A Glorious Easter

Like many other holidays, there is a tendency to think that after Easter Sunday is over - it's over. But that is definitely not the case! We celebrate Easter for 50 days. Eastertime is not just remembering something that happened long ago. It is Christ dead and risen in our midst. It is the Spirit breathing in us today. It is celebrating First Communions, Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, springtime, singing alleluia, celebrating new life for 50 days.

Service Opportunities

We must have an inner disposition to be of service to others. Just as Jesus was, we must be - for others. And we must be for others, even when this is not easy. We must be for others when this is unpopular. We must be for others when this is humiliating. We must be for others when this hurts our sense of self-importance. We must be for others even when this costs us, even when it is inconvenient, when it is embarrassing, no matter the occasion or setting. That is the call to all of us.

-- Archbishop Jerome Hanus - Holy Thursday

• Sunday, May 27, parishioiners will serve the meal at the Dubuque Rescue Mission, at 12:00 noon. If you can prepare a casserole, salad, or dessert, please bring it to the Mission by about 11:30 a.m. you can bring it the day before and tell them it is for the meal on Sunday. They will warm it up if necessary. Thank you to everyone who is so generous for all of the meals served at the Mission, First Congregation and at St. Patrick. Your response is overwhelming and greatly appreciated by those in need in our downtown community.
• Each Wednesday, a meal is served at 5:00 p.m. at St.Patrick Foley Hall for those in need. If you are available to help get ready for the meal on Wednesday afternoon, please call Ann Schroeder, 583-9749. Desserts are always welcome and can be kept ahead of time. Please deliver them to the rectory. Thank you for your financial help as well.
• St. Raphael and St. Patrick parishes invite you to consider serving on the Pastoral Council for our parishes. Confirmed lay persons are qualified to serve. Please contact the parish offices.
• Come to a meeting that fits your interest:
  • See St. Vincent DePaul Society News below.
• St. John's Lutheran Church Guesthouse, 1276 White St. welcomed its first guest in December, 2011 and have provided shelter for over 400 men. This is technically the “overflow” of the Dubuque Rescue Mission. In order to keep the Guesthouse open and comply with city regulations, $150,000 is being raised. We ask for your prayers. We ask for your support. Donate online!

Be a Pastoral Council Member

St. Raphael and St. Patrick parishes invite you to consider serving on the Pastoral Council for our parishes. Lay persons, registered (1 year) Confirmed, and 18 years or older are qualified to serve. This is an opportunity to serve our parishes by working together with Fr. Dan and others interested in visioning for our future together and the work of our parishes. Please contact the parish offices or call Pastoral Council member Susan Steinbach Johannsen, 588-4133.

Join the Faith Formation Commission

The purpose of the Faith Formation Commission is to develop and oversee a comprehensive catechetical plan for the parish/cluster to provide for the lifelong faith formation and catechesis of all its members. (Archdiocesan Guidelines) We ask that you consider being a part of the St. Raphael - St. Patrick Faith Formation commission. We invite your ideas and participation.

Cantor Workshop

This summer, August 3-5, The National Pastoral Musicians will offer a Cantor Institute in Dubuque.

Social Justice

St. Vincent de Paul Society News

Cathedral St. Vincent de Paul group meets the third Monday of each month in the Cathedral Center at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.

A sizeable contribution was made to Catholic Worker Hope House for renovations necessary for fire code compliance. Individuals in need have been helped with food, rent and gasoline. All of this is made possible by your generosity. Thank you so much.

The St. Patrick Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society issued 71 food, clothing and furniture vouchers during the month of March. St. Vincent de Paul meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 12:30 p.m.in the St. Patrick rectory

With the coming spring garage sales and spring housecleaning, St. Vincent de Paul would appreciate donations of usable clothing, furniture and other household items. Donations can be dropped off at the store location, 1351 Iowa St. or 4990 Radford Rd. Please call 584- 2226 for free pickup of larger items. Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.

Hope House - Catholic Worker

Catholic Worker Hope house, 1592 Locust St. is in need of the following items:

• toilet tissue
• dish towels
• blankets
• coffee
• shaving cream
• shampoo

If you can help, please bring these items to Hope House or to the Cathedral and parishioner, Tom Johnson, Director of Hope House, will pick them up. Thank you:

Pastoral Pastoral Care News

Food Assistance

Many Iowans are now eligible for food assistance. If you are 60 years or older and wonder if you qualify, please call Joan Hess at Scenic Valley Agency on Aging, 588-3970.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Melanoma is the most serious kind of cancer and it will spread is not caught early. Be watchful of moles and other suspicious skin pigments. Outrun the Rays - Walk-Run- Ride is planned for May 26 at the Peosta Recreation Center with registration from 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. for the 5K walk/Run. The bike ride wills start at 11:00 a.m. at Junction 21. Call Anne for more information or go on Facebook.

Cancer Prevention Study

A new research study called CPS-3 is being conducted by the American Cancer Society. People will be recruited from across the country. Enrollment for our area will take place at the Relay for Life on June 1 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the McGraw-Hill parking lot.

If you are between 30-65 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible to participate. For more information go to www.finleyhospital.org and click on CPS-3.

Religious Education

Thank you

We had a wonderful closing to our Religious Education year with a celebration of Mass for St. Raphael and St. Patrick students and families. Thank you for your presence and your cooperation in so many ways this past year. This week the catechists from both parishes will gather for a celebration and conversation about their ministry in the parish. We are so grateful to St. Patrick catechists:

• Susan Dazey, Director
• Carolyn Windberg
• Kristie Ostrander
• Dave Schmitz
• Patti Derby
• Nick McGrath
• Deanna Wiezorek
• Rosa Verastegui
• Rhonda Vosberg

• Jean Leute, Director
• Amy Beaves
• Ryan Beggs
• Jean Schmitz
• Angi Jones
• Ellen Long
• Julie Ramirez
• Gina Lee
• Brandon Marsh
• Tracy Connolly (Confirmation Director)
• Lisa McCarthy

Fun With Faith Family Activity

On the third weekend of each month, beginning May 19-20, parents of 3 - to 5-year-olds please stop by the Cathedral Center or the entrances to St. Patrick, after Mass to pick up a take-home activity brought to you by Holy Family Early Childhood. Each activity will provide a fun and engaging way to continue the conversation of faith at home for all ages. Next weekend's activity: «He Is Risen! Color and Cutout.»

Rediscovering Catholicism

A series ofthree sessions will be held for those who are interested in reading and discussing the book Redisover Catholicism Please read 2 sections, “Where to From Here” and Part I , “We Become What We Celebrate” ending on p. 66.

Two times and locations are offered:

• Sundays at 4:15 till 5:15 p.m. at Cathedral Center, beginning May 20. Facilitator: Laura Powers
• Tuesdays following noon Massat St. Patrick, beginning May 22. Facilitators: Susan Dazey and Mike McFarland

High School Service Trip 2012

Would you like to attend Catholic Heart Work Camp this summer? Sign up & Save your spot. We will travel to Farmington, MI (outside Detroit) the week of June 24 to 30 for a week of service work, prayer, random dance parties, games and making new friends. If you are currently in 8th grade or high school you can attend this amazing experience! Spaces are limited with a $75 deposit. Contact Jean at 582-7646 for more information or check out the heartwork camp website.

St. Raphael - St. Patrick Vacation Bible School

Please put these dates on your calendar, July 30 - August 3, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. till noon each day. We have an outstanding Vacation Bible School for children ages 4 through Grade 5. We look forward to this 11th annual Vacation Bible School week.. Please call Jean Leute, 582-7646, if you can volunteer in any way to help during the week.

Vocations

Community News

Do You Have Plans for Summer Childcare?

Holy Family Catholic Schools Early Childhood offers enriching summer programs at the Holy Ghost and St. Joseph the Worker sites, with exciting units planned like swimming, cooking, science and sports. Summer care is available for kids up to age 12. Contact Joann O'Connell, early childhood coordinator, at (563) 582-1246 for registration and rate information.

Golfers, Save the Date

Wahlert Catholic High School alumni, family and friends are invited to the Wahlert Catholic Open on Monday, June 11, at 1 p.m. at Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta.

Dubuque Food Pantry

Do you or someone you know have an abundance of produce?

Summer Service Opportunities

We are looking for some generous-hearted volunteers to assist people who are poor in Waterloo, Ia., San Antonio, Tx. Sioux City, Ia.,Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi. If interested, contact Sr. Marie Therese Kalb, or Lisa Schmidt by e-mail or phone 563-583-9786, Ext 6167.