St. Anthony Catholic Church Davenport, Iowa Email Newsletter

Feedback Requested on Weekend Mass Schedule The core team for the parish merger of St. Mary into St. Anthony continues to meet to plan for our communities coming together on July 1. We've covered quite a bit in our meetings thus far. It has been a challenge meeting via Zoom and not being able to sit face-to-face in the same room, but we've made the most of it. One thing has changed as a result of our core team discussions. The Latin Mass community from St. Mary will not be joining St. Anthony Parish in the merger. The Latin community will be joining Holy Family Parish. The Latino (Hispanic) and Anglo communities from St. Mary are still coming to St.Anthony. We are at a point where we are discussing the weekend Mass schedule starting on July 1. Here's what we know so far about the schedule. There will be three English speaking Masses and one Spanish speaking Mass. There will an English speaking Mass at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. There will be an English speaking Mass first thing on Sunday morning, probably staying at current the 7:30 a.m. time. There is consensus that we want to have an hour-long children's religious education class in the morning between the English and Spanish speaking Masses. The question we would like your feedback on is whether to have the English speaking Mass earlier before religious education or after it. Please help inform us of your preference by completing the online poll below.

When would you prefer to have the second English speaking Mass on Sunday mornings? 9 a.m. Select 9:30 a.m. Select 11 a.m. Select 11:30 a.m. Select

Bishop's Speak About When We'll Be Able to Return to Mass Since the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, Catholics in Iowa have been obliged by civil, scientific, and church authorities to sacrifice the opportunity to receive sacraments and worship in common. With the lifting of restrictions against certain public gatherings, including religious assemblies, by Governor Kim Reynolds, members of the faithful are understandably renewed in their hope that they might safely return to church and resume some form of regular parish life. Yet the spread of the COVID-19 disease remains a real and present danger. In particular, the health and survival of the elderly and other vulnerable populations is still a grave concern. Many parishioners and priests fall within these groups. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE...

Preparing for Our Merger with St. Mary's Catholicism in Latin America Part Four

Jesuits in Latin America With St. Juan Diego's apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, conversions to the Catholic faith grew exponentially. At one point it is said that conversions of native peoples in Latin and South America represented 1% of the worlds total population at that time. The Society of Jesus or Jesuits followed the Franciscans into Latin America. The Jesuits drew ire from the colonial powers of Portugal and Spain due to their standing between the native peoples and slavery. The Jesuits formed missions also called "reductions" which were like Christian Native American City-States. They were a state within a state that attempted to protect native peoples from colonial rule. In Mexico from 1683 to 1767 the Jesuits established the first twenty missions. In these reductions the native peoples were encouraged to convert to Christianity, but not to European culture. Within these reductions the native peoples were educated and participated in a strong economic system. See pictured Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchoó in the 18th century, the first permanent Jesuit mission in Baja California, established by  Juan María de Salvatierra  in 1697. These reductions were controversial on many fronts. Jesuits provided military training to the native peoples. Eventually, due to politics in Europe and their activities in the colonies, Jesuits were expelled from Latin America in 1767 and would return in 1840 to provide education to the poor.

SIGN UP FOR A NEW ONLINE STUDY Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother

May is the month of Mary. Celebrate Mary by learning more about her. Participants in this study will have access to eight - 1/2 hour videos and study guide. Participants will watch the videos on their own. Participants will come together via Zoom on Tuesdays May 5, 12, 19, 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss the study. All registration for this study on Mary will be through Ascension Press, the creators of the study. Please follow the directions below.

Click on the video above to learn more about Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother

Here are the steps to take to purchase your study videos and study guilde: Click here and create an account (if you don't already have one)  Under Adult Faith Programs Look for Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother Study Set Click Buy Now Add to Cart  Click on Checkout - Cost of the Study Set is $24.95 and is paid directly to Ascension Press. After the purchase is made, you will be automatically registered for the study.  Once you've signed up, click here for help with accessing the study on Ascension's website.

Dial In Thursday Evening Rosary at 7:30 p.m. with Zoom Join your St. Anthony parish family for Rosary this Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. Spread the word. You don't need internet. All you need to do is.... Dial (312) 626-6799 Then enter Meeting ID 870 1917 0667 # Please keep your phone muted during the service.

Dear Parishioners, As you hear from our bishop and the bishops throughout the state of Iowa, they are wanting to err on the side of caution in reopening our churches. Let us trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding them to do what's best for us all! Please take a few moments to offer your feedback (see poll question above) to the core team that's working on the merger of St. Anthony and St. Mary. In particular, we seek your feedback on the Sunday morning Mass schedule. May God bless you and keep you safe this week and always! Yours in Christ, Father Apo

Thunder at the Prairie Click on Video Below