Year 1: Welcoming + Belonging

St. Ambrose University Professor Matthew Coomber, presenter for the Diocese of Davenport’s celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God, explored with participants what the Bible teaches about hospitality.

When 2-year-old Brooklynn Dop learned Christmas was approaching, she imagined eating cake and joyfully singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

Catholics identifying as LGBTQ had an opportunity to talk about their sense of belonging in the Catholic Church during a gathering Jan. 7, the Epiphany of the Lord, at St. Thomas More Parish.

Q. Is there an appropriate time to announce birthdays or anniversaries during the liturgy? A. Practices on this vary widely across parishes. We are trying to balance two goods here: (1) a respect for the integrity, solemnity and “noble simplicity” of the liturgy and (2) a polite and appropriate acknowledgment of members of the community, which can serve to foster a deeper sense of communion.