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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Each October during Respect Life Month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) laun­ches a new cycle of Respect Life Program resources for a year-round, nationwide effort to help Catholics understand, value and cultivate respect for human life. The Theme for Respect Life Month here in 2026 is “Mary, Mother of Life, Pray for Us.” The Blessed Mother welcomed Jesus into the world at both his conception and at the foot of the Cross. She gives her “yes” to life itself and is given to us as a mother to help us do the same. This title of Mary invites us to rely on her intercession for all mothers entrusted with new life.

Msgr. Marvin Mottet taught us how to walk using our Two Feet of Social Action — one for meeting immediate needs and the other for working to bring about systemic change to address those needs. On Sept. 16, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of this leading voice for social justice and action in the Diocese of Davenport and far beyond. You can read his obituary on The Catholic Messenger website: https://tinyurl.com/566k49b5.

ST. PAUL — For more than 100 years, Ron Overberg’s family has owned farmland overlooking the tiny community of St. Paul. In the center of town — population 100 — sits St. James the Less Catholic Church. “It’s easy to recognize God during morning prayer when you look over the fields and see the steeple,” he said. Overberg and members of the Together in Christ Parishes, which include St. James the Less-St. Paul, St. John the Baptist-Houghton, St. Mary of the Visitation-West Point and St. Boniface-Farmington, gathered on the evening of Sept. 5 for a Rural Life Mass. Bishop Dennis Walsh presided at the Mass, which takes place annually around harvest time.

ST. PAUL — For more than 100 years, Ron Overberg’s family has owned farmland overlooking the tiny community of St. Paul. In the center of town — population 100 — sits St. James the Less Catholic Church. “It’s easy to recognize God during morning prayer when you look over the fields and see the steeple,” he said. Overberg and members of the Together in Christ Parishes, which include St. James the Less-St. Paul, St. John the Baptist-Houghton, St. Mary of the Visitation-West Point and St. Boniface-Farmington, gathered on the evening of Sept. 5 for a Rural Life Mass. Bishop Dennis Walsh presided at the Mass, which takes place annually around harvest time.

DES MOINES — With political activity across the state heating up as the 2026 general election approaches, Iowa’s four Catholic bishops have begun a social media campaign on “Faithful Citizenship” that they hope will have an impact long after all of this year’s votes are cast. The leaders of the dioceses of Des Moines, Dubuque, Sioux City and Davenport have started releasing short videos this month in which they answer questions on public policy and politics. Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque kicked off the effort Sept. 3 by addressing, “How do I maintain my Catholic values in the political sphere?”

Permission given for use of Mass for the Care of Creation on Sundays in September and the Mass for St. Francis on Sunday, October 4.

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.