The Catholic Messenger

06/19/2026

🎙Podcast time - What?! A pilgrimage trip Peoria, IL to see Archbishop Sheen's tomb/museum, on July 24, 2026 before the beatification!🎧
Catholic Messenger Conversations Episode 82 - Preparing for Archbishop Sheen Pilgrimage

We discuss some of the recent events covered in The Catholic Messenger such as Father Alfonso Pizano’s ordination. We also talk about an upcoming profile of Marlene Franz, an employee of Regina High School who is retiring after almost 58 years. We then cover the pilgrimage The Messenger is sponsor...

06/19/2026

Earlier this month, St. Mary Parish in Grinnell hosted a Corpus Christi Mass, procession and consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with Bishop Dennis Walsh presiding. The presence of a “Vocations Monstrance,” blessed by St. John Paul II just days before his death, made the event even more memorable.

The former pope blessed one “Vocations Monstrance” for each of the six major continents at the start of the Year of the Eucharist in 2004, designating each for Eucharistic adoration for vocations. The monstrance traveled to 45 dioceses in the U.S. and Canada between 2005-06 and is now available to travel to parishes, upon request, under the supervision of Serra International’s USA council.

It is likely the monstrance's first visit to Southeast Iowa, as The Catholic Messenger has no record of it coming to the Diocese of Davenport previously.

Read the full story in the June 18 Catholic Messenger or 👇

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06/14/2026

Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Red Dinner bore the flavor of a family reunion with Bishop Thom Hennen, its former pastor, presiding at Mass and delivering a heartfelt speech emphasizing faith, family, community and the cathedral as the connecting point. Now the Bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, Bishop Hennen made the 1,700-mile trip to return to his home diocese to celebrate Mass and the Red Dinner on June 4.

“I have been a bishop for a little over eight months. I am still very much in the listening and learning phase,” Bishop Hennen said during his dinner presentation that blended insights and humor, grace and humility and imparted lessons applicable to all Catholics.

Read this story in the June 11 Catholic Messenger or 👇

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06/13/2026

After his ordination Mass, a long line formed down the center aisle of Sacred Heart Cathedral as, one by one, people approached Father Alfonso Pizano Jr. Everyone from his closest family members and friends to people he hadn’t even met took turns kneeling while the newest priest in the Davenport Diocese gave his first blessings.

Smiling broadly, the 47-year-old was excited to meet the people he’d be serving. His assignment as parochial vicar of St. Patrick Parish-Iowa City and sacramental minister of St. Joseph Parish-West Liberty and St. Joseph Parish-Columbus Junction will begin July 1.

“(I feel) just complete joy and peace,” reflected the California native June 6 in between blessings. “It’s been a long journey. It’s amazing to see (my family) here.”

Read the full story in the June 11 Catholic Messenger or 👇

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Support Catholic news with a print and/or e-edition subscription for less than $1 a week! Contact your parish or sign up at https://www.catholicmessenger.net/forms/subscriberservices.php today!

06/09/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Bishop Dennis Walsh will be joining our Archbishop Sheen pilgrimage and preside at Mass at the Tomb of Archbishop Sheen!

Call us at 563-323-9959 or click 👇 to register.

06/08/2026

Youths from St. Mary Magdalen Parish added a little color to their world this spring.

Religious education students donated money throughout Lent to purchase flowers for the parish’s flower bed. It’s a blend of tradition with a new twist, said Angela Hunter, the parish’s religious education coordinator. “While our Religious Education (RE) classes have a history of Lenten tithing and our flower beds are a perennial parish project, this is the first year we have bridged the two — allowing the children’s own contributions to fund the flowers they planted themselves.”

Read the full story in the June 4 Catholic Messenger or at 👇

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Ottumwa & Bloomfield Catholic Parishes

06/06/2026

Ordination to priesthood of Alfonso Pizano Jr.

06/06/2026

Ordination Live!

Dcn. Alfonso Pizano, Jr. ordained to the priesthood June 6, 2026 at...

06/06/2026

Phil Hart is retiring this month, so we're searching a part-time advertising representative to generate new advertising revenue and maintain existing accounts for The Catholic Messenger newspaper, E-edition, website and e-newsletter.

Duties include selling classified and display advertising space for print and digital products, delivering sales presentations, initiating special projects to generate revenue and collaborating with other staff in production and to ensure advertising is ready for each deadline. The ideal candidate would have efficient organizational and communication skills. A bachelor degree in journalism, mass communication or marketing or equivalent experience is preferred. One to five years of advertising experience is also preferred.

This is a part-time hourly position with pay beginning at $21 per hour. Bonuses will be paid based on new accounts on a quarterly basis. Paid time off is offered.

For more information or to apply, contact Tiara Hatfield, Director of Human Resources, Diocese of Davenport at 563-888-4366 or [email protected]

06/06/2026

At the beginning of the school year, Father Nicholas Akindele said he started his rounds to the classrooms at All Saints in Davenport. He learned there were many students who have never been baptized — in any faith at all. He sent a letter to 50 families about the opportunity to join the Church. He received no responses back. “They are busy, I thought. They didn’t say no, so I assume yes!”

Read the full story in the June 4 Catholic Messenger or read a snippet 👇

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Support Catholic news with a print and/or e-edition subscription for less than $1 a week! Contact your parish or sign up at https://www.catholicmessenger.net/forms/subscriberservices.php today!

Saints Catholic School Vinum non habent