Catholic Charities has an immediate opening for an Iowa licensed mental health counselor or Iowa licensed independent social worker based in the Cedar Rapids office. Flexible schedule, 15-30 hours per week, depending on client appointments. Contact Human Resources at dbqchr@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us or 1-800-896-3546 for more information.

St John Lutheran Church, Newhall Sr. Youth are again selling peaches. Orders should be prepaid and postmarked no later than August 1, 2010. $28 per box, 1/2 box is $18. There will be a split delivery with an order coming around the third week of August and the second order about the 5th week of August or 1st week in September. Orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Order forms can be found in the back of the church.

On September 11, 2010 Fr John Corapi will be making a rare public speaking appearance at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska presenting his Spiritual Warfare conference. Joining him will be Archbishop George Lucas and master of ceremonies Jerry Usher. The best seats are going fast. This event is sponsored by St Pete’s Church. Get details at www.fathercorapiomaha.com or 1-800-745-3000.

Save the Date! AMRH will begin celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary Year, September 19th, 2010, with an outdoor Eucharistic Liturgy, Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB, presiding. This will be followed by a picnic and entertainment. Please join us.

Eleven wonderful days in Alpine, Europe. Included is the Passion Play at Oberammergau, held only once every 10 years. Highlights include the Rhine Valley, Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Munich, Altotting, Marktl Am Inn (Village of the birthplace of Pope Benedict XVI), Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lake Lucerne Rhine Falls, and Frankfurt. September 27 thru October 7, 2010. Price includes Passion Play tickets, air, most meals, first class hotels, all daily tours. First come first served basis. Daily Mass. From Omaha $3869 * From Chicago $3699. Write, email, or call Fr John Vakulskas—718 8th St—Sibley, IA 51249, 712-754-3311, or fjas@earthlink.net.

If you or someone you know has children with no health and dental coverage, encourage them to consider enrolling in hawk-i or Medicaid.  There two programs are offered by the State of Iowa.

There are as many as 27,000 children in Iowa without health and dental coverage.  There are many families who are eligible for these programs but they are either unaware of the programs or assume they earn too much money to qualify.  However, a family of three earning  $54,000 or more may be eligible.  Many families are cutting back expenses in these challenging economic times.  Health and dental coverage for children is too important.  No family will pay more than $40 per month for coverage in hawk-i. 

Signing your children up for health and dental coverage in Iowa for as low as $20 to $40 per month and some families pay nothing at all!  Our goal is to help the children get the health and dental coverage they need. For complete eligibility requirements, application, and answers to your questions, visit www.hawk-i.org or call 1-800-257-8563.

Often, major problems can be avoided by early intervention, by finding new ways of dealing with daily problems before they become a crisis. Through counseling, individuals, couples and families learn to work out their problems and have a better chance of staying emotionally healthy. Counseling services are provided, regardless of religion, race or financial status. Individual counseling is available, as well as marriage and family counseling.

For further information or for an appointment, contact one of the following sites:

Ames, 515-296-2759

Dubuque, 563-588-0558, 556-2580

Cedar Rapids, 319-364-7121

Mason City, 541-424-9683

Decorah, 800-772-2758

Waterloo, 319-272-2080

Also check their website: www.charitiesdbq.com

A rosary meditation for the homebound, sick, and dying is now available. Titled "Sit with Me", it is a beautiful recitation of the Rosary that includes all 20 mysteries. Pray the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries and experience meditative and scriptural reflections focused on bringing comfort and grace. It is led by Archbishop Hanus. Comments have included "This rosary has such meaning for each decade and keeps you attentive throughout" and "Especially good for the elderly. It is so clear and easy to understand." Contact the Queen of Saints office to order 319-228-8131.

Do you need to go to a doctor or go for medical tests? Benton County Volunteer Program has volunteers available to assist you with Medical Transportation. Grant money is available to help defray the cost of your trip. Please call our office for more information: Belle Plaine-319-434-6078 or Vinton 319-472-2830.