Parish Happenings

Daily Reflections

Click on link below for Fr. Kopacek Daily Reflections

Weekday Reflection ~ May 17
Weekday Reflection ~ May 16
Weekday Reflection ~ May 13
Weekday Reflection ~ May 12
Weekday Reflection ~ May 11
Weekday Reflection ~ May 10
Weekday Reflection ~ May 9

Fifth Sunday of Easter Mass ~ May 15, 2022

Due to a technical issue live streamed Mass is not available.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 

 

From Fr. Kopacek Desk:  May 17, 2022

11.  I look forward to concelebrating at the ordination Masses this coming weekend in Dubuque:  Casey Flack and Jeff Frieden will be ordained as deacons on Friday, May 27, at 7 p.m., and Ben Valentine will be ordained to the priesthood the next day, May 28, at 10 a.m.  (God willing, Casey and Jeff will be ordained as priests next year.)  I will be staying overnight in Dubuque that night and will be back in time for the Saturday confession/Mass schedule here.  Please pray for these three young men–I worked with them when I was with the college seminarians in Dubuque, and they are filled with faith, joy, and a desire to serve Jesus and his Church with great dedication.  And please continue to pray for an increase in those seminarian numbers for our archdiocese.

2.  Archbishop Jackels recently did a livestream presentation to explain more fully what the ArchdioceseOne Special Appeal is all about and why it is needed.  You can see the video of that presentation at the archdiocesan website dbqarch.org; on the homepage click on “ArchdioceseOne Special Appeal”.
3.  Last week Archbishop Gomez of Los Angeles (president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops–USCCB) and Archbishop Lori of Baltimore (chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities) issued the following statement about the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion indicating that the Court may be willing to overrule the Roe v. Wade abortion decision.  I didn’t receive that statement until after last weekend’s bulletin deadline, but its recommendations are still urgent and to the point:
“Let us offer our prayers and fasting for these intentions:
  • For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death;
  • For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey [a 1992 decision that affirmed Roe] in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson [the Mississippi case currently before the Court];
  • For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion;
  • For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and care for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a  healthy and flourishing society;
  • For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life;
As Catholics, let us witness to the beautiful gift of life with civility and love, and with our peaceful prayers and our compassionate service to all those in need.  Our Lady of Fatima, prayer for us.”
 
Please keep these needs and intentions on your daily prayer list!
4.  “Don’t Forget to Laugh!”  A couple invited some people to dinner. At the table, the wife turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, ‘Would you like to say the blessing?’  ‘I wouldn’t know what to say’, the girl replied.  ‘Just say what you hear Mommy say’, the wife replied.  So the daughter bowed her head and said, ‘Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?'”  And you think the kids don’t listen to you…..

ArchdioceseOne Appeal

If you missed the ArchdioceseOne Kickoff Livestream last week use this link to watch the launch of this special appeal in your parish.
ArchdioceseOne Appeal

 

 

Archbishop Jackels “Together” Bulletin – April

Click on this link for Archbishop Jackels April Message

 

 

Ministry to the Sick and Hospitalized

If you would like to receive the sacrament Anointing of the Sick or would like Fr. Kopacek to visit you while sick or hospitalized, please call the cluster office and let him know. He will be more than happy to see you.

Music Ministers Needed

A strong music ministry is necessary for a vibrant parish.  All our parishes are in need of music ministers to help lead us in prayer.  If God has given you a gift of singing or playing an instrument, or even if you still need to develop that gift, contact the Cluster Office at
641-393-2520.

 

Online Giving

We appreciate your contributions  to the church community and would especially like to recognize those who are now using our ConnectNow Giving link.  Our online giving site is safe, secure and most of all convenient.  You will always control the amount and can change or stop it at any time.  If you would like to donate using our online giving system and have not yet had a chance to do so, click on the Online Giving tab on this website and then your parish name.  If you have any questions please contact Nancy Theis at the cluster office (641-393-2520).

 

Befriender Ministry

Volunteers are needed from each parish to:

  • Drive people to medical appointments
  • Drive people to Mass
  • Make daily calls to people who live along (make sure they are okay)
  • Actively participate in a prayer chain

Please call the cluster office (641-393-2520) or Teresa Klobassa (641-393-2598) if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.

* The Holy Rosary Cluster has assembled a group of 15 parishioners representing each of our parishes who are prepared to visit people in difficult and transitional situations such as illness, loneliness or loss of a loved one.  If you, or someone you know, would like a visit from one of our outreach ministers, please call: Alta Vista – Philomena Boehmer (641-364-6962) Lourdes – Marge Ludwig ((641-393-2568) Elma – Teresa Klobassa (641-393-2598) Riceville – Jeanne Watts (641-985-2031) New Haven – Nancy Theis (641-985-4145)