-
Cancer Kids Connection Blanket Drive
Josh Rowe began this blanket drive many years ago after his bout with cancer. Janet Elwer has access to 25 fleece blankets that need to be tied off. This would make a good Sponsor Project. If you would like to make blankets, email Janet Elwer.
-
Fish Fries
The Lenten and fall fish fries at Ss John & Paul Parish have been a long-standing tradition for our members and for the community as a whole. For years, the Knights of Columbus have given the teens of our parish an opportunity to raise funds by selling desserts to those in attendance. This is our youth ministry’s biggest fundraiser, and it is made possible by generous donations from teens, family members, Knights of Columbus members, and the wonderful talents of our parishioners that bake and donate desserts!!
There are many ways that you can help:- Bake and donate a dessert to be sold at our table. The dessert items that go over well are the ones that people may not get at home very often. There aren’t a lot of children at the fish fries, so we want to provide more options for the adults in attendance. All desserts are sold via free-will donation, so the more we have to offer the better! Here are a few suggestions on what sells the best:
- PIES!! We have folks waiting at the table, wanting the first slice of a fresh pie that is brought in.
- CAKES!! The best sellers are homemade, with a touch of love.
- If the drive through line is busy (and if it’s not too cold to send our teens outside), CUPCAKES can be offered to those wanting a quick meal and dessert to go.
- Did I mention PIES?!?! Don’t worry if you’re not a baker, I find that Mrs. Smith offers a nice substitute in the grocer’s freezer section that always goes over well
- While we won’t turn away anything that is offered (we truly appreciate ANY and ALL donations), items most commonly left over at the end of the night are cookies and basic “out of the box” brownies and bars.
- Send your student to help at our dessert table
- Two shifts are available: 4:00-5:30 and 5:30-7:30 each Friday night. Come for one, or stay for both!
- Please sign up on the Sign Up Genius link. We do ask the teens to sign in and out so that we know who is working. Check in with an adult leader upon arrival and before leaving.
- While selling desserts and socializing with our guests is our top priority, we also like to assist the Knights when we can. If there is enough help at the dessert table, we will offer to bus dinner tables, serve beverages, and assist with clean up at the end of the evening.
- Masks will be required when serving food.
- Purchase a dessert from our table after you enjoy your dinner!
Lenten Fish Fries are March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 and 8.
Sign up up to help: Fish Fry Dessert Table Signup
Contact Maria Haas for more information.
Meals from the Heartland
We periodically schedule opportunities for teens and adults to pack meals that will be distributed to the hungry throughout Iowa and the world. This event is a great way for teens to be able to get involved with service and have a lot of fun while doing it!
We usually all meet at the Meals for the Heartland location, with teens and/or parents providing their own transportation.
Permission form are required for all teens participating in these events. Forms are available on this page under the Documents heading when a specific event is scheduled. You can send the permission form with your teen to the event and the forms will be collected there.
There are 25 spots reserved at Meals From the Heartland to pack meals from 6-8 pm on March 30th. Year 2 Confirmation candidates will have first choice, then this will be opened to the rest of high school teens. Family members are welcome to come. For more information or to volunteer, email Janet Elwer.
Find out more about Meals from the Heartland here or under the Links heading.
Central Iowa and Shelter Meal Dates:
Meals are scheduled for January 16, 2022 and January 30, 2022
Find more information about volunteering for CISS meals: Central Iowa Shelter & Services
Liturgical Ministries:
Liturgical Ministers: Become a Liturgical Minister for weekend liturgies. To train for Lectors, Commentators, Ushers, Greeters, Servers or Eucharistic Ministers, click here for names of Coordinators and their contact information.
Nursing Home and Homebound Ministry: (Nursing home ministries are temorarily suspended due to COVID-19.) If you are interested in bringing Communion to one of the Altoona Care Centers, contact Laurie Delvaux in the parish office, 967-3796. If you would like to help with Homebound Ministry, contact Parish Nurse, Kris Flater or 515-490-4843. Must be in high school and accompanied by (and trained with) a parent or guardian to participate in this ministry.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place Sundays at the 8:30 and 10:30 am Masses for children in grades K – 4. Children leave to hear the readings at their age level, have a discussion or activity, and return to the assembly after the intercessory prayers. To volunteer contact Jenni Lihs. Teens can participate in this ministry if they are accompanied by (and trained with) a parent or guardian.
Other Opportunities:
Kitchen Help for Faith Formation Candidates (with a parent) can volunteer to help with prep the night you attend Parish Faith Formation, or you can help with prep, serving, and/or clean-up the night you are NOT scheduled to attend. Contact Julie Sparks to volunteer.Childcare for Faith Formation always needs a little extra help! Come on the Sunday or Wednesday night that you are not attending and help take care of little ones. To volunteer contact Jenni Lihs.
- Bake and donate a dessert to be sold at our table. The dessert items that go over well are the ones that people may not get at home very often. There aren’t a lot of children at the fish fries, so we want to provide more options for the adults in attendance. All desserts are sold via free-will donation, so the more we have to offer the better! Here are a few suggestions on what sells the best: