The Fourth of July is a great reminder that we need to be praying for all those who serve our country. It is only by their sacrifice that we are able to enjoy the freedom, liberty and justice that makes our nation the Light to all nations.

This year there are many from Iowa who have been called to active duty serving in the Middle East. Our prayers make a difference, not only for those serving, but also for the families involved as it is a tremendous hardship that is often overlooked.

Usually, I consider of the Fourth of July as the half-way point of summer. If you have not yet had a chance to do something out of the ordinary, now is a great time to schedule something fun.

The weekend Masses of July 12 & 13, St. Therese of Lisieux Parish will be hosting a Missionary Priest from India as part of the Mission Appeal Program run by the Diocese of Sioux City. I am not yet sure the name of the priest but it is always exciting to hear their story.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

The Danbury Catholic School BBQ/Auction Committee will be selling raffles for a 2025 Honda Pioneer 10000 or $10,000.00 cash; 10-2nd Place Prizes $100.00 each. The committee will be selling raffles before and after Mass in Mapleton and Ida Grove the weekend of July 6th. Tickets are $75 each or (3) for $200.00. Drawing will be held on Sunday, August 24th at the Annual BBQ/Auction. All proceeds benefit Danbury Catholic School.

St. Mary’s in Danbury will have Sweeet Saturday on July 12th. Come and get your spirit filled and then something in your tummy.

Danbury Catholic School’s 33rd annual BBQ/Auction will be held on Sunday, August 24th with Mass at 10:00: a.m. followed by a BBQ at 11:00 and auction beginning at 12:00 noon in the school gymnasium. The menu includes grilled ribeye sandwiches, grilled brats and chicken breast along with pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, chips, coleslaw, macaroni salad, soft serve ice cream with all the toppings and beverages.

We are raffling off a 2025 Honda Pioneer 1000 or $10,000.00 cash (winner pays taxes). 10 -- 2nd place prizes -- $100.00 each. Drawing will be held during the BBQ/Auction. Tickets may be purchased by any Danbury Catholic School parent, Danbury church member or contact Brian Seuntjens at 880.1211 or Janelle Clausen at the parish office at 883.2406.

Hope you all can come and join us on Sunday, August 24th for this special fundraiser for our school! This is one of the biggest fundraisers during the year. Thank you in advance for your support to Danbury Catholic School.

Danbury Catholic is seeking a music teacher for the upcoming school year. The position is part time, twice per week, an hour and a half each of those days.

For more information, please reach out to Molly Petersen at mpetersen@danburycatholic.org or 712-883-2244.

Ladies and any men, too, who like to bake, we're calling on you once again.

Last year's bake sale for the Rosary Congress went far above anything we could have imagined. Could we have a repeat? This is the only event we depend on for raising money for the expenses of the Rosary Congress. It can be costly to get a speaker.

This year's Bake Sale date is Sunday July 13th in Ida Grove. We have another generous offer with matching funds available to us, so all bakers, we are looking for your prize-winning baked item(s) for the success of this bake sale.

This will be a free-will offering bake sale. Drop off your goodies before Mass in the hall, then join us after mass for some savory and palatable treats from our famous cooks in the parish. Thank you, men and ladies. God Bless you all!!!

Along with the bake sale on July 13th the Knights will be providing burgers, buns and chips for lunch following the 10:30 a.m. Mass in Ida Grove. Salads will also be provided.

We are also having an Item Sale. If you have any items stashed away in the closet that have not been used and you could donate, please do so. These will be sold with the baked goods.(Feel free to list your suggested price.)

Thank you for your contributions.

Plans are moving forward with the 4th Eucharistic Rosary Congress. This year's theme is "My Soul Magnifies the Lord." The dates will be Mon. Sept. 29-Sat. Oct. 4th. More information will be available as we do more planning.

Your participation has been great, but there are still parishioners who have never attended or participated, and we would like to change that with your help. Reach out to someone and ask them to come or ask if you could pick them up, at least to one event or perhaps one hour of adoration. Families, consider bringing your children for a short adoration visit. Your efforts will be blessed.

Our country is in need of prayers for peace. Only our Lord can bring that about. Adoration is the best place to ask Him for what is on your heart.

Please join us for coffee and rolls after Mass on July 6th. Get your spiritual fill and then fill your tummy with coffee and rolls and your soul with socialization.

The Sacred Heart Women of Faith will meet on Monday, July 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.

Msgr. Seifried will be listening to confessions prior to the 8:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays. Please consider taking advantage of this sacrament.

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.

Our next Sweeeeet Treeeet will be July 12th.

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).

Be sure to watch for the latest Catholic content uploading on July 3rd at lumenmedia.org and in the next LumeNotes newsletter. We look back at 135 years of Catholic hospitals in the Sioux City area including MercyOne. Meet the third new diocesan seminarian, Algona Divine Mercy parishioner – by way of Minnesota. Sister Anne Marie Walsh offers a column and we’ll share links to the Lumen Media content recently recognized by the Catholic Media Association as well as area news, school news and an events calendar. Subscribe for free at lumenmedia.org or text Notes to 84576.

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