The Catholic Messenger

11/15/2025

In light of the food insecurity caused by the SNAP situation, Catholics across the Diocese of Davenport have been doing their best to help those in need. At St. Joseph Catholic School in DeWitt a group of nine dedicated eighth graders is leading an annual food drive involving all 189 students.

“Every student in each class will bring in cans and food,” said Hailey Geffers, one of the student-leaders. “Eighth graders are assigned a class. All of eighth grade helps equally. After our food drive is done, we walk it there.”

The food will go to The DeWitt Referral Center. The non-profit agency has a food pantry, among other programs. The delivery is planned for Nov. 19.

This year’s goal for items was reduced from roughly 3,000 to 2,500, but families are stepping up regardless of hardship within the community.

“As of today (Nov. 10), we have 1,844 items,” said Principal Sharon Roling. “With four days to go, we only need 656 items. I am confident we will not only meet our goal, but exceed it. The floor spaces in my office will soon be covered.”

Read the full story in the Nov. 13 Catholic Messenger or at this link.

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By Dan Russo The Catholic Messenger DAVENPORT — Servers at St. Anthony Parish’s McAn­thony Window gave out hot meals to ...Read More

11/14/2025

Being there for people meant more to Father Guillermo Treviño than being admired by them, though the two often went hand-in-hand. Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport was packed for Father Treviño’s funeral on Nov. 7, and countless others whose lives he touched watched from home via livestream. His life’s story has drawn national attention.

It makes me sad to know that, as Father Treviño embarks on his biggest adventure of all, he will not be able to share photos and captions with us. During the funeral, Father Rudolph Juarez joked that he was waiting for the late priest to send a “selfie” from Heaven.

But, as Father Juarez said during the homily, it’s not up to us to ask why. Instead, we should be asking how we can love God and be present to others the way Father Treviño was.

Read the full reflection on the op/ed page of this week's Catholic Messenger or at this link.

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By Lindsay Steele Guest Column I was working from home on Oct. 31 when my husband walked in with shocking ...Read More

11/13/2025

BREAKING: US bishops approve 'special pastoral message' on immigration. Read the full story here: https://www.osvnews.com/breaking-us-bishops-approve-special-pastoral-message-on-immigration/

11/11/2025

Finding ways to use people’s gifts fully, creating an “evangelical frame of mind” and improving lay formation are three issues that will be on the agenda of church leaders who hope to chart a bright future for the Diocese of Davenport.

These topics are coming into focus in light of the recent release of key findings from a diocesan-wide survey on Baptismal Identity and Lay Ministry, which concluded in September.

“This study offers crucial insights into how lay Catholics perceive their vocational call and their level of engagement within the parish structure,” Bishop Dennis Walsh wrote in a Nov. 4 letter to diocesan priests.

Read the full story, and get a link to the full report, in the Nov. 6 Catholic Messenger or at this link.

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By Dan Russo The Catholic Messenger DAVENPORT — Finding ways to use people’s gifts fully, creating an “evangelical frame of ...Read More

11/06/2025

Father Guillermo Treviño, a priest of the Davenport Diocese, passed away in Iowa City on Oct. 31 after a short illness. He had just returned to U.S. soil after serving as a representative at the Vatican’s World Meeting of Popular Movements. He was 39 years old.

“Words cannot adequately express the deep sense of loss we feel across the diocese,” Bishop Dennis Walsh of Davenport wrote in a statement. “Father Guillermo lived his priesthood with a remarkable and authentic closeness to his people.” The bilingual priest, ordained at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport in 2015, most recently served as pastor of St. Joseph parishes in West Liberty and Columbus Junction.

By Lindsay Steele The Catholic Messenger Father Guillermo Treviño, a priest of the Davenport Diocese, passed away in Iowa City ...Read More

11/06/2025

Sister Anna Marie Reha, SSND, traces her vocation back to her roots at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Iowa City, where she was baptized and received her first Communion. Over the years, her “yes” to God has carried her far beyond Iowa — to classrooms in Minnesota, mission work in Guatemala, diocesan leadership in Hispanic ministry, and now, education in South Sudan.

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By Rachel Luppens For The Catholic Messenger (Editor’s note: Rachel Luppens, St. Wenceslaus Parish in Iowa City’s director of community ...Read More

11/03/2025

VISITATION/FUNERAL arrangements for Fr. Guillermo Trevino:

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, West Liberty, Iowa with the rosary prayed at 6 p.m. followed by a vigil service.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Guillermo will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 7, 2025 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. There will be additional visitation Friday from 9 until 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting Fr. Guillermo’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.

Burial will be in the Priest Circle at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

May he rest in peace.

11/01/2025

It is with great sadness to announce that Father Guillermo Treviño passed away in Iowa after a short illness.

From Bishop Dennis Walsh, Bishop of Davenport:
“Words cannot adequately express the deep sense of loss we feel across the diocese. Father Guillermo lived his priesthood with a remarkable and authentic closeness to his people, serving untiringly as Pastor of both St. Joseph Church in Columbus Junction and St. Joseph Church in West Liberty.”

“Father Guillermo’s heart was consistently with those in need. Throughout the current migrant crises, he showed great compassion for the many migrants who find themselves on edge due to aggressive immigration enforcement action. His voice was becoming a beacon of hope and advocacy on this vital issue, gaining national prominence. He was recently invited to be part of a panel discussion at Georgetown University and had the distinct honor of traveling to the Vatican as part of the World Gathering of Popular Movements. His leadership and commitment to justice will be deeply missed by the Church and the wider community he so faithfully served.”

“Our hearts go out to the parishioners of St. Joseph (Columbus Junction) and St. Joseph (West Liberty), whose communities he nurtured with such energy and love. We also extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Father Guillermo’s mother and the entire family during this difficult time. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.”

Father Guillermo received the National 2022 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. The award recognizes a “young faith-filled Catholic who has demonstrated leadership against poverty and injustice in the United States,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It “recognizes the leadership, energy and diverse skills that young people bring to the anti-poverty work of low-income projects and Catholic parishes. It highlights the gifts of young leaders and their Gospel commitment to the poor.” Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (1928-1996) was a strong supporter of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).

Father Treviño was a founding member and chaplain of Escucha Mi Voz Iowa (Listen to Me), which is an outgrowth of CCHD-funded Quad Cities Interfaith.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

10/31/2025

“As this government shutdown continues, the U.S. bishops are deeply alarmed that essential programs that support the common good, such as SNAP, may be inte...

10/30/2025

What do you do when sporting events seem to get in the way of your Sunday Mass obligation?

In this week's Catholic Messenger, learn how local athletes are making it work - and what resources they've found helpful!

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Support Catholic news with a print and/or e-edition subscription for less than $1 a week! Contact your parish or sign up at https://www.catholicmessenger.net/forms/subscriberservices.php today!

(Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about the intersection of faith and sports.) By Lindsay Steele The ...Read More

10/29/2025

Following 5:30 p.m. Mass, a candlelight procession will take place around the Cathedral Grounds and gather in front of the shrine of St. Martin de Porres for reflection. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow in Sears Diocesan Hall to celebrate the society’s 40th Anniversary. St. Martin de Porres Society items will be on display, and SMD will be collecting new or gently used towels and laundry detergent pods for Minnie's Maison.

HISTORY OF ST. MARTIN de PORRES SOCIETY in Davenport: In 1985, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport founded a St. Martin de Porres Society. The mission of this society is promoting racial unity and black awareness among Catholics in the diocese. The Society's annual activities include celebration of The Feast of St. Martin (Nov 3), annual teaching during Black History Month (February), sponsoring Black History Essay Contests as well as providing program support with numerous other church ministries and neighborhood initiatives.

St. Martin de Porres - (9 December 1579 – 3 November 1639) was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized in 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He is the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all those seeking racial harmony.

10/26/2025

Who are your favorite saints? If you could go back to being a priest, would you?

Bishop Dennis Walsh recently joined middle school youths at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport for a Q&A session. Read the highlights in the Oct. 24 Catholic Messenger or at this link: https://catholicmessenger.net/2025/10/bishop-walsh-answers-middle-schoolers-questions/

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Support Catholic news with a print and/or e-edition subscription for less than $1 a week! Contact your parish or sign up at https://www.catholicmessenger.net/forms/subscriberservices.php today!