LITURGY/PRAYER
Bettendorf — A Mass to celebrate Father Robert McAleer’s 40th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood will be celebrated Sunday, May 22, at 3 p.m. at St. John Vianney Church. A reception will follow off-site.
Davenport — Parishioners from the Catholic parishes of Scott County are invited to join with the Knights of Columbus, Loras Council 532, for an annual Memorial Day Mass to be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 804 E. 39th St., at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 30. Bishop Martin Amos will preside at the Mass at the Priests’ Circle. Bring a lawn chair; chairs will be provided for people with a handicap. In case of inclement weather, the Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 916 East Rusholme St., at 9:30 a.m. A sign indicating such change would be posted at the cemetery entrance at 7:30 a.m.
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.
MEETINGS
Clinton — A new support group, sponsored by Mercy Hospice, is being offered to provide information and support to individuals who are coping with the loss of a loved one. “Walking through Grief” will meet from 3:30-5 p.m. May 24 and 31 at Mercy Medical Center — South Campus, boardroom. The group is open to anyone and there is no cost. For more information, please contact Mercy Home Care and Hospice at (563) 244-3766.
Davenport — A Soaking With a Purpose (SWAP) meeting will take place Friday, May 27, at 7 p.m. at Eagles’ Wings Retreat Center, 5816 Telegraph Road.
RETREATS
Wheatland — The retreat “Eph-Pha-Tha,” Which Means “Open Up” (Mark 7:31-36), will take place Tuesday, May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Fee is $15, which includes lunch. Participants will spend a day within the mystery of Mark’s story of the deaf and mute person healed by Jesus. They will share insights of how they hear and speak, and pray for the gifts of relationship. Bring your Bible and journaling book. Presenter Sister Alice Ann Byrne, OP, is a Sinsinawa Dominican educator and parish minister. To register, contact Sister Marcia Eckerman at (563) 336-8414 or olpretreat@gmail.com.
SOCIALS
Bettendorf — St. John Vianney Parish will hold a garage sale in the activity center May 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. A pre-sale for parishioners will take place May 19 from 6-8 p.m.
Williamsburg — On Memorial Day, May 30, a Freedom Run 5K run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. at Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School. The Catholic Youth Organization of St. Joseph Parish in North English, St. Mary Parish in Williamsburg and St. Patrick Parish in Marengo is organizing the event. Runners and walkers of all ages may participate. Awards will be given for males and females in nine age categories, and there will be an overall, first-place award for male and female participants. Entry fee is $15 per person through May 20. Registrations received by May 20 will be guaranteed a T-shirt on race day. Entry fee is $20 per person May 21 through the day of the race. For a registration form, contact Greg Stolze at (319) 668-9072 or gstolze@williamsburg.k12.ia.us.
WORKSHOPS
Coralville — A Cool Congregations workshop will take place May 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas More Church. Participants will learn how to care for creation by saving energy and money in their homes and worship spaces. A tour of St. Thomas More’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) features begins at noon. Cost is $25 per person or $50 per congregational team of two or more people. Register at iowaipl.org/calendar or by calling (515) 238-3587. For more information, email coolcongregations@iowaipl.org or go to www.iowaipl.org.
Iowa City — Catholic Relief Services will hold a full-day Diocesan Advocacy Team training on Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick Church. There is no cost, and a continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Training modules may include “Charity and Justice: Bridging the gap,” “Christian Advocacy: Bringing the Kingdom one step closer,” “Not just the usual suspects: How to identify and recruit more Catholics into our important work,” “Speaking truth to power: Negotiating the local and national legislative landscape,” and “Faith and action: Making faith complete.” To register or get more information, contact CRS Program Officer Daniel Romero at (312) 733-5127 ext. 7 or at daniel.romero@crs.org.
