Holy Spirit Parish News

Please refer to the parish bulletin for more parish and community news and information.
You can find printed bulletins at each church site; electronically by clicking the button below; or by calling the parish office at 563.583.1709.

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week at Holy Spirit Parish, we're looking back and looking forward. We have been at one moment reviewing and evaluating our parish celebration of the Christmas season - liturgies, faith formation opportunities, charitable works, etc. - to make note of what worked well and what can be improved for the future; and at the next moment we are planning and preparing for the great season of Lent, now less than a month away, and the many liturgies, faith formation opportunities, and charitable works that come with that holy season of fasting, prayer, and alms-giving.

We are also looking back to last weekend and a successful effort to host at Sacred Heart an in-person gathering of nearly 30 women who participated together in the all-virtual "Beauty in Christ: Archdiocese of Dubuque Women's Conference" while enjoying some additional benefits of gathering in-person before, during, and after the virtual sessions: for Holy Mass, Adoration, Confession, fellowship, and food! And at the same time, we are looking forward with excitement to the launch of a new women's ministry at Holy Spirit Parish called "Women of Worth" which begins this March.

And finally, this weekend at Mass, we will be looking back at the beautiful celebrations that the church gave us this past week: the Presentation of the Lord and the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on Wednesday and today's memorial of St. Blase. To remind us on Sunday of the celebrations that took place this week, we will offer blessed candles to be taken for home use, and after Mass will offer the customary St. Blase blessing of throats. And our scriptures will call us to look forward to the many ways that Our Lord is calling us to be his light in the world - to put out into the deep - during this season, during Lent, and beyond.

Blessed Candles
Wednesday, February 2nd, was the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas. Candles for church and home use are traditionally blessed on this day. Blessed Candles will be available to take home from Masses this weekend, February 5-6, at each church. A small donation for each box of candles will help the parish to cover the cost.

Blessing of Throats
Today, Thursday, February 3rd, is the Memorial of St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr. At Holy Spirit Parish, the traditional Blessing of Throats associated with St. Blase will take place after all weekend Masses on February 5-6. Stay after Mass to receive this blessing of protection against all ailments of the throat!

Sacred Heart Church Decoration
We are blessed at Holy Spirit Parish with three beautiful, historic church buildings. Our Catholic faith embraces the importance of the beauty of the space in which Mass is celebrated.

If you have a love and a talent for decoration and would like to learn more about the traditions and customs of the sacred liturgical arts while at the same time fulfilling a desperate need of the parish, please contact the office. We primarily need someone to coordinate the decoration of Sacred Heart Church.

Parish YouTube Channel
Please remember that if you are staying home from Mass due to illness or are otherwise looking to enrich your prayer life, make sure to check out our parish YouTube channel. There you can find live-streamed Masses as well as Morning Prayer, Night Prayer, and Adoration.

Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation

Religious Education
Regular class will be held next Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 6:30pm in the Cathedral Center.

First Eucharist Preparation
Thank you to all parents who attended the meeting last night! If you were not able to attend and need your materials, contact Cassie at dbq059ff@dbqarch.org. We will begin studying Chapter 1 next Monday.

Confirmation Preparation
Our next class will be Sunday, February 13th at 9:15am in the Sacred Heart church basement. Confirmation sponsors are encouraged to attend with the candidate. Please contact Cassie at dbq059ff@dbqarch.org if you have any questions.

Music & Liturgical Ministry

Schedules

February-April 10^th, Lent 2022. The schedule for February Ordinary Time, Lent through Palm Sunday is now live. I have posted the schedule virtually via email and hardcopies may be found in the Sacristy, back of each church, and the parish office.

Ash Wednesday will be Wednesday, March 2^nd.
Mass Times: 7:30 AM @ SH, 12:10 pm @ HG, and 5:30 pm @ HT (*6:30 pm Religious Education Mass will take place at the Cathedral of St. Raphael).
Over the next few weeks, I will post Sign-up sheets for Ash Wednesday to the back of the church. Thank you for your continued ministry!