Events & Opportunities
Diocesan Collection for Seminarians
Our Diocese and seminaries honor Pope Francis’ call to become well integrated priests, not afraid to draw close to the “complicated “ nature of human lives and relationships. They will serve and flourish by living at the heart of their people in mutual closeness to God and one another.
Funds collected in this appeal are used to cover tuition, room and board, and provide a small monthly stipend for the pre-theologians and theologians. The college seminarians are expected to help pay for some of their tuition, but the Diocese provides a grant each year to reduce their tuition to a level comparable to Iowa’s regents’ universities. Grants combined with scholarships help the men to graduate with little debt. Men who advance to major seminary rely entirely on the support of our diocesan community.
Each registered household has received a brochure and return envelope through the mail. Please return your gift directly to the Diocese, place in the collection basket at Mass (clearly marked as “Seminarian Collection” or make a gift at dmdiocese.org/giving. Thank you.
October is the Month of the Rosary
If you’d like to lead the Rosary before a weekend Mass in October, please email Anne Davis, annedavis06@gmail.com.
Lilfe Chain
Join pro-lifers Sunday, October 1 from 2:00 - 3:30pm to peacefully and prayerfully stand in remembrance of the many babies lost to abortion. Park at Des Moines Fellowship Church, 950 35th Street, DSM. Please do not park in business or private parking lots. There is road construction near the church. There will be signs at the church for you to pick up and then walk or shuttle to line 35th Street, Kingman Boulevard and 31st Street. Life Chain will take place rain or shine. Stand with us as we thank God for the gift of life and pray for vulnerable women and their babies.
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). Each year participants offer their goods and services at a WOOH Festival in the Social Hall. Please join us at this year’s Festival scheduled November 4 & 5. Please contact Lisa Kautza at kautza@netins.net or 515-964-7687 if you are interested in becoming a participant or if you want more information. To be added to the new directory of Work Of Our Hands participants or to make changes from the previous years, please contact Lisa by October 6.
InnerVisions Baby Bottle Campaign October 14/15
InnerVisions is a local unplanned pregnancy and STD medical clinic whose mission is empowering women in vulnerable situations to choose parenting or adoption. Baby bottles will be in the vestibule; please fill one with change, cash, or check (made out to InnerVisions HealthCare) and return it the following weekend. To learn more about their two clinics and life-affirming mission, visit www.ivhcare.org.
Omelet (Scramlette?) Bar
Join us for a ‘Build-Your-Own’ creation after 10:00am Mass on Sunday, October 15. You’ll choose the ingredients and the K of C chefs will prepare your omelet/scramlette! Fruit, mini donuts/toast, coffee, orange juice and water will also be available. Breakfast, Fellowship and No Dishes! Hope to see YOU there. Free will offering will go toward the College Scholarship Fund.
Have You Enjoyed Wine & Cheese or Coffee & Donuts?
We would love to offer this every first weekend of each month but we need volunteers to make it happen. Please contact the office to help! There's no cost to you to host this. Thank you!
Annual Diocesan Appeal
Thank you to everyone who has already given a gift to this appeal. Each and every person's gift brings us closer to our assessment of $55,196. For those who have not made their gift, please join us in supporting the vital programs and services throughout the Diocese. Pledge cards are available at both Churches and place it in the offertory basket or drop it in the mail. If paying by check, please make it out to Diocese of Des Moines.
You can also donate online at https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving; and choose our parish from the “Designate” dropdown.
Thank you for your generosity and your support of the Annual Diocesan Appeal.
Assessment Pledged Paid Unpaid Pledges Amt. Due
$55,196 $50,215 $47,815 $2,400 $7,381
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.
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!