This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord which at the same time brings an official end to the Christmas season. For a short while we enter into Ordinary Time until the liturgical season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026.

Fr. Mark Link, S.J. writes, “The measure of greatness is not the number of servants you have, but the number of people you serve.” The New Year is upon us, a new opportunity to be like Jesus. Faithful discipleship is to give of oneself. I really doesn't matter if you receive credit or pay for your efforts, for God sees and will in justice give you an abundant reward even if you should give someone who is thirsty a cup of water. May this 2026 be filled with your actions, however big or small, that assisted others.

Peace and joy,

Fr. McCarthy.

All are invited to personally congratulate Deacon Mike Stover and wish him a happy retirement. After 21 years of service, Deacon Mike retired on December 19th. A retirement party will be held on Sunday, January 11th after the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church.

Need a prayer shawl or want to join in making prayer shawls? Please contact Lisa Jacobsen at 712-371-3297.

Help us kick off Catholic Schools Week. Danbury Catholic School Bingo Night will be held on Sunday, January 25th. Food will be served beginning at 5:00 p.m. Bingo will follow at 6:00 p.m. More information is forthcoming.

On Wednesday, January 21 during Religious Education at Sacred Heart, the Confirmation & youth group kids will partake in a service project called "Then Feed Just One"

Then Feed Just One is an organization that packs meals for malnourished children of the world. We will pack as many meals as we have donations for. Each meal cost 18¢ each to pack. If you wish to make a donation to this project please place your donation in the box in the back of church labeled "Then Feed Just One".

If you have any questions about this project; please contact Amy Forbes, 712-371-2915. Thank you!

Want to help those in need of a little supplemental food? A basket can be found at the entrance of the church for your non-perishable items. Please consider helping those in need throughout the year.

Please join us for coffee and rolls after Mass the first Sunday each month. Get your spiritual fill and then fill your tummy with coffee and rolls and your soul with socialization.

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

Do you know someone living in Danbury who could use a special meal? Perhaps someone who is facing struggles? Maybe someone who has gone above and beyond for others and could use a thank you meal? Or maybe someone who would like to see a smiling face deliver a meal.

The youth group at St. Mary’s in Danbury is planning to Feed Some of Jesus’ Flock on Wednesday, February 12th. If you know someone to nominate for one of these meals, please contact Lynn Buth at 712-840-0327. The group needs the names and addresses by noon on February 12th.

Thank you for your assistance.

We will pray the Rosary 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.

Thank you to all who provided poinsettias for our Christmas. The Baptism of our Lord also means the end of the beautiful decorations. Please save poinsettias from the fate of the dumpster and adopt them. Their final fate will be determined on Wednesday when the Religious Ed kids take down the decor (help for that is also appreciated)

Want to help the financially challenged but not sure how? Baskets can be found at the church entrances for non-perishable items. These will be given to the Mapleton Food Pantry to help those in need of a little boost with their groceries and paper products.

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 8am - 5pm unless a special request has been made (i.e: someone needs the lift).

Italy Pilgrimage Invitation To Iowa Knight Of Columbus Spouses And Widows Of Former Knights: Come along November 2-12, 2026 to some of the most sacred and beautiful sites in all of Europe! We'll visit great places like Venice, Padua, Florence, Assisi, Rome and so much more! Our time in Rome will include a Papal Audience with Pope Leo XIV! We'll have Mass daily in great churches and Cathedrals along the way. This pilgrimage is for Knights of Columbus from around the State of Iowa, spouses and widows of former members, and is being organized by Fr. Dan Guenther, State of Iowa Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, Cost for the trip is $4,599.00 with departure from either Des Moines or Omaha. For a brochure and more information, contact Fr. Dan Guenther, 276 Country Club Drive, Lake Park, Iowa 51347 or call 1.899.6870 or email frdanguenther@gmail.com

Married Couples. Would you like to relive the excitement, romance and passion from your honeymoon? Rekindle that spark on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. For more information call Denise and Greg at 563-920-9419 or sign up at wwme.org. Upcoming experiences are February 13-15 in Dubuque, April 10-12 in Marshalltown and October 9-11 in Epworth.

Our first edition of the new year includes the March 21 Men’s Conference preview, a foreign-born priest incardinates with the diocese, convenient Catholic divorce healing and support workshop begins Jan. 22 and we spotlight a former Bishop’s Scholar as we lead up to Briar Cliff Sunday. Also, see list of parish, school and diocesan events, area news, school news, photos, and the Illuminating Catholics podcast. Subscribe for free at news@scdiocese.org or text Notes to 84576. Check your account to switch to text delivery!

Father Jake Rosenmeyer, Fort Dodge St. Edmond Catholic School chaplain and Grace Lange, director of campus ministry at Sioux City Bishop Heelan Catholic High School share how campus ministry operates in their diocesan Catholic schools. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, on the Diocese of Sioux City YouTube channel or at https://www.lumenmedia.org/illuminating-catholics-podcast.

The Knights of Columbus do a great job collecting much needed items for Mary’s Choice in October. The Community Life Committee is asking to help Mary’s Choice with your second hand baby and toddler clothes and your maternity clothes.

Cribs can be found in all three parishes for your convenience. St Mary’s in Mapleton’s can be found on the basement landing, St Mary’s in Danbury’s is located in the west entrance, and Sacred Heart in Ida Grove’s is available in the back of the church. These items will be taken to Sioux City throughout the year.

Please do not include diapers or new items. Please save those for the Knights’ drives in October.

Loving and generous God, you called the prophets to bring your word to your chosen people. Your Son, Jesus, called the first disciples to be bold proclaimers of the good news.

In the modern world, you continue to call your sons and daughters to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. Calm the chaos and soothe the sounds of our world, and allow more to hear your soft voice calling them to pick up their cross and follow.

May the Holy Spirit fall upon your church in a profound way, so that we may experience a tremendous harvest of grace. May vocations increase ever abundantly and may your church stand as a witness to the world of the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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