Upcoming Events

READY FOR YOUR FUNERAL? Father John and the Emmaus Pastorate are offering funeral planning seminars on Thursdays, October 28 at St. Mark Parish Center in Edgewood and November 4 in Saint Joseph Parish Hall in Elkader.  Both begin at 6:30 p.m.  Materials will include a planning booklet and worksheet to use as you plan your celebration.  One of the most loving things you can do for your family at the time of your death is to have your wishes on paper!  Cost is $10 per person to cover materials.  Light refreshments will be served.  Although walk-ins are accepted, we appreciate you making a reservation in order to plan our materials.  Call either St. Mark (563-928-7200) or St. Joseph (563-245-2548) to register.

Anyone grieving the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend is welcome to enroll in a weekly support group sponsored by the Emmaus Pastorate.  Our second session of the Grief Share Support program will run on Tuesdays from September 14 thru December 7 from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Upper Room at St. Mary Parish in Strawberry Point.  To enroll or for more information contact one of the committee members:

• Dianne Fette 563-880-9847
• Kandi DeShaw 608-306-2558
• Fran Zichal 563-880-0873

The annual Crafer's Sale is held on the last Saturday of October, and the Knights of Columbus will once again serve breakfast.  Come get a start on your Christmas shopping and grab a bite between 7:00am and 1:00pm at the St. Joseph Parish Hall!  Meal tickets for the KC's pancake breakfast are available from any St. Joseph Knight and from the St. Joseph Parish Center.

Each Emmaus Pastorate parish will celebrate The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (known as All Souls Day) on Tuesday, November 2 with a prayer serivce at 6:30pm.  A short scripture service with some music and a reflection will be prayed, and empty chairs will be placed throughout our churches to remind us of our deceased loved ones.  All are encouraged to come, bring a photo of your lost family member or fried, and pray for those have gone before us marked with the sign of faith!

The final Theology on Tap this fall will feature Amanda Osheim, Ph.D., from Loras College.  She will speak on "Walking Together: Pope Francis' Vision for a Synodal Church"  at 6:30pm at Aunt Necees Pizza in Edgewood.  Please contact Fran Zichal at 563-880-0873 with any questions and to RSVP.

Please join the Emmaus Pastorate in giving thanks to God for all we've been given.  St. Mark Parish will celebrate Mass with it's Faith Formation program at 7:00pm on Wednesday, November 25.  Sacred Heart Parish will celebrate Mass Thursday, November 25 at 9:00am.

The second of three Theology on Taps will feature Matt Selby, an Archdiocese of Dubuque Faith Formation Leader.  He will be at Deb’s Brewtopia, 106 Cedar Street, Elkader, at 6:30pm helping us discover what it means to be Catholic, to be a disciple of Jesus.  All adults 21+ years are welcome to attend!  Please contact Fran Zichal at 563-880-0873 with any questions and to RSVP.

Please note the following schedules for the holy days in December 2021:

• Tuesday, December 7 @ 5:30pm @ St. Joseph Parish - Elkader
• Wednesday, December 8 @ 5:00pm @ St. Mary Parish - Strawberry Point
• Wednesday, December 8 @ 7:00pm @ St. Mark Parish - Edgewood

• Friday, December 24 @ 4:00pm @ St. Joseph Parish - Elkader
• Friday, December 24 @ 4:00pm @ St. Mark Parish - Edgewood
• Friday, December 24 @ 6:00pm @ St. Patrick Parish - Colesburg
• Saturday, December 25 @ 8:00am @ Sacred Heart Parish - Volga
• Saturday, December 25 @ 10:00am @ St. Mary Parish - Strawberry Point