St. Anthony Catholic Church
Davenport, Iowa
Weekly Email Newsletter

RICKY TO SHARE HIS STORY
by John Cooper
It's been several months since we last wrote to you about Ricky Peed, a longtime McAnthony Window patron. A lot has changed for Ricky during this time. He entered an outpatient alcohol addiction program. He moved into an Humility of Mary apartment. He made a decision to be healthy!

Ricky's quick to tell you that he's the last of "his kind" of homeless persons. Most of the people that he has been homeless with on the streets of Davenport for the last 10 years are dead. For some reason, God has spared him from that same fate. I tell him its because God has a greater plan for him. Ricky can be the "wounded healer" to many by sharing his story.

If you want to hear Ricky's story for yourself, please come to the RCIA session this Tuesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. It will also be a great time for you to meet this year's group of inquirers. If you missed part 1 and 2 of Ricky's story that we previously wrote about and would like to catch up, please click here .

It's your combined prayers that helped bring Ricky to this point in his journey. Please keep them coming. God bless you! To Be Continued...
Restoring Church Door Becomes Labor of Love
We believe that the exterior door to the sacristy pictured above is from the 1885 edition to the church. Edgar Martinez, a parishioner and owner of Integrity Drywall, Plastering, and Painting spent hours taking off the many coats of paint on the door and trim.
In order to best work on the door, Edgar (left) and his assistant, our maintenance man Walter (right) took the door off the hinges and laid out on saw horses. After getting through the many layers of paint, it was determined that the door was originally stained.
So...in keeping with history, we stained rather than painted the door. Look at how beautiful the door turned out. Our history is something that we are very proud of at St. Anthony. We thank Edgar and Walter for the extra amount of care and love they put into restoring the beauty of this door!
LAST MINUTE NOTES ABOUT THANKSGIVING BASKET DELIVERY
  • We can use volunteers to come at 7 a.m. on Saturday to fill baskets before the drivers arrive.
  • Drivers, please begin arriving at 8 a.m., forming a line in the library parking lot directly behind St. Anthony Church - enter off Fourth Street.
  • Volunteers will load your vehicle.
  • You will be given the addresses of where to deliver the baskets.
  • If the person is not at home when you arrive, you will leave a flyer.
  • If you didn't officially sign up, that's fine, just show up on Saturday!
  • Many, many thanks in advance for your help!
  • P.S. Remember we need to do this all over again for Christmas baskets!
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 use cornbread, crackers or dessert.
Prayers for 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat

Our confirmation students will be on retreat this Saturday. Please pray that the Holy Spirit is with them. Pray that the Spirit gives them ears to hear and hearts that are open to the call to deepen their relationship with Jesus and His Church!

If you would like to share a message of encouragement with them, please email me and we will read it to them on the retreat. Don't be shy. Let the spirit move you to share a few words with them!
Looking ahead...
Advent Concert Fast Approaching!

St. Anthony’s adult and children’s choir, along with our string ensemble, and ukulele group, are excited to announce that it is that time of year again for our annual Advent Concert! It is such a spiritual time as we enter the Advent season and our time of expectant waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ into the World! We hope to see everyone on December 9th at 3:00 p.m., to enjoy the beautiful songs of the season. Admission is free to all and we would enjoy your company after the concert to enjoy treats, refreshments and fellowship. All are welcome!

Work Day at the Church
We can use your help on Saturday, December 1 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There are three things that we need help with...
  1. Cleaning out and organizing the room above the garage.
  2. Building 2 replacement tables to sit outside McAnthony Window.
  3. Cleaning Church for Christmas.
JOKES THAT CAN BE TOLD IN CHURCH  
So Jesus came upon a crowd who were about to stone a woman. He looked at the crowd and said “let the person who has not sinned cast the first stone."
Shortly after saying this, a woman came out of the crowd and hurled a stone.
Jesus turned and said, " I hate it when you do that Mom.”