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Regularly Scheduled Events in our Parish and Community
- Chapel of Perpetual Adoration
- Daily Rosary for Life
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy at Emma Goldman Clinic
- KCANS4LIFE: A Better Kind of Redemption!
- First Saturday Mass
- St. Bridget's Band Bridge Club
- Catholic Daughters of America
- G. K. Chesterton Society
- Prayer Shawl Knitting Group
- Youth Casserole Making
- Help Serve Free Lunch
- Baptism Class
- Holy Hour for Vocations
- Pantry Sunday
- Free Blood Pressure Checks
- Vietnamese Mass
- Korean Mass
Here in Iowa City we have been blessed to have a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration since 1986. People are needed to spend one hour a week praying in the
presence of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. Many spiritual blessings are waiting for those who are able to make the extra
commitment to spend time with our Lord, who is exposed in a Monstrance 24 hours a day in the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration at St. Patrick’s in Iowa City. There are 168 hours in one week. Could you find it in your heart to give one of these hours back to God in the Chapel? To learn more or to sign-up for an hour, contact Janet Strand at 338-1863.
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Daily Rosary for Life
Monday - Friday, 11:40 AM
Please join other parishioners who attend daily Mass at St. Mary's in a Rosary for Life, beginning at 11:40 AM in the church, Monday through Friday, followed by the daily Mass at 12:10 PM.
Fridays at the Emma Goldman Clinic
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed at the Emma Goldman Clinic on Fridays at 12:50 PM. Everyone is
welcome to participate in this prayer to end abortion.
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KCANS4LIFE: A Better Kind of Redemption!
First Saturday of each month
Here's how it works: The Knights are collecting pop cans and bottles with a five cent IA redemption value. Bring your bottles and cans to the St. Wenceslaus church parking lot on the first Saturday of every month, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. No need to sort! All proceeds will go directly to Informed Choice of Iowa (IC3) to benefit their Choices Medical Clinic, which provides free pre-natal care and counseling, including ultrasounds. So far this year, can collections have generated $2,200!
Did you know that 88% of women decide against abortion after seeing an ultrasound of their baby? Get rid of all that can and bottle clutter and help IC3 to give women the right choice: LIFE!
KCANS for life will be accepting donations at St. Wenceslaus on these upcoming dates:
June 1st
July 6th
August 3rd
First Saturday Mass
First Saturday of each Month
The First Saturday Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM at St. Mary's church on the first Saturday of each month. The First Saturday Mass will be celebrated on these upcoming dates:
June 1st
July 6th
August 3rd
St. Bridget's Band Bridge Club
Second Monday each month
Meet us at the Elks Club at noon for bridge! Players of all skill levels are welcome! Please contact Kathy Brechler (354-9782) or Donna Sullivan (337-8675) if you have questions.
Upcoming dates are:
May 13th
June 8th
July 6th
August 12th
Second Tuesday each month
Join the Catholic Daughters at 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month! ALL Catholic Woman are encouraged to join! Catholic Daughters is a national Catholic organization dedicated to prayer, fellowship, and helping the less fortunate. The rosary will begin at 6:15 PM at St. Wenceslaus Parish Hall. A potluck will follow and then the meeting. For questions, call Sue Squires (621-3233).
The next monthly meeting of Court Craigie #94 will be held Tuesday, May 14th at St. Wenceslaus parish hall, beginning with a rosary at 6:15 PM. A potluck will precede the meeting. LaDonna Wicklund, educator, song writer, and founder of "I CAN READ" will share her mission and the joyous songs she wrote to boost the 3-5 year olds in early literacy skills so they are ready for Kindergarten and successful in 1st grade. She will also share a project for making diapers from t-shirts for Nicaragua, a country with dire poverty where a diaper can help save a child’s life. We are a group of motivated women working together in fellowship and prayer; helping the less fortunate. All Catholic women age 18 and over are invited. For questions, contact Sue Squires (621-3233).
Upcoming dates are:
May 14th
June 11th
July 9th
August 13th
Second Wednesday each month
Join our monthly meeting at 6:30 PM at O'Keefe Hall (next door to the Newman Center). Call Mike for more details at (319) 621-0880.
Upcoming dates are:
May 15th
June 12th
July 10th
August 14th
Prayer Shawl Knitting Group
Second Tuesday and Second Wednesday of each Month
It was Linda's love of all things knitting that first gave her the idea of beginning a knitting group here at the parish. Indeed, the group's formation was put into motion when she brought her first prayer shawl to Fr. John in 2012. Linda asked Fr. John if he would bless the shawl before I delivered it to my neighbor who was ill at the time.
Soon after that, Linda organized the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and it has been going strong ever since. There are currently 12 to 15 parishioners who knit and crochet prayer shawls for those in need. We pray for the recipient as we stitch. One of the prayers states, "Father, give this shawl the ability to comfort, to heal, to give strength and let them know that they are loved and never alone."
In order to best accommodate the needs of the ministry members, Linda arranged for the group to have two meeting times a month. The first meeting, for those who can attend during the daytime, is held on the second Tuesday of each month from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. The second meeting, for those who can attend during evening hours, is held from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Groups meet for both times in the St. Mary's parish hall in order to work on their knitting projects.
Meeting attendance is not required to be a part of this group. Some of our members would prefer to just work at home. Activity during the group's meetings is also flexible, and ranges from starting a new member on a knitting or crocheting project, to helping each other with pattern instructions or demonstrating a particular technique. Often, the most fun aspect of the meeting is "show and tell," when members can display their knitting and crocheting projects for one another.
All prayer shawls and blankets have a card included from the Prayer Shawl Ministry. If you know of someone in need of a prayer shawl, please contact Rachel Santos or Sr. Agnes at the parish office (337-4314). Anyone can join the ministry at any time, regardless of skill level - Linda will gladly help anyone interested in learning the art of knitting and crocheting.
For more details, please contact Linda Bowton at 319-354-3080, or via e-mail at hawknitr13@hotmail.com.
Upcoming meeting dates are:
May 14th, 15th
June 11th, 12th
July 9th, 10th
August 13th, 14th
Second Thursday each month
DO YOU LIKE TO COOK? On the Thursday before the third Friday of each month, join other youth from each high school and junior high as we collaborate together in St. Mary's parish hall and make four casseroles for the Free Lunch program. The casseroles created will be served the next day at the Free Lunch program. All youth are invited to participate!!
Our "cooking classes" will take place on Thursdays, from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
Upcoming dates are:
May 9th
June 13th
July 11th
August 8th
Free Lunch Servers are needed from 11:45AM - 1:00 PM on Fridays at the Wesley Center.
Upcoming dates are:
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
Second Friday each month
Volunteers are needed to help serve the meal for the Free Lunch program, every third Friday of the month. Sign up sheets to bring food and to help serve, are posted in the church vestibule prior to each Friday that St. Mary's will serve lunch. Please use the sign up sheets in the vestibule to contribute casseroles, salads, and desserts. Food may be brought to the parish hall on the prior Thursday evening between 7:00 and 8:30PM. Volunteers are also needed to serve the lunch. If you are interested in helping, please sign up next month!
Upcoming dates are:
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
Third Saturday each month
We have our baptism class, usually on the third Saturday of each month, to prepare parents who would like to have their new infant baptized during that month. Each class is at 9:30AM in the parish hall. Please call the parish office (337-4314) for information.
Our Baptism Class will be held on these upcoming Saturdays:
May 18th
June 15th
July 20th
August 17th
Fourth Thursday each month
Are you concerned about the shortage of priests, deacons and religious vocations in our Church? Do you want to encourage lay ministers within our Church? What are we to do? A good start is to join together and pray! Join with fellow parishioners in asking our Lord to bless us with an abundance of committed priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers and lay ministers. A Holy Hour to pray for vocations takes place now on the fourth Thursday of each month, at 7:00 PM in the Church for an hour of Adoration and prayer for vocations.
In the words of Pope John Paul II, Considering that the Eucharist is the greatest gift our Lord gives to his Church, we must ask for priests since the priesthood is a gift for the Church. We must pray insistently for this gift. We must ask for it on our knees.
Our Holy Hour for Vocations will be on these upcoming Thursdays:
May 23rd
June 27th
July 25th
August 22nd
The fruits of prayer are evident at St. Mary's! As of Fall 2011, We have seen eight new vocations since we began dedicating our Holy Hour for Vocations.
Fourth Weekend of each month
Look for St. Mary's red For I Was Hungry bags in the main entry of the church. Take this reusable bag home today and bring it back next Sunday filled with nonperishable donations for our local food bank.
The Crisis Center has been helping residents of Johnson County over 37 years! It continues to respond immediately, effectively, and compassionately to those in need of assistance. We depend on the generosity of area individuals and businesses to continue its efforts in providing services to those who need it most. We encourage parshioners to donate food items and diapers for those less fortunate. Community members are also encouraged to make a monetary donation to the Crisis Center, to assist in providing the most basic items to families in need. Donations can be brought to St. Mary's parish hall on Pantry Sunday, or can be taken directly to the Crisis Center from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The Crisis Center is located at 1121 Gilbert Court in Iowa City. For more information, please contact Dayna at 351-2726.
Thank you for your kindness, particularly during this difficult time of need and financial hardship for many in our community! During the months of January and February, we will also be collecting warm socks, hats, gloves and mittens to donate to the Shelter House. Donations may be put in the same bin as the food collection.
Upcoming dates are:
May 25th, 26th
June 22nd, 23rd
July 27th, 28th
August 24th, 25th
Below are the items that are usually most needed.
- diapers (size 3 and larger)
- baby formula
- hearty soups and stews
- Canned meats
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruits
- Canned fruit juice
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly and jam
- Rice
- Pasta
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry Soap
- Recycled paper and plastic grocery bags
- Clean plastic and glass containers to distribute food
The Food Pantry can especially make use of financial contributions to purchase needed items at discounted prices when possible. Please use the monthly envelope in your envelope packet.
Monthly Free Blood Pressure Checks
Fourth Sunday of each month
On the fourth Sunday of each month, the Family Life Commission will be offering free blood pressure checks. This service will take place in the parish hall following the 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM Masses. If you are willing to help with this ministry, please call Barbara Shafer at 351-0415 or the parish office at 337-4314.
The next free blood pressure check will be offered on these upcoming Sundays
Upcoming dates are:
May 26th
June 23rd
July 28th
August 25th
St. Mary's celebrates one Mass each month in Vietnamese. Please watch the parish bulletin or contact the parish office at 337-4314 for upcoming dates.
St. Mary's shares with the Newman Center in celebrating one Mass each month in Korean. Please watch the parish bulletin or contact the parish office at 337-4314 for upcoming dates.