Saturday, April 10th the Des Moines Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) will be holding a virtual Spring Conference. All Catholic women are encouraged to register and attend this opportunity to renew and refresh. Please click the announcement title for additional information including how to register.

Holy Week is upon us. Ushers will be seating families as they arrive, so there will be no need for reservations. Once the church is full, people will be escorted to the Parish Center. Holy Communion will be available to all. We hope you join us! Please click on this announcement title or check the bulletin for additional information.

Fr. Trevor and Fr. Berner will be available to offer the individual Sacrament of Reconciliation Sunday, March 14th and Sunday, March 21st in SS Peter & Paul Church from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. We encourage you to participate in this opportunity to experience God's forgiveness and mercy. How blessed we are as Catholics to be able to receive this Sacrament of healing!

There will be a virtual Spring Conference for all Catholic women in the Des Moines Diocese Saturday, April 10th. Additional information and registration instructions will be printed in the March issue of the Catholic Mirror.

Please join us for Stations of the Cross devotions, as we reflect upon Jesus' final days on Earth and His sacrifice for us. Stations services will be held at SSPP Church each Friday from February 19th through March 26th at 5:15 pm and at St. Mary's on February 26th, March 12th and March 26th at 7:00 pm.

Our local Knights of Columbus Council #1164 is asking parishioners to consider donating 40 nonperishable food items or 40 dollars this Lenten season. Inspired by Christ's fasting in the desert, they would like to take this opportunity to help those in need. Please click on the title of this announcement or speak with one of our Knights for additional information.

Consider registering for the BEST LENT EVER program provided by Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team. The short daily videos only take a few moments; however, they inspire contemplations to reflect on throughout your day. Click on the announcement title to be taken to the registration site.

Our local Knights of Columbus Council #1164 will be offering carryout Fried Fish or Macaroni & Cheese Dinners each Friday evening during lent. Please join us beginning this Friday, February 19th in supporting not only our Knights, but all the people and organizations they are in turn able to help with the proceeds. Click on the title of this announcement for additional information.

Bishop Joensen and the Diocese of Des Moines have encouraged each Parish to add a weekly Holy Hour for Eucharistic Renewal. "This time of prayer is meant to ask for an outpouring of grace in our Diocese, specifically to draw us deeper into communion with Jesus, fully present in the Eucharist, and to inspire our missionary efforts to invite others into communion with Jesus." Please join us at SSPP each Wednesday during the Lenten Season (beginning February 24th) at 7:00 pm. An individual and family prayer guide can be accessed by clicking the title of this message.

Please review the annual Parish Lenten letter by clicking on the title of this message. The letter will outline everything from Ash Wednesday to the Easter Triduum. Copies of the letter will also be mailed to the home address of each SSPP & SM Parish family. If you do not receive a copy by Monday, February 22nd, please contact the Parish Office by calling (712) 243-4721 or emailing pete.paul@metc.net to verify we have current contact information.

Click the message title to watch Bishop William Joensen celebrate the first of several Holy Hours for Eucharistic Renewal at St. Ambrose Cathedral.

Our process for distributing ashes may be done a little differently this year. For additional information including mass times, please click on the tile of this announcement.

Before this Lenten Season begins, consider registering for the BEST LENT EVER program provided by Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team. The daily series of emails and video reflections will be provided throughout Lent at no cost. We urge to you join us in deepening your prayer life, while preparing for the celebration of Easter. The short daily videos only take a few moments; however, they inspire contemplations to reflect on throughout your day. The team reminds us, "It's not what you give up - It's Who You Become." Click on the announcement title to be taken to the registration site.

We invite our registered High School Seniors of St. Mary's and SSPP to begin applying for our annual scholarships! Click on the title above or visit our Faith Formation pages for access to the SSPP, St. Mary's, and Knights of Columbus scholarships.

Father will be taking some well deserved time away from the office next week, so Daily Masses for Tuesday through Friday have been canceled. Please contact the office for any emergencies or to leave message for Father. He will begin returning all nonemergent calls and emails after January 24th.

Please click on the title above or visit our Ministry Schedule web page to view the January Ministry Schedule. Thank you to those to generously give their time and talent to serve Christ and His Church. May God fill our ministers with joy for their service, and may He inspire you to join their ranks this coming year.

We hope our parishes provided an enjoyable atmosphere to celebrate the birth of our Lord this year. Thank you to all the parishioners who donated to the Christmas Flower fund. We also greatly appreciate those who dedicated their time and talent to prepare our churches for the Christmas Season. How blessed we are to not only have clean and safe places to celebrate Mass, but also breathtaking and often beautifully decorated churches. Please click on this announcement title for a list of those in whose memory funds were donated.

Due to an anticipated winter storm, Adoration and Mass have been cancelled for Tuesday, December 29th and Wednesday, December 30th. We hope to see you for The Solemnity of Mary Masses Thursday, December 31st at 4:00 pm at St. Mary's and 6:00 pm in SSPP. SSPP will also have mass Friday, January 1st at 9:00 am. Stay warm and safe!

Please join us for Mass to celebrate The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a Holy Day of Obligation, as we honor Mary’s faith and trust in God. Masses on Thursday, December 31st (New Year's Eve) will be held at 4:00 PM (St. Mary's) and 6:00 PM (SSPP). Mass on Friday, January 1st (New Year's Day) will be at 9:00 AM (SSPP). We look forward to seeing you!

The SSPP/St. Mary's Office will be closed the week of Monday, December 28th. We will reopen Monday, January 4th. In the event of an emergency, such as an Anointing of the Sick, please call the Rectory by dialing (712) 243-7708.