The Catholic Messenger

01/25/2025

Some parishes, particularly in rural communities, have clustered for years while others are making that transition, a trend that will continue throughout the Dio­cese of Dav­en­port for years to come, says Dan Ebener, diocesan director of parish planning. “It’s not realistic to have as many parishes (74) as we have in our diocese. It’s putting an undue burden on our priests, whose numbers continue to decline. More lay people need to step up to keep their parishes alive.”

Lay people from some of the clustered parishes spoke with Ebener and The Catholic Messenger last month about their experiences and how clustering enables their parishes to remain open.

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By Barb Arland-Fye The Catholic Messenger Some parishes, particularly in rural communities, have clustered for years while others are making ...Read More

01/24/2025

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — On the eve of the national March for Life rally in Washington, President Donald Trump announced Jan. 23 he was issuing pardons for 23 protesters arrested…

01/24/2025

“At this time, Catholic religious communities are called to journey alongside one another to meet the needs of our sisters as well as the needs of the world around us,” the CHM leadership team said in a Jan. 23 statement.

By Barb Arland-Fye The Catholic Messenger The Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) has announced a new venture in ...Read More

01/23/2025

The USCCB on Jan. 23 posted the following statement:

Bishop Mark J. Seitz (USCCB), Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM (CHA), and Kerry Alys Robinson (CCUSA) have issued a statement in response to action taken by the Trump Ad...

01/23/2025

Listen to Bishop Walsh and his recent travels...

Oh, the places our bishop goes! Bonding with bishops on retreat, celebrating Mass with inmates in Fort Madison and listening to immigrants’ testimonies in Iowa City. Renew Our Hearts, copyright 2019 by Joe Mattingly. All rights reserved.Published by NS Publications, 2325 James St., #11, Coralville...

01/22/2025

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01/17/2025

By Barb Arland-Fye The Catholic Messenger IOWA CITY — Escalating violence in Colombia forced Yirleny Rivera Castro, her husband and ...Read More

01/16/2025

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01/14/2025

What is the Diocese of Davenport doing for the Jubilee Year? How can we participate?

Father Thom explains it all in this week's Question Box! Read it in the Jan. 9 Catholic Messenger or at this link!

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By Fr. Thom Hennen Question Box Q: What is the Diocese of Davenport doing for the Jubilee Year? How can ...Read More

01/14/2025

A roundup of all the events, news, joys and sorrows that defined 2024 in our diocese...

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By Lindsay Steele The Catholic Messenger The Diocese of Davenport began 2024 waiting and praying for the announcement of a ...Read More

01/10/2025

Bishop Walsh -- in JAIL?

Well, yeah!

Bishop Dennis Walsh celebrated Mass with inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary last month.

Read all about it in the Jan. 9 Catholic Messenger or at this link!

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By Barb Arland-Fye The Catholic Messenger FORT MADISON —Bishop Dennis Walsh and the small group accompanying him proceed through the ...Read More

01/09/2025

LOS ANGELES (OSV News) — Several Catholic parishes opened their doors to families evacuated from their homes as wind-driven fires continued to burn through parts of Los Angeles County Jan. 8. St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica was open until almost midnight Tuesday night, offering evacuees...

01/09/2025

Dear readers,

Delivery of the Jan. 9 Catholic Messenger will be delayed due to the closure of post offices today in honor of Jimmy Carter.

01/07/2025

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came together today to help move the worship space at St. Thomas More. There is a profound beauty in seeing the once vibrant space now empty, a sacred stillness that holds the promise of something greater to come. In this moment of transition, we stand on the threshold of our much-anticipated expansion, filled with hope and trust in God’s plan.

This process is not just about moving physical spaces—it’s about building something lasting, something that reflects the love and faith of our parish family. Your patience, flexibility, and grace will be the cornerstones of this transformation, and together, with God as our constant focus, we will bring this vision to life.

Thank you for being a living testament to the strength of our community. In faith, all things are possible, and with each step forward, we are reminded that we are never alone on this journey. May God continue to bless each of you as we move forward, united in purpose and in love.
⛪️

01/03/2025

Father Robert Lathrop believes a misunderstanding of Church doctrine contributed to the destruction of three statues at St. Mary Parish in September.

By Lindsay Steele The Catholic Messenger SIGOURNEY — Father Robert Lathrop believes a misunderstanding of Church doctrine contributed to the ...Read More

01/02/2025

Rest in peace, Father Pat!

DAVENPORT – Father Patrick Lumsden, 78, a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died Dec. 29 at MercyOne Genesis ...Read More

12/29/2024

Jubilee year 2025 -- Pilgrims of Hope opened by Bishop Walsh

12/27/2024

Bishop Dennis Walsh will open the Jubilee Year on Dec. 29 with opening rites at St. Anthony Parish in Davenport at 2 p.m. followed by a procession (weather permitting) to Sacred Heart Cathedral where he will celebrate Mass.

The Vatican provided a “Rite of the Opening of the Jubilee Year” that includes the Jubilee Hymn, proclamation from the Gospel of John and reading from Pope Francis’ document announcing the jubilee year, Spes Non Confudit (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”). The opening rite will last around 20 to 30 minutes, said Deacon Frank Agnoli, director of Liturgy for the Diocese of Davenport. The procession, about 0.7 of a mile, begins around 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.

“This is not a Eucharistic procession,” Deacon Agnoli said. Participants will have Christmas music to sing along the procession route, which will not include any stops. Anticipated arrival at the cathedral is 3 p.m.

For more information about this event, see page 3 of the Dec. 19 Catholic Messenger or go to https://catholicmessenger.net/2024/12/bishop-to-kick-off-jubilee-year/

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