Mass each Sunday is central to our lives as Roman Catholics. The Lord invites us to listen to and to break open God's word and to share in Christ's sacrificial feast of the Eucharist. Christ then sends us forth to be his hands and feet throughout the week before calling us back to his altar next Sunday.
Annual Holy Days
Throughout the course of the year, the Church marks particular events in the life of Jesus, Mary, or the Church. Some of these have such importance in our Christian journey that the Church treats them like Sunday. These holy days are often referred to as holy days of obligation. Other holy days, like Ash Wednesday, are not obligatory but there is a strong tradition of attending.
The five holy days of obligation in the Diocese of Des Moines are listed below.
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The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God This feast is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s fiat, or sanctioning of God’s plan with her words, “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Calling Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated as the “World Day of Peace”, further acknowledging the role of Mary in our hearts and in our world. |
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The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is the feast day we celebrate Mary's assumption into Heaven when her earthly life ended. |
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The Solemnity of All Saints All Saints' Day is the feast day on which we celebrate the saints of the Catholic Church, named and unnamed, who have died and who now rejoice forever with God in heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 each year. All Souls' Day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, follows on November 2. On this day, the Church commends to God all those who have died, especially those who have died since last All Souls' Day. We pray for them, that God will completely cleanse them of sin and bring them into heaven. |
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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates that Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, was herself conceived without sin in preparation to be the mother of Jesus. It is universally celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8. It is the patronal feast of the United States. |
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The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas) The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is celebrated on December 25 each year world-wide. |
Holy Week 2025: April 13-20, 2025
The heart of the Christian liturgical year is Holy Week. Join your parish family and walk with Christ in his Paschal journey of suffering, death, and resurrection. The Church's worship explodes in symbolic beauty, drawing us deeper into our baptismal faith.
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Saturday & Palm Sunday, April 12 & 13: 5:00 pm (livestreamed); 8:30 & 10:30 am
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Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025: 7:00 pm-Mass of the Lord's Supper
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Good Friday, April 18, 2025: 7:00 pm-Celebration of the Lord's Passion
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Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025: 8:00 pm- Easter Vigil
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Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025: 8:30 & 10:30 am- Mass for the Resurrection of the Lord (Mass offered in both the church and the social hall)
Thank you for worshiping with us!
The Body of Christ on earth is more fully visible when we are all together!