St. Mary-Holy Cross Parish

                                                                                                          Masks Continued to be Required in Parish Buildings

 Although Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds dropped the mask requirement, Bishop Joensen has extend the mask requirement at all public Masses, sacramental celebrations, and other events in Church buildings through Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11, at which time it will again be reconsidered. This decision corresponds to the recommendations of public health experts within the local medical community. 

For Diocesan updates, resources and livestream Masses, please go to https://www.dmdiocese.org/resources/worship/coronavirus.

                                                                                  Spring Community Service Day

This Saturday, April 10 from 8:00am to Noon is our Confirmation students and Knights of Columbus’ 3rd annual Service Community Day. If you or someone you know is looking for help with yard work or anything outside the house, we can help! We are not offering help inside of homes this year to limit contact with homeowners.

A form is available at both Churches and can be dropped in the box at either Church or emailed to Nicole Cory by Wednesday, April 7. You may also contact Nicole at ncory@saintmaryhc.org or 515-313-3014 if we can help you, or for more information. 

                                                                                                                                   2021 Annual Diocesan Appeal 

Bishop Joensen has sent a letter and pledge card to each family of the parish asking to support the work of the Diocese. Please consider how you are able to help and mail your pledge card to the parish office or drop in the collection basket.  If donating by check, please make it out to the Diocese of Des Moines and we will forward it to them. You can also donate online at https://www.dmdiocese.org/giving, using the “Designate” dropdown to choose our parish. Thank you for your continued generosity for this appeal. Our assessment this year is $51,038.

                                                                                                       Looking for Additional Lectors!

Would you be interested in being a lector for our Masses? If so, or if you have questions, please contact Fr. Andrew.

                                                                                                                                      Parish Volunteers Needed

Our parish has been preparing a meal for the families at the shelter on the second Sunday of each month for a couple of decades. We need volunteers for December. One or more families can volunteer to prepare and deliver a meal. Covid precautions are taken as meal providers will not need to enter the shelter and masks are to be worn.  Volunteers can pay for the meal themselves, be reimbursed by the parish, or receive a Gift-In-Kind receipt that you can use for a tax deduction. Please share your love with some families who are experiencing unexpected and dire changes to their lives. To volunteer or to find out more, please contact Lisa or Tim Kautza at kautza@netins.net or 515-964-7687.

                                                                                                                                                  The Blessing Box

It is important at The Blessing Box that we continue to meet the nutritional needs of our clients while also keeping all involved safe and protected from spreading or contracting COVID-19. It has been suggested from the Food Bank of Iowa to change the way food is given out. The Blessing Box now has a drive through food pantry. Clients will drive up near the sidewalk used to go into the pantry. A volunteer will come to the car to get the clients information and give further instructions. New clients will be asked to fill out 2 short forms. Clients will receive a box of food with both perishable and nonperishable items according to their family size. Families that have children home with them will receive an additional bag of food if needed. Please note that the USDA has reported that transmission of COVID-19 has not been proven to be transmitted through food or packaging. The safety of our clients and volunteers is a high priority during this time. The Blessing Box board members thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. Please check our Facebook page, The Blessing Box Elkhart IA, for updates or email ElkhartBlessingBox@gmail.com with questions.

Needs

The Blessing Box provides food to more than 30 families monthly and is open three times each month, 9:30–10:30am on the first Saturday; and 6:00–7:00pm on the second and fourth Thursdays.  Most needed:  Peanut Butter, jelly and canned meats.  On-going food needs are canned meats, breakfast cereals, low sodium canned vegetables and soups, and low sugar canned fruits.  Consider holiday meal foods, too. Food donations can be delivered to the Pantry when open at the Elkhart Christian Church or be placed in the collection box near our Parish Office. Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to The Blessing Box, c/o Elkhart Christian Church, P.O. Box 97, Elkhart, IA 50073.