Queen of Saints Prayer Chain

The Queen of Saints Prayer Chain Telephone Tree is currently in the process of updating for all five parishes. If you are interested in receiving a phone call from our prayer chain, please call the cluster office at 319-228-8131. email DBQ150sec@dbqarch.org, or complete the form (link below) by October 10, 2023, to be added. We sincerely hope you take a moment and get signed up for this. Prayers are good…. spread the word!!

https://forms.gle/d6q1ju7KA75bzMdWA

ACCW Annual Meeting

On behalf of President Monica Fulton and the entire ACCW Board of Directors, I would like to invite you to attend the 2023 ACCW Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at St. Edward Parish in Waterloo. Our keynote speaker will be Fr. Joseph Sevcik, who will speak about The Eucharistic Revival. Holy Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Thomas R. Zinkula, with concelebrants and deacons in attendance. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and displays. You are invited to bring a basket or a single item (valued at $25) with you to support the ACCW silent auction.

Early bird pricing (a savings of $10) ends October 10. Additional information and registration for the Annual Meeting can be found online at: https://dbqarch.org/accw-events.  A printable registration form can be accessed by clicking on the blue button at the end of this email.

If you have general questions about ACCW or the Annual Meeting, please contact Monica Fulton at dbqaccwpres@dbqarch.org. If you have registration questions, please contact me.  Looking forward to seeing you on October 21st!

Blessings,
Joanne Pohland
Archdiocese of Dubuque Council of Catholic Women
Immediate Past President
(563) 581-5528 (c)
Registration Form

NATIONAL LIFE CHAIN

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023 - 2:00-3:30 PM

Make a public, prayerful, peaceful stand for LIFE

Meet at St. Matthew Church parking lot at 2310 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids to sign In and pick up signs. A send-off prayer will be led by Deacon Mark Sandersfeld before participants will go to their assigned blocks. Chairs and strollers are welcome.  All are asked to Pre-register with Sue Martinek 319-270-0054

Monastic Experience

"Come, let us Adore! The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri, will host an in-person Monastic Experience Nov. 13-18, 2023. It’s an opportunity to experience the daily rhythm of our life where you can join us in singing the divine office, attend daily Mass, spend time in personal prayer, and open your heart to God's call by learning about discernment and prayer. There is no cost to attend. For more information, please contact Sister Maria Victoria at vocation@benedictinesisters.org, call (660) 944-2221 ext. 127, or visit www.BenedictineSisters.org and click on Vocations/Walk With Us."

As the parish phase of the ArchdioceseOne special appeal has concluded in your parish, we thank you for your consideration of a sacrificial gift. Watch the video from Archbishop Jackels offering his gratitude, as well as an update on the continued progress of the appeal.
If you would still like to make a gift to support the special appeal, you can do so by visiting the ArchdioceseOne website here.

Thank you from Archbishop Jackels:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AofA0Drj861_trzTaeqH8VXdulB0oxZR/view
To make a donation, please visit the the ArchdioceseOne website here.

ArchdioceseOne Update – Official End Date Set
We’ve officially set an end date of December 31, 2023 for ArchdioceseOne of December 31, 2023. This means that we’ll continue accepting NEW gifts and pledges for ArchdioceseOne until that date. After December 31st of this year, new gifts can still be made to these beneficiaries, but they will no longer be counted towards the total amount fundraised for ArchdioceseOne. We will continue to collect payments on existing pledges for the next several years. Sometime in early 2024, we’ll publish a final report detailing the funds raised and money spent to raise these funds.

We are extremely thankful for the support of thousands of donors who have supported this effort financially to date, and for our parishes who helped us execute this special appeal locally. The resulting dollars raised will support ministries across the Archdiocese of Dubuque through its beneficiaries for many years to come.

As things sit now, we are still a long way from reaching the special appeal goal set at the beginning of this process in 2019. Obviously, a lot has happened since then that may or may not have factored into this result, but we are still prayerful that donors will come forward to help us closer to our goal over the next 9+ months. I ask you to please continue to pray for the support of ArchdioceseOne, and specifically its beneficiaries, as we continue to work to support the many important ministries they support.

Placing our faith in God, knowing this is His plan, we pray:

God, come to our assistance. Lord, make haste to help us. Amen

If you have any questions on ArchdioceseOne, or any other Stewardship Development matter, please contact Jeff Schneider at jeff.schneider@dbqarch.org or at 563-556-2580 x219 or Cassie Bird at c.bird@dbqarch.org or at (563) 556-2580 ext. 211.

Your Gift in Action
Priest Retirement: ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - May 2023 - Dubuque, IA
ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - Priest Retirement - Dubuque, IA

Seminary: ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - Seminarian Education - Dubuque, IA
https://archdioceseone.org/yga-723?bbeml=tp-gxN-TJbJrUGZeml976dQpQ.jFpKwKiPuT0WKw0oA9ioKpw.r6ys36xrDaUG5UZUAUJxJ3g.lMmLIMuSfm0a_UojG5s7IUA
So far, over $16.4 million has been raised for the ArchdioceseOne special appeal. Of which, $7.7 million of this amount is unrestricted, and over $2.7 million has been restricted for Seminary Education. Thank you for your support not only for current seminarians, but also for future vocations to the priesthood.

Cathedral: ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - Cathedral of St. Raphael Repairs & Upgrades - Dubuque, IA

Legal Servcies: ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - April 2023 - Dubuque, IA
ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - Immigration Legal Services - Dubuque, IA

ArchdioceseOne Update -  As of May 2023:
Thanks to your sacrificial gift, over $15.7 million has been raised for the ArchdioceseOne special appeal. Over $7.7 million of this amount has been left unrestricted, and over $2.2 million has been restricted to Priest Retirement.

ArchdioceseOne | Archdiocese of Dubuque - ArchdioceseOne Newsletter Archive - Dubuque, IA

ArchdioceseOne Update -  As of June 2023:
As we continue through 2023, ArchdioceseOne continues to move towards its end at the end of this year. To date, we’ve raised $15,805,765 for the four beneficiaries of this special appeal. We continue to have conversations with new donors daily, and if you or any of your parishioners have still not donated, and would like to, there is still time. Please contact Jeff Schneider (info above) or Cassie Bird at 563-556-2580 x211 or c.bird@dbqarch.org for information on how to give or any other questions you might have. Thank you for your support!

ArchdioceseOne Update - As of July 2023:
New gifts and pledges continue to come in for ArchdioceseOne as we move towards the conclusion of the special appeal at the end of this year. Together, over 6,000 donors have contributed or pledged $16,502,548 for the four beneficiaries of ArchdioceseOne through 7/31/2023.

We are extremely grateful for all of our donors and their gifts to ArchdioceseOne. The path we are on is God’s will, and we have faith that the Holy Spirit will continue to move hearts towards charity and stewardship. This faith is stated no better than through a line in the hymn Ubi Caritas which reads, “Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est”, which means “Where charity and love are, God is there.” Our prayer is that the Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque continue to generously support Catholic ministries within our archdiocese, and in particular through the beneficiaries of ArchdioceseOne.

If you have not donated to ArchdioceseOne yet, but feel the Holy Spirit calling you to do so, there is still time. Please contact Jeff Schneider at 563-556-2580 x219 or jeff.schneider@dbqarch.org, or Cassie Bird at 563-556-2580 x211 or c.bird@dbqarch.org for information on how to give, assistance with making a gift, or any other questions you might have. Thank you and bless you all for your support!

"Holy Moments" by Matthew Kelly from the Dynamic Catholic Institute

Matthew Kelly has been asked how do we get people to come back to church? His answer, "To do that, a shift from spiritual decay to spiritual flourishing has to take place. Many have suggested that a shift of that magnitude is impossible. It's easy to see why. More and more people believe that the Church is irrelevant. And it's tempting to lose hope. But I refuse to underestimate God and I refuse to underestimate the power of the priesthood.  I believe that the people will return to church. That a Holy Shift toward spiritual flouring is possible. And I believe it is about to take place in unimaginable ways."

To hear the words from Matthew himself, click on the link Holy Moments video from Matthew Kelly

Interview about the book: Matthew Kelly Interview - https://youtu.be/fkk-HYiq1CY

Book Read by Matthew Kelly:
Prologue - "Treat every person you ever meet like the second coming of Jesus in disguise." Live as if the Messiah is among you.

Rediscover the Saints

This is not just another book about the saints. Both personal and practical, this book proves the saints are not long gone, but alive and well--and ready to join you on your journey! Discover how inviting the saints into your everyday life will open your eyes to the amazing possibilities God has in store for you!

Looking for a way to enhance the free cluster book "Rediscover the Saints"? Look no further! Click on the link below to open a document for you to deepen the messages in the book.

Rediscover the Saints Study Guide

 

WorldWide Marriage Encounter

MARRIED COUPLES.  Give your marriage a well-deserved vacation.  Plan to go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend and come back with a marriage that is refreshed and full of energy!  Upcoming dates: September 22-24, 2023 in Dubuque, IA.  For more information call Greg and Denise at (563) 920-9419 or drubner9419@gmail.com.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a catholic faith-based marriage enrichment program and has been providing couples with better communication skills and tools for over 50 years. For more information or to register go to iowa-wwme.org or call 563-608-3305. Click here for a schedule.

Franciscan Common Venture

Franciscan Common Venture – a volunteer program sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa, provides the opportunity for persons age 20+ to contribute their time, commitment and talent in service among people who are poor. There are multiple service opportunities this year. If interested, contact Sr. Michelle Balek, OSF: 563-583-9786, balekm@osfdbq.org, or visit our website for a listing of the 2023 opportunities and downloadable application materials:  www.osfdbq.org/commonventure

Franciscan Common Venture - 2023 Service Opportunities
Give a gift of service this year!  Share your time and talents with others -- for a day, a week (or longer). Your heart will never be the same!  Join others in community, service and prayer.  If interested, contact Sr. Michelle Balek, OSF:  balekm@osfdbq.org or 563- 583-9786. Visit our website for a listing of opportunities and downloadable application materials: www.osfdbq.org/commonventure Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, IA.

Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support Center is a faith-based organization, so the best way for us to spread the word about our job and volunteer openings is in the church community. If your church has an outlet for sharing something like this, please consider doing so.

Employment Opportunities

Visit https://bridgehavencr.org/get-involved/career-opportunities/ for job descriptions and application information.

Bridgehaven’s One Big Family Walk & Run is quickly approaching, and we want you to participate with us!

This is an important fundraiser for the Bridgehaven ministry each year, and this year is no exception with the celebration of our 40th Anniversary. Our goal is to raise $25,000. Every dollar is vital and goes directly to supporting the programs and services Bridgehaven offers.

Over the years, the annual walk has proven to be a fun and effective way to team up together in support of Bridgehaven. We want to encourage you to form a team (or teams!) from your church. Some churches even like to have friendly competitions to see who can raise the most money. Forming a team is easy. When you register, you'll have an opportunity to either join an existing team or create a new one. Once your church team is formed, you can ask members of your congregation to select it when they register. Then, start fundraising!

If you would like to share this opportunity with your congregation, we've included a few ready-to-go promotional items for you to share within your own communication platforms.

Thank you for supporting our ministry! 

 

The next Take Courage Retreat will be the weekend of November 3-5, 2023. It will be held in a beautiful, peaceful space in the Galena, IL area.

Please connect with Haley Brimmer, Director of Client Advocacy at haley@bridgehavencr.org, if you have any questions, or interested registrants. You may also call the center at 319-364-8967.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the Take Courage Retreat?
Take Courage is our weekend retreat program that offers space and healing to anyone who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. With the help of a specially designed curriculum, trained advocates, and Linn County pastoral staff members, we have created a safe, peaceful environment to help your soul find a voice and transform the pain of the past into love and hope.

When does the retreat take place?
Bridgehaven hosts Take Courage retreats bi-annually. This year’s dates are April 28-30, 2023 and November 3-5, 2023

 What is the retreat schedule?
The retreat begins on a Friday evening and concludes Sunday around noon. Lodging for two nights, meals, and curriculum materials are included in the registration fee.

How do I register?
To register or see if this program is right for you, please email haley@bridgehavencr.orgor call or text us at 319-364-8967.

What have others said about the Take Courage Retreat? 

“There truly was healing to be had, walls to come down, and all of the guilt and shame to be released. A tender heart was uncovered that had been buried for so long.”

“This retreat allowed me to gain peace and understand my grief.”

“The environment was completely free of condemnation and judgment. I have never felt such acceptance, understanding, and grace. It was incredibly powerful to be accepted.”

CEW - Christian Experience Weekend

CEW is a weekend retreat to help adults more deeply experience their relationship with God.

For more information: https://www.dbqarch.org/offices/adult-faith/cew-christian-experience-weekend/

For the Cedar Rapids Area CEW: http://www.crcew.org/

Want to follow on Facebook?  https://www.facebook.com/crcew/

Catholic Men's Fellowship

The main outreach is an annual men’s conference which began in 1996.  They also offer support to new and existing parish based fellowship groups through workshops, breakfasts, suppers and speaking to men throughout the archdiocese. For more information click on https://catholicmenonline.com

Covenant of Love

 Marriage Mentors Now Available!

On April 27 and 28, Greg and Julie Alexander, founders of the Alexander House apostolate, trained twenty-three couples from the Archdiocese of Dubuque and nine couples from the Diocese of Davenport to serve as Covenant of Love Marriage Mentors. These trained couples are now ready to serve couples throughout eastern Iowa as marriage mentors. Covenant of Love Marriage Mentoring helps married couples achieve relationship goals with effective support, information, and guidance. This process is effective for restoring and strengthening marriages in which both spouses are open to following God’s plan for marriage and putting into place the practical tools provided. Whether newlyweds or married for fifty years, and whether on the brink of divorce or just wanting to grow deeper in a relatively good marriage, this mentoring process can provide couples with guidance for strengthening and sustaining their marriage. More information and registration for couples interested in being paired with a mentor couple is available at www.DBQArch.org/marriage-mentors.

Shalom Retreat Center

Shalom Spirituality Center is owned and directed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa and staffed by both Franciscan Sisters and laypersons. Shalom provides a variety of retreats and programs for persons of all ages, cultures, faith backgrounds, and religious affiliations wherever they are on their spiritual journey throughout the year.  These range from weeklong and weekend retreats to days or afternoons of reflection to workshops on various spiritual and educational topics. Click here to get started.

Shalom Retreat Center Programing

https://shalomretreats.org/events/

Telehealth Counseling Services in Cedar Rapids

Are you looking for affordable, accessible, and convenient counseling? Catholic Charities offers TeleHealth Counseling Services in the Cedar Rapids office at 420 Sixth Street, Suite 220.  TeleBehavioral Health is the delivery of healthcare services to patients using technology. This technology uses videoconferencing to conduct client visits by interactive video, with the provider and patient in different locations.  If you are from the Cedar Rapids area and are interested in scheduling an appointment for Telehealth Counseling, please call 800-772-2758 or 563-588-0558 to schedule an appointment.

Catholic Charities

Are you looking for affordable, accessible, and convenient counseling? Look no further than Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque’s Telebehavioral health counseling services located in Cedar Rapids.

Telebehavioral Health is changing the way communities and families approach mental health services. At a time when the need for mental health counseling is soaring, this option holds great promise for addressing gaps in care and providing individuals with critical resource for addressing their health and well-being.

TeleBehavioral Health is the delivery of healthcare services to patients using technology. These technologies can include videoconferencing to conduct client visits by interactive video, with the provider and patient in different locations. In practical language, this means that it doesn’t matter if there is a provider in your area, and it doesn’t matter if you can’t travel 60 miles to get there. TeleBehavioral Health can potentially be offered in a location that is convenient for you.

Need to schedule an appointment please call 800-772-2758 or 563-588-0558.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesDubuque/

Catholic Charities | Dubuque, IA (catholiccharitiesdubuque.org) https://www.catholiccharitiesdubuque.org/

RCIA


It is time to start up the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes in the Queen of Saints Cluster. The RCIA is intended for:

-Non-Catholics who are married or engaged to a Catholic and wish to convert or just learn more about the Catholic faith.
-Those who have never been baptized or have a church to call their own.
-Baptized Catholic adults who have not yet received Holy Communion or Confirmation.
-Catholics who have been inactive in the Church, but desire to reconnect.

Anyone who is interested in participating in this year’s RCIA process or would like to get an overview is encouraged to contact Fr. Craig or Dennis and Anita Kimm, Coordinators of RCIA. Click on their name to send an email or their contact information is on the front of the bulletin.  You can also click on the link below to complete a simple form.
https://queenofsaints.dbqarch.org/become-catholic/