One of the things I like best about February is that it is only 28 days long unless it is a leap year. So here we go jumping into the March this weekend, and not far behind is Ash Wednesday, this year falling on the 5th of March. I am not saying that the winter season is in the books, but the word “Lent“ actually points to spring. It seems like when the weather warms and the grass starts to green a new positive attitude arrives as well.

Looking back over the past winter, a great number of incredible members of our St. Therese Of Lisieux Parish have passed away. They were good people whose selfless giving really made a difference. We continue to pray for the repose of their souls and healing for their families, but I think that time has come to ask God for the Holy Spirit and an era of building the Catholic Church, making it stronger. Soon, the Diocese of Sioux City will be blessed with the ordination of Fr. John Edward Keehner as the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City. I think that it is very fitting to include in your Lenten prayers and sacrifices that the new bishop will receive great support in every way possible. In the press conference, Bishop Nickless referred to Fr. Keehner as a great choice. Our task as the flock that he will shepherd is to build a foundation of prayerful support as Fr. Keehner moves from Ohio where his family resides to Northwest Iowa.

Additional Lenten support is needed for Pope Francis who has serious health issues as the Papacy is a strenuous job with tremendous responsibilities. My hope is to offer Monday evening Masses and Friday evening Masses. If I have a funeral Mass earlier in the day it might be stations of the Cross as Cannon Law requires I have to have special permission to preside at three Masses in one 24 hour period.

Ash Wednesday is abstaining from meat; Fridays in Lent are meatless as well. Good news, though, the Knights of Columbus in Ida Grove are all set for their three Fish Frys beginning March 7th.

Blessings on your Lenten journey,

Fr. McCarthy.

The Father Harry E Dailey Knights will be having their annual fish fry feasts on Friday March 7th, Friday March 21st and Friday April 4th.

Please join us for coffee and rolls after Mass this weekend. Get your spiritual fill and then fill your tummy with coffee and rolls and your soul with socialization.

The March ministry Schedule is available to pick up in Church entrance.

Thank you for your volunteerism.

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 7th, March 21st, and April 4th.

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

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.

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.

Effective immediately at St. Mary's, Mapleton: 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).

Horn Memorial Hospice is now accepting registrations for “Living Through Loss”, a grief support group and educational program designed to help individuals work through the grieving process. Losing a loved one is never easy, but with the understanding and support of caring individuals, healing is possible.

We can help you work through the grieving process with others who have experienced loss. In small groups, participants can listen and share in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding.

The sessions will begin Tuesday, March 4th and run for five consecutive Tuesdays. The group will meet in the Horn Memorial Hospital Conference Center from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

To register or for more information regarding the program, please contact Val Ipsen, RN, Hospice Coordinator or Nancy Schoen, Bereavement Coordinator at 712.364.7311.

Faith and begorrah - the OLGC St. Pat’s Celebration at the Legion will soon be here! Saturday, March 15th from 7 - 10p.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!

This event is organized by the OLGC Catholic Church in Holstein’s Parish Life Committee and is meant to encourage good clean fun for the whole family.

All are invited to a Magnificat Retreat on Saturday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception in Cherokee. Our day will be spent answering God's call to Come Away and Abide in Me. We will come away as we learn to walk in our true identity, and we will abide in Him as we learn to hear him speak.

Registration is $30.00 and is due by March 12. Registration and more information is available at our website http://magnificat-iowa.com.

A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is a time to rejoice in the beauty of our marriage and family. It’s a great time to rekindle communication and enjoy a weekend away. For more information call Denise and Greg - 563-920-9419 or register at wwme. org. Upcoming dates: April 25-27 in Epworth, IA and September 12-14 in Dubuque, IA

As Pope Francis has named Father John Keehner as our new bishop - elect, this is a great time to follow diocesan news through Lumen Media. We will have much content about the new bishop leading up to the May 1 episcopal ordination. Sign up to receive an email or text each Friday with the latest diocesan news. Either text Notes to 84576 or email news@scdiocese.org for the e-newsletter. (Text Notas to 84576 or email news@scdiocese.org for Spanish news in Notas Lumen).

Into the Garden Lenten Retreat with Steve Angrisano - April 6 for grades 6-12 in Sioux City. Registration due March 14th. Link to the information - https://www.scdiocese.org/intothegarden

The Vocations Office is sponsoring two concurrent summer trips this summer June 2-5.

The Quest Trip for high school and college-age young men will be going to Winona, MN and La Crosse, WI on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Led by the seminarians for the Diocese of Sioux City the men will visit Immaculate Heart of Mary College Seminary where our college seminarians study, hike the bluffs of the Mississippi River, and of course play paintball!

The three directors of faith formation of the Diocese of Sioux City will be leading a trip - Ave Young Women's Retreat - for young women in high school and college to Lincoln, NE. They will be staying at a state park, visiting with multiple religious communities of consecrated women religious, visiting the beautiful St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nebraska, and of course having plenty of fun together!

As registrations open soon, please invite young men and women to attend these events designed to help young people grow in their faith and discern their vocation. Please contact Michelle Steinbach 712-233-7523 michelles@scdiocese.org or Fr. Crotty with any questions.