It seems almost impossible, but this is the last weekend in the month of May which includes the celebration of Memorial Day. To all our staff and volunteers who prepare the cemeteries at Mapleton, Danbury, Oto and Ida Grove, it is a huge task. Countless hours throughout the year are spent by many people at each of the locations mowing, trimming, spraying and removing trees and branches.

This spring the Ash trees have taken a turn for the worse and will require extra attention so they do not fall on memorial stones and markers by gusts of wind. I ask for your patience and generosity as there will be an added expense, especially in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, to properly handle and remove diseased Ash trees.

Soon the days of summer will be here. Please be safe in all you do and be Christ to others by generously serving.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

It has been the custom for out-going members of the Danbury Catholic School board to seek candidates for an upcoming election.

On the last weekend of May at the weekend parish Masses there will be an opportunity for St. Therese of Lisieux Parish members to vote to fill one opening coming up July 1st for the Danbury Catholic School Board. The candidates who have agreed to serve if elected are Steffany Bettin and Jeff Bruning. Write in names will not be accepted.

The election will be held in all 3 parishes.

"The Heavenly Gift Shop" will be open on June 8th after mass at Sacred Heart.

Rosaries reduced to $20 each. Take another $5 off for the rest of May, and they are now $15! Bonus - they can be personalized with initials!

We accept cash and checks made out to St. Therese of Lisieux. To shop by appointment call Lisa Jacobsen 712-371-3297.

Danbury Catholic is seeking a PE and a music teacher for the upcoming school year. Both positions are part time, twice per week, an hour and a half each of those days. A PE endorsement from the Board of Educational Examiners is required for the PE position.

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

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

Save the date! Danbury Catholic’s annual BBQ/auction will be held on August 24th.

Pre-registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. To pre-register, go to danburycatholic.org. Financial aid is available.

For more information, to go danburycatholic.org, call 883-2244, or email mpetersen@danburycatholic.org.

The Father Dailey Scholarship Committee met on May 7th to consider applications for this year’s high school seniors. They awarded six new scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year to the following: Andrew Parks – Iowa State University; Kendra Baker – University of South Dakota; Colton Boysen – Northwest Iowa Community College; Kaleb Taylor – Iowa Central Community College; Alexis Patera – University of Nebraska – Lincoln; and Marley Smith – Buena Vista University.

The members of the scholarship committee are Father William McCarthy, Peter Goldsmith, Amy Forbes, Ashley Collins and Jill Hasbrouck.

Please join us for coffee and rolls after Mass on June 1st. Get your spiritual fill and then fill your tummy with coffee and rolls and your soul with socialization.

The June ministry schedule without the Holy Week ministers is available to pick up in church entrance.

Thank you for your volunteerism.

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

With Danbury Catholic School in Summer mode, Friday morning Mass times will also go into Summer mode. Mass will be held at 8:00 on Fridays.

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.

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

We are looking forward to our “Come Rock at The Grotto” festival on June 14th. Our onsite auction and festival were a success last year. This is our thirteenth year supporting the Grotto. We are excited to have everyone join us for a fun, family friendly outdoor event with food and beverages from our local area, entertainment plus our silent auction.

The 2025 festival will be hosted on the grounds of The Grotto after the 4:30 pm mass at Sts. Peter and Paul and will continue until 8:00 pm that Saturday. Personally guided tours will be offered as well for all who would like to experience the beauty of this shrine and learn about all that it has to offer.

The Grotto is one of our treasures here in northwest Iowa which attracts visitors not just locally, but from the surrounding area and internationally.

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.

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