Lent is upon us! In many ways, the next 40some days can be likened to going on a spiritual retreat of sorts. For many people, 40 days sounds like a long time, but in the context of changing your life, it goes by very quickly. Each of us needs a season of Lent to identify where we stray from God's will. Where we subtly fall into temptations and the trappings of this world, even the excesses offered and they end up making us self-centered, not God centered. These bad habits push out the time we spend in prayer and in doing good things that help others, especially those in need which, surprisingly, may be in our own family. Lent is a time of extra grace being poured out by the Holy Spirit upon all those who faithfully take up the call for renewal.

Many people do not know that the Sundays throughout Lent are not fast days; they are days we celebrate Jesus Resurrection. Thus, the starting date had to be pushed back to Wednesday preceding the First Sunday of Lent to ensure a 40 day period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Above all, a spirit of joy is like a motor that gives us the energy to persevere and prepares us to celebrate the Easter Resurrection. A faithful Lenten season brings for an incredible Easter celebration.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

"The Heavenly Gift Shop" is open every second Sunday of the month after mass at Sacred Heart.

New items include items for kids’ Easter baskets and some holy medals. We accept cash and checks made out to St. Therese of Lisieux. To shop by appointment call Lisa Jacobsen 712-371-3297.

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

To have a name added to this unpublished list/tree, please contact the following: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

Marilyn Seuntjens at 712-253-0603

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.

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.
Join us for the Stations of the Cross

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.

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).

Deanery meetings continue, 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 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).

Interested in sending your youngster to Danbury Catholic? DC round-ups 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, go to 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 up on 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.

Be sure to listen to the latest episode of Illuminating Catholics. Terry Hegarty, executive director of Trinity Heights, Queen of Peace Shrine in Sioux City is well-versed in the history of this diocesan shrine and shares stories behind the growth of Trinity Heights. As the shrine is one of the diocesan jubilee sites for the Year of Hope, Hegarty welcomes all pilgrims to come and see the features of the site and see the progress on their new chapel. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or go to www.lumenmedia. org/illuminating-catholics-podcast.