Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season

Driving back from Saturday evening Mass at St. Mary's in Danbury, I often get the chance to tune in the radio and listen to Michael O'Neill who had visited our parish just a couple of months ago. Michael had a segment on what had happened recently at a meeting of the United States Council of Bishops. Michael discussed that Bishop Cozzens from Crookston, MN, is advancing the cause for Beautification of Sister Mary Annella Zervas OSB a Benedictine Sister who was born in Northern Minnesota and discerned at a young age that she was being called to serve as a Religious Order Sister. Her life was not long, only 26 years old when she passed on and was buried at St. Joseph MN. The following is a prayer to obtain Beatification and Canonization of Sister Mary Annella: O Heavenly Father, who art the Author of all virtue and source of all holiness, and who through Thy Faithful servant, Sister Annella Zervas, has been pleased to give the world an example of patience and obedient resignation under suffering, we pray Thee to grant us the grace which we ask through her meditation, and this to manifest her sanctity, that Thy Holy Church may soon be able to proclaim it for Thy greater glory, O God, and for the glorification of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, who Sister Annella loves so fervently, Amen. (3X Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be's.) Lord Jesus, glorify Thy Spouse, Sister M. Annella Zervas OSB. We beg of Thee by Thy Holy Cross.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

With Christmas and New Years landing on Wednesday this year, the deadline for bulletin information is being bumped up a day to Monday at 5:00 p.m. for the December 28-29 and the January 4 and 5 bulletins.

To submit bulletin information, please send to danigmapbulletin@gmail.com or contact Lynn at 712-893-2160 or 712-840-0327.

Thank you.

Sacred Heart's religious education Christmas Program "A Journey to the Manger" will be held on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m. After the program light, refreshments will be served in the hall.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

FORMED provides the very best Catholic content from more than 60 organizations to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere. Supporting thousands of movies, children’s programs, ebooks, audio, parish programs and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.

When you go back to the website to log in on a different day, it may require you to sign in. If it does: Click Sign In in the top right corner. It will ask you to enter your email. It will send you an email, so you need to go to your email account and find the email from FORMED. Then click the blue Sign in now link in that email.

The Father Harry E Dailey council will meet Sunday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall.

The sign up sheet for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Ministry Schedule is on the table in the entrance of Church, Please volunteer.

Sacred Heart has a new funeral chairperson, Lisa Jacobsen (712-371-3297) who replaces Dixie Lansink who has retired from the position. Thank you for your service, Dixie!

The funeral committee ladies serve drinks and desserts and do clean up. If you want to be added to the existing list, please call Lisa. She is relatively new to our church and doesn't know long term friendships or family relationships so please help her out and call if you would like to work and/or bake at a specific funeral.

Thank you for your consideration, and God Bless you!

We could use some empty containers for leftovers after funeral luncheons. If you have some we can use, please leave them in the kitchen in the hall.

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

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.

Danbury Ladies Rosary Society Holiday Brunch will be held on Sunday, December 8th at Beef N Brew in Mapleton, We have the party room reserved for 10:00 a.m.

The brunch is open to all ladies of the Rosary Society.

If you would like to participate in our holiday grab gift, we have a limit set of $20.00.

Hope to see you there!

Do you want to donate poinsettias to the Christmas decorations? It’s not at all too late!

We have some poinsettias around the crib, but we have more which will come out of the cool basement over the next couple weeks. If you would like to donate poinsettias in honor of loved ones, please leave them in the sacristy by December 18th at noon.

Thank you.

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.

The St. Mary's, Mapleton Secret Prayer Pal gathering will be held in the church hall on Sunday, December 8th following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. We will have a gift exchange and have the reveal. Refreshments served. Spouses welcome. RSVP appreciated (if you see this before Sunday) to Sharyl at 880-7749.

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

Thus, this week’s Tuesday Mass is at 7:30 a.m.

St. Mary’s is again adopting families this Christmas season. These families consist of children, single parent, and older couples.

Please check St. Mary’s Facebook page and the trees in the church filled with ornaments of families’ needs.

Items donated to help these families may be left in the church basement, entering via the north church door, every Sunday until noon on Sunday, Dec. 15th.

Any cash donations to assist may be sent to St. Mary’s Adopt-a-Family, 703 Heisler St. Mapleton, IA 50134 or left in the collection basket at the church entrances.

The Adopt-a-Family committee extends their thanks in advance for your heartfelt generosity!

Please remember to check the back page of the bulletin and support our sponsors!

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