St. Anthony Catholic Church
Davenport, Iowa
Weekly Email Newsletter
Google Said - "Your 348 feet from a Church"
Reflecting on Her First Year at St. Anthony's!
by John Cooper
Mary Saracini pictured above has just completed her first year as a parishioner at St. Anthony's.
Mary Saracini had just signed the lease on her apartment on Brady street. She was moving here from Chicago for a job. Sitting in her car in front of the apartment, she said to herself, "Now, I need to find a church." She Googled "churches" and to her surprise, Google said, "Your 348 feet from a church." Yes, she was on other side of the library parking lot behind St. Anthony's!

The next thing she knew he was at Mass and Father Apo was doing his regular welcome to visitors. Mary stood up and Father said, "See that guy at the entrance door to church, you'll put a smile on his face if you register to become a parishioner." That guy was me and Mary walked up to me and said, "I guess your the guy that I'm supposed to make smile!"

Now a year later, I sat down with Mary to ask her about her first year experience at St. Anthony's. The manager of Talbot's Department store at North Park Mall who has a bachelors in English degree said, "You were my first friend here. But, other people have went out of their way to make me feel welcome. From Odelia to Kim (music director), people here have been great."

Mary thinks St. Anthony's is "bucking" the trend when it come to fellowship and stewardship. "I think the Catholic church in general is failing because "people church hop today and that just doesn't cut it." She thinks our mission at McAnthony Window creates the type of "accepting" environment that the Church needs to encourage today. She said, "we serve at the Window without asking for anything." For Mary, that's what the Church in general should be about, accepting people where they are. "One of my top three spiritual gifts is connecting with people - that's what I see St. Anthony's doing - syncing with people where they are at in life."

Mary has been a member of the choir and she cantors at Mass. She's also just joined the new stewardship group that parishioners will be hearing more about in the days ahead. According to Mary, the opportunities to serve here at St. Anthony's "give us a vehicle to become more holy." We're just thankful that the "vehicle" of Google brought Mary to us!
Sharing This Week's Vision 20/20 Video
Convocation Presentation...
Evangelizing in an Age of Secularism, Atheism and Scientism

Bible, Art, Music Camp

Our children's summer Bible, Art, Music Camp was a huge success this week. A big thank you goes out to Kim Noftsker and all her volunteers! Check on the videos and photos below...
[Caption]
FISHERS OF MEN
ENJOY FELLOWSHIP
Fishers of Men meet on the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. for breakfast and fellowship. Pictured is last Saturday's crew. We will next meet on Saturday, August 3 at 9 a.m. and we will go to Hickory Garden Restaurant ( 3311 Hickory Grove Rd, Davenport, IA 52806)
Encouraging You to Visit Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat
by Jennifer Hager

For anyone interested in a place to reflect, pray, and enjoy the outdoors, I recommend Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. I went there recently for their First Wednesday Mass. I enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and the humble people. We took a tour of the grounds where we saw the Stations of the Cross, a Labyrinth, and the Cosmic Walk (walking path). They grow their own food and we were served a delicious meal. Based on my experience, I deeply recommend that you plan to visit the Prairie for a day program or an overnight retreat. There's activities-based programs as well as retreats. Your always welcome. Click here to learn more about Our Lady of the Prairie .

Note: Jennifer volunteers Monday, Wednesday, Friday in the office at St. Anthony's. She is preparing to become an associate with the Congregation for the Humility of Mary. The Prairie is a ministry of the Humilties.
We're back in business as St. John Vianney supplied us with 2 bikes this week. See above Pam got a sloppy Joe and a bike that she'll use to get to work.
Jennifer was excited to receive a bike. She had been on the waiting list since May 23!
Lourdes Parish Donates to McAnthony Window
John Cooper, pastoral associate receives a check from Delores Stack for McAnthony Window. The donation is from the social action committee at Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf. We very much appreciate the support we are receiving from other local parishes!
All Volunteer Crew Keeps McAnthony Window Humming Along this week
Our kitchen coordinator was on vacation this past week and an all volunteer crew kept our patrons fed. Many thanks to the lead cooks - Kathy Lundberg, Al Gahagan, Meredith Dreasler, Deb McAfoos, Pat Bear, Thom Hart, Deb Williams, Diana Kelly, and Rick Rettig. Many more volunteers jumped in to help each day. Rick Rettig said he was dedicating the Sloppy Joe he made in memory of his brother-in-law Larry Ohrberg who was a long time supporter of Memphis in May barbecue.
Ricky's Story is Highlighted by
Humility Homes and Services
Levi Needed Dark Pants and a Polo Shirt to get the Job!
While on Parking Lot Ministry last Saturday, a man named Levi walked up me and said he had just gotten called to work at Modern Woodmen Park that evening. However, he had to have dark pants and a polo to work there. Thanks to the many gifts of clothes we receive and the volunteers who organize them, we were able to quickly find what Levi needed. He got the job! See him pictured.
Humor from the Pews

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married? 
A. Ruthless. 
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany? 
A. German Shepherds. 
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? 
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was 
in liquidation. 
Q. What was the greatest female financier in the Bible? 
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the 
Nile and drew out a 
little prophet. 
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? 
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. 
David's Triumph 
was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, 
because the apostles 
were all in one Accord.