EDUCATIONAL
Iowa City – Regina Catholic Education Center President and CEO Lee Iben will host a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University (FPU) on Wednesday evenings from 6:30–8 p.m. Jan. 16 through March 13, 2013. The classes will educate participants on how to eliminate debt. Cost is $95. To register, call (319) 351-1415 or email lee.iben@icregina.com.
LITURGY/PRAYER
Coralville – St. Thomas More Parish’s Stephen Ministry will offer a Blue Christmas service Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. People dealing with a death, family crisis or other hurt are welcome to a quiet time of reflection with Scripture readings and songs of hope and comfort. Soup supper follows.
Davenport — A healing Mass will be celebrated Dec. 21 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Confessions start at 6 p.m., praise music at 6:30 p.m., and Mass at 7:15 p.m.
Rock Island, Ill. – Traditional, semi-monastic Vespers or Evening Prayer will be held during the four Sundays of Advent at 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary Church. The Confraternity of the Fathers of St. Joseph welcomes all to this 30- to 40-minute Advent Prayer of the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours in English, with a touch of Latin. A simple meal will be served afterward. Upcoming date is Dec. 23.
MEETINGS
Bettendorf – The Women’s Choice Center at 2711 Happy Joe Drive is having a volunteer training session on Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Center needs anyone willing to donate four hours or more. Duties involve answering phones, data entry and working with clients. Call Vicki Tyler at (563) 332-0475 to reserve a spot.
Davenport – The St. Anthony grief group began its nine weekly meetings in the St. Anthony Parish Library on Dec. 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The group will meet over the holidays, but the dates have not been set. For more information or to register, call facilitators Dennis at (563) 332-1396, Ginny at (309) 523-9251, or Nadine at (563) 391-5161. What is said in the group remains confidential.
SOCIALS
Grand Mound — Father Bill Kneemiller will host a New Year’s Eve event at the Ss. Philip & James church hall on Monday, Dec. 31, following 6 p.m. Mass. The theme is Music Fest with area musicians invited. A potluck with an Italian cuisine theme is on the menu. A freewill donation will go to the missions in Haiti. Festivities include time for eucharistic adoration in the church hall beginning at 9 p.m. and a full-length DVD on the life of Padre Pio. Medical personnel who would like to learn more about the life of Padre Pio and his understanding of the connection between the science of healing arts and the gift of faith are encouraged to attend the DVD presentation. For more information, call Fr. Kneemiller at (563) 321-0124 or (563) 847-2271.
Ottumwa — St. Mary of the Visitation Parish is hosting its annual spaghetti dinner on Jan. 13 in the church hall, located at North Court and East Fourth streets. The menu includes salad, French bread, spaghetti and meat sauce, cheesecake and beverage. Serving times will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Price is $8 for an adult, $4 for children ages 4-10 and free for children 3 and younger. Call (641) 682-4559 or (641) 683-1537 for more information. Carry-outs will be available.
