News RSS Feed

DAVENPORT — Molly McDonnell, an Iowa Legal Aid attorney, speaks earnestly with a couple sitting across from her at a table in the lobby of the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport. Eviction hearings are about to begin in the courtroom just off the lobby, and the couple’s case is among 50-60 hearings that three magistrate judges will conduct in a little over an hour.

DAVENPORT — Every person can do something to support the sanctity of life – by praying, said Steve Goebel, emcee for the annual The Beat Goes On event Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. The pro-life event originally started in 2010 as the Black and White gala, first at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf. Goebel said the gala continued at various parishes until it landed at the St. Ambrose University campus in Davenport. Then COVID-19 hit. In 2021 its format was changed to an outdoor talk and music event in Bettendorf. In 2024 it moved to Sacred Heart Cathedral, first outdoors, then, last year, indoors due to weather factors. The plan is to remain indoors.

CLINTON — Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish’s new solar energy system is up and running. The panels should generate enough clean, renewable energy to offset the parish’s electrical costs, said Dave Schnier, the parish’s business administrator. On Aug. 5, at 8:35 a.m. the parish’s array of 174 panels began converting sunlight into electricity. The parish shared photos of the special moment on social media with the following message: “This is an exciting milestone that reflects our commitment to good stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to us.”

CLINTON — Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace Parish’s new solar energy system is up and running. The panels should generate enough clean, renewable energy to offset the parish’s electrical costs, said Dave Schnier, the parish’s business administrator. On Aug. 5, at 8:35 a.m. the parish’s array of 174 panels began converting sunlight into electricity.

Missal and Lectionary texts available on the USCCB website. Click here to find out more.

BURLINGTON — Trekking 600 miles from Nebraska to St. Louis as a first-time Biking for Babies missionary was a test of physical and spiritual strength for Brandon Harrison, a fifth-grade teacher at Burlington-Notre Dame. “We dealt with nine flat tires within one of our 100 mile days,” he recalled of the week-long ride in mid-July. “Seeing everyone support each other, and carry this cross with joy, really impacted me because it is the moments when things are not going well that we are called to truly live out our faith.”

Eleven men to be instituted as acolytes, continue to final year in formation.

FORT MADISON —Holy Trinity freshman Brooklyn Forsythe recently traveled to Phoenix to represent Iowa at the world’s largest science fair. She was invited to attend the Regeneron International Science and Industry Fair (ISEF) in a student observer capacity after an impressive run at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa in March, where she placed second in the power and structural category and earned the Excellence in Global Impact Award. Her science project focused on the potential for piezoelectric walkways in public areas to generate electricity from footsteps.

FORT MADISON —Holy Trinity freshman Brooklyn Forsythe recently traveled to Phoenix to represent Iowa at the world’s largest science fair. She was invited to attend the Regeneron International Science and Industry Fair (ISEF) in a student observer capacity after an impressive run at the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa in March, where she placed second in the power and structural category and earned the Excellence in Global Impact Award. Her science project focused on the potential for piezoelectric walkways in public areas to generate electricity from footsteps.

IOWA CITY — College student Clare Loussaert is passionate about helping Spanish speakers break through language barriers. She did not speak Spanish growing up — “No one in my family speaks it,” she told The Catholic Messenger. Yet, when she started volunteering at the Iowa City Catholic Worker hospitality house seven years ago, “I saw how it could be useful to learn and help me communicate better with others.” The hospitality house primarily supports Spanish-speaking immigrants as they transition to life in the United States.

The history of pacifism is rich and varied in the United States of America and within liberal-progressive currents in our Catholic Church. Literally, to be a pacifist is to be pacific; to be peaceful. A worthy way, I feel, to express one’s love for God and neighbor.

The diocesan Office of Social Action is now accepting applications for the 2026/2027 Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) internship. This internship provides a unique opportunity to support those who live on the margins of society.

Deacon Kent Ferris, main speaker at the March 3 event sponsored by the parish’s Justice and Peace Commission, began with a six-minute video from the Fifth World Meeting of Popular Movements (Oct. 21-24, 2025). The late Father Guillermo Trevino, a diocesan pastor, was a delegate to the meeting, an initiative of the late Pope Francis to bring together grassroots organizations from five continents seeking to inspire the poor and organized peoples to become protagonists of change.

Project Renewal offers after school and summer programming for youths in grades K-12. “We (give) them opportunities and experiences that they otherwise might not have, a safe place to be, and positive role models,” she explained. Volunteers help participants with homework, lead recreational activities and teach life skills. Snacks — funded in part by the Diocese of Davenport’s CRS Rice Bowl collection — fuel participants in their endeavors.

DAVENPORT — The holy season of Lent is a special time for personal and spiritual growth. “It’s a time to reflect deeply on ourselves and others,” said Deacon Kent Ferris, diocesan director of Social Action and of Catholic Charities. Read more...

DODGEVILLE — By sharing seeds and knowledge of local planting techniques, Squanto helped the starving Pilgrims grow enough food to thrive in a new land. In a similar way, faith-filled farmers in the Diocese of Davenport are making use of their talents to assist people struggling to cultivate crops in other countries.