LECTURES
Davenport — On Nov. 30 at 7 p.m., best-selling novelist Bo Caldwell will deliver this year’s St. Ambrose University Baecke Endowment for the Humanities lecture in the Rogalski Center. She will examine the role China has played in her writing and spirituality.
LITURGY/PRAYER
Blue Grass – A centering prayer Advent retreat will take place at St. Andrew Church, 333 W. Lotte St., Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15. Bring a sack lunch. Reservations are due Dec. 2. For more information, call (563) 285-7242 or (563) 322-1579.
Burlington – The Des Moines County parishes will host a parish renewal Dec. 4-6. It will be conducted by Father Bob Miller from Chicago. The sessions will be held at 7 p.m. at St. John Church, 700 Division St., Burlington, on Dec. 4; St. Paul’s Church, 508 N. Fourth St., Burlington, on Dec. 5; and Ss. Mary & Patrick Church, 420 W. Mt. Pleasant St., West Burlington on Dec. 6.
Clinton — On each of the Sundays of Advent at 6 p.m. in the chapel of The Canticle, the Sisters of St. Francis will welcome people to Advent Vespers — evening prayer. The first 45-minute service will be Nov. 28. Vespers include Scripture readings of the Advent season, song, reflection and praying together. For more information, call (563) 242-7611.
Iowa City – On Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., people will gather in Lower City Park in Iowa City for a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss of a child. Everyone is invited to the indoor warming house (shelter 8). For more information, call Bruce Titus, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Iowa City, at (319) 936-0745.
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.
Hills – A healing Mass with Msgr. Marvin Mottet, Father William Kneemiller and Father Troy Richmond, will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 2, at St. Joseph Church. Confessions start at 6 p.m., and Mass at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
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
Davenport – A Soaking with a Purpose prayer meeting will take place Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at Eagles’ Wings. Jane, Mary and Craig will lead music ministry in praise and worship.
Davenport – A session on apparitions of Mary will take place Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at Eagles’ Wings. Marcia, Cyndi and Sandi will share an apparition and message of Our Lady pertinent to current times. Bring a sack lunch. A healing Mass with Father Dan Mannhardt will follow at 1 p.m. For more information, call (563) 324-7262.
RETREATS
Clinton – Franciscan Sisters will lead the retreat “Incarnation: Behold! The Beauty of God!” Dec. 2-4 at The Canticle. Schedule is 7-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. Retreat-goers are welcome to spend the weekend at The Canticle or attend as commuters. Open to the public, the retreat requires advance registration. Details are available by calling (563) 242-7611 or visiting www.clintonfranciscans.com.
Wheatland – “Come to the Quiet,” an Advent retreat, will take place Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Presenter is Sister Kathleen Storms, SSND. Participants will explore the Scriptural stories that tell of the coming of Jesus. Fee is $15, which includes lunch. To sign up, call (563) 336-8414 or email olpretreat@gmail.com.
SOCIALS
Buffalo – St. Peter Parish will hold a cookie walk Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the rectory, 406 Fourth St. Cost is $8 for a large container and $5 for a small container.
Davenport – All are welcome to the third holiday movie and gift swap on Dec. 6 from 6–8:30 p.m. at the Humility of Mary Center, 820 West Central Park Ave. Cost is free. Bring a new or gently used item for regifting. Doors open at 6 p.m. The movie “The Story of Broke” starts at 6:45 p.m.
Davenport — The senior honors art exhibit will be in the Catich Gallery in the Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose University Nov. 29 – Dec. 16 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thesis work by Adrianna Corby, Emma Farber and Rachel Friemel will be displayed.
Fairfield – St. Mary Parish will host singer Lynn Cooper of Pella for a Christmas concert Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. St. Mary Church is located at 3100 W. Madison Ave. Freewill offerings will be taken.
Grinnell – “No Room at the Inn,” a display of more than 100 nativity scenes, will be available for viewing Dec. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. at St. Mary Church’s basement. Grinnell Ministerial Association churches and Grinnell Christian School are sponsoring the exhibit. Donations will go to St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter in Des Moines, the Poweshiek County food pantry and Grinnell Ministerial Association for use with local transient and homeless people. Local choirs and a live nativity will be present from 5-8 p.m. Nativity-related items will be given away at 8 p.m.
Muscatine – The Social Action Committee of Ss. Mary & Mathias Parish will sponsor a Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade sale after Masses Dec. 3-4 in Gannon Hall. Unique Christmas gifts will be available. Proceeds support anti-poverty initiatives.
WORKSHOPS
Davenport — The second in a series of workshops on preparing for healing ministry will take place Saturday, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eagles’ Wings, 5816 Telegraph Road. Registration is $90 ($80 for those who attended before). Bring a sack lunch. For more information, call (563) 324-7262.
