LECTURES
Clinton – Carrie Delcourt of Rock Island, Ill., and Sister Judith Herold, SSND, of Davenport will speak Dec. 8 on their recent trip to the Holy Land with a group organized by Bishop Martin Amos and Father Ted Marszal of Cleveland. The free, public program begins at 6:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The women will share how the journey impacted their lives and commitment to peace. Their talk is sponsored by Prince of Peace Pax Christi and the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Nonviolence and Peacemaking.
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. 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.
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.
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) 324-7263.
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.
Clinton — The Clinton Municipal Band will perform at the Catholic Historical Center at St. Boniface Dec. 11 from 2-3 p.m. Freewill offerings will be taken.
Davenport – The Chordbuster Chorus will present its third annual Christmas Festival Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1122 W. Central Park Ave. Performers include the Trinity Lutheran choirs, Assumption High School jazz choir, Three Guys with Soule quartet, an organ/trumpet duet, and the combined Chordbuster and the Bend of the River Chorus. Tickets are $5 or free for children 12 and younger. For more information, call (563) 332-4810.
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. 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.
Fairfield – St. Mary Parish will host singer Lynn Cooper of Pella for a Christmas concert Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. Freewill offerings will be taken.
Fort Madison – Holy Family Parish will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sacred Heart Church Dec. 11. The observance will begin with Mass at 1 p.m., followed by a meal and fellowship at Roling Hall. There will also be a piñata for the children. All are welcome.
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.
Iowa City – St. Wenceslaus Parish will hold its holiday bazaar Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at 630 E. Davenport St. Kolaches, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods will be for sale. There will be a country store, crafts, attic treasures, silent auction items and complimentary coffee.
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.
Wellman – St. Joseph Parish welcomes people to a Christmas tour of homes on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 4-7:30 p.m. The restored rectory at St. Mary’s, Riverside, is one of the homes on the tour. Visit www.clusterparishes.org for photos and details of all the houses. Cost is $6 for adults and free for children. Tickets can be purchased at each home. All proceeds will go to the youth group. For more information, call Shirley Bohr at (319) 646-6512.
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) 324-7263.
