Tobin comes from a legendary YUGE Irish RC family.  Statistically, gotta have gays members.  Usually persons who have close contact with a gay family member, friend, etc. tend to be less rejecting of gays. (Exceptions of course, like the RC perennial political candidate Alan Keyes who rejected his lesbian daughter.)
RE: Parishes in Howell, NE.  Finally, ecumenism comes to RC parishes - because of dwindling numbers!  So, so tribal these many years.  More faith in the tribe than the Jesus.  Reminds me of two Polish parishes in Pennsylvania.  Immigrant members  from same part of Poland but different sections.  So they had separate Polish RC churches in same town with only a parking lot between them.
Methinks with dwindling numbers only parking lot is left!