08/30/2026
Dear Parishioners,
School began this week, and with it come new traffic patterns, shifting routines, and the yearly scram-ble to settle into a fresh rhythm. I hope and pray that these first days have been kind to our families as you adjust to the pace of a new year.
With school underway, many naturally begin wondering about our faith formation offerings for the coming year. Earlier this summer—before my arrival—the previous pastors of the parishes in the Dubuque Ar-ea East Pastorate spent time discerning what programs could realistically be offered. After much discussion, they determined that the Wednesday evening program at the Cathedral and the Sunday morning program at St. Joseph, Key West, would not be offered this year.
Since arriving, I’ve met with our faith formation leaders to respond to our pastorate’s needs and to en-sure that we continue providing meaningful opportunities for families and young people. For the 2026–2027 academic year, our pastorate will offer the following programs:
• Wednesday evening Family Faith Formation once a month at St. Columbkille, coordinated by Alice Noethe.
• Thursday evening Family Faith Formation once a month at St. Catherine, coordinated by Marybeth
Wagner.
• First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation coordinated by Sr. Kim.
• Confirmation Preparation coordinated by Fr. Francois.
We are still finalizing some details, but registration materials, schedules, and calendars will be available next week. We will share them through our usual com-munication channels and post them on the parish web-sites. As these programs take shape, we will likely have needs for small‑group leaders, catechists, hospitality ministers, prayer partners, and others who can help cre-ate a welcoming and faith‑filled environment for our families.
I know this is an adjustment. This is a new “traffic pattern” and a “shifting routine” for all of us. Please be kind to one another—and to our faith formation team—as we settle into a new rhythm and pace. What we offer this year will look different from last year, and what we offer this year may not look exactly like what we offer next year.
We are learning, adapting, and building together. Still, I am confident that Alice, Marybeth, Sr. Kim, and Fr. François will bring creativity, dedication, and faith to their work, offering programs that truly serve our families and help our young people grow in their relationship with Christ.
I also know that some families prefer a weekly Wednesday evening classroom model—what many re-member as Religious Education or CCD. Several parish-es in the Dubuque Area West Pastorate continue to offer that format, and Fr. Schueller has assured me that families from our pastorate are welcome to register for a weekly program in the West Pastorate if that structure best supports their children’s faith formation. I’m grate-ful this option is available, and I want families to feel free to choose the setting that fits their needs.
As we move forward, let’s keep one another in prayer. Change is never easy, but it can open doors to new ways of growing in faith together. May the Lord guide our pastorate with wisdom, patience, and hope.
Be assured of my prayers! Have a great week!
