Altar & Rosary JOY

Caring women working together to nurture the love of Jesus Christ through the intercession of Mary.

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What Is Altar & Rosary JOY?

Altar and Rosary Societies are one of the largest organizations within the Roman Catholic Church. They were first established in the 1470s in Europe to praise and honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and to secure her patronage by the recitation of the Rosary for the spiritual benefit of its members throughout the world.

Altar and Rosary was organized in the newly formed St. Pius X Catholic Church in August 1955. Father Arthur Ring, pastor, called a meeting of the women at the Urbandale Roller Skating rink (the church at the time). Several bands (we now call Circles) of fifteen women in each band were formed.

Altar and Rosary re-organized at St. Pius X in 2014 and became Altar & Rosary JOY –

Jesus First

Others Second

Yourself Last

Membership in Altar and Rosary JOY gives all women of St. Pius X Catholic Community the opportunity to participate in service to our St. Pius Community, grow in their Catholic faith, experience fellowship and nurture relationships with other women. Time, talent and treasure are donated to projects, programs, and causes that promote Catholic beliefs and benefit St. Pius X Catholic Church and our faith community. 

Membership:

All women are invited to become members of Altar & Rosary JOY. Members may choose to join a Circle—a friendship group that meets for prayer, fellowship and coordination of service projects. Alternatively, members may first choose to learn more about joining a Circle or decide not to be affiliated with a Circle. We have a Mentor available to assist you in your decision if needed. We strongly encourage our members not affiliated with a Circle to assist with a service project and participate in our Bake Sale annually. Yearly dues are set at a minimum of $10.00. A Lifetime membership can be purchased for $150. Any additional donations are always welcomed and appreciated. We will not exclude anyone due to financial hardship.

Members are encouraged to:

  • Pray the Rosary. 
  • Nurture their spiritual development.
  • Support our St. Pius X Community, Priests & Deacons.
  • Remember our deceased members.
  • Enhance the adornment of St. Pius X community.
  • Donate time, talent and treasure to our faith community.
  • Provide hospitality to all.

How May I Participate?  

 All women of St. Pius X Catholic Community are welcome to attend monthly programs, special events and participate in our service projects. Monthly programs, upcoming events and service projects are announced in the St. Pius X bulletin and on the Altar & Rosary JOY webpage. Our webpage can be found under the Community & Service tab on the St. Pius X website: stpiusxurbandale.org. Members are also kept informed of current events by Flocknote email.

 All members of Altar & Rosary JOY meet 8 times a year on the fourth Monday of the month, September through May. The Rosary is prayed in the church; followed by light refreshments, a 30- minute program to enrich our minds & spirituality, and a short business meeting in the Martha & Mary Fellowship Hall. We welcome any guests to attend our programs throughout the year. A non-profit organization is generally supported at our monthly meetings by collecting cash or check donations. Donations are optional.

 Members in Circles generally meet once a month on a day and time that works best for its members. All Circles rotate participation in required service projects that provide assistance to St. Pius X Catholic Church. Each Circle discerns other projects to support if desired.

 We recognize that women have many commitments to family, school, friends and our Urbandale community. We welcome our members to attend all or part of our monthly meetings and events as they are able.

 Service:

Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which

He looks with compassion on this world,

Yours are the feet with which

He walks to do good,

Yours are the hands, with which

He blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are His body.

 St. Teresa of Avila

 Serving our St. Pius X Catholic Church has become an important component of St. Pius Altar & Rosary JOY. These service projects are often taken for granted or go unnoticed by the average St. Pius X member. Our Circles rotate participation in required service projects to support St. Pius X Catholic Church, our Priests and Deacons throughout the year. These include:

  • Prepare & Serve dinner, to Priests’ who volunteer to assist with Communal Reconciliation Services during Lent & Advent.
  • Participate in the Christmas Bake & Craft Sale to secure funds for service projects and parish needs.
  • Assist with the Easter RCIA Breakfast.
  • Assist with the Confirmation Reception.
  • Launder altar linens, baptismal linens and altar server robes. Repair as needed.
  • Adornment of Eucharistic Procession Altars.
  • Create and maintain outdoor planters throughout the seasons.
  • Assist with Saint Pius X Feast Day.
  • Assist with Holy Name Parish Chili Dinner.
  • Assist with Special Parish Events as requested.
  • We also support our community with service to individuals and organizations, including and not limited to:
    • Catholic Charities & its umbrella of services
    • Urbandale Food Pantry
    • Urbandale Community Action Network
    • Pius homebound members
    • Hospice House refreshments
    • Bishop Drumm
    • And many more!

     (Service projects frequently change!)

Altar & Rosary JOY Circles

Below is a brief description of our Circles.

Ave Maria Circle: Meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7:05 PM at the church. Members enjoy socializing and sharing laughter at their monthly meetings, where they also conduct business and pray together. Circle members participate in service projects, a Christmas gathering, and a summer potluck.

Martha & Mary Circle: Martha & Mary Circle meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month for breakfast or after-lunch dessert. Members enjoy praying the rosary, reflecting on a meditation, socializing, and working on their various service projects. They enjoy making Rosary packets for the St. Pius X First Communicants. They make a special effort to stay connected with their honorary members and the needs of their active members.

St. Anne: Meets on a weekday during the day at various locations. There is no set date/time for their meetings.  Saint Anne was a mother, a wife, and the grandmother of our Lord. As a group of mothers and wives, our circle looks to Saint Anne as a model for how to best live our vocations with love and faithfulness. We have a special passion for service dedicated to children and families.

St. Bernadette Circle: Meets on the last Friday of the month at 9:00 AM at the Corner Cafe for breakfast and fellowship. We have several founding members who share valuable input for various service projects. Our circle invites all A&R members to join us in praying the rosary in the park during the summer months. We also enjoy collaborating with other groups on different service projects.

St. Elizabeth Circle: Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 9:30 AM at the church. Members support one another through phone calls and prayers, praying for special intentions and sharing family updates. They enjoy socializing when they gather for a Christmas Party, breakfast in February, and dinner in May. They engage in various service projects but especially enjoy supplying hospice treats twice a month and donating items for specific causes.

St. Francis Circle: Meets the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8:30 AM at the church from September through May. Members enjoy socializing during a light breakfast while addressing the business needs of the Circle. They send cards to members and especially remember Honorary Members through prayers. Members enjoy serving the St. Pius X community through assigned service and donating their time to a wide variety of service projects, including sewing blankets, collecting items for the homeless, or providing a meal for those in shelters.

Membership Form

2025-2026 Schedule of Events

bylaws & procedure manual

forms

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