(For those who wish to but are unable to receive holy communion)
  
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
 
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
 
Amen.

Videos of our liturgies during this time will be live streamed on facebook, and published shortly after on our homepage at www.stmarysdsm.org.

Formed - a streaming service like Catholic netflix, featuring children's programming, feature films, adult faith studies & ebooks. (limited time offer of 1 month free)

"Quarantined Catholic Hub" from Scott Hahn, including limted time free access to "The Eucharist in Scripture" video study.

Magnificat - free access to the online version of this great resource for daily prayer & Mass readings/reflections. 

"Undaunted Trust" - Mar 17, 2020

For information on holy week liturgies and at home resources for families, view our Holy Week Newsletter here. 

Greetings in these turbulent times! We are well into our second week of “physical distancing” and shopping restrictions. The office staff and I are managing well. With a small number of people and lots of space in the office, the operation is going on as normal as could be expected with limited activity.

Thanks to those who have either dropped off financial support for the church or mailed checks in. Bills continue to be paid. We have received a bill for $23,500 to replace two of the heating/cooling units in the church, so we should have adequate temperature control when we are able to gather again. We will “borrow” from our savings account, since taking funds from our investment accounts (Sharing God’s Gifts) at this time didn’t seem to be a good idea. (Instructions for online giving are below.)

We have been working with the technology to live stream and record Masses on Sunday and weekdays. Somedays it comes out sideways, but one person commented that it might be appropriate in these times. Sometimes we’re backwards but haven’t been upside down yet. (Unfortunately, we don’t have any 12 year olds on the staff.) Thanks for your patience.

You are in my prayers each and every day. Please keep one another in your prayers and make an effort to reach out to folks who could use a friendly voice.

Blessings,
Fr. Greg

The online giving tool and instructions can be found on our website under the Online Giving quick link in the header (accessible from any page).

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
In light of the most recent federal and state health instruction mandates regarding COVID-19 and in keeping with the Diocese of Des Moines Guidelines issued by Bishop Joensen, St. Mary of Nazareth is immediately implementing the following guidelines - until further notice: 
 

• The Bishop has dispensed everyone from the Sunday Mass obligation. There will be no public Masses.

• The parish office will be open from 8am to 4pm Monday-Thursday and from 8am to noon on Friday. The church will be open for private prayer 8am to 3pm Monday-Thursday and from 8am to noon on Friday. You may enter the church through the north door circle drive for private prayer. The south door will be locked.

• All meetings of parish sponsored committees and groups are cancelled. 

• The buildings will be closed to non-parish activities, groups and rentals.

• How all of this will impact Holy Week services and Easter is yet to be determined. At this time, First Communion at 5pm Mass on April 25^th is still scheduled.

 
Pastoral Message from Bishop Joensen - just click on these links:
 
YouTube Video Message from Bishop Joensen https://www.dmdiocese.org/resources/worship/coronavirus
Detailed Letter from Bishop Joensen
https://www.dmdiocese.org/filesimages/Worship/Coronavirus/Pastoral%20Message%20Updated%203-17-20.pdf –
 
If you or your loved one is in need of pastoral care and especially in need of the ministry of a priest, please call the parish office at 515-276-4042. For confession or anointing of the sick, please contact our parish office and we will do all that we can to minister to your needs.  
 
I will be celebrating Mass on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Hopefully we will be able to post it to the parish Facebook page beginning on Friday, March 20^th.
 
Thank you for your continued financial support. Particular thanks to those who have mailed or delivered checks to the office and those who continue their online giving. This enables us to continue our day to day operations.
 
Please pray for me and know that you are in my prayers everyday. Further information and details are being developed and will be made available to all our parishioners when something changes. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions.
 
Let us pray for one another and for the outpouring of God’s healing grace at this time. May Jesus the Divine Physician protect us and heal us! 
 
Father Greg