Ida Grove women's group hopes to expand

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

The number of active women’s groups in Catholic parishes throughout the country has been waning for the last 20 to 25 years, but one diocesan parishioner is doing her part to reverse that trend.

Lisa Jacobsen is trying to build up the Women of Faith group at Sacred Heart Church in Ida Grove, which is part of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish.

While she moved to Ida Grove four years ago, she was told that the women’s group at Sacred Heart had been basically dormant for the last 20 years. 

“I took it on because it hadn’t been done in a while,” said Jacobsen, who noted she wanted to help promote fellowship not only for the women in the group but as they grow and offer more activities, those offerings enhance fellowship in the larger church community.

A group of nine to 12 women have been meeting quarterly for more than a year and they are actively trying to expand it. The goal is to have enough members to be able to reestablish women’s circles within that group.

“I hope to get more of the younger women involved,” said Jacobsen. “I know it’s hard because I was in their shoes at one time – kids in sports and school functions.”

Acknowledging how busy young women are, Jacobsen would like for them to prayerfully consider becoming involved – even if it’s limited. And likewise, for older women she would like for them to be as involved as they are able or would like to be.

The group sponsors three bake sales a year, she noted, so involvement in the group could be as simple as making a cake.

Monthly coffee socials are held in the parish hall at Sacred Heart.“With the Women of Faith group, we’ve started hosting the coffee social once a month, the first Sunday of the month,” she said, mentioning that in time the circles could alternate months.

The coffee socials, which are open to all, have drawn anywhere from 20 to 50 people. The gatherings are especially popular with widows and widowers as they provide time for them to socialize with other church members.

“I’m glad the Lord put it on my heart to start this,” said Jacobsen.

Some members of Women of Faith have started to help with the Heavenly Gift Shop – a portable gift shop in rolling cabinets - that is available every second Sunday. The gift shop offers homemade rosaries, crosses and various gifts for the sacraments.

“It’s just a service because there are not many Catholic gift shops around,” said Jacobsen. “This is nice for the people who want to see something, because usually you have to buy online.”

She explained the gift shop was originally established with the intention of it being more of a temporary offering for the Rosary Congress, but it was a success and Sacred Heart opted to keep it open. When the Heavenly Gift Shop is not open, parishioners only need to give Jacobsen a call to set up a time to shop.

An upcoming event in September for the Women of Faith is hosting a chili/soup luncheon for a free will offering after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sept. 28 at Sacred Heart for the kickoff of the Rosary Congress.

A retired postmaster, Jacobsen said when she first retired she “wanted to do something for the Lord but I didn’t know what.” After moving from Odebolt to Ida Grove, she acknowledged she was approached about taking over the funeral committee but needed a little time after retirement for some free time.

Eventually, Jacobsen did agree to head up the funeral committee. In that role she coordinates setup, workers and arranges for bars/desserts to be made. Resurrecting the women’s group came next.

In addition, she serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and is involved withCrocheted cross a group that makes prayer shawls and crocheted crosses. For Jacobsen, she likes to make crosses which she gives away.“There is a table at church and I have crosses there and I put them everywhere – wherever I am led. I figure God leads whoever is supposed to get the cross to it,” she said.

Besides the ongoing coffee socials and upcoming luncheon, Jacobsen said they plan to host a Christmas cookie sale in mid-December.

Through the Women of Faith, Jacobsen said not only do the women have a chance to help build up fellowship in the church community by hosting various activities but their involvement can help them develop a greater sense of ownership.

“Everything is for God’s glory,” she said. “We want to build up the church and rejoice in what God gives us every day. It’s a way to give back and have a little fun. Ultimately, through all this I hope it brings a little happiness to people.”

If women get involved in one activity, Jacobsen mentioned it may motivate them to become involved in additional ministries at the church.