LECTURES
Lone Tree — Ken Fuson will speak on “Compulsive Gambling: A View from the Inside” April 9 at 5 p.m. at St. Mary Church. He worked for 24 years as a reporter for The Des Moines Register. He will discuss his personal descent into gambling addiction and his repeated attempts to overcome it. His goal is to help increase understanding of addiction and offer suggestions on what the state and the casino industry might do to help.
LITURGY/PRAYER
Clinton — The Sisters of St. Francis invite the public to join them at Vespers — evening prayer — on each of the Sundays of Lent beginning at 6 p.m. in the chapel of their home, The Canticle, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton. The 45-minute services include song, reflection on Scripture readings and praying for conversion of heart.
Davenport — Our Lady of Victory Parish’s adult choir will present the Lenten cantata “Harvest of Sorrows” April 10 at 4 p.m. in the church. Attendees will join in reflecting, through music and narrative, on Christ’s journey to the cross.
Davenport — A healing Mass will be celebrated April 14 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Confessions begin at 6 p.m., praise music starts at 6:45 p.m., and Mass will be celebrated at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome.
RETREATS
Coralville — A Lenten mini-retreat, “Women in the Bible: A Study for All,” will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas More Church. The keynote speakers will be Micah Kiel of Davenport and Marsha Lowe of Iowa City. Women in the Bible: A Study for All will focus on women from both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing specific women and their faith companionship. To RSVP, please call Carol Lyon at (319) 338-9290, Mary Kay Kusner at (319) 339-1306 or Mary Humston at (319) 337-5916. A suggested retreat donation is $10. A Kalona Kountry Katering lunch will cost $8. All participants should bring a Bible to the retreat. Registration and refreshments begin at 8 a.m.
Rock Island, Ill. — “Who Am I?,” an event at Benet House Retreat Center, will explore people’s role as creator, their message as Word and their spirit of compassion. The session is slated for April 2 from 9-11:30 a.m. Presenter is Sister Norma Reiplinger, OSB. Fee is $15, plus an optional lunch for $7.
Washington — Father Troy Richmond and Father Bill Kneemiller will be hosting a two-part “Life in the Spirit” seminar Saturday, April 2 and 9 at St. James Parish Hall. The seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with a lunch at 12:45 pm. The theme April 2 is “Preparing our Hearts,” with an emphasis on removing obstacles that keep people from experiencing God’s love. Session two is on the practical request and reception of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. The fee for each day is $15, which covers the cost of food. Scholarships are available. For more information, call (319) 679-2271.
SOCIALS
Blue Grass — St. Andrew Parish’s annual garage sale will take place April 1 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 333 W. Lotte St.
Clinton — The next date of “Peace Soup” – the annual supper and discussion series held on the Wednesdays of Lent — is April 6 at 6 p.m. in St. Boniface Hall, 2520 Pershing Blvd. Clinton Pax Christi will present a local premier showing of “The Fence,” a recently released documentary that moves through private ranches, protected wilderness, bustling border towns and scrub desert for a look at the controversial Southern U.S. Border Barrier. Details on the series are available at www.jcpop.org and at www.clintonfranciscans.com or by calling Prince of Peace Parish at (563) 242-3311 or Sisters of St. Francis, (563) 242-7611.
Cosgrove — A pancake breakfast will take place April 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at St. Peter Parish. Proceeds will support youths from the parish and St. Mary’s in Oxford as they prepare to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference in November.
Davenport — St. Anthony Church will have a taco night from 4-7 p.m. on April 9 in the parish hall to support its social justice ministry. Menu includes tacos (chicken or beef), refried beans and Mexican rice. Desserts will be extra. Suggested donation is $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Children ages 5-10 will be admitted for $2. Advance tickets are available by calling Mary or Gary at (563) 391-4668.
Davenport – Theology on Tap for young adults will take place April 14 at 7 p.m. at Phil & Larry’s Saloon. Michael Gayman will speak on “Giving It All Up to Open a Catholic Worker House.”
Davenport — The April 16 Run for Renewal will benefit the youth programs offered by Project Renewal. This year’s half-mile Kid’s Treat House Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K run/walk for kids 10 and older starts at 9 a.m. Both have a start/finish line at Sister Concetta Park at the intersection of Sixth and Warren streets in Davenport. The trot is for youths ages 9 and younger and has no registration fee. Cost for the 5K for an entry postmarked by April 1 is $16. Late and race day registration is $20. For more information call (563) 324-0800 or visit www.projectrenewal.net. Registration also is available at www.getmeregistered.com.
Dodgeville — A fish fry and potluck will take place April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary Parish.
Dubuque — The religious meditation book “My Other Self” by Clarence Enzler is being re-released by Ave Maria Press. The public is invited to a book release party at River Lights Books April 1. The event is co-hosted by three of the author’s children, including Eileen Enzler O’Brien of Davenport. Light refreshments will be available from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a reading at 6 p.m.
Fort Madison — Holy Family Parish’s annual spring festival will take place Sunday, April 10. A dinner of Virginia smoked ham or grilled chicken breast, scalloped potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, roll and homemade dessert will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Roling Hall, 2210 Avenue I. Cost is a freewill donation. Carryout meals, bake sale items, Mexican food, 50/50 drawing and children’s activities will also be available.
Fort Madison — Commotion, the senior show choir at Holy Trinity Catholic Junior/Senior High School, will present its home concert Sunday, April 3, at 2 p.m. in the high school gym. Guests will include Fort Madison’s Swingspan, Central Lee’s Centrifugal Force and the Holy Trinity Catholic Men’s Doo Wop Group. Freewill donations for admission will be taken at the door.
Iowa City — St. Wenceslaus Parish will hold its spring bake sale April 16 from 8-11 a.m. Kolaches, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods will be available. Bring a container for complimentary coffee.
Iowa City — Fish dinners will be served at the KC Family Center, 4776 American Legion Road, from 5-7 p.m. Fridays during Lent except for Good Friday. Entrée choices are red beans and rice for $5, shrimp jambalaya for $6, catfish for $9, fried shrimp for $10 and salmon for $12. There will be weekly non-fish options. Carryouts are available. For more information, call (319) 351-5370.
Mount Pleasant — The annual Spring Smorgasbord, sponsored by the St. Alphonsus Altar & Rosary Society, will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 3 at Manning Hall. Menu includes turkey, meatballs, ham, potatoes and gravy, variety of salads, desserts and beverages. Adults, $8; children ages 4-10, $3.50; ages 3 and younger, free.
Newton — Mission Coalition will hold a vendor and craft fair April 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McCann Center. The fundraiser will benefit RRACAP Utility Assistance in Jasper County, Jasper County Child Abuse Prevention and Domestic Violence Prevention. Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Wilton — St. Mary Parish’s family-style ham and turkey dinner will take place April 3 from 1-4 p.m. A country store will feature crafts, grab bags and homemade candies and treats. Cost is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and younger. The public is welcome, and carryouts are available.
