St. Anthony Catholic Church
Davenport, Iowa
Weekly Email Newsletter
Andre, Why Did You Come Here for Help?
"Because She Smiles at Me."
by John Cooper

It's Monday. It's the start of a very busy week. The last thing I needed to hear from Tina was, "Andre's crying, can you talk to him?" He had come in for bus tokens, and in tears, he asked for help. When I walked out of my office, I recognized him, but knew nothing about him. He was one of the many faces we see here everyday in need of food, bus tokens, and more than anything else, a smile, a hello, and that look into the eyes that let's them know someone cares.

I'm 54 years old and I don't believe I've encountered someone who cried as much as Andre did. It was hard to even understand what he was saying. The best that I could gather was that the world around him was closing in on him. He felt trapped, tormented, and alone with no where else to turn. Please CLICK HERE to continue reading...
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH

All the parishes of the Diocese of Davenport are participating in CALLED BY NAME, a program of vocations awareness that begins this weekend. This program offers an opportunity for us to pray for vocations; to recognize gifts and potential for leadership and service in members of our parish; and finally, to call forth and encourage these members to share their gifts in priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Perhaps you know a man or woman (sophomore in high school and older) who would, in your opinion, have the qualities to become a priest, sister, or brother. Please recommend this person by EMAILING us the person's name and if possible contact information or you can use the card that was in last week's bulletin. We'll take it from there!
The Activated Disciple
40-Day Challenge Transformation
Lenten Program at St. Anthony
Starts Ash Wednesday
It's Game Time This Lent
The Adult Faith Formation Committee invites you to take the Activated Disciple 40-Day Lenten challenge. Beginning with picking up your Activated Disciple 40-Day Study Set on Ash Wednesday, we will walk both individually and together in completing this challenge. Starting March 3 at 6 p.m., we will meet on Tuesdays during Lent to touch base through videos and discussion.

The Activated Disciple 40-Day Challenge walks you through eight characteristics that mark the life of a disciple:
  • Love
  • Forgiveness
  • Humility
  • Patience
  • Selflessness
  • Kindness
  • Attentiveness
  • Contrition

Cost is $15 per person. EMAIL to RSVP or sign up at the entrances to church this weekend!
Downtown with St. Anthony @ Analog Arcade & Bar
The February Downtown with St. Anthony will be at the Analog Arcade & Bar following the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, February 29.

Must be at least 21 years old. No food served, but you are welcome to bring food in or order delivery to the bar! Yes - most arcades are one token and pins are 2 tokens. A couple select games are set at 2 or 4 tokens. One token = 25 cents. Tokens can be purchased at the bar with credit card or cash . CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP .
Lenten Reflections
From the Pews
By John Cooper

We want to make these "From the Pews" reflections as easy as possible to access during this Lent. You can access them in one of three ways.
  1. You can sign up to have the reflection for each day emailed to you. EMAIL, if you want to have the daily reflection emailed to you.
  2. Each day a reflection will be added to the parish website.
  3. For those who don't use a computer or have internet access, we will provide hard copies on the tables by the entry doors each Sunday.

Note: You don't have to be a parishioner to receive these reflections. Let us know of others who might want to receive them.
A LITTLE LOVE YOUR ENEMIES HUMOR

The preacher's Sunday sermon was Forgive Your Enemies. Toward the end of the service, He asked his congregation, "how many of you have forgiven their enemies"?
      
      About half held up their hands. He then repeated his question. As it was past lunchtime, this time about 80 percent held up their hands. He then repeated his question again. All responded, except one small elderly lady.
      
      "Mrs. Jones?" inquired the preacher, Are you not willing to forgive your enemies?
      
      "I don't have any." she replied. smiling sweetly.
      
      "Mrs. Jones, That is very unusual. How old are you?" "Ninety-three," she replied.
      
      "Oh Mrs. Jones, what a blessing and a lesson to us all you are. Would you please come down in front of this congregation and tell us all how a person can live ninety-three years and not have an enemy in the world."
      
      The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, faced the congregation, and said "I outlived the old hags."