St. Mary's will provide the hot dogs, chips, cookies, drinks and paper products. Sunday - May 4
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We continue to celebrate the 50 days of the Easter Season
Easter Prayer Praise to you Risen Christ. You brought light to the whole world by your Resurrection. May your Easter light bring peace to our home. May your Easter light bring peace to the world. Shine in us. Light our hearts and minds to know you better, to love you more and more, and to serve you by shining your light in our family, for our friends, and to the world around us. Send your blessing on us and on those most in need of your light. You live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 
Let Christ transform your marriage.
Make the decision this Lent to enrich your marriage! Next weekend: May 16-18 in Cedar Falls. To register or for more information contact Roger & Marsha Luensmann at 563-927-4352. Or visit www.iowa-wwme.org |
- - - - Previous Events & Updates- - - -
Families join us for our last night:
Wednesday - April 30 6:30-8:00 Marian Celebration & Family Picnic In anticipation of May, when the church honors Mary in a special way, our families gather together to honor Mary as the first Christian and seek her guidance and intercession for our families. 
Pre-K Program
Next class is Sunday, Apr 27 During the 10:30 Mass, kids will join in arts, crafts, and story telling to learn about Jesus and his love for them. contact Lindsey at 319-400-2484 or [email protected] to sign-up your child 
Holy Thursday Thursday, April 17 7:00pm Adoration until 10:00pm Good Friday Friday, April 18 3:00pm Stations of the Cross 7:00pm Easter Vigil Saturday, April 19 8:30pm Easter Sunday Sunday, April 20 8:30am & 10:30am 
Saturday, April 5
Spring Clean-Up Beginning at 9:00 am in our cemetery by our old church and then the flower beds at our church. Families - come help us for an hour or two. 
Saturday, April 5 6:00-8:30
Free Childcare & Dinner for both Parents & Kids SIGN-UP ONLINE TODAY! click HERE for more information 
January 1
9:00am Mass January 1 is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics not because it is New Years, but because it is the octave (8th day) of Christmas, the feast of Mary the Mother of God. Over the last 2000 years, the Virgin Mary has been called many things. Protestants and even Muslims agree that she is the “Blessed Mother,” but call her the “Mother of God,” and you see many squirm. But, this is nothing new –read about the riot sparked over the title “Mother of God” in the Early Church 
Help Decorate for Christmas!
After the 10:30 Mass this coming Sunday, December 22. It should only take one hour. Make a NEW family tradition & let us know if your family can join us: 624-2228 
THIS Wednesday Dec. 15 at 6:30 in the Church:
Parents, while your kids are in class...take time out to watch an inspiring video from the CATHOLICISM DVD series Mary, the Mother of God...learn about our mother in heaven. Attending 5:00 Christmas Eve?
If yes, would your family like to come at 4:00 and help greet before Mass? OR would your family like to join a group who will be signing a couple of simple Christmas Carols outside as people leave? IF YES, please call church 624-2228. |
This Sunday's Gospel Jesus appears to his disciples and calls them to believe in him. What does it mean to believe in something? How can you believe in something you can’t see? PALM SUNDAY'S GOSPEL
Passion of the Lord 
What do you remember most from attending Palm Sunday Mass? Why do you think we hold blessed palms in church?
Hearing the story of Jesus's Passion is very sad. The Gospel says that the daughters of Jerusalem wept for mercy for Jesus. How do you feel to know that Jesus died for our sins? Click to HERE to learn how to make a cross from your palm. THIS SUNDAY'S GOSPEL
Jesus Raises Lazarus 
Jesus brings his good friend, Lazarus, back to life, after he has been dead for four days.
When Jesus was at the home of his friends, Martha and Mary, he wept for the death of their brother Lazarus who was his friend. What does it tell us about Jesus and his love for his friends? When the people saw Lazarus rise from the tomb, they began to believe in Jesus. How do you think you would have reacted? THIS SUNDAY'S GOSPEL
Jesus Cures Blind Man 
Jesus cures a man who was blind since birth. Ask your kids why they think Jesus' healed the blind man. Jesus is always helping people with disabilities in the Gospel. How can your family be more helpful and welcoming to people with disabilities?
Human touch is necessary for the healthy development of children. This week, begin a habit of blessing your child with the Sign of the cross each morning before he/she goes to school. Trace the cross with your thumb on their forehead while saying, "May the Lord bless you and keep you safe today." THIS SUNDAY'S GOSPEL
Jesus & the Woman at the Well 
Jesus met a woman at the well who was sad; who was "thirsty" for real love. Jesus promised her that she would never have to thirst for that again. He promised to fill her with a spring of water that would well up to eternal life, eternal happiness. Talk with your children about the spring rains and how they cleanse and bring new life. How can Jesus cleanse us and bring us new life? PRAY THIS AT DINNER TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY: "Loving God, we thank you for all the blessings you have given our family (each person says a blessing) and we ask for your special blessing up our hopes and needs (each person says a need)." Walk Closely with Jesus
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Circle of Grace was developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha to educate youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others. .Through the program, children are taught to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated.
K-4TH GR. PARENTS: Use This Resource with Your Child 
Daily Marriage Tip For April 22, 2014:
Praying the Rosary together, as a family, is very beautiful and a source of great strength!” (Pope Francis) Do you pray the rosary as a family? Try it! For Parents: if you would like to learn how to pray the Rosary - but the meditations seem confusing and you're not sure what to think about... I recommend Immaculee's book "The Prayer that Save My Life." 
CLICK ON PICTURE GREAT VIDEO RESOURCE for parents
Download the free companion guide: “Protecting Your Family Online: A parent’s how-to guide“ It’s not if a child will be exposed porn, but when. 
Are You Loving Or Spoiling Your Kids?
by Tamara Rajakariar As a recent Time article put it, “the best intentions can sometimes create bad parenting habits that are difficult to break”. Looking at my own amazing parents and other couples I know, I see how easy it would be to act in the interests of your child’s immediate comfort, rather than acting in a way that will benefit them in the future. read more... 
You Are Her First Love
Our culture ties girls in knots, and your daughter is no exception. No matter how hard you try to isolate her from the ugly influence of a world that sexualizes and degrades women, you can’t. And since you are the primary means by which she develops a healthy sense of beauty and sexuality, when it comes to shaping these in her, it’s on your shoulders. When it comes to loving your daughter, remember these important ideas: • Tell her that you love her. Tell her as frequently as feels natural to you. • Express adoration. Let her know that she is the apple of your eye. • Believe in her. Most girls, especially during the teen years, feel terribly inadequate, dumb, and unattractive. You need to really amp up your positive comments during the tough times and help her combat those feelings. • Don’t remark on her weight—EVER. No pet names for parts of her body, no calling her “sexy,” and no telling her that she’s chubby or that she should lose a few pounds. • Don’t remark on her looks very often. I know that this feels counter-intuitive. Shouldn’t every girl know that her dad thinks she’s beautiful? Of course; but don’t overdo it. You don’t want her to feel that her appearance is a priority to you. • Use lots of words of encouragement and affection. Girls use more words, and they bond through words. Girls feel that words connect them with others. This post is adapted from “Love—the Dos and Don’ts,” Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: The 30-Day Challenge (2012). 
The Catholic Children's Bible app
The most loved Bible stories come to life before your eyes Watch as your child interacts with each story and is empowered to read, live, and love the Word of God Please join the Des Moines Marriage and Family Life Officefor Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio’s talk on
Keeping Your Kids Catholic 7 – 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2014 Sacred Heart Church 1627 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA Free childcare is available. Please RSVP with Adam Storey at [email protected] or 515.237.5056 if you need childcare. 
A father's love...
Marcus Roberts March18, 2014 A touching story about sacrifice by one man for his son. Everyday, 40 year old Yu Xukang gets up at 5am. He prepares a lunch for his son to eat at school. Then he helps his son walk to school, about 7km away over a rugged mountain road. Read more... 
Before I became a mom, I was a really good one.... Having a kid really changes that, no? Catholics love to observe, teach and celebrate, and I want to reflect that in my home. So, while I might not be making my own pasta from scratch each night while washing my dishes with my homemade dish soap, I’m going to do this, dang it. At least one of them…
40 Simple Lenten Activities 
from the article:
Walk This Way “Can you get too caught up in family, so that you don’t have to think about what it actually means to be a disciple?” asks Julie Hanlon Rubio in U.S. Catholic. ...“If I really believe that I am trying to form my kids as disciples, then I have to ask: How does each activity contribute to that? . . . Let’s really ask: What do I want my kids to be?” So let’s look at where our feet are taking us this Lent. After all, we are followers of Jesus, the teacher who walked all over Galilee and who said, “I am the way.” read the full article 
PARENTS:
Consider purchasing this booklet for your family - It contains quotes by mother theresa followed by a reflection for parents and family prayer, based on that quote. This daily guide shows parents and children alike how to put her words into practice with practical suggestions on how to live the threefold call of Lent: to fast, pray, and care the poor. Four Lessons and a Butterfly
.....As Nancy was dying, her true colors showed (dying does that to a person.) They were brilliant. She smiled and said that she had done everything in her life that she had hoped for. She died with no regrets. She had parented the best that she knew how as a single mother and felt no g uilt about any mistakes that she had made because she made amends with each of her children. One thing she said on her death bed impacted me enormously. She told her children (ages 18-29) that there were four principles that she wanted each of them to live with in her honor. Here is what she said to them... read more from www.megmeekermd.com 
CHECK OUT Lisa Schmidt's Blog at CatholicMom.com
(Lisa will be joining her husband for our Couple's Night Out on March 1) Lisa Schmidt writes at ThePracticingCatholic.com with her husband Joel. A proud Iowan, the Schmidts reside in Des Moines where Lisa is a full-time at-home mom. Lisa is also heavily involved in supporting Joel as he journeys through deacon formation. At The Practicing Catholic, Lisa enjoys writing about the things that bring her great joy: the Catholic faith, her family, fine arts, and good food. 
From the article:
Being a Good Father .....Having said all this, let us suppose for a moment that I could distill everything I have learned about Christian fatherhood into a single book. Let us further suppose this would be a book much younger men could read (and reread) so that they might reach and exceed at a much earlier age the understanding I have attained only at age 66—after a lifetime of prayer, learning from my own experience and the example of other families, and even seeing the beauty of family life in my children’s homes. What sort of book would I write?The answer is that I would not write a book at all, because the right book was already.....read more IN THE NEWS...
‘USA Today’ to Obama: Leave the Little Sisters Alone WASHINGTON — The editors ofUSA Today have urged the Obama administration to stop trying to require the Little Sisters of the Poor to abide by the federal contraception mandate in violation of their religious beliefs. READ MORE 
Prayer of Discipleship
Loving God, I thank you for Choosing me to be your disciple And for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Help me proclaim and bear witness To the Gospel by word and by deed Today and every day. Open my heart to The outcast, the forgotten, The lonely, the sick, and the poor. Grant me the courage To think, to choose, and to live as a Christian, Joyfully obedient to God. Amen Adapte from the homily of Pope Francis, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, April 14, 2013 Good ARTICLES from this past year
Four vital lessons that we need to teach young men A timeless message to teens: mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook Victoria’s Secret model quits after feeling like a piece of meat Debunking the myth that porn is harmless Father’s importance The media are getting Pope Francis wrong, again The Good Reading Guide’s favorite books of 2013 Safety in social media comes down to lifestyles How to cope with cyber-bullying Sweetening the pill Financial Peace UniversityComing in January! This nine week program begins on Sunday, January 12. Each session lasts 90 minutes - teaching the seven steps that will give you hope and help you to become debt fee, build wealth, and give back. Childcare provided. Contact Lindsey Carey for more information: [email protected]
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE DAILY MARRIAGE TIPS
Let's Not Be Blind
While the media industry and some advocates would have us believe porn is harmless, acceptable, and natural, the reality is much different. Ninety percent of 8-16 year-olds have viewed pornography online. These statistics from www.familysafemedia.com prove the enormity of this “dirty little secret” that destroys the lives of many men, women and children. Does Pornography Hurt Anyone? The Poison of Pornography When Children View Pornography 
The naming of parts - for five-year-olds
Carolyn Moynihan | FAMILY EDGE | December 2013 What sex-ed progressives think your little children should know. Read more... A Parents' Prayer for Students
Dear Lord, As my children leave for school, I pray that you will keep them in your care. Send your Spirit to open their minds to all that is true and beautiful and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well. Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help them to be kind to others and lead others be kind to them. Give their teachers patience and understanding and help them teach what is just and true. Send your angels to guide and guard my children and to keep them from all harm. Open their young hearts to your presence and enfold them in your peace and protection. Hold them in the palm of your hand and bring them home safely at day's end. Amen. ConcordPastor.blogspot.com |
