CONCERTS
Iowa City – On Feb. 23 at 3 p.m., rarely performed Catholic texts will be featured in a concert titled “The Agony and the Ecstasy” at First Presbyterian Church. The program includes the Tenebrae Responsories by Tomas Luis de Victoria, a priest and 16th century composer, along with excerpts from The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. For more information, call (641) 472-1539 or visit www.icchambersingers.org.
EDUCATIONAL
Bettendorf – People are welcome to a Life in the Spirit Seminar over seven Thursdays, Feb. 27 to April 10, from 7-9 p.m., with an optional introductory evening on Feb. 20, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Release the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit given in baptism. In preparation for Easter and Pentecost, this seminar aims to strengthen participants’ witness to Jesus. The seminar consists of presentations, small group sharing, prayer and music. For more information, email CircleOfLovePrayerGroup@gmail.com.
Burlington – The CAFÉ (Catholic Adult Fellowship Evening) will be open in the Notre Dame School cafeteria at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 19 for “Faith in Daily Life: Workplace” with Steve Vorwerk.
Burlington — “Sacred Heart of Jesus: A True Love Story” will be presented by Father James Kubicki, SJ, on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9-11 a.m. at St. Paul Church. Registration and light breakfast start at 8:30 a.m. All are welcome, and there is a freewill offering.
Davenport – A Biblical Counseling class will take place at Eagles’ Wings on Feb. 15 at 9:30 a.m. Topics are “Breaking the Bonds of Sexual Addiction” and “Managing Stress and Anxiety.” Anyone not registered for the series may attend the video portion of the class for $40. For more information, call (563) 324-7263 or email marcia@eagleswings.ws.
Davenport – John Haught, Ph.D., will deliver the lecture, “What is Really Going on in the Cosmos and What Should We Be Doing About It?” on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Rogalski Center at St. Ambrose University. Distinguished research professor in theology at Georgetown University, he will examine the role of faith in science as people seek to understand human identity, vocation and happiness. This Chair of Catholic Studies Lecture is free and open to the public.
Hiawatha – Writer and theology school president Father Ron Rolheiser will lead a faith formation conference April 5 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. “Living the Ups and Downs of Our Faith: Dark Nights and Doubt, a Failure of Faith or a Failure of Imagination?” will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The $25 fee covers breakfast, lunch and materials. Registration is due March 24. A registration flyer is at www.davenportdiocese.org/faithform/ index.htm.
Iowa City – A February Forum on Sexuality will be presented by Jenny Condon, executive director of Inner Visions Health Care, on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Parkview Church. Topics include the dignity of women, God’s plan for sexuality and myths about safe sex. Information will be provided about healthy lifestyle choices, meaningful relationships, responsibility and respect. High school and college students and parents are invited. There is no charge. The event is sponsored by Johnson County Right to Life.
Iowa City – Luz Rivera Martínez will present “Sowing Struggle: Social Movements and the Future of Corn in Tlaxcala, Mexico” on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Center for Worker Justice. She will speak about her 20 years of experience in Mexican women’s, peasant and labor movements and efforts to demand government accountability, defend family farms and resist the use of GMO seeds. The Center for Worker Justice is funded in part by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
West Burlington – An introduction to Bible study will take place at Ss. Mary & Patrick Parish Center on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 8:30-11 a.m. The event is for anyone who has little experience navigating the Bible. Bring a Bible and a friend. Instructors include Mark Lewis, Ruth Skeens and Terry Wallace. For more information, contact Skeens at (319) 572-0302 or burlssjohnpaulPA@diodav.org.
RETREATS
Clinton – Prince of Peace Parish invites adults to Christian Experience Weekends Feb. 14-16 for women and Feb. 28 to March 2 for men at Prince of Peace Catholic School. Cost is $35, which includes meals. Persons unable to pay are not refused. Registration forms are at www.jcpop.org. For more information, call Pam Drury at (563) 259-8966 or Tom Gerardy at (319) 480-6097.
Davenport — Our Lady of Victory Parish invites adults with disabilities, their friends and family to a renewal day at the parish center on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Designed to help participants deepen their relationship with God, the day includes social time, activities, sharing, singing and prayer. Cost is $15 or $10 for volunteers, who must be VIRTUS-trained. Lunch will be served. Register by Feb. 15. For more information, call Karen at (563) 210-3470.
DeWitt – TEC (Teens Encounter Christ), a retreat for 11th-12th graders, will be held Feb. 15-17 at St. Joseph Parish. TEC helps teens in discerning the next steps in their faith journey. Cost is $55 per person. For more information, go to http://www.davenportdiocese.org/faithform/ TEC.htm or call the Davenport Diocese’s Office of Faith Formation at (563) 888-4240.
Riverside – The Iowa City Deanery will be hosting Christian Experience Weekends at St. Mary’s in Riverside. The women’s CEW is Feb. 21-23, and the men’s retreat is Feb 28 and March 1-2. For more information, call Janis Vittetoe at (319) 863-3704 or Denny Vittetoe at (319) 653-1927 or email cewicdeanery@gmail.com.
Wheatland — Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat invites people to the following events. On Feb. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is “A Prairie Valentine.” Enjoy lunch with your loved ones and stay for a stroll in the prairie. Fee: $20/person, $30 for two, $45 for three. On Feb. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is “Caring for the Caregiver” with Chris Pries, ARNP, nurse practitioner and clinical director at Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport. Participants will examine their stressors and develop strategies to reduce their negative effects. Fee: $20. To register, call (563) 336-8414 or email olpretreat@gmail.com.
SOCIALS
Fort Madison – Holy Family Parish seeks donations of items from antiques to toys for a silent auction at this year’s Mardi Gras party on March 1. All items will be displayed with the donor’s name or business. Bring donations to the parish office prior to Feb. 26 or contact Donna Gengenbacher at (319) 372-1318 or Teresa Panther at (319) 837-6225 for additional details or to arrange pickup.
Lone Tree – St. Mary parishes of Lone Tree and Nichols host their annual, joint parish pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lone Tree American Legion. Adults pay $6; children ages 6-12 pay $3 and children younger than 5 get free admission.
