Dear Friends,

Where has all the time gone? It is hard to believe that we are already at the fifth Sunday of Lent. The readings today help us look forward to the great feast of Easter as Jesus proclaims Himself to be the “Resurrection and the Life.” And so He is! This Sunday we have an opportunity to renew that life within us as we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM, four priests will be available to celebrate this great Sacrament of God’s forgiveness and mercy with us. I do hope you will be able to join us for this outpouring of God’s mercy. Discover for yourselves the new life Christ brings!

Faith Formation Lenten Project – Care Bags for the Homeless

When Faith Formation resumes after spring break, students in grades K-6 will be putting together care bags for those in need in Newton. We are asking for donations of gallon size zipper baggies, travel sized hygiene items, granola bars, snacks, etc. If you are able to make a donation to this cause, please bring donations to the Office of Faith Formation by Friday, March 24. Thank you!!

SHARE Preschool Director Position

Sacred Heart Catholic Church is seeking a Director/ Lead Teacher for the 2023-2024 school year (30 hours weekly from Aug.-May). This person will work with a strong team of associates, parish staff and involved board members to fulfill the mission of the church. Responsibilities will include the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum as well as a religious education component and the management of all aspects of the program.

The Case for Jesus

Tuesday evenings beginning February 28 at 6:30 pm

Do you follow Jesus ‘on the way’? Can we trust the Gospels? Do we really know who wrote them? Do the Gospels communicate truth – or fabricated fables? Who is Jesus? Who did Jesus claim to be? Join Dr. Brant Pitre as he draws evidence from both early Christian and non-Christian writings attesting to the authenticity, authorship, and dating of the Gospels, and as he gives an indepth look at the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the proclamation of Christ’s divinity. Dr. Pitre’s powerful presentation will strengthen your faith so that you can not only stand firm and profess that Jesus truly is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” but also confidently respond to any skeptics you encounter.

This study consists of nine sessions, and the group will meet for these via Zoom

Fearless and Free Bible study

Friday Mornings beginning February 24 at 9:45 am

Based on the Book of Ephesians, Fearless and Free Bible study focuses on healing and wholeness. Author Lisa Brenninkmeyer designed this Bible study for any woman confronting the reality that life isn’t easy. When suffering slams into you and leaves you reeling, or you feel great one day and down on the mat the next, turn to this Scripture study.

In these six compassionate lessons, you’ll learn how just the right passages in Scripture can waken you to the reality of who you are in Christ. You’ll be coached as you wrestle with the battle in your mind and finally, be strengthened as the warrior to reclaim your footing and move forward in life, grounded in the truth of Scripture. This is not about surviving; it’s about flourishing in Christ’s love.

Sunday by Sunday

Sunday by Sunday is a way to reflect on the Gospels throughout the Liturgical year. Sunday by Sunday is a publication of the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Paul, Minnesota. It begins and ends with prayer. Its questions inspire adults to share the faith they live, and to wrestle with what Jesus in the Gospels asks of us in our time, in our neighborhoods, in our world.

There is no preparation necessary prior to meeting each week. It is encouraged to read the upcoming Mass readings prior to meeting, but not necessary.

Mother Teresa: No Greater Love – film showing at Capitol II Theater on January 22nd at 4:00 PM, presented by Knights of Columbus and Church Life Commission. During the last half of the 20th century, Mother Teresa captured the imagination of the world through her dedication to serving the poorest of the poor. Filmed on five continents and featuring unprecedented access to institutional archives, this movie is a soaring tribute to a spiritual icon, a powerful witness of authentic Christian charity, and a guidepost for all who seek hope in our turbulent times. Join us to watch this inspiring, feature-length film. Bring your family and friends and be inspired to put your faith into action. Tickets sales begin the weekend of January 7th & 8th following Mass.

Saturday, March 25:

· 5:30 PM Mass will be offered for the repose of the souls of Russell, Dorothy, and Ron Green, parents and brother of Marilyn Lamb

Sunday, March 26:

· 9:00 AM Mass will be offered for the members of the parish

Monday, March 27:

• 11:30 AM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Fr. Bill Wiegand

Tuesday, March 28:

• 5:15 PM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Charlie Shepard

Wednesday, March 29:

• 11:30 AM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Tim Riley, brother of Tom Riley

Thursday, March 30:

• 5:15 PM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Tom Phelan

Friday, March 31:

• 9:00 AM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of  Willard Sally, uncle of Mark Berkenbosch

Saturday, April 1:

• 5:30 PM Mass will be offered for the members of the parish

Sunday, April 2:

• 9:00 AM Mass will be offered for repose of the soul of June Rausch, mother of Tom Rausch

Monday, April 3:

• No Mass today
• 10:00 AM  Chrism Mass in Davenport at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Open to the public.

Tuesday, April 4:

• 5:15 PM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Teresa Hauge, mother of Jerry Hauge

Wednesday, April 5:

• 11:30 AM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Nancy Smith, mother of Joan Thorpe

Holy Thursday, April 6:

• 7:00 PM Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of JoAnn DeJaeger, sister of Mary Mullan

Good Friday, April 7:

• 7:00 PM Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will be held in the church

Holy Saturday, April 8:

• 8:30 PM Solemn Easter Vigil Mass will be offered for the members of the parish.

Easter Sunday, April 9:

• 9:00 AM Easter Sunday Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of William Wilgenbusch, husband of  Mary Jo Wilgenbusch
• 11:00 AM  Easter Sunday Mass will be offered for the repose of the souls of Phil & Irene Herold, parents of Fr. Tony Herold.

Welcome to the website of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located in Newton, Iowa.

This is a Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Davenport. The church is located at 1115 South 8th Avenue East, in the southeast quadrant of Newton.

Sacred Heart is a vibrant Catholic Community, living its Eucharistic faith in the risen Jesus, proclaimed in word and deed, celebrated in worship and sacrament, and shared in outreach to the parish community, to the diocesan and universal church,  and to the wider secular community.

Our social center, staff offices, and administrative offices are housed in the McCann Center, dedicated in 1969 to the memory of the Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. McCann, who served as pastor here from 1910-1960.

The church was dedicated in 1976 and was renovated in 2005, when a courtyard was enclosed to create a gathering space at the entrance to the church. This project included a new sacristy, a day chapel, and the creation of handicapped accessible restrooms. The key element of this construction is the addition of a flowing water baptistry, which also serves as our holy water font.

Please spend some time browsing our website, but more importantly, come and visit us in person and join us in the celebration of the holy Eucharist. May God bless you this day and always.