Our Lenten season starts to take shape after a rough Ash Wednesday with the snow and wind. On Tuesday night, March 18 throughout the Diocese of Sioux City there will be the annual program: "The Light is On." Throughout the Diocese of Sioux City, confessions will be available in various locations so that the faithful can enjoy a weeknight opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Richard Ball has agreed to hear confessions after his 5:30 evening Mass at St. Mary's Mapleton Church until 6:30 PM. I will be at the Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM. If you need to schedule an individual appointment because that time doesn't work for you, by all means do so. The sacraments are the best Lenten tools to help you journey faithfully and fruitfully this Lenten season.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

Father Ball encourages everyone to attend a Lenten talk on forgiveness at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 16th at Sacred Heart in Ida Grove. It will be something you won't want to miss!

The Father Harry E Dailey Knights will be having their annual fish fry feasts on Friday March 21st and Friday April 4th.

Mark your calendar for an anointing mass and a Lenten talk on the power of healing on Sunday March 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart. Please join us!

Please join us for the Stations of the Cross at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Mass follows at 5:30 (except March 11 and April 8).

Holy Rosary Council invites all Knights and wives or significant others to a supper meeting on Thursday, March 20th in the Mapleton Church basement. Social Time begins at 6:15 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres followed by a meal at 7 p.m.

We are hosting the 4th Degree Garrigan Assembly from Sioux City, and there will be a short meeting after the meal. The main agenda item is supporting a new UltraSound for her women's health center in Sioux City.

Please let Dave Bruning (712-880-0206) know if you will attend so we can ensure there is enough food for everyone.

Deanery meetings continue, so Father Ball will hold the Mass on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 a.m.

St. Mary’s Mapleton is always open during the day to give you a place to get away from everyday distractions to pray and listen to God. However, not all doors will be open each day.

When there is NO daily mass, only the north door will be unlocked from about 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. unless a special request has been made (i.e: someone needs the lift).

Holy Rosary Council invites all Knights and wives or significant others to a supper meeting on Thursday, March 20th in the Mapleton Church basement. Social Time begins at 6:15 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres followed by a meal at 7 p.m.

We are hosting the 4th Degree Garrigan Assembly from Sioux City, and there will be a short meeting after the meal. The main agenda item is supporting a new UltraSound for her women's health center in Sioux City.

Please let Dave Bruning (712-880-0206) know if you will attend so we can ensure there is enough food for everyone.

Want to furnish flowers for Easter in honor or memory of a loved one or just because? Please have your spring flowers in the sacristy by noon on Friday, April 18th.

We will do the Stations of the Cross Wednesdays at approximately 6:45 when there is Faith Formation. Join us! We will also livestream on the St. Mary’s Danbury Facebook page.

Do you enjoy a little treat after Mass once a month? Are you willing to make a donation to keep these treats coming?

If you would like to donate towards Sweeet Saturdays, please contact Lynn Buth at 893-2160 or 840-0327.

As lent is fast approaching, the Knights of Ida Grove are asking the good ladies of our parish to donate desserts for the fish fries. We have had some amazing desserts and look forward to many more. The dates are March 21st and April 4th.

The Sacred Heart Women of Faith will meet on Monday, April 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall.

Adoration is held for an hour every Tuesday after Mass and all day on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Please join us.

Interested in sending your youngster to Danbury Catholic? DC roundups are scheduled for this month.

3 year old preschool round-up will be held on Wednesday, March 19th. Please call 883-2244 or email office@danburycatholic.org to set up an appointment.

4 year old preschool round-up will be held on Friday, March 21st from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.

Kindergarten round-up will be held on Friday, March 21st from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m.

Pre-registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. To pre-register, go to danburycatholic.org. Financial aid is available.

For more information, to go danburycatholic.org, call 883-2244, or email mpetersen@danburycatholic.org

Faith and begorrah - the OLGC St. Pat’s Celebration at the Legion will soon be here! Saturday, March 15th from 7-10 p.m. will be upon us in no time.

Entertainment chairs Melissa and Dale Friedrichsen are planning tons of fun including blackout bingo, trivia and other games - there might even be a TV so folks can enjoy the Big 12 tourney with friends and family. Yummy snacks will be available and drinks will be available for purchase.

So don’t be an eejit - plan now to attend, and let’s all have a fabulous time! Contact any committee member or Monsignor with questions or to volunteer. All ages are welcome! Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for K-18 and folks over 65 and are available from any OLGC parishioner or call Mary Forristal at 712-210-0226. Children under 5 are free!

Be sure to listen to the Illuminating Catholics interview with Bishop-elect John E. Keehner wherever you get your podcasts or head to the homepage of Lumen Media for a link: www. lumenmedia.org. Also, read Bishop Nickless’ bilingual letter regarding church teaching on IVF. We also have coverage of the recent Turn Conference, area fish fry listings on our Events Page and a presentation on immigration by Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso where the Iowa bishops were lauded for their unified voice on immigration. Coming up – coverage of the Rite of Election with Bishop Nickless, coverage of the inauguration of the new Briar Cliff President, and podcast interview with organizers of the Lenten Into the Garden youth retreat with Steve Angrisano. Be sure to sign up for the weekly LumeNotes e-newsletter for up to date diocesan news and multimedia content. Sign up lumenmedia. org or text Notes to 84576.

Writing a check? Remember: When writing a check for your contribution, please make your check payable to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish.

Online Giving: Online Giving is available to all parishioners. To give online, go to https://www.osvhub.com/ herlittleway/giving/funds. Select the fund to where you want your contribution to be credited. Enter your account and bank information. Enter the amount you want to give.

For all donations (including grain) to the parish: Please make checks payable to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish.

For donations (including grain) to Danbury Catholic School: Please make checks payable to Danbury Catholic School.

The ongoing financial support of our parish is always appreciated. Thank you!

Can’t make it to Mass? Please to continue to support your parish by mailing your contributions:

Please like and share our Facebook page.

Sacred Heart, Ida Grove - https://www.facebook.com/sacredheartidagrove

St. Mary's, Mapleton - https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmapleton

St. Mary's, Danbury - https://www.facebook.com/StMarysDanburyIowa

Please call Father Bill to make an appointment to do Baptismal preparation and to set a date.

Anytime by appointment in any of the three parishes.

Danbury & Mapleton: Thirty (30) minutes prior to weekend Masses.

Ida Grove: Tuesday and Thursday before and after daily Mass.

If you or a family member is sick, facing surgery, or in the hospital, please contact Fr. McCarthy or Deacon Stover immediately for visits and to be anointed with the Sacrament by Fr. McCarthy. Also, when one leaves the hospital, please notify Father or Deacon; this assists us to continue our care for the sick.

Planning a wedding? Contact Fr. William McCarthy a minimum of nine months prior to the wedding date to ensure all diocesan requirements are completed.

Due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Send info to danigmapbulletin@gmail.com or call Lynn at 712‑893‑2160.

We welcome you into God’s family! If you are interested in learning more about our church, or would like to join, please contact the rectory of your city of residence to register as a new member or if you have change of address or telephone number.

To have a name added to this unpublished list/tree, please contact the following:

Danbury - Pat Brouillette at 880‑0519

Ida Grove - Sherry Hittle at 371‑2070

Mapleton - Pat Sullivan at 881‑2420 or Marilyn Seuntjens at 253‑0603