DAVENPORT

BUFFALO

MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday 4:00 PM St. Alphonsus

Sunday 8:00 AM St. Alphonsus

10:00 AM St. Peter

Confessions beginning at 3:15 p.m. on Saturdays before 4:00 p.m. Mass. Available by appointment, please call the parish office.

ST. ALPHONSUS CHURCH

Religious Education Director

Mary Ann Hagemann ...................................... 391-8593

RCIA Director

Sister Susan Rueve, O.S.F. .............................. 323-1502

St. Alphonsus Early Childhood

Education Center ....................................... 323-3204

Shelly Mclntosh, Director

ST. PETER CHURCH — BUFFALO

406 4th Street, Buffalo, IA 52728

Deacon Larry Dankert .................................. 381-2741

Parish Council President

Sharon Snawerdt ............................................ 381-2331

Religious Education

Elementary - Nancy Stalder ............................ 381-2058

Intermediate - Scott Heskett .......................... 381-4991

PARISH SACRAMENTS

Baptism: Baptismal preparation class by appointment.

Please contact office for more information.

Weddings: Make arrangements pastor at least six months before

the wedding date. Dates and times for wedding in both parishes must

be scheduled by contacting the pastor.

RCIA: Classes begin mid-Sept for adults wishing to join the

Catholic church and/or wanting to enter more fully by receiving the

other sacraments. Please contact the parish office to register.

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING: Call Iowa Department of Human

Services Child Abuse Hotline: 800-362-2178 and if it involves clergy

or church personnel also notify Alicia Owens, the Victim Assistance

coordinator, 563-349-5002; vac@diodav.org

DECEMBER 22, 2019-.-FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Pastor: Rev. Paul J. Appel Residence: 2618 Boies Avenue • Davenport, Iowa 52802

Phone: (563) 322-0987 • Fax: (563) 323-1458 •

E-mail: staldav@gmail.com

Web Page: www.stalphonsusdav.org

Office Hours: Monday ― Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Paige King ― Administrative Assistant

Susan Marshall– Office

Youth Minister : Jasmin Tone……….(319) 671-3399

Email: davclusterym@diodav.org

ST. ALPHONSUS ST. PETER

GENERAL NEWS NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14/Ps 128:1-5/

Colossians 3:12-21/Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

2 │ Fourth Sunday of Advent

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Today Dec.22 Fourth Sunday of Advent

09:00AM Religious Ed/ St. Peter

06:00 PM Intermediate Class/ St Peter

Mon. Dec. 23 06:30 PM Choir Practice/St. Alphonsus

Tues. Dec. 24 04:00 PM Mass/St Alphonsus/Pageant

04:00 PM Children’s Mass/ St Peter/ Bishop Zinkula

Wed. Dec. 25 08:00 AM Mass/St. Alphonsus

10:00 AM Mass/St Peter

Sun. Dec. 29 The Holy Family

09:00AM No Religious Ed/ St. Peter

ADA Update

Goal St. Alphonsus $33,162 St. Peter $9,557

Pledged $32,051 $11.555

97% 121%

$1,111 to go

St. Gregory Commission

Who was Saint Gregory the Wonderworker?

Gregory was of a distinguished pagan family. He was

born at Neocaesarea, Pontus, and studied law there.

About 233, he and his brother, Athenodorus,

accompanied his sister, who was joining her husband

in Caesarea, Palestine, while they continued on to

Beirut to continue their law studies. They met Origen

and instead of going to Beirut, entered his school at

Caesarea, studied theology, were converted to Christi-

anity by Origen, and became his disciples

Gregory returned to Neocaesarea about 238, in-

tending to practice law, but was elected bishop by the

seventeen Christians of the city. It soon became

apparent that he was gifted with remarkable powers.

He preached eloquently, made so many converts he

was able to build a church, and soon was so

renowned for his miracles that he was surnamed

Thaumaturgus (the wonderworker).

From Father’s Desk

End of Advent, Beginning of Christmas

The coming year will likely bring even more changes

to our Davenport and Scott County parishes. It can be

tempting to think of these as challenges, or even

threats! However, the readings around this time of year

remind us to place our hope in God and his providential

care for us. Remember that at the time of Jesus’ birth,

the people of his day were hoping for a Messiah that

would restore the kingdom of David, drive out their

persecutors, and make Israel a great nation again. Few

expected that this would be accomplished in the way

that Jesus did. Instead of sending an army, he sent a

faithful woman who bore a holy son.

In the challenges that our Church faces in our days,

we must follow this same example. Mary perhaps did

not know why God chose her, but when the time came,

she said “yes” to His will. When Jesus wept in

Gethsemane, he asked the father to let this cup pass

by. But he too understood that it was the Father’s will

and he went to willingly take up his cross and die. In

the same way, we are constantly being asked to die to

self and follow God’s plan, not our own.

In this holy season, take a look at all of your opinions,

beliefs, and dearly held possessions. Do they

correspond to God’s will? Do they give glory to God?

Take time to open yourself up to the possibility that

God is trying to give you a gift you did not expect or give

something up that isn’t doing you any good. Live the

same humility that Mary did and make room for her

son, Jesus, to live in your heart.

-Fr. Paul

Relevant Radio, KTJT 95.3 in Davenport, is in need of some

technical upgrades. These upgrades are important for their

ministry to continue to reach listeners in our area. The cost

is $30,000. An anonymous donor has agreed to match up

$15,000 in donations. If anyone is looking for a year-end

contribution that would help spread the word, we would

certainly appreciate your support.

Gifts can be made to KTJT Catholic Radio. They are a

501c3 so donations are tax deductible. Gifts can be mailed

to: Mr. John Oliger, KTJT Catholic Radio, 403 E Dover Ct,

Davenport, IA 52803

End of 2019 Christmas Lock-In

December 27th 6:30 PM to December 28th 8:00 AM

St. Alphonsus Youth Room. All youth grades 6-12 invited to

come celebrate Christmas and the end of 2019 with a lock-

in! Bring a snack to share and what you need for overnight.

MASS INTENTION

Sunday December 29 10:00 AM Dick Carpenter†

ST. PETER – BUFFALO ST. ALPHONSUS – DAVENPORT

PARISH NEWS & EVENTS

3 │ December 22, 2019

Parishioners will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament

of Reconciliation on Saturday’s at 3:15-3:45 p.m.

MASS INTENTIONS

Week of – Dec 23-29

Mon. 8:00 Patricia Lundquist†

Tues. 4:00 Bill M. Reagan†

Wed. 8:00 Bill Podhirny & Patrick Dickinson†

Thurs. 8:00 Bill M. Reagan†

Fri. 8:00 Winn Keller†

Sat. 4:00 L/D members of Cyril Parker Family†

Sun. 8:00 Don Schoo†

Ministries for Dec 28-29

LECTORS

Sat. 4:00 Sara Lannan

Sun. 8:00 Kris Peacock

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Sat. 4:00 Mary Podhirny/Pat Taylor/Sharon Williams

Sun. 8:00 Dawn Shaw/Dottie Gallagher/Dick Poster

ALTAR SERVERS

Sat. 4:00 Leo & Dom DeLaPaz

Sun. 8:00 Brileigh McCumsey/Riley Rommel

DECEMBER CHURCH CLEANING: All Ladies of the Parish

St Alphonsus Weekly Offerings Dec 15th Weekly Budget: $4,000 Offering $ N/A

LITURGICAL ROLES FOR DECEMBER 29

Greeters .................................................... Larry, Karen, Kylie Cawiezell

Eucharistic Minister ................................................................ Jim Gadzik

Lectors ............................................................ Jim Matthys & Jim Gadzik

Altar Servers ................................................... Ian Keeney/John Frietsch

Supporting Childhood Catholic Education

The Mississippi Valley STO is seeking year-end

donations to help fund tuition grants for needy

students attending any of the five Catholic schools in

Scott County. Your donation is eligible for a

65% DIRECT TAX CREDIT

- the most generous tax credit offered by the State of

Iowa! This school year 634 students are being

assisted through this program – including 10 from our

own parish.

Cash gifts, appreciated stocks, and IRA distributions

are all welcome. Please consider a gift today.

The donor form is available at mvsto.org. Forms are

also in the back of church.

The Christmas Cookie Walk was a wonderful

successful. Thank you to everyone who helped to set

up and decorate, the youth who carried the trays of

cookies, those people who helped at the sale and

especially to everyone who donated to the cookie walk.

We were blessed with good weather and an abundance

of customers. It all came together to make a successful

cookie walk fund raiser.

Chicago March for Life 2020—Youth Group Trip

January 11th 7:30 AM - 9 PM

Cost: $15/person

Come march in peace and be a visual and vocal reminder

that the Midwest stands for life! 9-12 grade youth are invit-

ed to attend! 6-8 grade youth are welcome with the accom-

paniment of a parent. Contact Jasmin Tone

at davclusterym@diodav.org to reserve your seat. Seats are

limited, so reserve your seat soon!

In Memoriam of our 2019 St. Alphonsus beloveds

who are in heaven this Christmas:

Edward Saldana

Theodore Querin

Roger Eisenbacher

Carol Schlichting

Joseph Benisch

Esther Peters

Patricia Lundquist

Dorothy Benes

Mary Dalldorf

Leroy Wilkins

Please remember their families and friends in

your special Christmas prayers.