DAVENPORT — Sacred Heart Cathedral looked forward to hosting Cardinal Daniel DiNardo for the annual Red Dinner at the cathedral this coming February but the event and visit have been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is with great regret that Sacred Heart Cathedral will not host the Red Dinner in February 2021. We were so looking forward to celebrating with Cardinal DiNardo,” said Father Rich Adam, the cathedral’s pastor and rector.
The Red Dinner celebrates the cathedral as the mother church of the Diocese of Davenport and has become an important fundraiser for the cathedral’s daily maintenance.
Cardinal DiNardo previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and is currently serving in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas.
Father Adam said the pandemic has resulted in cancellation of so many plans. “We, the Red Dinner planning committee, don’t want to risk anyone’s health and well-being.” He said the committee has not decided whether to hold an auction, but a dinner or gathering is not being planned at the present time.
“We pray Cardinal DiNardo is still in good health and will consent to our Red Dinner invitation in the future.”