Public Mass of Thanksgiving scheduled for Bishop-elect Zinkula
DUBUQUE — The Cathedral of St. Raphael will host a Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop-elect Thomas Robert Zinkula shortly after he is ordained and installed as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Davenport. The Mass is open to the public and will be held on Monday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Cathedral Center.
Bishop-elect Zinkula’s appointment to the Diocese of Davenport was announced the morning of Wednesday, April 19. In a statement that day, Archbishop Michael Jackels of Dubuque said, “This is the hand of God, providing for a need, out of love for the world. Divine Providence can be a cause for joy to some people, as it should be for the people in the Diocese of Davenport, receiving their new Bishop. It can also be a cause for sadness to others, as it might be for us in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, saying good-bye and thank you to a priest we have experienced as a son, brother, friend, collaborator, spiritual father, and witness to Jesus.”
The public Mass of Thanksgiving is an opportunity for Bishop-elect Zinkula to say good-bye since the ordination and installation Mass on June 22 in Bettendorf is not open to the public due to occupancy limitations. In anticipation of the Mass of Thanksgiving, Bishop-elect Zinkula said, “The Mass will give me a chance to celebrate my priesthood and appointment with the many brothers and sisters in Christ to whom and with whom I have ministered during the past 27 years.”
Those who are unable to attend the Mass but wish to convey their prayers and congratulations may send messages to the Archdiocese of Dubuque Pastoral Center, c/o Bishop-elect Zinkula, 1229 Mt. Loretta Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52003 before June 26.
