St. Anthony Catholic Church
Davenport, Iowa
Weekly Email Newsletter
|
|
10 Randomly Selected "saints" Among Us
by John Cooper
|
|
As Father Apo said in his homily today, All Saints Day is a celebration of all the many small "s" saints that come in and out of our lives each day. We are a "Communion of Saints" on our way back to our loving God in Heaven (as the picture above symbolizes). The journey to Heaven is paved with daily challenges. The saints in our lives help us in unique and varied ways to overcome suffering that's a part of the world's sinful condition.
To illustrate how saints surround us, I pulled out the St. Anthony Parish Directory. I asked my wife to open the pages listing our parishioners while I closed my eyes and randomly pointed to 5 women and 5 men. Some of these 10 persons I know better than others. For each of these 10 persons, let me share how they are saints in this journey of faith.
- Carol Boomershine. I got to know Carol this past year as an organist at Mass. She is a very engaging person. My guess is that she's never met a stranger. We need people like Carol who brighten days through the gift of "gab." She's a patron saint of conversation.
- Ralph Cook. I first came to know Ralph as he was heading up the jeep raffle. What I've found is that Ralph doesn't know how to say "no." At ever turn in my work at St. Anthony's, he's there ready and willing to complete the task at hand. He's a patron saint of let's "get-r-done."
- Judy Voss. I tease Judy by calling her "Captain Voss." Her experience as both army officer and nurse helps her as a greeter at the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. She keeps all the guys in the back row in line. She's a patron saint of hospitality.
- Tim Lane. I got to know Tim as he sold a ton of jeep raffle tickets. As sheriff of our county, Tim has a difficult and busy job, but he never let's it get in the way of being at Mass each Sunday. He's a patron saint of keeping his priorities straight.
- Silia Smilley. I got to know Silia as she's one of the first persons to arrive for 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. I admire her determination to get to Mass given her physical limitations. It may take her a while to get in and out of Mass, but she doesn't let that stop her. She's a patron saint of shear determination.
- Chuck Easton. I got to know Chuck at daily Mass. When I asked him if he was a member of St. Anthony's, he responded, "I'm a roaming Catholic." His sense of humor is contagious. He's a patron saint of sharing the joy of faith.
- Kim Nofsker. I got to know Kim as we work together on the staff at St. Anthony's. I admire her dedication to the musical program. She works hard to get our liturgical music just right. She's a patron saint of musical perfection.
- Gary Newton. I got to know Gary as he helped assemble the nativity scene in front of Church last Christmas. He said, he wanted to help in any way that he could...even going so far as to volunteer shoveling snow. Who volunteers to shovel snow? He's patron saint of being ready to serve.
- Paula Giudici. I got to know Paula by becoming acquainted with her husband Mike when he was on the board of St. Ambrose University. What has struck me most about Paula is how she and Mike have a marriage deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. They both seem to complete each other spiritually. She's a patron saint of God-centered marriage.
- Tom Maloney. I got to know Tom when he volunteered to glue the ear back on our nativity scene donkey last Christmas. Tom loves having his son James with him at Sunday Mass. He's a patron saint of sharing faith with his son.
I'm sure you're like me when I say that my faith life is enriched and strengthen each and every day by the holiness of people like these. Some, we need to push us. Others, we need to pull us. All, we need to make us into the persons God created us to be. Happy All Saints Day!
|
|
Join us at RCIA on November 13
When Ricky Shares His Story
|
|
Pictured above Ricky Peed, long time McAnthony Window patron will share his story of nursing, addiction, homeless, and the road to recovery that he's now experiencing. He will speak to RCIA and anyone who would like to join us on Tuesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center.
|
|
We can use your help in either putting together or delivering baskets on Saturday, November 10 at 8 a.m. If you can help,
email
us.
|
|
Being a Christian is Like Being a Pumpkin
Steve Willis recalled this week that when he was in RCIA, Sister Judy shared that being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. Here's how...
God lifts you up, takes you in and washes all the dirt off of you.
God opens you up and touches you deep inside.
God scoops out all the yucky stuff including the seeds of doubt, false pride, envy, gluttony, lust, hate, greed and sloth.
God then carves you a new new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.
Every time you see a Jack O'Lantern remember John 8:12
|
|
Chili Cook-off and Adult Faith Program on November 14
|
Please join us Wednesday, November 14 for our next Adult Faith Formation program. We will be discussing Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter titled
Rejoice and Be Glad
. It focuses on the universal call to everyday holiness for all of us.
We will begin with a chili cook-off at 6 p.m. If you are so inclined, bring your favorite chili. We can also us cornbread, crackers or dessert.
|
|
|
Come Join Us for Eucharistic Adoration and
Divine Mercy Chaplet this Friday, November 3 at 7 p.m.
|
|
JOKES THAT CAN BE TOLD IN CHURCH
A friend of mine was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the vicar was standing at the door, as always, to shake hands with the worshipers. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. The vicar said to him, “You need to join the army of the Lord.” My friend replied, “I’m already in the army of the Lord, Father.” So the vicar inquired, “Then how come I only see you at Christmas and at Easter?” My friend whispered back, “I’m in the secret service.”
From greatcleanjokes.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
