The 2024-2025 St. Therese of Lisieux fiscal year comes to an end on June 30. At first, I always stop and think about what events took place this past year. A quick summary of the sacramental records gives us insight as to some of the dynamics of our parish base. For a stretch of Covid years, more people were passing away than entering into the Catholic church. That trend seems to have ended, and I think that it is safe to say that we are laying the foundation for more people to attend Mass on weekends. Looking at some of the numbers, there were 29 First Holy Communicants this past year from students and adults joining the church. There were 19 who were baptized and ten celebrations of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. There were 19 deaths in our parish and 6 who lived in other places in the United States who received a funeral Mass at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish. Currently, there are five adults studying to join the Catholic Church at Easter April 4, 2026, and eleven couples who have asked to reserve a date on the wedding calendar for the next year. I think those are good numbers in terms of viability. I continue to remind you of the Mass counts that are taken every other month. We count four weekends in July and send the numbers into the diocese who records all the counts throughout the diocese of Sioux City for input data to help pastoral planning for the future. Looking ahead, we continue to fix and repair all of our three churches. St. Mary's Mapleton Renovation Project is scheduled to start in 2026, and already some of the statue work is being done. Looking ahead to 2026, there will be a need to raise some money to finish St. Mary's Mapleton Renovation Project. But, I remind you that we are all in this together, and together we are stronger. Thank you for all the support and for all you do to make St. Therese of Lisieux Parish alive and growing.

May God be praised,

Fr. McCarthy.

The Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus will hold an omelet breakfast on Sunday, June 29th at the Mapleton Community Center. The free will donation meal will be served from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Proceeds will benefit the Danbury Catholic School students and Mary’s Choice.

The Knights of Columbus (Danbury, Mapleton, Anthon) are chairing their annual Baby Bottle for Change project. Proceeds will go to Mary's Choice in Sioux City. Empty baby bottles can be found at church entrances. Kindly return them before the end of June.

Due to the death of his sister, Fr. Ball will not have Mass on Tuesday, July 2nd. May she rest in peace. Our condolences to Father and his family.

The Danbury Catholic School BBQ/Auction Committee will be selling raffles for a 2025 Honda Pioneer 10000 or $10,000.00 cash; 10-2nd Place Prizes $100.00 each. The committee will be selling raffles before and after Mass in Mapleton and Ida Grove the weekend of July 6th. Tickets are $75 each or (3) for $200.00. Drawing will be held on Sunday, August 24th at the Annual BBQ/Auction. All proceeds benefit Danbury Catholic School.

Ladies and any men, too, who like to bake, we're calling on you once again.

Last year's bake sale for the Rosary Congress went far above anything we could have imagined. Could we have a repeat? This is the only event we depend on for raising money for the expenses of the Rosary Congress. It can be costly to get a speaker.

This year's Bake Sale date is Sunday July 13th in Ida Grove. We have another generous offer with matching funds available to us, so all bakers, we are looking for your prize-winning baked item(s) for the success of this bake sale.

This will be a free-will offering bake sale. Drop off your goodies before Mass in the hall, then join us after mass for some savory and palatable treats from our famous cooks in the parish. Thank you, men and ladies. God Bless you all!!!

Plans are moving forward with the 4th Eucharistic Rosary Congress. This year's theme is "My Soul Magnifies the Lord." The dates will be Mon. Sept. 29 - Sat. Oct. 4th. More information will be available as we do more planning.

Your participation has been great, but there are still parishioners who have never attended or participated, and we would like to change that with your help. Reach out to someone and ask them to come or ask if you could pick them up, at least to one event or perhaps one hour of adoration. Families, consider bringing your children for a short adoration visit. Your efforts will be blessed.

Our country is in need of prayers for peace. Only our Lord can bring that about. Adoration is the best place to ask Him for what is on your heart.

Recycle your glass bottles and cans that are redeemable. You may drop them off at the Danbury Catholic School. Please place them in the grey container that is next to the double gym doors on the East side of the school. Please separate your clean cans from the glass.

Thank you for donating your redeemable glass/cans to the school. It is greatly appreciated!!

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.

Please join us for coffee and rolls after Mass on July 6th. Get your spiritual fill and then fill your tummy with coffee and rolls and your soul with socialization.

The Sacred Heart Women of Faith will meet on Monday, July 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall.

The July ministry schedule is available to pick up in church entrance.

Thank you for your volunteerism.

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.

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

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

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.

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).

Loving and generous God, you called the prophets to bring your word to your chosen people. Your Son, Jesus, called the first disciples to be bold proclaimers of the good news.

In the modern world, you continue to call your sons and daughters to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life. Calm the chaos and soothe the sounds of our world, and allow more to hear your soft voice calling them to pick up their cross and follow.

May the Holy Spirit fall upon your church in a profound way, so that we may experience a tremendous harvest of grace. May vocations increase ever abundantly and may your church stand as a witness to the world of the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.