LECTURES
Clinton – Carrie Delcourt of Rock Island, Ill., and Sister Judith Herold, SSND, of Davenport will speak Dec. 8 on their recent trip to the Holy Land with a group organized by Bishop Martin Amos and Father Ted Marszal of Cleveland. The free, public program begins at 6:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The women will share how the journey impacted their lives and commitment to peace. Their talk is sponsored by Prince of Peace Pax Christi and the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Nonviolence and Peacemaking.
LITURGY/PRAYER
Clinton — On each of the Sundays of Advent at 6 p.m. in the chapel of The Canticle, the Sisters of St. Francis will welcome people to Advent vespers — evening prayer. Vespers include Scripture readings of the Advent season, song, reflection and praying together. For more information, call (563) 242-7611.
Coralville – St. Thomas More Parish’s Stephen Ministry invites people who are grieving or dealing with a family crisis to a Blue Christmas service on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. The prayer service will offer a time to reflect on Scripture readings and solemn songs of hope and comfort. The church is located at 3000 12th Ave. For more information, please call Meliza at (319) 210-9233.
Davenport — The 22nd annual Night of Prayer for Life will take place Dec. 8-9 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Margaret’s Adoration Chapel. A pro-life rosary and other prayers will be available to pray each hour. To commit to an hour please call (563) 355-4188.
MEETINGS
Bettendorf – A centering prayer support group meets at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. After centering prayer, participants will discuss the book “Taste of Silence.” For more information call Judy at (563) 355-0611.
Davenport – A Soaking with a Purpose prayer meeting will take place Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at Eagles’ Wings. Jane, Mary and Craig will lead music ministry in praise and worship.
Davenport – A session on apparitions of Mary will take place Dec. 13 at 11 a.m. at Eagles’ Wings. Marcia, Cyndi and Sandi will share an apparition and message of Our Lady pertinent to current times. Bring a sack lunch. A healing Mass with Father Dan Mannhardt will follow at 1 p.m. For more information, call (563) 324-7263.
Moline, Ill. – The Secular Discalced Carmelite Community of St. Joseph and the Prophet Elijah invites people to join in the study of prayer in the tradition of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. The group meets on the second Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 412 10th St. For more information, call Annette at (563) 359-7052 or Donna at (563) 323-1719.
Rock Island, Ill. — The Blessed John XXIII fraternity of the Secular Franciscans meets at 2 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at Trinity Hospital, 2701 17th St. For more information, call Kent Ferris in Muscatine at (563) 264-0120.
RETREATS
Davenport – Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and the Diocese of Davenport invite people to the Marriage Encounter Weekend Feb. 17-19, 2012. Married couples of all faiths are welcome to a weekend designed to revitalize, strengthen and enrich marriages. Cost is $95 per couple; financial assistance is available. To sign up and get more information, contact Tracy or Joe Ripslinger at (563) 388-0355 or tracy@ripslinger.com.
Wheatland – “Come to the Quiet,” an Advent retreat, will take place Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Presenter is Sister Kathleen Storms, SSND. Participants will explore the Scriptural stories that tell of the coming of Jesus. Fee is $15, which includes lunch. To sign up, call (563) 336-8414 or email olpretreat@gmail.com.
SOCIALS
Clinton — The Clinton Municipal Band will perform at the Catholic Historical Center at St. Boniface Dec. 11 from 2-3 p.m. Freewill offerings will be taken.
Coralville – Freelance writer Lori Erickson will speak on “Pilgrimage: Travel as a Spiritual Practice” Dec. 18 from 1-3 p.m. in the lower level of St. Thomas More Church. Afternoon tea, including finger sandwiches, will be catered by Charlotte’s in North Liberty. Cost is $10. RSVP by Dec. 11 to Margaret Kaltefleiter at (319) 358-9930 or mkalte26@aol.com. For an optional tea gift exchange, bring a box with individually wrapped tea bags.
Davenport — St. Ambrose University will hold its 2011 Winter Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the River Center, 136 E. Third St., Davenport. A total of 239 degree candidates includes 153 bachelor’s degree candidates, 57 master’s degree candidates and 29 doctoral degree candidates. Seating is open with no tickets required. Anyone needing special accommodations should call (563) 333-6275. St. Ambrose Professor of Social Work Brenda DuBois will deliver the commencement add-ress.
Davenport – The Sacred Heart Cathedral Choir Ensemble will be presenting a free Advent Concert in the cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. The concert will include solo, duet and trio performances, as well as choral pieces for Advent and Christmas. A reception will follow. For more information, call (563) 940-3053.
Davenport – The Christmas Showcase Concert will take place at the Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose University Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The free event will feature the University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Symphonic Band and SAU Community Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Jazz Ensemble and STAMVOJA (vocal jazz).
Davenport – The Chordbuster Chorus will present its third annual Christmas Festival Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1122 W. Central Park Ave. Performers include the Trinity Lutheran choirs, Assumption High School jazz choir, Three Guys with Soule quartet, an organ/trumpet duet, and the combined Chordbuster and the Bend of the River Chorus. Tickets are $5 or free for children 12 and younger. For more information, call (563) 332-4810.
Fort Madison – Holy Family Parish will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Sacred Heart Church Dec. 11. The observance will begin with Mass at 1 p.m., followed by a meal and fellowship at Roling Hall. There will also be a piñata for the children. All are welcome.
Iowa City – St. Wenceslaus Parish will hold its holiday bazaar Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at 630 E. Davenport St. Kolaches, cinnamon rolls and other baked goods will be for sale. There will be a country store, crafts, attic treasures, silent auction items and complimentary coffee.
Iowa City – All are welcome to an Advent vespers service that will take place Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at St. Patrick Church. The service will combine elements from all four Advent Sunday vespers services as well as biblical readings, choral selections, organ works and congregational singing. Cocoa and cookies will follow in the social hall. The free service will be hosted by St. Patrick’s choir.
Toronto — St. James Parish will sponsor a community breakfast at the Toronto Fire Station from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 12 and younger and free for preschoolers.
Wellman – St. Joseph Parish welcomes people to a Christmas tour of homes on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 4-7:30 p.m. The restored rectory at St. Mary’s, Riverside, is one of the homes on the tour. Visit www.clusterparishes.org for photos and details of all the houses. Cost is $6 for adults and free for children. Tickets can be purchased at each home. All proceeds will go to the youth group. For more information, call Shirley Bohr at (319) 646-6512.