By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — A series titled “Holy Hours for Life, a time for prayer and conversations about issues of life,” will be held this fall at Our Lady of Victory Parish.
Trish Gallagher, pastoral associate for faith formation, said the parish has hosted several five- or six-part series on various topics over the years — mostly during Lent. All of the series have been tied to Holy Hour at the church.
Gallagher and the parish’s pastor, Msgr. James Parizek, identified a need for prayer related to life issues. So this newest series features five speakers on five very different topics related to life.
“The format is both prayer and learning,” Gallagher said.
The U.S. bishops’ pro-life plan encourages talks about life as a “gift from God from conception to natural death.” Gallagher said the series reflects this total plan.
Each session begins at 7 p.m. in the church with exposition, followed by Evening Prayer, a reflection on the life topic, quiet prayer, intercessions for life and then benediction. Gallagher said at 8 p.m. those in attendance will move to the gathering space for conversations with the speaker and others, videos and handouts.
The Thursday evening series begins Sept. 11 with Jeanne Wonio, Respect Life coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport and a member of the Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. She will talk about the pro-life agenda in Iowa.
On Sept. 25, Kent Ferris, director of Social Action and Catholic Charities for the diocese, will speak on the re-established Project Rachel. On Oct. 9, Nora Dvorak, a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Davenport, will speak on immigration and human trafficking.
On Oct. 23, Jerry Schroeder, program specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association, will speak on caring for persons with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The final talk, on Nov. 13, features Father Thom Hennen, director of vocations for the diocese and part-time instructor at Assumption High School. He will address medical treatment for the terminally ill: What does the Church say?
Gallagher said the sessions were spread out so people wouldn’t have sessions back to back each week.
For more information, contact Gallagher at (563) 391-8384.
