By Barb Arland-Fye
OTTUMWA — Bishop Martin Amos is not a barber, but agreed to cut the long gray hair of one of his priests, Father Bernie Weir, for a charitable cause called Locks of Love.
The two had been trying to set a date for the haircut in Ottumwa, where Fr. Weir serves as pastor at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish. Schedule conflicts prevented that from happening until March 7, when Bishop Amos traveled to Ottumwa to preside at the funeral Mass for Father Joe Rogers at St. Mary’s.
Afterwards, Bishop Amos and several individuals who had been in attendance at the funeral Mass assisted with cutting off Fr. Weir’s shoulder-length hair. Photographer Michael Lemberger brought along a prop — a pair of hedge clippers — to add a humorous touch to a photo intended to help promote Locks of Love.
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