Perpetual Adoration Chapel

24 hours, 365 days a year

St. Patrick's Church

Are you aware that we have a 24 hour Adoration Chapel here in Iowa City? It is located at St. Patrick's Church. A good place to share a time of Advent prayer and reflection is at the Adoration Chapel at St. Patrick's. Walk-ins are welcome during the day. Call Janet Strand for more information (338-1863) about filling a regular time-slot.

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Jeff Cavins Bible Study

for Jr. High Students

One Sunday each month

Come join other junior high youth to study scripture in a fun and exciting way! Pizza and drinks will be provided! When and Where? One Sunday each month in St. Mary's Parish hall.

The next Bible Study will be on February 26th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the parish hall.

Upcoming dates are:

December 18th

January 29th

February 26th

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Do You Know Someone?

The Church is in need of dedicated, capable and holy priests. If you know a young man who, in your opinion, would make a good priest, please send his name and address to Father John.

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DO YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE IN THE MILITARY?

St. Mary's Family Life Commission wishes to identify parish members and their loved ones who are currently serving our country in military service. Plans are underway to include them in a prayer ministry and support them in other ways. Please call the parish office to submit your loved one's name and location of service. Photos can also be submitted. Contact Sister Agnes for more information (337-4314).

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Are You in Need of Low Gluten Altar Bread?

Low Gluten Altar Breads Less than 0.01% gluten content hosts are available for parish members whose health needs require low gluten altar breads.

Individuals in need of this type of host should come to the sacristy before Mass (the area in the northwest corner of the church behind Mary's side altar, at the left). Let the sacristan know that you need this host. The sacristan will place the host in a pyx and then place the pyx on the paten from which the priest will distribute Communion.

When you come forward for Communion, you will need to come forward in the line that will receive Communion from the priest. You may need to request that the priest give you the low gluten host from the pyx.

Questions about low gluten hosts can be directed to the parish office (337-4314).

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Check the Savings with St. Mary's SCRIP!

How about remembering St. Mary's when you shop, without spending more money than you usually budget? For example, if every registered parishioner bought a $25 Fareway card once a month, St. Mary's would net $7,650 for the year. Since we all buy groceries, this is a win-win situation for you and St. Mary's budget. Please consider buying scrip for your daily needs (gas, groceries, clothes, entertainment, and more). Stop by the scrip table after Mass and talk with our volunteers. Since you know you are going to be buying some of these items, why not help your parish financially without digging any deeper into your bank account?

CRS Fair Trade Program at St. Mary's

Saturday December 10th, before and after the 5:30 Mass

Sunday, December 11th, 8:30 AM - 11:15 PM

Fair trade builds right relationships between buyers and sellers that are rooted in the principles of dignity and solidarity. Fair trade: respects human dignity, promotes common good, empowers disadvantaged people, connects us with the people who create the things we buy, and cultivates global solidarity. The CRS Fair Trade Program helps us make choices that have the power to lift our brothers and sisters out of poverty.

• To make a difference in the lives of artisans and farmers worldwide
• So parents in Nepal may send their children to school
• So women in Denver, CO may become self sufficient
• So families of all faiths in India may maintain their dignity

Watch the bulletin for dates for the next Fair Trade Sale

Available items: coffee, chocolate, soup, salsa and cornbread mix.

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NEW SPACE FOR HANDICAP SEATING

Two pews at the front of the west side aisle have been removed to provide an open space for those who use mechanical chairs, walkers or other devices that prevent sitting in the pews. In providing this space, it is our desire to offer our handicapped parishioners an option for seating within our assembly, other than the open space at the back of the church. People who accompany those in mechanical chairs, etc. are welcome to make use of the front bench seat at the head of the west side aisle.

NOTE: For some of you, there is a concern about leaving promptly at the end of Mass to catch the SEATS bus. Please don't hesitate to sit in the new handicapped seating area at the front of the church. It is perfectly acceptable for you to move to the back of the church after you have received Communion so that you can then get out to meet the SEATS bus promptly after the end of Mass.

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THIRD EDITION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL

Did you know that the Roman Missal is being revised? The Roman Missal contains the texts and rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, as officially approved by the Holy See. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops have created a we site to provide information about the new translation. You can find a link to the USCCB web site and other information here

Below is a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, taken from their Parish Guide to Implementing the Roman Missal Third Edition, which offers us some perspective on the New Missal and our reception of the New Missal as Catholics and parish members.

One of the priority goals of the bishops' pastoral plan is to prepare for the implementation of the Roman Missal. It is easy to see this goal's close relationship to the plan's theme (Deepen Faith, Nurture Hope, Celebrate Life). Preparing for the Roman Missal is not simply a matter of buying new books and learning to recite and sing revised texts. It is an opportunity to examine and renew our celebration and understanding of the Eucharistic Liturgy that stands at the heart of Christian life.

The revised translation of the Liturgy will deepen faith by using words and images that draw on the Church's rich theological Tradition. It will nurture Christian hope for the day when we may celebrate the wedding feast of the Lamb at the table of the Lord in heaven. It will celebrate the boundless love of God, shown most profoundly in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, celebrated and made present in the Eucharistic Liturgy. This period of implementation offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the Liturgy, nurture liturgical practices that will lead to fuller liturgical participation, and celebrate the Liturgy with renewed purpose.

... Implementing the revised text is not a rejection of the last forty (or four hundred) years of liturgical practice. It is an opportunity for deeper understanding, greater attention to words and gestures, and more intentional participation. The renewed Liturgy will help form disciples who live in communion with God and each other—disciples who live a Christian life.

Implementing the Roman Missal requires a period of catechesis for the whole parish community. It will not be enough for the priests to practice the revised prayer texts and the choir to learn revised musical settings. Every member of the parish should understand not only the content of the changes (the revised prayer texts) but also the reasons underlying these changes. Only then will this implementation bring us closer to the goal stated by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council: the "full, conscious, and active participation" of all the faithful in the liturgical action (SC, no. 14)

... For the faithful, liturgical participation is grounded in Baptism. Conformed to Christ in this sacrament, the faithful "share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1268). Furthermore, full, conscious, and active liturgical participation means living the great commandment given to us by the Lord: "you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind:" (Mt 22:37). Participation in the Liturgy with all our heart, mind, and soul is the goal to which we should aspire so that, united with Christ in the Holy Spirit, we may make an acceptable sacrifice to the Father.

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Kindergarten Round-Up at Regina Elementary

Thursday, February 9th

Round-Up for students attending Kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year will take place on Thursday, February 9th, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Students must be 5 years old on or before September 15th of the school year that they will attend Kindergarten. If you are interested in registering for Kindergarten, please contact us at 337-5739 so we may get you on the list. Give your child the gift of a faith-filled school experience!

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Regina's Taste of Gala

Friday, February 10th, 7:00 PM

Iowa City Sheraton's Main Ballroom

Join us for drinks, appetizers and a wonderful silent auction!

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WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS

Friday - Sunday, February 10th - 12th

Cedar Falls

Friday - Sunday, March 30th - April 1st

Cedar Rapids

St. Paul talks about the fact that married couples have to deal with the anxieties of the world. Sometimes those stresses can have a negative impact on our marriages. Get away from all those worldly anxieties and take time to just focus on each other by making a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next two weekends are in Cedar Falls, Iowa Feb. 10-12, 2012 and March 30-April 1 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To register or for more information contact Roger and Marsha Luensmann at 563-927-4352. Visit www.iowa-wwme.org.

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MOYC February Kids Activity

Saturday, February 11th

Iowa City Mothers of Young Children (MYOC) members: Join friends and make new ones at the February kids activity, Saturday February 11th from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at St. Mary's Parish Hall. Kids will decorate Valentine cookies and make a simple craft. MYOC will also collect diapers (larger sizes and pull-ups), diaper wipes and miscellaneous personal hygiene items (e.g. toothpaste, soap, etc.) for its philanthropic charity, the Christian Culture Community, at the event. R.S.V.P. to Michelle Moore by Monday, February 6th at michelle@vividcommunications.net with the number of kids attending. MYOC is an organization for Iowa City Catholic moms with children kindergarten age or younger.

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St. Mary's of Riverside

Annual Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, February 12th

Join us from 7:00 AM - 12:30 PM for all you can eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. Adult tickets are $6 and children's tickets are $3.

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ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER WITH THE IOWA WOMEN'S BB TEAM

Sunday, February 12th

LET'S GO HAWKS!

It's that time again!

Let's cheer on the Iowa Women's Basketball team and then join them for chili in the parish hall!

Iowa vs. Michigan State

Sunday Feb. 12th

Game time is 2:00 PM at Carver Hawkeye Arena

Chili will be served at 5:30 PM in St. Mary's Parish Hall.

We hope you are able to attend both the game and the supper, but at least we want you to join the basketball team for supper. This year we are extending a special invitation to our neighbors at First United Methodist Church to join us. So encourage your friends to hopefully celebrate a victory with us!

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Lover's Rosary and Dinner

Tuesday, February 14th

St. Patrick's

All 3rd and 4th Degree Knights and their spouses are invited. The Rosary will start promptly at 6:00 PM in the main chapel. Couples will be asked to join in a marriage vow renewal. A catered dinner will follow in the social hall. Dinner is $20/person. Call 331-6763 for tickets.

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EVENING IN THE EAST

Thursday, February 16th

Old Brick church

St. Raphael Orthodox Church of Iowa City is hosting their 4th Annual Evening in the East event on Thursday, February 16th at the Old Brick church (26 E. Market St.). Doors open at 5:45 PM. This annual fund raising event will include food and drink featuring home cooked savory appetizers and sweet desserts from America, Greece, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Russia and Georgia. Proceeds will benefit the St. Raphael Church Building Fund. The main highlight of the evening will be a recital and lecture titled, Lizst and the Cross: Music as Sacrament in the B Minor Sonata by Dr. Paul Barnes, the Hixson-Lied Professor of Piano at the University of Nebraska Lincoln School of Music. In his performance and talk, Dr. Barnes will explore the intersection of Christian theology of the Cross of Christ with this great piece by Hungarian composer Franz Lizst. Tickets will be sold at the door the evening of the event. Ticket prices are $30 (adults), $15 (students), $65 (families). Call St. Raphael Church at 319-337-6784 for more information.

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Girl Scout Cookies

weekend of February 18th

Regina Daisy Scout Troop #5054 will be selling Girl Scout Cookies on the weekend of February 18th after all of St. Mary's Masses. Cookies are $3.50 per box and will be available for cash and carry. Your support of this troup will allow them to attend horseback riding camp among other things!

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TEC: Teens Encounter Christ

Saturday - Monday, February 18th - 20th

St. Ann's Parish, Long Grove, Iowa

Teens Encounter Christ is open to high school juniors and seniors and college freshmen. There will be a TEC retreat on February 18-20 at St. Ann's Parish in Long Grove, IA. A TEC retreat can be an important step in a teen's journey of faith. To learn more about TEC and how you can take part in the upcoming retreat, visit www.davenportyouth.org or contact Patti McTaggart at 337-4314.

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CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE WEEKENDS

St. Mary's Church in Riverside

Women's Christian Experience Weekend:

March 2nd-4th, 2012

Men's Christian Experience Weekend:

March 23rd-25th

Christ has given you many weekends. Why not spend one with Him? The Iowa City Catholic Community will host an overnight retreat on March 2-4 for women and on March 23-25 for men at St. Mary's in Riverside, Iowa. A Christian Experience Weekend, or CEW, offers a chance to retreat from everyday life and take a look at who you are and where you are going. Brochures are available at the entrance of our church. Questions? Julia Neff 319-541-1906, Jane Doucette 319-530-9326, Bill Doucette 319-541-9814 and John Conway 641-660-4255.

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