St. Ambrose Newsletter
We send out an electronic newsletter about once a month. If you are a parishioner not on our email list and would like to be, please contact the office.
September 15
St. Ambrose Parish Picnic
On Sunday, September 15 we will be holding our Annual Parish Picnic at the Hmong Lao farm in Prairie City. Like last year, the day will begin with Mass, followed by music, games, fishing, face painting, and plenty of food! Plan on joining us for a day of fellowship and fun!
When:
Sunday, September 15
Time:
Mass begins at 11am in the Community building
Please arrive early
(There will be NO 11am Mass at the Cathedral)
Where:
Hmong Lao Community Farm
10305 W 135th St. West, Prairie City, IA
(See below for directions)
Activities:
Mass at 11am
Picnic lunch
Raffle – win prizes!
Games, fishing, music, and fun!
Picnic
We are expecting 300-400 people. Please sign up to help us provide food and set up/clean up by clicking on the button below. Traditional foods will be provided by our Communities. Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blanket.
Raffle
The Knights of Columbus are selling raffle tickets after Mass for $10 each or 3 for $25. Purchase a ticket for a chance to win great prizes, including:
~ 55″ TV
~ Bicycle
~ $100 gift cards to Walmart and Hy Vee
~ $75 gift certificate to Boesen the Florist
~ Other gift cards including Aldi, Tupelo Honey, Graziano Bros, Noah’s Ark Pizza, Good Sons
~ Admission tickets to Botanical Center, Blank Park Zoo and Science Center
~ Gifts including hand made quilt, sheet set, cake platter, duffle bag, Yankee candle
Prizes will be drawn at the picnic. All proceeds will go towards the organ restoration fund.
St. Ambrose T-Shirts
We encourage you to wear your St. Ambrose t-shirts to the picnic! If you pre-ordered a shirt, you will be contacted when they arrive. If you do not have one yet, we will be selling some at the picnic for $15 each.
NOTE: There will be NO 11am Mass at the Cathedral that day.
Christ Our Life Conference
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the Christ Our Life Conference at Wells Fargo Arena on September 28-29!
Adult all weekend pass: $30
Student/Youth (under 23 years): FREE
Purchase or reserve your free ticket online.
For tickets or to see the lineup of speakers, see their website: www.christourlifeiowa.com.
Connection Café
You may notice white cardboard boxes in the Narthex of the church to be used for collecting items needed by the Connection Café.
- One box will be used to collect clean plastic shopping bags. Our clients will use these bags to take donated food and other items to their homes.
- The other box will be labeled to collect different items each month. This revolving need will be posted in our monthly newsletters, weekly emails, and below.
- AUGUST & SEPTEMBER: cold drink cups (8-10oz)
You can help the Café by bringing these needed items and dropping them off each Sunday in the collection boxes.
What is Connection Café?
Connection Café was created by The Bridge, a collaboration of four downtown churches, including St. Ambrose. The Café serves lunch Monday through Friday for anyone in need, right behind us at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Our St. Ambrose group helps out on the first Tuesday of every month.
The members of the Bridge Board greatly appreciate your help in providing services at the Café. The Bridge Board members from St. Ambrose are: Fr. Nivin, Janis Conley, Amy Dagitz, and Becky Naderman.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Anyone is welcome to join us for these volunteer opportunities that benefit the St. Ambrose Cathedral Youth Group!
Cleaning Principal Park, Drake Stadium & High School Football
Come help us clean the stands after games at Principal Park, Drake Stadium and high school football games!
Upcoming Dates:
Fri, Sept. 13 – Principal Park @ 9:30pm
Sat, Sept. 14 – Principal Park @ 8:30pm
Tues, Sept. 17 – DM Football @ 8pm (ask Catherine for location details)
Fri, Sept. 20 – DM Football @ 9pm (ask Catherine for location details)
Sun, Sept. 22 – Drake Soccer @ 4pm
Tues, Sept. 24 – DM Football @ 8pm (ask Catherine for location details)
Fri, Sept. 27 – Drake Volleyball @ 7:30pm
Fri, Sept. 27 – DM Football @ 9pm (ask Catherine for location details)
Please contact Catherine if you have any questions or would like to help: cswoboda16@gmail.com
Canned and boxed foods of many kinds are given to SVDP to share.
Lots of fresh, nutritious food also available through SVDP.
First Weekend of the Month
Help Those in Need by Donating Items to SVDP
On the first weekends of each month, baskets near the altar will be ready to receive your foods that don’t need refrigeration, or items to clean homes and bodies – or cash gifts to help SVDP buy what’s most needed today for the pantries. See details
“The poor have much to teach you. You have much to learn from them.” St. Vincent de Paul
Upcoming weekends:
- October 5-6
- November 2-3
- December 7-8
Do you need food or items for your home?
Nutritious food – including eggs, vegetables, fruit and milk – are available to you FREE at the SVDP food pantries. You choose the items your family likes and needs most.
- You can call SVDP to set up a food pantry appointment: 515-282-8327
OR - Our St. Ambrose SVDP volunteers can go with you and help you make your appointment. Call Anita at 515-249-4490 to begin.
Click HERE to learn more about the St. Ambrose chapter of St. Vincent de Paul
Last weekend of the month
Can and Bottle Recycling
Bring your empty bottles and cans to the St. Ambrose parking lot before or after the weekend Masses and we will recycle them. The deposit proceeds from these recycling efforts will go towards our youth programming.
Upcoming weekends:
- September 28-29
- October 26-27
- November 30 – Dec. 1
- December 28-29
Sponsor Couples Needed
Would you and your spouse like to assist engaged couples in marriage preparation at St. Ambrose Cathedral? We are looking for sponsor couples who can facilitate the FOCCUS inventory that engaged couples participate in as part of their sacramental preparation requirements.
Contact the Parish Office for more information: 515-288-7411.
Keep Your Info Up to Date
We are working on updating our parish records. If you have moved or changed your email or phone number, please contact the parish office with your new information. Or if you would like to be added to our email list, please contact the office.
Parish Office: 515-288-7411 or secretary@saintambrosecathedral.org
Register for a My Own Church account to keep your information up to date without having to contact the office! See the My Own Church page to find out more.
