Third Sunday of Easter
How appropriate that we hear the fundamental message from the resurrection from Father Ron Rohlheiser in The Messenger (4/16/26) — that Jesus introduced a new period of time — a second beginning of the universe — with his resurrection from the dead. Readers find revelations of this incredible fact on almost every page of this issue, but the first and second pages are special.
The entire diocese experienced the phenomenon with Bishop William Franklin’s death and memorable celebration on Friday. The second page had deaths of prominent women religious, including CHM Sister Cathleen Real, former president of Marycrest College in Davenport and other Catholic women’s colleges, who had died on April 10. Her funeral was Wednesday at Humility of Mary Center. Also, on Wednesday the funeral for Carmelite Sister Lois Baniewicz, first, and most recent prioress at the Kahl Home, was celebrated. Named the Kahl Home for the Aged and Infirm, the Carmelite sisters, of that same designation, established the facility.
Pictured at the bottom, middle of page, Helen L. Adam, the mother of diocesan priests — Fathers Nick, Rich, and Chuck Adam. She died on Easter Sunday morning. Bill Ketelaar’s funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church in Davenport April 24. He died on Dec. 5, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas.
The Sisters of Humility celebrated, not just one, but two, rebirths of members last week at Humility of Mary Center. The funeral for Sister Marian Smith, from Erie, Illinois, was on Saturday. She died on April 11. Those deaths followed earlier 2026 celebrations of new life for Sister Catherine Linnenkamp who died in Davenport on Feb. 16, and Sister Johnelle Howanach who died in Great Falls, Montana, on Feb. 20.
Eternal rest? Grant to them O Lord? May they live in peace.
Sister Mary Rehmann, CHM
Davenport
