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!
   

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 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.

Find details here when an event has been scheduled.

Find out more about Meals from the Heartland here or under the Links heading.

Central Iowa and Shelter Meal Dates:

Due to COVID-19 there are no meals scheduled at this time.
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: (these 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, Linda Gries, 515-263-0268. 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 (in-person Children's Liturgy of the Word is temorarily suspended due to COVID-19.) 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:

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.