By Celine Klosterman
PELLA — For years, Cecilia Worstell had felt called to open a Catholic bookstore in Pella. But with no business background, the member of St. Mary Parish thought the venture was impossible.
After prayer, discernment and what she believed to be a sign from God, however, she opened Mystical Rose Catholic Books on Dec. 8, 2010. Operating it is now her full-time ministry.
She hopes that ministry fulfills a need that she saw after she and her husband, Randy, and sons Ranson and Rainer moved to Pella 12 years ago from Arizona. “This is not a Catholic town,” Worstell said. To buy Catholic books, DVDs and other items, area residents typically had to drive to Des Moines or shop online, she said.
She discussed with Randy the desire God had impressed on her heart to open a bookstore in Pella, but the couple agreed the idea was impractical. In 2010 her family made plans to move to Des Moines, where Randy was then working.
But after two failed attempts to find a home in the city – plus a near-accident en route to one house-hunting expedition – the couple began to reconsider. “I don’t think God wants us to move,” Randy said.
Meanwhile, they prayed for a sign indicating God wanted them to open a bookstore in Pella.
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