Events & Opportunities
October is the Month of the Rosary
Please join us to pray the Rosary 20 minutes before weekend Masses in October.
If you’d like to lead the Rosary before 10:00am Mass on October 26, please contact the Office, bliske@saintmaryhc.org, or 515-367-2685.
Food Pantry Collection
Please bring non-perishable food items to Mass next weekend; we will also take up a monetary collection. Thank you for your continued generosity in sharing with those in need. Your donation this month will assist Impact Community Action Partnership in Ankeny.
Baby Bottle Campaign for InnerVisions
InnerVisions HealthCare, a local unplanned pregnancy and STD medical clinic’s mission is to empower women in vulnerable situations to choose parenting or adoption. You 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 25/26. Thank you for your support!
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Trunk or Treat
S.T.O.R.M. Youth of our Parish invite you and your family to TRUNK OR TREAT on Wednesday, October 29, 6:00- 7:00pm in the parking lot at St. Mary (if rains, in the Social Hall). All Parish families, friends and surrounding community members are welcome to attend! Wear your costume (non-scary please) and “trunk or treat” at the different cars. Be sure to vote for your favorite decorated car. Games, candy and hot cocoa will all be FREE!
We will be collecting new socks and underwear for local clothing closets for people in need.
We need your help with this growing community outreach! Please consider donating 1-2 large bags of wrapped candy to hand out to the 200+ trunk or treaters! There is a container by the cry room for your donations. We will be collecting through October 26. 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!
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.
Note From the Cemetery Committee
In preparation for winter, please plan to remove all gravesite 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.
Grow in Your Catholic Faith through OCIA
All adults in our Parish are invited to join us on Thursday evenings 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.
Community Work Day
On Saturday, November 1 the Confirmation students will team up with the Knights of Columbus for our 7th annual Fall Community Service Day. The rain makeup date will be November 8. If you or someone you know is looking for some help with yard work or anything around the house, please fill out the form in the vestibule. Boxes are set up at both churches to collect the forms. You are also welcome to contact Nicole Cory at 515-313-3014.
Blood Drive
Donate at our Drive and save lives on Thursday, November 13, 3:00-7:00pm in the Social Hall. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome! Sign up online at https://donor.lifeservebloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/188697. Volunteers and treats are needed that day. Contact Larry Sauer at sauerld@outlook.com or 515-710-2421 to help out.
Diocesan Special Collection for Gaza
May our generosity bring some comfort and relief to our brothers and sisters suffering in Gaza. There is a poster on the bulletin board with a QR code to donate, or donate online at
https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving/diocesan-special-collections/special-collection-for-gaza, or by check made out and mailed to the Diocese of Des Moines, now through October 12.
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World & Home Missions Collection
World & Home Mission Sunday is next week. Your support enables the outreach carried out by dedicated missionaries among the poor and marginalized here and abroad, as they reach out to those most vulnerable in our society, sharing God’s love by offering practical, emotional and spiritual care.
Donation envelopes are available at both Churches, Please return your envelope by November 2. You may also donate online at https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving/diocesan-special-collections/world-mission-sunday.
Thank you for your generosity in helping those most in need locally, nationally and world-wide.
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.
Hosting Wine & Cheese or Donut Sunday!
Please contact the office if you are able to help out or if you have questons.
We are also looking for hosts for…
~ Wine and cheese after 5:00pm Mass on the first Saturday of December ....and
~ Coffee and donuts after 8:00am Mass on the first Sunday of November and December….and
~ Coffee and donuts after 10:00am Mass on the first Sunday of each month for December.
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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!