Sacred Heart Parish

The resources listed below will help you understand the teaching of the Catholic Church.

* Meet Pope Francis

Sacred Heart Church | Pope Francis

* The USCCB, Pope Francis. Read More...

* Watch highlights of the inauguration of Pope Francis:

* Pope Benedict has proclaimed the Year of Faith which will last until November 24, 2013. Visit the USCCB site to learn more.

* Pray the Rosary! Click here for all you need to know.

* The Catholic Year of Faith offers blogs from a variety of Catholic leaders, several local. Enjoy what Kayla Richer and Debbie Chalik have to say about elements of our Catholic faith.

* Julie Nelson recently wrote an article entitled "How can I better love my spouse?" for the 'Bite-Sized Faith' site provided by the St. Joseph Educational Center. Click here to read the article.

* If you would like to see the readings of the day, click here.

* Locally, the St. Joseph Education Center lists regional opportunities if you wish to grow in your faith. Check out the Bite-Sized Faith articles.

* Word on Fire offers commentaries by Fr. Robert Barron, an author, speaker, theologian and creator of Catholicism, the TV and DVD series which illuminates and explains the beauty, worldwide scope and convictions of the Catholic Church.

Easter: Celebrating Christ's Resurrection

The Easter season begins with the Easter Vigil, which is celebrated after night falls on the evening before Easter Sunday. The season of Easter is a joyous, celebratory season. It begins by celebrating Christ's resurrection and ends by celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. Christ's ascension into Heaven is celebrated just prior to Pentecost. The Easter season lasts 50 days, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost.

The liturgical colors of Easter are white, for most days, and red for Pentecost.

Give Back to the World

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? James 2:14

If you are interested in ways to serve the world around you, we will be adding ideas periodically that you might find helpful.

* The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lists opportunities to help victims of hurricane Sandy. Click here to see where your help is needed.

* Casseroles for the Family Violence Center. This is a great service project for groups or for families. Click here to find out more.

* The Knights if Columbus list as a core principle "Charity". They offer many opportunities for the men of our community to care for those in need. Click here to learn how to join the Knights of Columbus.

* Catholic Charities offers a variety of services to the people of our community and the entire world.

* Our Youth Group (SMASH) offers several opportunities each year to serve other people.

* Each year, the Children's Faith Formation program uses hundreds of volunteers to help with events throughout the year. In addition, the Sunday Morning Preschool program and the Wednesday evening classes require about 100 catechists to teach the classes. This is a great way to give back to Sacred Heart!

"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." John Paul II

Our Sunday Visitor is keeping current on our Religious Liberty. Read More...

Read what the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have to say about Religious Liberty.

Dozens of institutions are suing the government, read the facts here.

The Bishops continue to fight against the HHS Mandate. Read more here.

Read Cardinal Dolan's letter on religious freedom.

The Unites States Council of Catholic Bishops released a statement that will clarify questions about the HHS mandate released by the administration. Click here for English, click here for Spanish.

Bishop Pates wrote a letter in response to the HHS mandate, read that letter here.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Holy Days of Obligation in for the Roman Catholic Church in the Unites States are as follows:

The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1;
The solemnity of the Ascension moves with Easter (celebrated 6 weeks after Easter);
The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15;
The solemnity of All Saint, November 1;
The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8;
The solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, December 25.

Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated.

The information listed above was provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Click here to learn more about Holy Days of Obligation.

Sacred Heart Parish, 1627 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50265 | Phone: 515-225-6414 | Fax: 515-225-0286 | office@sacredheartwdm.org