Events & Opportunities
Pray the Rosary With Us!
Please join us in praying the Rosary 20 minutes before weekend Masses in October.
— If you’d like to lead the Rosary please email Anne Davis, annedavis06@gmail.com.
Refreshments and Conversation
You are invited to join us for 8:00am Mass on First Friday, October 2, followed by refreshments and conversation. We thank Dona Cowman for bringing back this tradition. If you would like to host this on November 6, please contact the Office.
Life Chain
Join pro-lifers from Central Iowa for the thirty-seventh annual Life Chain on Sunday, October 4 from 2:00-3:30pm. We will stand for all the lives that God has created and spend the time in prayer and praise. Parking and signs will be available at Des Moines Fellowship Church, 950 - 35th St., Des Moines. We will stand on the south side of University Ave. and 35th Street and on the west side of 31st Street and Kingman Blvd. Life Chain will take place rain or shine. Stand with us as we give glory to our Creator and thank Him for life!
—St. Pius X will be hosting a Life Chain as well on October 4, 2:00-3:30pm. People will line up on the sidewalk on Douglas Avenue in front of the Church.
Trunk or Treat!
Have some great Halloween fun Wednesday, October 28, 6:00-7:00pm in the parking lot at St. Mary (if rain, in the Social Hall). All Parish families, friends and surrounding community members are welcome to attend! Wear your non scary costumes and “trunk or treat” at the cars. We are collecting new socks and underwear for local clothing closets. Could you donate 1 or 2 large bags of wrapped candy, snack cakes, clean stuffies, small books or small toys (from happy meals) to hand out to the 200+ trunk or treaters? A container is by the cry room for your donations through October 25. If you are interested in helping in any way or hosting a trunk, please contact Melissa Kahler, 515-290-2830 or Andrea Fisher, 515 -240-5059. Thank you!
Trip to Ireland with Father Pisut
Travel on a 10-day pilgrimage with Fr. Pisut to Ireland September 7-16, 2027. Find out more information or register at stcharlespilgrimages.com/pisut or use this QR code.
The Pilgrimage Information Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 6:00pm. This is an in-person gathering and will be hosted at St. Augustin Catholic Church in the Parish Hall. We encourage those who cannot join the meeting
in-person to join the meeting remotely with Zoom (meeting link available closer to meeting date).
Diocesan Collection: Clergy Formation Appeal
This Appeal provides support for the education of the 13 men who are discerning priesthood and for 35 men who are now undergoing deacon formation or will begin formation this fall.
. A mailing will be sent out to households; please return your gift directly to the Diocese or donate online: https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving/diocesan-special-collections/seminarian-special-collection. Thank you for your generous support and your prayers for our future priests and deacons!
--Read Bishop Joensen's letter in regards to this collection here.
Parish Genealogy
We have an updated form to use: SMHC Genealogy Questionairre – Fill out form. Submissions will not be included in the 150th Anniversary book but will be kept and can be updated for the next book.
Looking For a Way to Become More Involved With Your Parish and Local Community?
Please consider hosting Wine & cheese after 5:00pm Mass on the first Saturday of January …or Coffee & donuts after 8:00am Mass on the first Sunday of November or December ….or …. Coffee & donuts after 10:00am Mass on the first Sunday of November. Please contact Barb at the office to help. bliske@saintmaryhc.org or 515-367-2685, if you have questions or would like to volunteer. Thank you!
Liturgical Ministers needed: 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 Lorrie Hanlon, dlhanlon@windstream.net
Thank you for considering these volunteer opportunities!
