Silhouette Stations of the Cross
S.T.O.R.M. Youth Ministry invites you to journey through the Stations of the Cross with them on Friday, March 31, 6:00pm at St. Mary. The teens have been preparing a unique and powerful prayer experience. Each year these Stations are presented we receive moving testimonies about them. We invite you to come, sit back, pray and reflect as the Stations come alive right before your eyes.
Following the Stations, join us for a meal prepared/served by our Confirmation students.
Holy Week
The central days of our life as Catholic Christians are Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Easter. Why not make it a priority this year to attend all our services to commemorate the journey from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, to the Cross and to the Resurrection accomplished by Jesus on our behalf. These are sacred days which give purpose and meaning to all we do as Catholics.
Palm Sunday
Next weekend our Masses at St. Mary begin with everyone gathering in the Social Hall for the blessing of palms and then we will process into Church.
Liturgical Ministers Needed!
You are invited to assist us with our Palm Sunday Masses, Holy Week Services and Easter Sunday Masses. A sign up is in the vestibule at St. Mary and at Holy Cross or call the Parish Office to volunteer. Thank you for sharing your time and talents to enhance our Liturgies!
Holy Thursday Washing of Feet & Adoration
We invite individuals to have their feet washed during our Holy Thursday Mass on April 6. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is after this Mass until 10:00pm in the Social Hall. A sign up for both of theses are in the vestibule at St. Mary and at Holy Cross.
A Memorial Gift
We offer you the opportunity to remember a loved one by donating towards the flowers that will decorate St. Mary and Holy Cross Churches this Easter season. A memorial list will be printed in a future bulletin. Donation envelopes are included with your tithe envelopes and are also available on the table at St. Mary and in the entryway at Holy Cross. Please return your donation by April 3. Thank you.
Earthquake Relief for Turkey and Syria
If you were not able to donate and wish to, please drop your donation in the collection basket at Mass or mail it to the office, noting that it is for Earthquake Relief. Gifts may also be made online at www.dmdiocese.org/giving. Thank you.
2023 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. Simply fill out the contribution card you received form Bishop Joensen 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 $25,125 $24,655 $470 $30,541
Pray the Rosary on Wednesdays
We will pray the Rosary at 6:00pm on Wednesdays when Religious Education is in session. You are invited and encouraged to join in this prayer. The intention of the Rosary will be for our parish.
Please Consider Helping Your Parish By….
--Removing snow on the weekend and/or week day at St. Mary. We need people power! Currently we have no volunteers. Please go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094ea4a722a2fb6-snow1#/ to sign up or contact Bill Schmitt with questions, 515-291-8005.
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. Dates open to host wine & cheese: First Saturday in May and beyond! Dates open to host coffee & donuts after 8:00am Mass: First Sunday in July and beyond! Dates open to host coffee & donuts after 10:00am Mass: First Sunday in June and beyond! Thank you for considering these opportunities!
Please contact the parish office with questions or if willing to help. Thank you.
Three Months Still Available for Meals for Homeless Families
Volunteers to prepare and deliver a meal to Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter (about 10 families up to 34 people) are still needed for August, September, and December this year. One or more families or groups can volunteer. Covid precautions are taken and up to 3 people can now prepare the meal on-site. Volunteers can pay for the meal themselves, be reimbursed by the parish, or receive a Gift-In-Kind receipt that can be used for a tax deduction.
To volunteer or to find out more, please contact Lisa or Tim Kautza at kautza@netins.net or 515-964-7687. Our parish has been preparing a meal for the families at the on the second Sunday of each month for more than 20 years. They count on us. Please help if you can.
Have an Accounting/Finance Background?
We are looking for two additional parishioners with this type of background to serve on our Finance Council for a three year term. Term begins as soon as you are ready to serve. If interested or have questions, please contact Heidi Ackerman, heidimdittmer@gmail.com. Thank you for considering serving your parish in this way!
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!
Looking For a Way to Become More Involved With Your Parish and Local Community?
Wine & Cheese and Coffee & Donuts: If you would like to host this, please contact Barb at bliske@saintmaryhc.org or 515-367-2685. Thank You!
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!
Preserving Our Parish History
Recently, Laurie Phelan approached the Parish Council about the history of Holy Cross Church. Larry Sauer met with Laurie to discuss what action we might take to preserve the history of our parish past, present and future. We currently have two history books, one from 1875 – 2000 for Holy Cross and one from 1885 – 1985 for St. Mary’s. That is twenty-two years ago for Holy Cross and thirty-seven years ago for St. Mary’s. Each year our elder parishioners, who have a wealth of information, are passing without having been asked to share what they know about our past. At the Pastoral Council meeting on March 8, 2022, it was decided that our parish should begin to document, in writing and visual imagery, the history of our parish past, present and future. With that in mind we are looking for three to five parishioners, young and old, who would like to join a work group to be involved in this most important endeavor. If you are interested, please contact Larry Sauer at sauerld@outlook.com / 515-710-2421 or Laurie at laurie.c.phelan@gmail.com.