I Can't Understand Why God..., Father Brian and More in Your Newsletter

St. Anthony Catholic Church

Davenport, Iowa

Email Newsletter

I Can't Understand Why God Has Let Me Live this Long

by John Cooper

Bernie in her Coast Guard uniform during WWII. As a yeoman for 18 months of service, Bernie made life preservers for war soldiers.

Bernie sitting at Senior Star waiting on her 100th birthday this Saturday.

Parishioner Dianna Paustian should be my assignment editor for this online newsletter. Somehow she finds out and shares with me some of the best stories. A few days ago, she alerted us that parishioner Bernadine (Bernie) Bettini was turning 100 years old this Saturday, May 16.

Having a 105 year old grandmother myself (who wouldn't be up to a phone interview), I didn't know if Bernie would be up to talking to me on the phone. I called Ken Engle who has been taking Holy Communion to Bernie for the last six years to see if he thought she'd be up to a phone interview. Ken said, "Oh, yes, Bernie would be up to it. She's a wonderfully vibrant person who always has a smile on her face." Ken added, "She lights up the room. She's filled with Christ."

Sure enough, I called and Bernie answered and was ready to talk. Click here to continue reading....

What's It Like Saying Private Mass

by Father Brian Miclot

Celebrating mass at home alone is odd: my reflections are more about what I miss, than what I do.

I miss mostly the faces of others: the supportive face of Odelia; the looks of hunger for good preaching of Jesus’ love; the innocence of children squirming on mom’s lap; yes, even those faces with eyes closed (meditating? napping?); and even the old guy in the fourth pew, pointing to his watch when the homily goes over seven minutes!

What I “do” is remember the “intentions” --living and deceased faithful-- that the parish members have asked me to hold up in the Eucharist. And what I do is try to be a good servant of Christ, who really does the work –as one of the new Eucharistic Prayers says-- “. . . (it is the Christ who) opens up the Scriptures and breaks the Bread.”

But I miss more: the lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, welcoming (“parking lot”]) ministers and all who team up to offer others the Real Presence of Jesus –who said He’d be where two or three gather. In celebrating Mass alone at home, I miss, long and pray for that presence again.

Who's the young priest in the photo?

A priest during the COVID-19 crisis who hasn't been able to get a haircut.

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A priest posing for an advertisement for vocations to the priesthood.

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A priest who played guitar here at Father Grubb's Hippie Mass.

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St. Anthony is Sponsoring a Food and Toiletries

Drive Thru on May 17

We'll be in the parish parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 for a Food and Toiletries Drive Thru for McAnthony Window. Non-perishable food and toiletries are appreciated. Items that have been really in demand include: Canned food with pull tabs, portable snack food, soup, ramen noodles, fresh fruit, body wash, deodorant, tampons, bottled water, fruit juices, potatoes, cooking oil, corn or flour tortillas, sugar, fideo, comsomede pollo, choco, maseca, beans and rice. See in the picture how we have taken "window shopping" to a whole new level at the Window.

Preparing for Our Merger with St. Mary's

The Beauty of Catholicism in the Spanish Language

Click on Link Below to Learn the Hail Mary Prayer in Spanish

Thank You to Meg May

The Practice of Stewardship Continues Outside

As We Beautify Our Church Grounds

The ajuga ground cover that was donated and planted two years ago is really blooming this year.

Parishioners removing shrubbery from the southside of church last week.

A crew spread tons of mulch to keep the weeds out of our gardens.

Donated labor and equipment (time and treasure) helped us to beatify our parish.

Laying the foundation for a restored statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - just wait to see it installed in the next newsletter!

Dear Parishioners,

Our work continues on the merger with St. Mary parish. I'm part of a core team made up of parishioners from both parishes and diocesan officials. Thank you for giving us your feedback on the new Mass schedule. We have submitted our recommendations for the new schedule to the Bishop and we hope to hear soon on this so that we can share the times with you.

Please don't forget the food and toiletries drive we are having this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Our patrons at McAnthony Window will greatly appreciate your generosity during these tough economic times.

May Almighty God bless you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Yours in Christ,

Father Apo

Pray the Rosary with Us on Zoom this Friday Evening

Join us in praying the rosary on Friday evening (May 15) at 7 p.m.

All you need to do is...

DIAL - (312) 626-6799

ENTER ID 861 6156 3601#

You DO NOT need internet to participate.

Making a Difference

Author Unknown

A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him.

While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it.

When he finished painting, he received his money and left.

The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.

The painter was surprised and said “You've already paid me for painting the boat Sir!”

“But this is not for the paint job. It's for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was such a small service... certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened:

“When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.

“When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.

“They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time.

“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.

“Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.

“Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole!

“You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your 'small' good deed.”

So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the 'leaks' you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.

Along the way, you may have repaired numerous 'boat holes' for several people without realizing how many lives you've save. ️

Make a difference....be the best you...Always do more! Have a blessed day