It's that time of year to get your Easter flowers! The cost is $13.50 and forms are in the Gathering Space, or you can stop by the office during the week. Deadline is April 14th.

FRIDAYS, MARCH 28, APRIL 4 AND APRIL 11, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, PARISH CENTER. COST: $14 (in advance) and $15 (at the door). MENU: Fish, Shrimp, Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Coleslaw, Vegetable, Rolls, Water & Lemonade. Just like last year, we are asking for volunteers in the parish to help with these fish frys. We need help setting up, serving the meal, and cleaning up. If you can help with any of these dates, please contact Tim PIllack by email at: pillack123@mchsi.com or text message at 319-269-6656.

IMPACT is a two-year formation program for Catholic adults, which is coordinated by the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The next offering of the IMPACT program will be held not too far from here at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton, starting in September of 2025. IMPACT provides the opportunity to grow in your faith by attending monthly sessions with dynamic presenters, engaging in discussions with other participants, reading spiritual books, and receiving guidance from a spiritual mentor. Through study, prayer, reflection, and conversation, participants are challenged to respond more fully to Jesus' call to mission - to IMPACT our world! To learn more and apply, visit www.dbqarch.org/impact. Want to talk to someone who went through IMPACT right here in our parish? Harland Robinson is a 2015 alum, Maggie England is a 2017 alum, and Pat Colwell is a 2023 alum. Harland can be reached at: robbyhcr@gmail.com; Maggie at: m.england@dbqarch.org; and Pat at: colwelp@gmail.com.

DOES YOUR CHILD IN GRADE 3-12 LIKE TO SING? Encourage them to become part of the Youth Choir! Several new youth recently joined, and we would love to have even more! They will sing at the two First Communion Masses on April 26 and 27. Complete a yellow form in the Gathering Space OR email Music Director Faye Hansen at f.hansen@dbqarch.org OR talk with Kathy Grete, Youth Choir Director. What a great way for your child to grow in their faith and love of Mass by becoming involved through music!

MARCH 14-16, BEAN FARM, SCOTCH GROVE, IOWA. This renewal weekend for men and women is designed to enable participants to more deeply experience themselves, their relationship to God and the Christian community. The retreat begins on Friday, March 14 at 7:00 pm and ends at approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday, March 16. There is a $55 registration fee that includes all meals/snacks and lodging! Learn more at www.waterloocatholics.org/cew. Register online at www.thebeanfarmofscotchgrove.org.

You're invited to our next Social & Meeting in the Parish Center on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 immediately following the 8am Mass. Come enjoy breakfast with the Knights!

THANKS to all who expressed interest in music ministry last week! Faye Hansen, Music Director, will be in contact with you soon. If you were unable to attend Mass last weekend and are interested in becoming involved in our Music Ministry here at Blessed sacrament, please fill out one of the yellow slips that are available in the Gathering Space and return to us either in the collection basket at Mass or drop off to the Parish Office. You can also contact Faye with any questions through the Church office or by email: f.hansen@dbqarch.org. We look forward to having new people join us!

Join other men from throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque to be inspired in your faith at the 29th Annual Catholic Men's Conference on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at St. Pius X Church in Cedar Rapids. This year's conference will feature Michael "Gomer" Ghormley as the keynote speaker. The day will also include Mass with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, breakout sessions, Eucharistic Adoration, and more. For details and to register, visit: www.ArchMensConference.org

Are you driven by a joy-filled passion for parish inclusion? Would you like to advocate for accommodations for persons with greater physical and intellectual needs in your parish? Would you like to connect with other parish advocates throughout the Archdiocese who are providing ministry to persons with disabilities and their families? Become an advocate for disability inclusion at Blessed Sacrament! Contact Maggie in the office or Lynne Chapman with the Archdiocese at l.chapman@dbqarch.org to learn more!

Blessed Sacrament Parish Life is opening up the Parish Center for our FINAL Family Open Gym Night on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7th FROM 6:30PM - 8:00PM! Parents feed your kids dinner before coming but then bring them over to the Parish Center and let them enjoy some free play until their hearts are content or until 8:30 PM (whichever comes first). This is a great opportunity for the kids in our Parish to get to know each other and for parents to enjoy chatting with other parents. There will be more open gyms to come over these winter months.

Do you have gifts of caring, compassion, and conversation? Do you enjoy spending time with others? We NEED YOU to please help us keep our parish family connected! The ministry of the sick and the homebound is in need of volunteers (spiritual companions) to take Communion to the homebound once a week. Each visit will be about 30 minutes. You would be visiting the same person every week and can meet at an agreed time that fits your schedule. Please prayerfully consider this rewarding ministry of caring presence and contact Judy Bullis at 319-240-7782 or email at: j.bullis@dbqarch.org. You may also contact the Church Office at 319-233-6179. Thank you!

Because of the multiple fast-moving wildfires, fueled by high winds, whole neighborhoods were engulfed in Los Angeles County and people were killed, with more than 180,000 evacuation orders. Your donation today will help recovery. Visit Catholic Charities website at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org to make an emergency donation to help provide resources.

I will continue to celebrate the scheduled daily Mass (except in cases of a funeral), even if school is cancelled. However, with that being said, parking lots and sidewalks may not be cleared in time for daily Mass. Please use caution, stay safe, or even stay home. Mass will still be live streamed. If out of necessity the daily Mass needs to be cancelled due to weather, we will try to publish a notice of cancellation through KWWL and KCRG TV stations.

The Adult Confirmation preparation program will take place on Saturdays, January 18 & 25 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am in the New Life Center at St. Edward Parish. Catholic adults 19 years or older who have been baptized, catechized, and are actively participating in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church are welcome. Those who participate will be prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with Archbishop Zinkula in March. Pre-registration required. Learn more and register at: https://waterloocatholics.org/adult-confirmation

Tuesday, Nov. 12. 6:15-7:30pm. Parish Hall. St. Edward Parish, Waterloo. Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation hosts this opportunity for Catholic adults and young adults who want to be inspired in their practice of the Catholic faith. This month's speaker is Fr. Greg Lambert, the new Associate Pastor at St. Edward and Spiritual Director at Columbus High School. Open to the public. No pre-registration. Invite a family member, friend or colleague who might appreciate this opportunity. Learn more at: waterloocatholics.org/catholic-witness-hour

Each week at Blessed Sacrament, there is an opportunity to receive healing prayer. Every Thursday we begin at 6:00 pm and we go until we are done. If no one outside of the prayer team is in the church by 8:00 pm, we do close for the night. Most weeks, Fr. Tony is also in thr confessional at 7:00 pm for those who are seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

BIG NEWS! This year, the parishes will be doing Confirmation for youth in BOTH grades 10 and 11 (12th graders who also desire confirmation are welcome). Classes begin in November. Go to: waterloocatholics.org/hs-confirmation to register. Once you are registered, you will receive the class schedule via email as soon as it is available. Contact Annie Zeets with questions: anniezeets@gmail.com or call: 319-239-0163.

Parish Life is sponsoring its 2nd annual BINGO NIGHT on Saturday, October 13 @ 6:00 PM in the Parish Center. Parish Center doors open after the 4:30 PM Mass and games start at 6:00 PM. NO COST to play and this is open to school-ages children and older! Please bring an appetizer/dessert to share potluck style and bring your own beverage. What a great way to unwind after a busy garage sale season. So, dust off your BINGO skills and JOIN US for a night of fun! ALL ARE WELCOME!