Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage to Greece & the Greek Isles: "In the Footsteps of St. Paul". Come along Oct. 24 to Nov. 3, 2023, to some truly beautiful and holy places! We'll visit many of the great sites where St. Paul wrote his Epistles, including Athens, Corinth, Crete, Santorini, Ephesus, Thessaloniki and more. We'll also take a three-day cruise to the Greek Isles. Mass each day in great Churches and Cathedrals along the way. Cost is $4,399 with departure from Omaha. For a brochure and more information, contact Fr. Dan Guenther, St. Mary's Parish, 307 - 4th St. N., Humboldt, Iowa 50548 or call 712-899-6870 or email frdanguenther@gmail.com
Thank you from Archbishop Jackels:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AofA0Drj861_trzTaeqH8VXdulB0oxZR/view
ArchdioceseOne Update
All parishes have now finished their in-parish portion for the ArchdioceseOne Special Appeal. To date, we’ve had 5,658 individual givers contribute $14,664,620 to the ArchdioceseOne Special Appeal, which will support many important ministries through its four beneficiaries. There is still time for parishioners to give, if they haven’t done so already or they would like to make another gift, as we’re still receiving gifts and are continuing to follow up with donors we’ve yet to reach. 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.

"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.
UPCOMING SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Franciscan Common Venture is a volunteer program sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, IA. Listed here are some upcoming opportunities for persons age 21+. 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
Catholic Worker House, Waterloo, IA
Week-long: July 9-15 (Cost $100) St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Worker House is a faith-based intentional community committed to practicing the Works of Mercy as found in Jesus’ teachings. Service needs include: assisting with community meals, cleaning, painting, and ministry of presence. There will be the opportunity to give service with a few other non-profit organizations in Waterloo. Team has room for 2-3 more people. Due date to apply: June 11
Mustard Seed Community Farm, Ames, IA: Two Opportunities
Pilgrimage of Service: Food Justice
Week-long: July 23 – 29 (Cost: $100) The Mustard Seed Farm is dedicated to sustainable, simple living, love of our neighbor, and creating a community in which everyone can participate in growing and eating delicious, healthy, locally produced food. Throughout the week volunteers will learn about food justice by visiting/serving at the farm, the Catholic Worker House, Food at First and other local organizations. Due date to apply: June 26
Food Justice
Short-term: August 3-6; Cost: ($50) Volunteers will assist with the harvest and other tasks on the farm and with the community meal at the Catholic Worker House. Due date to apply: July 6
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.
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.org
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/
-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/