 2017.