Link to Archbishop Jackel’s May Message

Link to Archbishop Jackels April Message

Dear Catholic School Supporter,Donate NowApril 15th is almost here!Tax day is circled on many people’s calendars, but did you know it is also the due date for round 1 STO tuition assistance applications? Hundreds of families are currently in the process of completing their 2022-23 applications. Over 90% of our STO assistance dollars will be awarded to income qualifying families who apply by April 15th. If you know someone who may benefit from Our Faith STO tuition assistance, please encourage them to apply now, when most of our aid is available. Please forward the newsletter and link to apply https://online.factsmgt.com/grant-aid/inst/3GSPV/landing-page Is now the time to adjust your 2022 tax strategy?If you’ve just paid more in 2021 taxes than you’d like, is it time to re-think your approach for 2022?  Here’s how the 75% STO tax credit could virtually eliminate your 2022 Iowa income taxes.  Find line 38 on your Iowa income tax return. If your income on line 38 is $100,000, you’ll owe $6,517 in Iowa taxes. If you donate $8,500 to the STO you will receive $6,375 in tax credits. Here’s the math: $6,517 – $6,375 = $142 owed!  If you’ve already paid Iowa taxes through your paycheck, you’ll receive at least $6,375 back!   Below is a link to our 2022 Tax Scenario document with other examples.2022 STO Iowa Tax ScenariosReserve tax credits with a 2022 PledgeAlmost 100 donors have already pledged their 2022 donations to reserve tax credits.  Last year we ran out of credits in early December, so I’d encourage you to pledge now.  If you’re unsure of the exact size of your planned 2022 donation, make a conservative pledge guaranteeing the tax credits.  You can always pledge or donate more if your tax situation warrants it.  Pledge hereIowa Tax Reform law begins taking effect in 2023The tax reform bill signed by Governor Reynolds will eventually create a flat income tax rate of 3.9% for all Iowans and eliminate Iowa income taxes on retirement income.  While the retirement tax change will begin in 2023, the flat tax rate will start to inch lower beginning next year, but will not go into full effect until 2026. Please ask your financial advisor or CPA how this might impact your charitable giving and taxes for 2023.Thank you for your support of Catholic school families and the Our Faith School Tuition Organization.  We look forward to the awarding process of tuition grants for 2022-23, and hope that because of your generosity in 2021 hundreds more families will receive much-needed assistance.  Should you ever have questions about the STO, please feel free to contact me at b.zeman@dbqarch.orgTake Care and God Bless!Why do I teach in a Catholic School? Stephanie Washburn St Joseph’s- Marion Grades 6-8 12 Years Teaching Why do I choose to teach in a Catholic school:  I attended Catholic schools as a student and appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to send my six siblings and me to Catholic schools. Teaching in a Catholic school allows me to infuse the Catholic faith into my daily lessons. I am able to see my students grow closer to God through their words, actions, and conversations that we have. Catholic schools give students a strong academic foundation to prepare them for their futures. Catholic schools educate the total person which is what I value most about teaching at a Catholic school.How has God affirmed that I’ve made the right choice: I am reaffirmed by my decision to teach in a Catholic school daily. Our school is a family. We are all united under the same God and are able to worship God together through school Masses, Adoration, Reconciliation, and service opportunities. I am able to take the daily readings and intertwine their messages into my lesson plans, I am able to start each class period with prayer, I am able to have students write about their faith, and most importantly, I am able to help my students deepen their relationships with God. Family Bio: I teach 6-8 grade ELA and 7-8 grade Science and have 12 years of teaching experience. I have been married to my husband, Andrew, for nine years and we have a 4-year-old daughter, Lila, who will start at St. Joseph School in the fall. I attended St. Joseph School in Marion from Kindergarten-8th grade, Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, and Loras College in Dubuque. I have 6 younger siblings who also attended St. Joseph School and Xavier High School. Quotes from families applying for 2022-23 STO Tuition assistance “I switched my daughter to Catholic School last year and have noticed she is a lot happier. She is more comfortable and able to focus better on her academics. We love the atmosphere and people. Without this assistance, she would not be able to continue next year”“All my boys love going to our Catholic school. We are so grateful for the chance to fill out this application for financial assistance for tuition. We will be forever grateful for any and all assistance we are granted. Thank you!”For more information on the Our Faith STO, please contact:Deacon Brian Zeman  Director- Our Faith STO  b.zeman@dbqarch.org (563) 556-2580, ext. 296  or visit OurFaithSTO.org

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord – April 10^th: The Passion of the Lord from Luke’s Gospel will be read in narrative form. Palms will be distributed at each Mass.

Holy Tuesday – April 12^th: 7:30am Mass will be at Sacred Heart. The Archdiocesan Chrism Mass will be 2:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque. It is at this Mass that the Holy Oils used throughout the year are blest by Archbishop Jackels and distributed to the parishes. It is also the Mass where the Priests renew their vows. The Mass will be live streamed on the Archdiocesan website at dbqarch.org

Holy Wednesday – April 13^th: 8am Mass will be at St. Luke. 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Time for individual confessions will be offered on Palm Sunday, April 10^th from noon to 1:30pm at St. Luke and again on Holy Wednesday, April 13^th from 5:30-7:00pm at Sacred Heart. 

Holy Thursday – April 14^th: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper for both parishes will be held at St. Luke beginning at 7:30pm. This Mass reminds us of the gift of the Eucharist given to us the night before our Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross. The Holy Oils that were blest at the Chrism Mass are presented to the parishes at this Mass. The washing of the feet will follow the Homily. There will be a Eucharistic procession at the end of the Mass. The Altar will then be stripped and everyone departs in silence. The Mass does not end with a final blessing and sending forth, as it is the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, the Three Days. 

Good Friday – April 15^th: The Passion of the Lord will be 3:00pm at St. Luke and 7:00pm at Sacred Heart. We continue the Sacred Triduum by entering in silence and through listening again to our Lord’s Passion in the Gospel of John in narrative form. We will hear the General Intercessions of the Church as the Universal Church prays them together. There will be collections at both parishes for the support of the Holy Land. We will venerate the Wood of the Cross, which reminds us of the importance of the Cross for our salvation. It is still recommended to bow or genuflect instead of touch or kiss the Cross as you come up for the veneration. We will receive the Body of Christ that has been consecrated at Mass on Holy Thursday and again depart in silence. THIS IS A DAY OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE FOR EVERYONE OF ALL AGES, UNLESS THERE IS A MEDICAL REASON NOT TO FAST.

Holy Saturday – April 16^th: The Easter Vigil for both parishes will be at Sacred Heart beginning at 8pm. The Paschal Candle, which leads us out of darkness and into the light will be blessed and lead us into the darkened Church. We hear the Exultet proclaimed and hear the Scriptures as they remind us of our relationship with God. We will hear the Gloria proclaimed along with the Epistle from St. Paul and the Gospel which reminds us of God’s eternal love for us. This year we have five adults who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion. We also have the Baptisms of a young child and a newborn baby. All present will renew our Baptismal promises. Together we will celebrate at the Table of the Lord and depart proclaiming our praise to God. 

Easter Sunday – April 17^th: 8:30am Mass at Sacred Heart with overflow seating in the balcony, gathering space, and Newman Hall. There will also be 10:30am Mass at St. Luke with overflow seating available at the back of Church and in the Parish Office. We come together to celebrate the gift of new life in the Resurrection. We then take this gift of new life into the world to share as we begin the Easter Season. 

May this most sacred of all weeks in the Church year be one of peace, reflection, and joy for you and your family. We hope you will join us during this most sacred time. God bless your Easter Journey as we go forward to the great Feast of Pentecost and the birth of God’s Church in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Happy Easter!

Sacred Heart School alumni are invited to reconnect with the school as part of our 100th anniversary celebrations. Alumni are invited to update their contact information and share memories through a Google Form found at https://forms.gle/8eu783fwS6g1U24f8. Another option is to email the school at alumni@shmonticello.org. Please share this link with family and friends outside the Monticello area. A committee is being formed to plan activities to celebrate this milestone. To volunteer, please contact the school office. 

Upcoming events:
April 10: Sacred Heart School Day at La HaciendaMay 13-14:
Sacred Heart School Garage SaleJune 5:
Sacred Heart School Golf OutingNovember 19:
100th Anniversary Celebration and School Gala

Sacred Heart School is hiring teachers for the 2022-23 school year. Please see our postings on TeachIowa or contact the school office for more information. 

Link to Archbishop Jackels March Message

The current war in Ukraine is cause for great concern for the whole world. Pope Francis has encouraged us to pray for peace. Archbishop Jackels will preside at an Archdiocesan prayer service at St. Raphael Cathedral on Wednesday, March 16 beginning at 6:30 pm and concluding at 7:30 pm. All are welcome. For those who wish, the rosary will be prayed at 6:10. 

To participate virtually, visit www.dbqarch.org/live-broadcasts. The worship aid for the prayer service is attached for people to use in their homes or to gather in local groups. May our prayers be lifted throughout the entire Archdiocese!

Please help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine by making a donation to Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international relief agency of the Catholic Church.  CRS is on the ground preparing across Ukraine and in bordering countries, ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, transport to safe areas, counseling support, and more.

Donate securely online: https://support.crs.org/donate/donate-ukraine.   Please be sure to write “Ukraine Aid” in the Special Request section. Send checks to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303. Please write on the check “Ukraine Aid.”

Let us pray for peace! 

As we watch the tragic situation unfold in Ukraine, many people are seeking ways to help those fleeing violence. Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Ukraine are in Ukraine helping displaced individuals and families. They are on the ground providing relief services such as food kitchens, transportation assistance, and evacuation centers where individuals can eat, rest, and receive psychological support. Everyone is encouraged to go to Catholic Relief Services website at crs.org to make a donation and to learn more about how Catholic Relief Services is providing help for displaced individuals through Caritas Ukraine’s 17 diocesan offices. Please continue to pray for peace for all those displaced and suffering around the world. 
Thank you,
Fr. Paul

Lent 2022

Lenten Regulations of the Catholic Church:

Everyone 14 years of age or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Everyone18 years of age and under 59 is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these two days of fast and abstinence only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not apply. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from the fast and abstinence prescribed by the Church. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. Priests, religious and laity are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer, and performance of works of charity and mercy.

Ash Wednesday – March 2^nd – Mass Schedule – THIS IS NOT A DAY OF OBLIGATION:

8:00am at St. Luke 10:00am with Sacred Heart School Students

5:00pm at St. Luke 7:00pm at Sacred Heart

Stations of the Cross & Mass:

The Stations of the Cross and Daily Mass will be offered beginning at 5:00-6:30pm each Tuesday at Sacred Heart and each Thursday at St. Luke from Thursday, March 3^rd through Thursday, April 7^th. This will be in addition to the regular morning Masses scheduled at each parish. Please remember that Holy Communion may be received only once on a weekday.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:

The Sacrament of General Absolution & Penance will be offered at 1:00pm on Sunday, March 27^th at St. Luke and April 3^rd at Sacred Heart or by contacting Father for an appointment.

The Best Lent Ever:

Don’t forget to sign up for daily emails and videos from Dynamic Catholic along with their other offerings to help you have the Best Lent Ever. Just go to DynamicCatholic.com/lent/best-lent-ever.html for more details and to sign up today. This is a free service.

Sacred Heart Lenten Fish Fry:

Sacred Heart’s Lenten Drive Thru Fish Fry will be held on Friday, April 8^th from 4:30-7:30pm. A letter will be sent to parishioners in early March with details about the event.

Information for Holy Week (Palm Sunday, April 10^th through Easter Sunday, April17^th) will be available the weekend of April 3^rd.