Events & Opportunities
Pray the Rosary With Us!
Please join us in praying the Rosary 20 minutes before weekend Masses in October.
Baby Bottle Campaign
InnerVisions HealthCare, is a local unplanned pregnancy and STD medical clinic whose mission is to empower women in vulnerable situations to choose parenting or adoption. To assist InnerVisions, you are invited to take a bottle, fill it with your donation of change, cash or check, and return it by the weekend of October 24/25. See https://innervisionshealthcare.org/ to learn more. Thank you for your generous support!
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 this Zoom link.
Note From the Cemetery Committee
In preparation for winter, please plan to remove all grave site decorations at Holy Cross Cemetery by October 30. Any remaining decorations after this date will be collected and disposed of by the Cemetery Committee. Thank you.
Join Us at Our Work of Our Hands Festival!
Join us November 7 & 8 as we celebrate the unique gifts, creativity and talents God has blessed each of us with! Work of Our Hands is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parishioners and support our Parish Community.
We look forward to celebrating the many gifts that make our Church Family so special! We hope to see you there!
Event Times:
Saturday, November 7: 3:00–4:45pm and after Mass until 7:00pm
Sunday, November 8: 11:00am–12:30pm
Community Service Day
On Saturday, November 7 the Confirmation students will team up with the Knights of Columbus for our 9th annual Fall Community Service Day. The rain makeup date will be November 14. If you or someone you know are looking for some help with yard work or anything around the house, please fill out a form in the vestibule and drop it in the box provided. You are also welcome to contact Nicole Cory at 515-313-3014.
Blood Drive
Please plan to attend our Blood Drive on Thursday, November 12 from 3:00-7:00pm in St. Mary’s Social Hall. There will be Yummy Soups and Homemade Treats to enjoy after your donation. To schedule an appointment please go to https://www.lifeservebloodcenter.org/ (use 50073 as the zip code to find our sign-up). Walk-ins are also welcome! Thank you for your gift of life to those in need.
Puzzle Fest
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14 after 5:00pm Mass for this fun event! More details to come!
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 or 10:00am Mass on the first Sunday of January. 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!
