St. Mary's - Danbury, IA.
St. Mary's - Mapleton, IA.
Sacred Heart - Ida Grove, IA.

Observances and Readings for the Week
Monday (1-20)
Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr
Saint Sebastian, Martyr
Heb 5:1-10
Mk 2:18-22
Tuesday (1-21)
Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, Memorial
Heb 6:10-20
Mk 2:23-28
Wednesday (1-22)
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Heb 7:1-3, 15-17
Mk 3:1-6
Thursday (1-23)
Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr
USA: Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin
Heb 7:25-8:6
Mk 3:7-12
Friday (1-24)
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Heb 8:6-13
Mk 3:13-19
Saturday (1-25)
The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, Feast
Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Mk 16:15-18
Sunday (1-26)
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
1 Cor 12:12-30 or 12:12-14, 27
Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21
Monday (1-27)
Saint Angela Merici, Virgin
Heb 9:15, 24-28
Mk 3:22-30
Tuesday (1-28)
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Heb 10:1-10
Mk 3:31-35
Wednesday (1-29)
Weekday
Heb 10:11-18
Mk 4:1-20
Thursday (1-30)
Weekday
Heb 10:19-25
Mk 4:21-25
Friday (1-31)
Saint John Bosco, Priest, Memorial
Heb 10:32-39
Mk 4:26-34
Saturday (2-1)
BVM
Heb 11:1-2, 8-19
Mk 4:35-41
Sunday (2-2)
The Presentation of the Lord, Feast
Mal 3:1-4
Heb 2:14-18
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Ignited By The Spirit
At a recent committee meeting, the topic of reaching out to non-practicing Catholics was brought up and discussed. I think it is fair to say that it is not just limited to the St. Therese' of Lisieux Parish but a problem of larger scale.
The point of the discussion centered on possible remedies. Identifying those who would like to come to mass and don't have transportation would be a first good step. For example, there are students who would like to come to Sunday Mass but parents are unavailable to take them to Mass. I guess I am asking relatives such as cousins or grandparents to try and work out a plan to make it possible for these students to at least sometimes attend Sunday Mass. This effort is based on love for God and God's fiery love for everyone and not being judgmental.
Another possibility centers on some who are advanced in age and find it difficult to attend weekend Mass. A little help from others can make a big difference.
Lastly, if you know of someone who would like to receive the sacraments, please contact me as that group is very fluid, and I can usually help if I know who they are and where they live.
God bless,
Fr. McCarthy.
Parish Family Events
Jan. 26 - Bingo!
Danbury Catholic School Bingo Night will be held on Sunday, January 26th. Meal begins at 5:00 p.m. Serving taverns, hotdogs, nachos, assorted chips, pretzels/cheese, assorted bars, bottled water, coffee and soda.
Bingo begins at 6:00 p.m. Thirty games of Bingo will be played for $5.00 per card. Blackout will be played for $1.00 per card. The Blackout game is worth $200.00.
Help us celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week! Everyone is welcome!
Jan. 26 - Bingo Giveaway Basket:
Chances for a Giveaway Basket will be sold during Danbury Catholic School’s annual Bingo Night (Sunday, January 26th). The basket contains gift cards and certificates to Colbert's Market, KCK's Food & Fuel, Schrank's Bar & Grill, Bluejay Boutique, Taco Island in Ida Grove, Schmidt Beef Co., Mapleton Hometown Variety, Maple ton/Danbury Bucks, and a subscription to the Danbury Review. Also included are a fleece throw, pure soy wax Eastwood candle, bottles of raw honey, tallow and honey balm & Coffee King.
Chances are (1) for $5.00 or (3) for $10.00. You need not be present to win. To purchase a chance you may contact a DC student, contact Tabitha at the school at 883.2244 or Janelle at St. Mary’s Parish Center at 883.2406.
All proceeds benefit Danbury Catholic. Thank you in advance for your support!
Jan. 29 - Patriotic Rosary
To help celebrate our freedoms and our nation during Catholic Schools Week, Danbury Catholic will be hosting a Patriotic Rosary on Wednesday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m.
All veterans, active military, and law enforcement personnel are invited to join us in the school gym.
Feb. 2 - Presentation of the Lord Sunday
February 2nd is The Presentation of the Lord Sunday. Mass at Sacred Heart will begin in the Parish Hall with prayer and a procession of candles to the Church. Please come to the Hall and pick up your candle and walk to present our Lord.
Feb. 2 - Come for Mass, Stay for Sweets
On Sunday, February 2nd we will have coffee and sweets in the Sacred Heart church hall after Mass. Come eat, drink and socialize! Let's get to know each other like Our Lord wants us to!
Feb. 9 - Bake Sale
On Sunday, February 9th the Sacred Heart Women of Faith in Ida Grove will be having a bake sale after mass in the church hall - free will donation! Get your Valentine goodies!
Feb. 9-Mar. 30 - Dive into the Bible Timeline
If you have ever considered joining our Bible study, now is the perfect moment to take the plunge! We have embarked on an exciting journey through the Scriptures using Jeff Cavins’ Bible Timeline Study. Jeff Cavins masterfully guides us through the rich tapestry of God’s Word. From Genesis to the Acts of Apostles, we will explore the grand narrative, connect the dots, and deepen our understanding.
We will begin this second part of the 3-part series on Sunday, February 9th and will continue through Sunday March 30th. The Bible study will be held in the Danbury Catholic School cafeteria from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. Zoom call will be available.
For this enriching experience, there is a nominal fee of $53.00. This helps cover study materials. This includes all 24 sessions, including the 8 in the first part and the 8 in the third part which will be held at a time to be determined.
Whether you are a seasoned Bible scholar or just dipping your toes into the waters of Scripture, you’re welcome here! Let us learn, discuss, and grow together. For more information or to sign up, please contact Sandy Ortner at 712-880-1251
Shop Heavenly
"The Heavenly Gift Shop" is now open every second Sunday of the month after mass.
We carry handmade rosaries, jewelry, baptism gifts, prayer boxes and many other items. Personalization is available. We accept cash and checks made out to St. Therese of Lisieux. To shop by appointment call Lisa Jacobsen 712-371-3297.
Missing Something? Give Them a Ring
Found at St. Mary's, Mapleton: Ladies ring. Call Sharyl @ 880-7749 to ID & claim.
How do I get the Diocesan News?
Be sure you are signed up to receive the FREE LumeNotes e-newsletter in your email inbox. Receive links to news articles, briefs, photos, videos and the Illuminating Catholics podcast (including recent episodes with Msgr. Girres and Deacon Jake Rosenmeyer, seminarian.)
Email news@scdiocese.org to sign up. Find the news anytime at lumenmedia.org.
Sacred Heart - Ida Grove
Liturgical Schedule
The February ministry Schedule is available to pick up in Church entrance.
Thank you for your volunteerism.
Sacred Heart Women of Faith
Exciting News!! We now have an awesome name for the women's group!! Sacred Heart Women of Faith!
Our next meeting will be on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 6:30 pm in the church hall. Oh, it's going to be fun!!! Call Lisa for questions 712-371-3297.
Join Us for Adoration
Adoration is held for an hour every Tuesday after Mass and all day on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Please join us.
Community Basket Serves Those in Need
Want to help those in need of a little supplemental food? A basket can be found at the entrance of the church for your non-perishable items. Please consider helping those in need throughout the year.
St. Mary's - Danbury
Pray the Rosary With Us
We will pray the Rosary Wednesdays at approximately 6:45 when there is Faith Formation. Join us! We will also livestream on the St. Mary’s Danbury Facebook page.
Sweeeet Saturdays
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
Visit the Church During the Week
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).
Danbury Catholic School
Catholic Schools Week at Danbury Catholic School - January 26-31, 2025
SUNDAY 1/26 - CELEBRATE OUR CHURCH & FAMILY
Bring your family for fellowship at our BINGO fundraiser! The meal is @ 5, BINGO at 6.
MONDAY 1/27 - CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY
Please wear DC clothing to school. We will go out into the communities! We will visit Maple Heights and Willow Dale nursing homes.
TUESDAY 1/28 - CELEBRATE OUR STAFF
Wear bright colored clothing! Thanks to our amazing staff, our students’ futures are bright! The PTO will be providing the staff with treats today.
WEDNESDAY 1/29 - CELEBRATE OUR NATION
Please wear red, white, and blue today. Veterans will speak to the students about our freedoms. Students will lead a schoolwide rosary, praying for our country and our safety, and those who defend them.
THURSDAY 1/30 - CELEBRATE VOCATIONS
God has a special plan for each of us. We will have guest speakers sharing how they share their God-given talents with to enhance and support their church.
FRIDAY 1/31 - CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS
Wear your DC clothing today! We will celebrate with 10 AM mass today and then will go bowling in the afternoon.
Event Outside the Cluster
Entering the Heart of the Church’s Mission
Confused about the various steps and rituals of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)? Want to know more about why and how we celebrate OCIA and the meaning behind it? Join us as the diocesan offices of Faith Formation and Worship provide regional trainings from 5 to 8 pm on January 28th at St. Cecelia Church in Algona, on February 4th at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, and on February 25th at St. Mary Church in Alton. Dinner will be provided for participants as we dive into these liturgical rites that spring from the very heart of the Church's mission, to bring people to Christ and join them to his Church. Please register beforehand on the diocesan website: https://www.scdiocese.org/ocia
Marriage Encounter
Why not make a commitment to do something to improve your marriage - like making a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend? The upcoming weekend dates are April 25-27 in Epworth, IA & September 12-14 in Dubuque, IA. For more info call Denise and Greg at (563)608-3305 or register at wwme.org
Miscellaneous Information
Thank the advertisers who support our bulletin, they are much appreciated
Please remember to check the back page of the bulletin and support our sponsors!
Giving in our Parish Family
Writing a check? Remember: When writing a check for your contribution, please make your check payable to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish.
Online Giving: Online Giving is available to all parishioners. To give online, go to https://www.osvhub.com/ herlittleway/giving/funds. Select the fund to where you want your contribution to be credited. Enter your account and bank information. Enter the amount you want to give.
For all donations (including grain) to the parish: Please make checks payable to St. Therese of Lisieux Parish.
For donations (including grain) to Danbury Catholic School: Please make checks payable to Danbury Catholic School.
The ongoing financial support of our parish is always appreciated. Thank you!
Can’t make it to Mass? Please to continue to support your parish by mailing your contributions:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
604 Peach St
Danbury, IA 51019
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
PO Box 203
Ida Grove, IA 51445
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
703 Heisler St.
Mapleton, IA 51034
Facebook Page
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Baptism Preparation
Please call Father Bill to make an appointment to do Baptismal preparation and to set a date.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Anytime by appointment in any of the three parishes.
Danbury & Mapleton: Thirty (30) minutes prior to weekend Masses.
Ida Grove: Tuesday and Thursday before and after daily Mass.
Anointing of the Sick
If you or a family member is sick, facing surgery, or in the hospital, please contact Fr. McCarthy or Deacon Stover immediately for visits and to be anointed with the Sacrament by Fr. McCarthy. Also, when one leaves the hospital, please notify Father or Deacon; this assists us to continue our care for the sick.
Marriage Preparation
Planning a wedding? Contact Fr. William McCarthy a minimum of nine months prior to the wedding date to ensure all diocesan requirements are completed.
Bulletin Announcements
Due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Send info to danigmapbulletin@gmail.com or call Lynn at 712‑893‑2160.
New Parishioners and Change of Address
We welcome you into God’s family! If you are interested in learning more about our church, or would like to join, please contact the rectory of your city of residence to register as a new member or if you have change of address or telephone number.
Prayer Tree
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 or Marilyn Seuntjens at 253‑0603