So what are your summer plans? With the arrival of June, now is a great time to schedule at least a couple of items to be completed before the new school year arrives. Many people try to plan for a summer vacation to go somewhere that they have never been before or long to see again.

In terms of the parish, there are many things on the to do list. Items such as replacing the windows at the Danbury Catholic School, at Mapleton there is a multipurpose garage, at Sacred Heart Church there are Ash trees that need to be properly removed.
In terms of sacramental preparation, there are 8 upcoming weddings and several people who are now taking classes to enter fully into the Catholic Church. The priests of the Diocese of Sioux City are scheduled to attend a retreat on July 28. Lastly, my hope it to attend a relative's wedding the last Friday of August in Fargo, North Dakota, if everything works out. Next weekend is the celebration of Pentecost, and then the Easter season will be completed. It was an incredible Easter season filled with miracles.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

Saturday May 31st, is Father Bill McCarthy's 22nd anniversary to the priesthood. Father Bill, we are truly blessed to have you with us at St.Therese of Lisieux Parish, and we would like to offer this prayer for you today.

Father Bill, we thank you for all the ways your light shines through to our lives. We thank God for filling you with the Spirit of Jesus in self-sacrifice, holiness and wisdom. Father, your loving, humble spirit leads us in truth and ministers to us in our joys and sorrows. We ask that God fill you with His grace and abundant blessings that you may continue to nourish us with God's word and instruct us with God's teaching.

Heavenly Father, guide Father Bill, keep him strong in faith and fill his days with Your peace.

O Mary, Queen of Priests, pray for Father Bill and wrap your mantle around him to protect him from all harm and evil.

God Bless this ordination anniversary day of 22 years with many more years of service in the Father's love for his people. Amen

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

This weekend 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. 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.

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.

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.

Danbury Catholic School’s Annual BBQ/Auction is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, 2025. We are raffling off a 2025 Honda Pioneer 1000 or $10,000.00 cash. (Winner pays taxes.) There are ten 2nd Place Prizes $100.00 each.

Tickets are $75.00 each or (3) For $200.00. Tickets are mailed to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish -- Danbury parishioners and to the Danbury Catholic School families.

The drawing will be held the day of the auction. Need not be present to win. Tickets may be dropped off in the collection basket, parish office or you may mail them to Danbury Catholic School @ 602 Peach Street, Danbury, Iowa 51019.

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

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.

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

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.

Is your kitchen missing bowls and pans? Perhaps they are at the church hall. Please take them home. Any that are still at the hall at the end of the month will be taken to Mary’s Choice in July.

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

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.

As we look forward to the summer months, I am reaching out to share an important initiative that will help preserve and enhance a place where faith, learning, and community come together.

Our school building, which has served students and families since 1964, is in need of maintenance and improvements. We are planning to replace the existing windows, repair some masonry, and complete other essential building updates to ensure a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for our current and future students.

These necessary projects require significant financial resources, and we humbly ask for your support. Whether you are a current parishioner in our parish family, a family with children attending our school, or a proud alumni family, your contribution will make a meaningful difference. Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal and helps maintain the legacy of Danbury Catholic School.

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity and commitment of our parish family. Together, we can continue to provide a nurturing and faith-filled educational experience for all who walk through our doors for generations to come.

Thank you for considering this request and for your continued prayers and support. If you have any questions or would like to discuss ways to contribute, please do not hesitate to contact me at 712-883-2244 or mpetersen@danburycatholic.org.

Molly Petersen Principal,
Danbury Catholic School

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.