Setting fire to the prairie, or prairie burn, is one of many tasks required to maintain the health and safety of the Prairie. The prairie burn took place five days before Earth Day, an annual event begun April 22, 1970, in response to degradation of the environment. Respect for all of Creation is the mission of Our Lady of the Prairie, and its sponsor, the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
Read MoreThe Davenport City Council on Wednesday will consider passing a resolution supporting strategies and programs to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the impact of city operations on the environment, and improve air and water quality. The city resolution is backed by Progressive Action for the Common Good, the Diocese of Davenport, the Davenport branch of the NAACP, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, Congregation of the Humility of Mary, Nahant Marsh Education Center and Edwards United Church of Christ.
Read MoreSister Mary Ann Vogel’s work has impacted the lives of thousands of Iowans in their time of need. The Iowa Finance Authority recently recognized outstanding housing initiatives and leaders through the 13th annual HousingIowa Awards.
Read MoreThe Humility sisters already are involved in many efforts and organizations aimed at alleviating and ending hunger and poverty. Their commitment to affordable housing, for example, includes advocacy efforts. Housing is the underpinning for people to survive and thrive, Sister Vogel says. Find out how you can help by clicking on the "Give" button.
Read MoreWe are deeply concerned about the state of our country and the future of our democracy. Our hearts ached as we watched these despicable actions that threaten not only to destroy the seat of our government but to rend the bonds that unite us. We commend and thank the members of Congress who courageously continued their service to the nation even amid the chaos. In our increasingly divided nation, we renew our commitment to the common good and pledge to take up the challenge to use our energy to repair our democracy and contribute to the work of building a more perfect union. We invite all people of good will to join us and we call on our elected leaders to point the way.
Read MoreWe are very excited to announce that Humility Homes & Services, Inc. will buy the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church property in Davenport to provide housing opportunities and services to individuals experiencing homelessness.The purchase of the property, that includes four buildings on 4.5-acres of land, is made possible by the generous legacy of a donor to the Congregation of Humility of Mary (CHM).
Read MoreSister Irene Munoz has worked to bring about change—particularly in the lives of immigrant and migrant women. Her mission is and always has been to show them that their voices and their lives are important and worth fighting for. Sister Irene was featured in the 2018 book “Amazing Iowa Women,” an illustrated guide to some of Iowa’s most extraordinary women. In March 2020, she received the Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award at the Emerge Iowa DAWN awards. In August 2020, the USA TODAY Network recognized Sister Irene as one of 10 Women of the Century from the state of Iowa
Read MoreWe will not go back to the old normal after this pandemic — and many of us may not want to. This time is calling us to a new vision of thinking, being and living. Boldly we must go forward into the future, whatever it may be, whatever we are being called to do. We should use this opportunity to ready ourselves for this new challenge. The Prairie will open its doors on August 1st. Check our web calendar for online and in-person retreats!
Read More“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” These words by St. Teresa speak to our amnesia of our interconnectedness. The fact is that our lives are intertwined in a myriad of ways. Liberals and conservatives, Trump supporters and impeachment advocates, the rich and the poor — we all breathe the same air, depend on the same economy and eat food from the same Earth. I am a Catholic religious sister, and my faith keeps me hopeful that we will regain our sense of togetherness. I have come to see that climate change, which has been one of our more polarized issues, is now a reality that is catalyzing a common purpose among us.
Read MoreCaring for our common home: Faith and business leaders share insights on stewardship of earth.
Read MoreThe Prairie, which straddles Scott and Clinton counties along the Wapsipinicon River, abounds with wild flowers, native grass prairie woodland and rolling hills. Pollinator strips line either side of the entrance road where monarch butterflies flit to and fro. A sitting area with benches and shade trees overlooks the Prairie’s pond. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary adds to the sense of spirituality. A rock garden swale takes an artistic approach to erosion control.
Read MoreThe recent mass shootings in our country impel us to once again beg all citizens and all elected leaders to end the rampant rage and division that have overpowered the nation and too often result in mass, indiscriminate violence. We are a nation that promises a life free from fear, and yet we seem unable to stop the epidemic of hate that has overwhelmed us. As we have been carrying in our own hearts the pain being endured by families who have lost loved ones and those wounded through gun violence, we bring in as well those impacted by these latest attacks.
Read More“Today we thank you especially for Ashley Velez, our HHSI executive director, as she continues to strengthen the web of relationships that encourages generous community members to share expertise, time and resources in response to challenges faced by sisters and brothers in our community who experience homelessness….”
Read MoreThe Congregation of the Humility of Mary (CHM) announces the 2019 jubilees of these members of the CHM congregation.
Read MoreCatholics celebrate Mass with exuberance in Nigeria, he said. They dance, sing a lot and are receptive to longer homilies. If a priest in Africa preaches for only 10 to 15 minutes, people ask, “What’s wrong with Father?” That’s the reverse here, he said Bishop Martin Amos (now retired) told him.
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