LITURGY/PRAYER
Clinton — The Sisters of St. Francis invite the public to join them at Vespers — evening prayer — on each of the Sundays of Advent beginning at 6 p.m. in the chapel of The Canticle, their home in Clinton. The last prayer service will be Dec. 21. Participants will join in song, in reflecting on the Scripture readings of the Advent season, and in praying together for the blessing of Christmas. For more information, call (563) 242-7611. Advent Vespers last about 45 minutes. Parking is available in front of The Canticle. Directions to The Canticle are available at www.clintonfranciscans.com/canticle%20directions.htm.
Colfax — A Mass honoring Mary, mother of God, will be celebrated Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church.
Davenport — A healing Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 10th and Iowa streets, Dec. 18. Confessions begin at 6 p.m., praise music at 6:40 p.m., and Mass at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome.
Davenport — The Sisters of Humility invite the general public to pray with them at 11:40 a.m. Wednesdays during a special Mass for peace. It will be celebrated in the Magnificat Chapel at the Humility of Mary Center, 820 W. Central Park Ave.
Iowa City — People meet to pray the rosary and receive Communion at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Melrose Meadows Retirement Community. All Catholics are welcome.
Iowa City — Centering Prayer groups meet from 7-8 p.m. Mondays at the Mercy Hospital chapel, and from 9-11:30 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at a member’s home. For more information, call Maureen Kelley at (319) 338-8284.
Melrose — The Knights of Columbus of Albia sponsor a 24-hour adoration the first Friday of the month at St. Patrick Church in Melrose. Mass begins at 8 a.m., followed by 24 hours of adoration, and closes with benediction at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday. For more information or to sign up for an hour, call Tony Humeston at (641) 932-7709.
Newton — A Mass for Mary, mother of God, will be celebrated Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.
Rock Island, Ill. — A Taizé prayer service will take place at Our Lady of the River Church in LeClaire Thursday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
MEETINGS
Davenport — St. Ambrose University will hold its 2009 Winter Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m., Dec. 19, at the River Center, 136 East Third St., Davenport. A total of 307 degrees, including 198 bachelor degrees, 74 master degrees and 35 doctoral degrees, will be conferred. Corinne Johnson, St. Ambrose professor of theater, will deliver the commencement address. Seating for the commencement ceremony is open with no tickets required.
Davenport — A Catholic Single Mothers Support Group invites new members for prayer and discussion on positive parenting and balancing life’s demands. Mothers will meet and hear a different speaker monthly in an informal setting. To take part, call Joan at (563) 323-0175.
Davenport — A group meets for Ignatian Lightworks exercises on Mondays from 7-8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 1-2:30 p.m. at 2803 McKinley Ave. For more information, call (563) 324-7263.
Moline, Ill. — The secular discalced Carmelite community of St. Joseph’s and the prophet Elijah meets the second Sunday of each month from 1-3:30 p.m. in the basement of St. Mary Church. For more information, call Leslie Schadt, OCDS, at (563) 370-3559.
Rock Island, Ill. — The secular Franciscans meet at 2 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Jardine Auditorium at Trinity Medical Center West Campus, 2701 17th St. For more information, call Kent Ferris in Muscatine at (563) 264-0120.
SOCIALS
Davenport — The adult choir of Our Lady of Victory Parish invites people to a Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. in the church at 4105 N. Division St.
