Events & Opportunities
Lent ​
There’s Still Time! If you had a slow start to Lent or are struggling, there is still time to finish strong — talk to God about it!
Grow your personal faith and deepen your understanding of Jesus by participating in Stations of the Cross...Sacrament of Reconciliation…attending weekday Mass...quiet prayer time in church...use of reflection booklets...fasting...almsgiving.
Reflection booklets are available at each Church.
​​
Join us to pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday, 6:00pm at St. Mary. A Lenten meal follows the Stations on
March 13 & March 27.
​​
Friday, March 20 the Religious Ed children are leading the Stations.
​
​Friday, March 27 the Youth are presenting the Silhouette Stations of the Cross
- Fish Fry Friday: March 20, serving from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the Social Hall, free will offering
- Sign up to bring a dessert for a fish fry at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4AA8A62DA5FD0-61631815-desserts . Thank you!
​
Fasting & Abstaining From Meat
Everyone 14 years and older are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.
Everyone 18 years old and under 59 years old are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
On these days, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals together should not equal
a full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted,but liquids, including milk and fruit juice are allowed.
When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, this does not apply.
​
Easter Service Project
RE Students PreK-High School partnered with the Knights of Columbus to provide The Bethel Mission (homeless shelter for men located in Des Moines) with 150 Easter Baskets. We are asking for people to donate the following items: memo pads (small), ink pens, toothbrush & toothpaste, new socks, individually wrapped Easter chocolate or Easter candy, deck of cards.
--- Collection is now through March 29. Items can be dropped off at St. Mary’s during the week or before and after Mass. Please place items in the labeled bin in the vestibule. Thank you for your generosity for this project.
Holy Thursday
We invite individuals to have their foot washed during this Mass on April 2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will follow Mass until 10:00pm in the Social Hall. A sign up for these are posted at both Churches or contact the Office.
A Memorial Gift
We offer you the opportunity to remember a loved one by donating towards the flowers that will decorate St. Mary and Holy Cross Churches this Easter Season. A memorial list will be printed in a future bulletin. Donation envelopes are included in your tithe envelopes and are also available on the table at St. Mary and in the entryway at Holy Cross. Please return your donation by Monday, March 30. Thank you
Liturgical Ministers!
You are invited to assist at our Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday Masses. A sign up is posted at St. Mary and Holy Cross or call the Parish Office to volunteer. Thank you for sharing your time and talents for our Liturgies!
Annual Diocesan Appeal
This Appeal gives us the opportunity to support the ministries and services in our Diocese from which we benefit. A mailing has been sent from Bishop Joensen about this Appeal. Every gift is vital to the success of reaching our assessment of $47,270. Please mail your pledge card and gift directly to the Diocese (check made out to Diocese of Des Moines). You can also donate online, https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving; you will need to choose our parish from the “Designate” dropdown. Thank you for your support!
Removal of Decorations at Cemetery
In preparation for Spring, please plan to have all gravesite decorations at Holy Cross Cemetery removed no later than Wednesday, April 1. Any remaining decorations after this date will be collected and disposed of by the Cemetery Committee. Thank you.
It Will Snow...
Winter is not over yet.. We need your assistance to keep the sidewalks and steps at St. Mary safe and accessible.
Could you help with weekend and/or weekday snow removal? Thank you in advance! Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094EA4A722A2FB6-60961940-sidewalk . Or use this QR Code
Questions, please contact Bill Schmitt, 515-291-8005 / isucui@isualum.com.
Pay It Forward!
Have you ever received a random act of kindness? Pay it forward by helping provide a meal at Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter in Des Moines on the second Sunday of June or July. One or more families/groups prepare and deliver a meal (about 10 families — up to 34 people) for the shelter in Des Moines. Volunteers can pay for the meal, be reimbursed by the parish, or receive a Gift-In-Kind receipt for a tax deduction. To volunteer or to find out more, contact Stacey Rooney, rooneyslg17@gmail.com or call 515-490-5034.
Grow in Your Catholic Faith through OCIA
All adults in our Parish are invited to join us on Monday evenings ( check the calendar for dates) at 6:15 in the Social Hall for OCIA. While OCIA is the pathway for those who are interested in becoming Catholic, it is also a wonderful opportunity for lifelong Catholics to deepen their understanding of the faith. Whether you are curious, returning to the Church, or simply looking to grow in your relationship with Christ, these sessions provide prayer, discussion, and learning in a supportive community. Come and journey with us as we explore the richness of our Catholic tradition together.
Work of Our Hands
Members of the Parish who are service providers, hobbyists, or willing to provide their services or goods for a fee or barter are welcomed to join Work Of Our Hands (WOOH). Participants offer their goods and services at a WOOH Festival in the Social Hall. If interested in a discussion about the possibilities for WOOH, please contact Monica Kennebeck-Doyle, kennebeckm@gmail.com / 515-238-4180, or Trish Morris, girardifan@hotmail.com / 515-278-4936.
Blessings Offered
If you would like a blessing for your fields, flocks, pets, house or another blessing, Fr. Parker is more than happy to come to your home for any of these. Please email him for more information at rparker@dmdiocese.org.
We hope you become involved in our Parish community.
Click here for our Parish Time and Talent Form to fill out
and return to the Parish Office. Thank you for becoming involved!
Looking For a Way to Become More Involved With Your Parish and Local Community?
Wine & Cheese and Coffee & Donuts: Hosting wine & cheese or coffee & donuts is a great way to meet and get to know other parishioners! If you have not hosted before, we can pair you up with someone who has. Please contact the parish office with questions or if willing to help.
Liturgical Ministers needed: 5:00pm Mass at St. Mary: Altar Servers; 8:00am Mass at Holy Cross: Lectors. 10:00am Mass at St. Mary: Lectors and Ministers of the Eucharist. Please let the office know if you are interested in helping with any of these.
The Blessing Box Food Pantry is seeking volunteers to help box items to distribute to families on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Please contact Tammi McClain at 515-290-3904 if interested.
Calling All Musicians! We would love to have you join our music ministry to participate during Mass! We are happy to provide training and have you sing or play with mentors. Teenagers welcome! If interested and would like more information, please contact Sue Schmidt, sschmidt@saintmaryhc.org / 515-689-9949.
Thank you for considering these volunteer opportunities!
History of St. Mary - Holy Cross
Were you married at St. Mary or Holy Cross or had other family historical events related to our parish for which you have photos or documents? Larry Sauer is looking for mementos of these events that we could borrow to have reproduced for preservation and display in future St. Mary-Holy Cross history books. The plan is to find a display case for other historical artifacts that can be displayed too. If you would like to share your history with our parish, please contact Larry at 515-710-2421. Thank you!
