We, the parishioners of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parishes, welcome you to join our parish community.  On this website you will find information about our parish, including Mass Times, how to contact the Parish Office, information about faith formation programs and more.

It is a special weekend as on the first day of October we celebrate the life of Saint Therese of Lisieux who is the Patroness of our three Churches located in Ida Grove, Mapleton and Danbury.

St. Therese was born on January 2, 1873, and passed away at the age of 24 years old on September 30, 1897. Therese lived a very quiet and hidden earthly life. She could scarcely be distinguished from any other Carmelite nun in prayerful service to the Lord. But after her death, there was almost an immediate awareness of her unique gifts originating through her letters and through the many miracles and Godly graces that were quickly poured out. Twenty-eight years later, she was officially canonized by The Catholic Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church writes to us saying: "We can and should ask the saints to intercede for us and for the whole world." St. Therese herself said, "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth." St. Therese wants us to ask for her intercession, to prayerfully ask for whatever can assist each of us on our journey to Christ.

I invite you to please join in this special week of Adoration of the Eucharist, reciting the Rosary, at- tending Mass and additional prayer opportunities that will be offered this upcoming week.

God bless,

Fr. McCarthy.

The bulletin is a rough draft for an upcoming change in our bulletin. Why? So that we will have bulletins on time and to support a local printing business and our Catholic school. Please bear with us in this transitional period.

The missing info can be found at https://www.herlittleway.org/.

October is known as Respect Life Month. Every October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. Here are opportunities to participate:

Life Chain - join us on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 2 - 3 pm at the 4-way stop in Mapleton to stand for life. Signs and materials will be provided. Feel free to bring your own sign too. Fellowship to follow. (Questions call: Dave or Sharyl @ 880-7749)

Baby Shower for Mary's Choice - There will be a crib in the back of each church from Oct. 1 – Oct. 30 for donations. Mary's Choice is a nonprofit resource center with free services during pregnancy and during early childhood. Items they can use: diapers, baby wipes, baby/ toddler/ maternity clothes (new / gently used), baby blankets, bottles, unexpired/accident-free car seats, pak ‘n-plays, etc.

Prayer - a sheet of prayers is available in the back of each church. Please join in praying them daily for 40 Days for the respect of life and the end to abortion.

Fasting - Offer penance, fasting and suffering for the end of abortion.

Read the Catholic Lumen for info on how to participate in 40 Days for Life.

Falling within the dates of the Eucharistic Rosary Congress is an important date...October 7th. That date is celebrated in our Catholic faith as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary/Our Lady of Victory. Do you know how that Title for Our Lady came to be?

It was on this date in 1571 that one of the most famous and bloodiest naval battles in history took place on the Bay of Lepanto, off the Coast of Greece. The opposing forces were Christians against a far superior Turkish navy.

The Turks believed Christianity had become so weak, it was time to move in and "deal the last blow." Outnumbered, Pope St. Pius V called upon the world to pray the rosary. Our Holy Mother responded and miraculously, victory was won on October 7, 1571, which brought the Feast of Our Lady of Victory.

Here we are again, my brothers and sisters. The enemy appears to be attempting to "deal the last blow." There is no doubt we are living in diabolically influenced times. This, while Godless leaders and influencers in our nation have usurped the phrase, “This is a battle for the soul of America,” as their evil abominations unto God easily become a “new normal” in the lives of our loved ones! Those who choose to stand in the “Spirit of Truth” are mocked, persecuted, abandoned and put out! The time is now to do the "Lepanto thing!"

With our rosaries in hand this week, we have a great opportunity to pray and ask Our Lady to bring a victory over the evil that wants to dominate us and deal us a last blow. You are being asked to come for an hour of adoration and to pray a rosary and beg Our Lady to be with us, to bring us a victory and to assist us in our every need. Show up with that intention in your heart and on your lips.

It’s time for the annual apple pie take and bake in Danbury. The pies will be assembled on Saturday, October 14th. Please plan to help.

Orders are being taken for pies, priced at $12 each, and pie crusts in tins are 2/$5. Order early! Only 750 pies will be made!

Please order by October 7th by calling the Danbury parish rectory at 712-883-2406 or Carol Weber at 712-880-5000.

Since 2007 there have been over 207,000 public square Rosary rallies praying to save America.

Please consider joining us to pray on Saturday, October 14th at noon at Godbersen Park in Ida Grove.

Any questions please call Lisa at 712-371-3297.

St. Mary's, Mapleton will have their annual turkey supper on Sunday, October 15th from 4:00 until 6:30 p.m. The cost to enjoy the meal is $12. Catered by Staley’s, they are doing drive thru only. A line will form on Heisler Street from the west.

Mapleton residents may also have their meal delivered. Please call 882-1780 for delivery.

Tickets are available at all 3 Mapleton Banks, Hometown Variety, and First Security Bank in Danbury.

The Knights of Columbus in Ida Grove will be serving a harvest meal on Sunday, October 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church Hall. Just $8 gets you a hamburger or pork tenderloin sandwich, mac & cheese, chips and dessert. Want more sandwiches? Additional sandwiches are $2 each.