Deanery Doings!

Here you can find some of the great things that Deanery Councils of Catholic Women are doing!  Let them inspire your Deanery Council! Learn more by reading the latest issue of The Link quarterly newsletter found HERE!

Thank you, Fr. Wayne Droessler!
The Cedar Rapids Deanery would like to thank Fr. Wayne Droessler for his dedicated service as the Spiritual Advisor for this deanery for the past seven years. President Billie Burhite, former representative of the Cedar Rapids deanery, shared, “Last year, Fr. Droessler celebrated 55 years of priesthood. During his time as our Spiritual Director, he was a steadfast supporter of ACCW. He always has a wise word to share and is never seen without a smile. Father never misses an opportunity to fish with his brother, and loves sharing stories from his time in the parishes.”  Thank you, Fr. Droessler!  

Welcome, Fr. Sean Smith!
At the Cedar Rapids Deanery meeting on December 10, ACCW President Billie Burhite commissioned Fr. Sean Smith as the new Spiritual Advisor for the deanery. Fr. Smith currently serves as the pastor at St Patrick Parish in Anamosa as well as the parishes of the North Linn Catholic Cluster (St. Stephen Parish, Central City; St. John the Evangelist Parish, Coggon, and St. Joseph Parish, Prairieburg.) The Cedar Rapids Deanery looks forward to working with Fr. Smith as we continue to advance the mission of the ACCW.

The Dyersville Deanery is currently seeking a representative to lead the mission of ACCW in that area. Please prayerfully consider how you might share your gifts as an ACCW representive! Contact Billie Burhite at [email protected] to learn more!

2025 Deanery Meeting Schedule
The Dubuque Deanery is planning upcoming events to uphold the mission of the ACCW: To support empower, and educate Catholic women in Spirituality, Leadership, and Service. A prayer service for vocations will be held in November; members will be promoting the ACCW at their parishes in the coming months; and a dinner will be planned in September for current and newly assigned priests from all parishes of the deanery.

All women in the Dubuque Deanery are invited to come to the 2025 meetings to be held on May 20, August 19, and November 18 at 6:00 PM at Holy Spirit Parish, in Kriebs Hall, in the basement of Sacred Heart Church (2215 Windsor Avenue, Dubuque). If you are already an ACCW member, please reach out with a personal invitation to at least one person to join you at our next meeting. Be brave! Be bold! Be open! We hope to see you there!

Advent Retreat
The Decorah Deanery held an Advent retreat on December 21, 2024, hosted by St. Francis de Sales Parish, Ossian, with the theme: Vocations. Gathering in the church, Deacon Dan O’Brien led us in Eucharistic Adoration, a presentation about vocations, and prayer. Following lunch, the retreatants gathered in the church to recite the Stations of the Crib. Attendees have requested more opportunities to gather for retreats. 
Upcoming Events
On March 1, the Deanery will hold a Lenten Retreat at St. Luke Parish in St. Lucas. The retreat will include Eucharistic Adoration and a talk by Deacon Jim Zajicek on “What is a Parent’s Duty to Unchurched Children?” 
 
On March 23, Notre Dame Parish in Cresco will be hosting a “Vocations Fair” from 11 AM - 1 PM targeting seven- through twelve-year-olds.  Participants will go on a pilgrimage, with a map to complete, and questions. Guests will represent the vocations of marriage, priesthood, religious brothers and sisters, consecrated virgins, a non-cloistered brother, and the deaconate. The Decorah Deanery is helping to sponsor this event.   

Deanery Mourns the Passing of Spiritual Advisor Fr. James Dubert
The Marshalltown Deanery mourns the passing of our Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Jim Dubert, who died on January 20, 2025 at age 70. Fr. Dubert was born in Maquoketa, IA, and attended Iowa State University. Ordained a priest on May 23, 1998, he served at parishes in Dubuque, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Dougherty, Rockford, Rockwell, Ames, Hanover, Dorchester, Waukon, Britt, Buffalo Center, Lake Mills, Duncan, Forest City and Garner, and retired in 2020. He is described as a masterful teacher with a gift for sharing theological brilliance in his homilies. 

Fr. Dubert was installed as Spiritual Advisor of the deanery on April 6, 2024. We thank the Holy Spirit that Fr. Dubert said “yes” to serving as our Spiritual Advisor. It was only for a short time, but he contributed by participating in the October ACCW Annual meeting in Marshalltown, and offered Mass for our Christmas gift.  

Advent Day of Reflection
Forty women from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Marshalltown gathered at St. Henry Church for a Women's Day of Reflection. on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 AM till noon. The gathering included an opportunity to reflect on “feeling like a Mary and a Martha” during the hectic Christmas season. The morning began with Mass followed by coffee, rolls and conversation. Time was then spent preparing for the Christ child with Benediction, Eucharistic Adoration, and Reflection on Scripture from Luke 10:38-42 and Luke 4:38b-39.

Beauty in Christ Gathering
Holy Family Cluster in the Mason City Deanery participated in Beauty in Christ Women’s Conference. Twenty-two women from three parishes, St. John, Clarion; Sacred Heart, Eagle Grove, and St. Francis Xavier, Belmond gathered at St. John for prayer, discussion, inspiration, and good food. All appreciated the physical and spiritual nourishment. Our number of participants doubled from last year and the event was so successful that the men in the Cluster are planning a similar gathering for the Men’s Conference. 

The New Hampton Deanery is currently seeking a representative to lead the mission of ACCW in that area. Please prayerfully consider how you might share your gifts as an ACCW representive! Contact Billie Burhite at [email protected] to learn more!

Jubilee Year
Welcome to 2025 and the Jubilee Year. We are Pilgrims of Hope. We are encouraged to repent of our sins and return our focus on the spiritual life. The Waterloo Deanery ladies continue to have a rewarding time together. Some of our members were able to attend the virtual Beauty in Christ conference in January.  At Christmas, a card and gift cards were sent to all our active priests in the deanery, as well as our Spiritual Director, Deacon Tom Lang.