St. John Catholic Church

3/19/20
Following the recommendations released by the Centers of Disease Control to “cancel large events or gatherings that could contribute to the spread of COVID-19,” Bishop Walker Nickless issued the mandate to suspend all Sunday and public Masses effective immediately. This suspension will extend for eight weeks, and then will be re-evaluated as the coronavirus situation develops.
The CDC recommends no gathering of groups of 50 or larger during this crisis, whereas the State of Iowa has mandated gatherings of groups no larger than 10. Parishes within the diocese will resume normal activities when it is safe to do so. “This has been the most difficult decision I have made during my time as bishop,” Bishop Nickless explained after making the decision to cancel all Masses, which will include Holy Week, the high point of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year. “The health and well-being of all people in the diocese, as well as all Catholics, is of the utmost importance at this time. I ask all the faithful for their understanding and to join me in prayer for the end to this public health crisis.” During this period, Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux City are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, according to the bishop’s mandate.

Liturgical and parish guidelines for this 8-week period will include:
• Celebration of public Masses - All public celebrations of the Mass will be suspended. Pastors are encouraged to broadcast private Masses via electronic means for their parishioners.
• Holy Week – Holy Week liturgies are suspended. New directives have been received from the Vatican and details will be released soon
. • Baptisms – Baptisms will only be celebrated with immediate family and godparents. There will be no large group baptisms.
• Weddings – Only immediate family members and witnesses are to attend weddings. Clergy are not to attend related social functions. Parishes are not to host receptions.
• Funerals – Funerals may be celebrated only with immediate family members. Parishes may not host funeral dinners.
• Confessions - The sacrament of reconciliation (confession) will be conducted by appointment only.
• Sacrament of Confirmation - All spring celebrations of the sacrament of confirmation are suspended.
• First Communion - The celebrations of First Communion are suspended.
• Quinceañeras - Quinceañeras are suspended.
• Eucharistic Adoration - The formal exposition of the Eucharist or adoration will be suspended.
• The Eucharist - Will be administered to the sick only as viaticum (danger of death).

Additional Directives:
• Church buildings are to be closed.
• All conferences, retreats, festivals or similar events in the diocese and the parishes are to be suspended.
• All religious education, faith formation classes, RCIA and related activities are suspended.
• Parish staff are to conduct meetings if essential, and if possible, electronically.
• Parish staff members are asked to telecommute, if possible.
• Parish governing boards are strongly urged to meet electronically

Coronavirus- COVID-19   3/16/2020

• Holy Week – Holy Week liturgies are suspended
• Baptisms – Baptisms will only be celebrated with immediate family and godparents. There will be no large group baptisms.
• Weddings – Only immediate family members and witnesses are to attend weddings. Clergy are not to attend related social functions. Parishes are not to host receptions.
• Funerals – Funerals may be celebrated only with immediate family members. Parishes may not host funeral dinners. The funeral vigil, wake or other events should all be held the same day as the funeral.
• Holy Week – Holy Week liturgies are suspended.
• Confessions - The sacrament of reconciliation (confession) will be conducted by appointment only.
• Sacrament of Confirmation - All spring celebrations of the sacrament of confirmation are suspended.
• First Communion - The celebrations of First Communion are suspended.
• Quinceañeras - Quinceañeras are suspended.
• Eucharistic Adoration - The formal exposition of the Eucharist or adoration will be suspended.

• Church buildings may remain open for private prayer at the discretion of pastors.
• All conferences, retreats, festivals or similar events in the diocese and the parishes are to be suspended.
• All religious education, faith formation classes, RCIA and related activities are suspended.
• Parish staff are to conduct meetings if essential, and if possible, electronically.
• Parish staff members are asked to telecommute, if possible.
• Parish governing boards are strongly urged to meet electronically.

• EWTN online and on TV: https://www.ewtn.com/  --televised, radio, and online each day at 7AM, 11AM, 6PM
  Sioux City area: 88.1 https://www.fhcradio.com/--Mass at 9AM on Sunday
  Carroll: 103.1 Trinity Radio Station  --EWTN programming (I could not find a web link)
  Western Iowa:https://spiritcatholicradio.com/  7AM Sunday Mass from EWTN
  Iowa Catholic Radio: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/  7AM Sunday Mass from EWTN
  You Tube –you can do a search for Catholic Mass and find many.
  Watchthemass.com

  Religious Education (CCD) has been canceled for the rest of this year....... See you in September

Our Friends

 

Maryann Muller, 98, of Whiting, Iowa, formerly of Onawa, Iowa, passed away quietly on March 18, 2020 in Whiting, Iowa.

A private family mass will be held on Friday, March 20, 2020 at St John’s Catholic Church, Onawa, Iowa with Father Michael Erpelding, Celebrant, officiating. A private family interment will be held Friday, March 20, 2020 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery, Constance, Nebraska. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.   

Maryann was born Maryann Teresa Arens on February 1, 1922 in rural Crofton, Nebraska, the oldest of Joseph and Anna (Sheiffer) Arens.  The family farmed and raised livestock.  Maryann attended Catholic and public schools, graduating from Crofton High School in 1939.   She attended Teachers College in Wayne, Nebraska.  She also trained in nursing in Rochester, Minnesota but returned to Crofton to teach elementary school during the 1940s. 

She met her husband, Raymond, at a dance in Bow Valley, Nebraska, they were engaged at Christmas 1948 and married February 14, 1949, in Crofton.  Because of the heavy winter storms that year, she did not get to shop for a wedding gown, marrying in her ‘going away suit’ instead.  They moved to a modest farm near Central City (Nebraska) and worked there until relocating to rural Onawa, Iowa in 1955 where they lived for 60 years, farming and raising their family.  

Maryann enjoyed music, sewing, gardening, art, and was the farm’s bookkeeper.   She worked alongside her husband on the farm and took pride in the family farm they built.  She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa and the Rosary Society.   She moved into the Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting in 2015.

She is survived by her daughter, Pam (Jim) Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two grandsons, Jonathon (Olathe, Kansas) and Ryan (University of Northern Iowa); a brother, Don Arens of Yankton, SD; a sister-in-law, Thelma Muller of Hornick, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Peterson of Norfolk, NE; a sister-in-law, Dolores Muller of Wausa, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 67 years, Raymond; her son, Steven;   brothers, Francis, Joseph, and Jimmy.

Memorials may be directed to Catholic Charities or the Alzheimer’s Association (Alz.org).

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com

Mahlon S. Pekarek, 80, of Blencoe, Iowa passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa with his loving wife, Fran Tramp, and Father Patrick O’Kane at his side.

Memorial Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, February 20, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa with Father Patrick O’Kane, Celebrant, officiating.  Private family burial with be prior to the memorial mass at Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa.  Military Honors will be provided by Stevens Kelley American Legion Post #665 of Blencoe, Iowa.  Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 19, 2020 with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 P.M. at the Church.  Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.

Mahlon Stanley was born March 11, 1939 on a farm near Blencoe, Iowa the son of Ignac Andrew and Gertrude E. (Stanislav) Pekarek.  He graduated from Blencoe High School in 1957.  He joined the National Guard at Mapleton in 1961.  He served with the United States Army until 1968.

Mahlon and Audrey Ann Lafrentz were united in marriage on July 2, 1966 at St. Bernard’s Church in Blencoe, Iowa. He was a lifelong farmer in the Blencoe, Iowa area and loved John Deere tractors.  He also loved garden flowers, nature, and going for a ride through the country.

Mahlon was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa where he served as Parish Director for several years.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus.  He was a member of Stevens Kelley American Legion Post #665 of Blencoe, Iowa.

Mahlon is survived by his loving wife, Audrey Ann, of Blencoe, Iowa; two brothers, Rogene (Jean) Pekarek of Onawa, Iowa and Terry (Julie) Pekarek of Little Sioux, Iowa; two nieces; two nephews; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, other family, and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Harvey & Ethel Lafrentz; brother-in-law, Delbert Lafrentz; and nephew, Troy Lafrentz.

Memorials may be directed to Burgess Health Center Home Health/Hospice and the Blencoe Volunteer Fire Department.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com.

Donna Mae Davis, 78, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa.

A funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, March 11, 2019, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa, with Father Michael Erpelding officiating. Burial will follow in Center Cemetery near Castana, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Sunday, March 10, 2019, with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 P.M., NOW AT ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Onawa. Funeral services are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Donna Mae Davis was born on February 12, 1941, in rural Castana, Iowa, to Merlin and Helen (Warren) Davis. She contracted polio in 1952, and was thereafter confined to a wheelchair. She graduated from Castana High School in 1959, and later took several college classes at night through Western Iowa Tech Community College. She moved into Castana with her parents in 1973, and was the city treasurer for twenty-three years.  She was the Castana news correspondent for the local weekly newspapers for thirty-nine years.

Donna was an active member of the Castana community, having been a charter member of the GFWC Junior 76’ers, a past member of the Castana Ladies Aid, Grimsley-Thayer American Legion Post #502, Centennial Club, as well as the Onawa Woman’s Club, Denison Repeater Association, Boyer Valley Amateur Radio Club, and the Timber Ridge 4-Wheel Drive Club. She also served on the county committee that successfully campaigned for the passage of the first local option sales tax in Monona County. She has resided at Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa since 1996, serving on the Resident Council, the Marketing Committee, and as editor of the facility newsletter for seven years. Donna enjoyed several hobbies including amateur (ham) radio, cross stitching, crocheting, reading, playing cards, puzzles, traveling, and keeping in touch with friends via e-mail on the computer.

Donna was baptized into the Castana United Church of Christ and was a member for many years. In 1995, she converted to Catholicism and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mapleton. After she moved to Onawa, she regularly attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa, and assisted in leading the Rosary once a week at Elmwood. She had great faith in the Holy Trinity from which she drew her strength.

Survivors include the man she loved, Robert Rauterkus of Mapleton, IA; one brother, Ronald and his wife Doris Davis of Onawa, IA; one sister, Carol and her husband Rick Deeds of Correctionville, IA; one sister-in-law, Esther Stick of Marion, IA; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merlin and Helen (Warren) Davis; one brother, Howard Davis; and two sisters, Garnet Miller and Darlyne Leisinger.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com

Mary Joanne Heisterkamp, 81, of Blencoe, Iowa passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at her residence.

A funeral mass will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 18, 2019 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Blencoe, Iowa with Father Michael Erpelding, Celebrant officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, February 17, 2019 with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Rosary at the Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service, Onawa, Iowa.
Mary Joanne was born September 9, 1937 near Blencoe, Iowa the daughter of Joseph “Tone” Anthony and Mary Marjorie “Gahm” Molle.

She grew up in the Blencoe area where she graduated from Blencoe High School in 1955. Joanne loved to play basketball and was nicknamed “Skip”.
Joanne and Roger J. Heisterkamp were united in marriage on December 28, 1955 in Blencoe, Iowa. The couple made their home and raised their seven children near Blencoe, where they were lifelong farmers.

Joanne was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church and Rosary Society in Blencoe, Iowa.  She was devoted to the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Our Lady’s Blue Army. She was always very active in community events. She was named an honorary member of the VFW after helping out at their many picnics. She was a past 4-H Leader. Joanne was named the Pickle City Queen during the Blencoe Centennial celebrations. She served as the Treasurer for the Monona County Democratic Party for many years. She was famous for her baked beans at family reunions and other social events. Joanne was very sentimental and always had a smile on her face willing to help anyone at anytime.

Joanne enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crocheting, welding, carpentry, deer hunting, camping, fishing, and traveling to visit family. Joanne loved doing many things with her family, and she also loved being on the farm and farming. She was very proud that the combine she drove was also serviced and repaired by herself with her own tool box. Joanne and Roger worked side by side in everything that they did on the farm and for their family.

Survivors include her children: Rhonda (Wayne) MacClure of Hornick, IA, Roland Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, Barbara Heisterkamp (Dr. Frederick Petty) of Winter Springs, FL, Stanley Heisterkamp of Omaha, NE, John Heisterkamp of Golden Valley, MN, Rodney Heisterkamp, and Douglas (Jodi) Heisterkamp of Cleveland, OK; grandchildren, Jeremy (Heather) MacClure of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Rachel (Damon) Eike of Ames, IA, Mary (Dejay) Langel of Yankton, SD, Joseph “Joe” Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, William “Bill” Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA, Liann Heisterkamp of Iowa City, IA, and Alex Petty of Winter Springs, FL; great grandchildren, Levi, Noah, and Andrew MacClure, and Isabel Eike; sister, Judy (Thomas) Kane of Jupiter, FL; in-laws, Yvonne Hanneman of Council Bluffs, IA, Ardith Olson of Onawa, IA, Mavis Ryan of Blencoe, IA, Gayle Keele of Scottsdale, AZ, Franklin (Wanda) Heisterkamp of Blencoe, IA, Ronald (Geraldine) Heisterkamp of Mondamin, IA; sister-in-law, Patricia Heisterkamp of Onawa, IA; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.   

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger J. Heisterkamp on March 31, 2004; her parents, Joseph “Tone” and Marjorie “Marge” Molle; brother, Chuck Molle; in-laws, Frank (Martha) Heisterkamp, Verla (Maurice) Benjamin, Delbert (Yvonne) Heisterkamp, Glenn Heisterkamp, Quentin Hanneman, Dennis Keele, James Olson, and Dwayne Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.rushfamilycareservice.com