January 20, 2026

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Thank you for being part of our Journey in Faith. Over the past year, thousands of you have prayerfully shared your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the future of our Church in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. This process has truly been guided by the Holy Spirit and enriched by your deep love for your parishes and for the mission of the Church.

After months of listening, gathering feedback, and discernment, I am pleased to share that the Journey in Faith Core Team has now developed the first version of a final pastorate plan. It reflects significant changes shaped directly by your feedback and that of your pastors. In fact, not a single pastorate from the earlier models (A, B, or C) made it into this new version—an encouraging sign of how seriously your voices have been heard. In some cases entirely new models were given and in others the parishes were grouped like a previous model, but there were changes in Mass locations or the number of Masses. I am grateful for the careful and thoughtful work the Core Team has done in creating a recommendation that best represents the feedback we received.

The Archdiocesan Planning Commission reviewed this first version of the final pastorate plan this January, and the priests will review it in early February. Based on their feedback, we will continue to refine the plan prayerfully and collaboratively in the months that follow. This next phase represents the right work at the right time in the right way, working together to ensure vibrant, sustainable communities of faith across our Archdiocese.

As we prepare for the next steps, I also want to highlight the ongoing Journey in Faith Prep Series, which is being sent weekly to priests and parish staff. These important resources are helping the parishes prepare for tasks and processes prior to the announcements this spring. 

I know that change can bring both hope and heartache. New beginnings stir excitement for what God is making possible, yet they also can awaken a sense of loss for what is familiar. Both experiences are natural and part of our shared journey. The Holy Spirit is guiding us toward renewal. Together, we are discerning how to bring the light of Christ more fully into our parishes and communities.

To stay informed and connected, please visit dbqjourneyinfaith.org, where you will find helpful updates, accurate information, and resources for ongoing engagement.



Thank you again for your faith, your trust, and your willingness to embrace this journey. I am filled with great hope for the Church in northeast Iowa and for what God is doing among us.

Walking with you on this Journey in Faith,

Archbishop Thomas Zinkula

Journey in Faith Novena 

January 3-11, 2026

Please join Archbishop Zinkula for a special Novena from the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (January 3) through the Baptism of the Lord (January 11), asking the Holy Spirit to guide our discernment and renew our unity as one Church. The Novena can be found at dbqjourneyinfaith.org under the Parish Resources tab.

Journey in Faith Days of Prayer

Join the monthly Day of Prayer focused on the Journey in Faith intentions. 

Details and prayer resources can be found at dbqjourneyinfaith.org under the Parish Resources tab.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul encourages us to, “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” As we continue to move forward with the Journey in Faith initiative, prayer serves as our foundation.  Having a set time of communal prayer would strengthen our bonds as an Archdiocesan community. Lifting up our souls, hearts and minds simultaneously surely would rise as a pleasing offering before God.

Please consider gathering in church for 30 minutes of prayer, music, and reflection at 1:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month:

● January 14

● February 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes

● March 11

● April 8 – Octave of Easter

FAQs

You will find newly added FAQs on that same site. These are updated frequently to reflect questions receive from parishioners across the Archdiocese. You are encourage to check them regularly for accurate and up-to-date information.

Journey in Faith Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You accompanied your disciples on the way to Emmaus.

As we journey in faith,

we trust in your Spirit 

to open our eyes

to set our hearts on fire

and to transform our parishes.

Make yourself known to us

through breaking open word and bread,

that we may travel together on mission;

to grow disciples, cultivate leaders and unify parishes,

with our journey ending in You,

who live and reign forever and ever. 

Amen.

Journey in Faith is the process of the Archdiocese of Dubuque to involve parishes in planning for the future.

St. Anthony’s Journey in Faith Team Members were selected by Father Steve to help facilitate the feedback process from our parish to the Archdiocese. Their role is to impartially record and submit the feedback of parishioners at our local meetings to the Journey in Faith Core Team  at the Archdiocese.

The members listed below are advocates for our parish. They are not decision makers in this process. Decisions will be made by Archbishop Zinkula, with input from those who participate in the upcoming meetings and through the online Feedback Form.

Besides Father Steve and Sister Margaret Anne Kramer,

the Team Members are:

Jackie and John Gonner

Sharon Heiderscheidt

Deacon Bill Hickson

Doug Schuster

These parishioners will be facilitating our local parish meetings, scheduled for  October 6 and 27 at 6:00 PM in O'Malley Hall.  We thank them for their time and dedication for this very important work.

Please plan to attend both parish sessions. We value your input.

Review the FAQs, maps, and other resources found at dbqjourneyinfaith.org.