Waterloo Catholics

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QUIK CLICK GUIDE TO THIS PAGE
Annulment--How to Petition for a Decree of Invalidity
Anointing--How to Arrange for Anointing or Last Rites
Baptism--How to Baptize an Infant or Child
Being Catholic--How to Join the Catholic Church
Being Catholic--How to Resume Participating in the Church
Being Catholic--What Does the Church Expect of Me?
Being Catholic--What If I Attend Another Church?
Being Catholic--What If I Don't Agree with What the Church Teaches?
Being Catholic--What We Mean by "the Catholic Church"
Birth Control--What If I Use Birth Control?
Catholic School--How to Enroll Children in Catholic School
Complaints--How to Complain About a Parish Member or Staff
Confession--How to Go to Confession
Conscience--How to Form a Moral Conscience
Divorced Catholics--What If I Am Divorced?
Faith--How to Continue Growing in Faith
Faith--What If I Am Spiritual but not Religious?
Fasting and Abstinence--What Are the Rules on Fasting and Abstinence?
Funeral--How to Arrange for a Catholic Funeral
Gay or Lesbian Catholics--What If I Am Gay or Lesbian?
Inactive Catholics--How to Resume Participating in the Church
Marriage--How to Get Married or Remarried in the Catholic Church
Marriage--Why Should I Get Married in the Church?
Mass--How to Appreciate the Mass
Parish Life--How to Become More Active in Your Parish
Parish Life--How to Choose a Parish
Prayer--How to Pray Better
Reconciliation--How to Appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Religious Education--How to Enroll Children in Religious Formation
Sexual Abuse--How to Get Help If You Are the Victim of Church Sexual Abuse
 

•   •   •

How do I choose a parish?

   In the past, Catholics generally belonged to a parish if they lived within the geographical boundaries of that parish, or if it was a parish which served the ethnic community to which they belonged. 
   Today, baptized Catholics are still technically members of the parish within whose boundaries they live, unless they take deliberate steps to join a different parish, which many Catholics do. 
   A variety of factors enter into the decision about which parish to join.  The most important thing is that the parish is a community of practicing Catholics in which you are welcome to express and deepen your faith in Jesus Christ.  This community should affirm and challenge your spiritual growth while it encourages and prepares you to live out your baptismal commitment. 
   No parish is perfect, and no parish is an end in itself.  The parish is a local manifestation of the Universal Church, the Body of Christ, which spans the boundaries of time and space. Your participation in a parish community should help you experience and express your participation in the Universal Church.
   Before you choose a parish, think about what you and your family need in order to understand and practice your Catholic faith.  Attend Sunday Mass at different parishes.  Visit with friends or neighbors, and listen carefully to the reasons they give for why they belong to one parish or another.  If you wish, visit with the pastor or other parish staff before joining a parish. After you join a parish, continue to evaluate whether the parish you chose is helping you to become a better member of the Body of Christ. 
   Keep in mind that, like any other relationship, your connection to a parish is a two-way street.  It always depends as much on your own effort and participation as it does on the parish community.
(See also “How Do I Become More Active in the Parish Where I Attend?”)
Click here for more on how Catholics choose a parish.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
Click here for a schedule of Sunday Masses

•   •   •

How do I resume participating if I have not been active in the Church?

   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo welcome inactive Catholics who wish to resume more active participation in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic Church. 
    Inactive Catholics can resume participating in Sunday Mass whenever they are ready to do so.  As a general rule they should celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) before receiving Holy Communion, and at some point they should notify the parish office where they plan to participate so that the parish census information can be updated.  Individuals who have formally renounced their membership in the Catholic Church, officially joined another church, or have married outside the Church should visit with a pastor or parish staff member.
   The parishes provide a variety of opportunities for inactive, alienated, disillusioned or former Catholics who wish to discuss their past, present or future relationship to the Catholic faith community in a safe, non-threatening environment.  In some cases this discussion can be helpful even if you do not intend to resume active participation in the Catholic Church or do not intend to resume full participation at the present time.
   If you are an inactive, alienated, disillusioned or former Catholic or Catholic Seeker who is interested in resuming active participation in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church, we encourage you to visit with a family member, friend or neighbor who is an active Catholic and to consult with a pastor, parish staff member, or spiritual director.
• For information about resuming active participation in the Church contact the Director of Adult Faith Formation at 319-234-9912.
(See also "How Do I Choose a Parish?")
Click here for more information for inactive Catholics
Click here for more information for Catholic Seekers

•   •   •

How do I get my child baptized?

   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo celebrate the sacrament of Baptism regularly throughout the year, except during Lent and on occasional weekends when other special events are scheduled.
   Like all sacraments, Baptism is a celebration of the whole faith community and should take place in the presence of the parish community.  For this reason, baptisms are usually celebrated during Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass. However, it is possible to schedule a baptism after a Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass if a priest or deacon is available.
   In order to baptize an infant or child, at least one parent must be a baptized Catholic who is registered in a local parish and is participating in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church. Parents must choose at least one Baptism Sponsor (or Godparent) who is at least 16 years old, has been baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church, and participates regularly in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community.
   The baptism of an infant or child presumes that the Catholic parent(s) are able and willing to be actively involved in the religious formation of their child.
   First-time parents are expected to participate in a preparation program prior to the baptism, and to participate as fully as possible in continuing education and formation opportunities for Catholic adults and parents.
• To register for baptism, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate or plan to participate.
Click here for more information about Baptizing Infants and Children

•   •   •

How do I enroll my child in a Catholic school or religious formation program?

   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo have made a serious commitment to the religious formation of children and youth. 

Catholic Schools
   The parishes support the Cedar Valley Catholic Schools, which includes Blessed Sacrament School (Day care, Preschool, Grades K- 8), Sacred Heart School (Day care, Preschool, Grades K- 8), St. Edward School (Day care, Preschool, Grades K- 8) and Columbus High School (Grades 9-12).  The Cedar Valley Catholic Schools system provides a quality educational opportunity which addresses the academic, personal and spiritual needs of all students.  Bus transportation and tuition assistance are available to families who need them. 
• For information about enrolling your child in a Catholic school, contact CVCS at 319-232-1422 or contact your parish school.
Click here for more information about CVCS

Religious Formation of Children
   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo provide a full-range of religious formation opportunities for children and youth who do not attend a Catholic school.  These include the Liturgy of the Word during Sunday Mass, regularly scheduled religious formation instruction for children in grades K-8, and intergenerational family faith formation.  The parishes are in the process of developing other opportunities which will better serve the diverse needs of Catholic families.
• For information about enrolling your child in opportunities for Catholic religious formation, contact the Director of Religious Formation in the parish where you participate or plan to participate.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

Religious Formation of Youth
   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo provide regularly scheduled religious formation for youth in grades 9-12 through Waterloo Catholic Youth Ministry (WCYM) and Cooperative Opportunities for Religious Education (CORE).  These opportunities for the religious formation of youth address a full range of personal, spiritual, social and catechetical needs which shape the faith of youth at this important stage in their personal and spiritual development.
• For information about enrolling your child in CORE, contact the Director of Religious Formation in the parish where you participate.
• For information about your child's participation in activities sponsored by WCYM, contact the Director of Youth Ministry at 319-233-3358/ext 134.
Click here for more information about WCYM
Click here for more information about the religious formation of children and youth.
Click here for a guide to what children should understand about their faith.
Click here for resources for Catholic parents.

•   •   •

How do I have a family member anointed or receive the “Last Rites”?

   Any Catholic who is aging, seriously ill, or suffers from a chronic physical, emotional or mental disability is encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on a regular basis.
   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in communal anointing services which usually take place during a Sunday liturgy at least once a year.
   Individuals who anticipate a serious surgery or hospitalization may arrange to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing individually or at a weekday Mass prior to the hospitalization.
   In the case of an emergency, the patient or a family member should ask the hospital chaplain or pastoral care staff to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick and/or the “Last Rites.”  This is usually a faster and more effective way than calling the parish office directly, especially if the emergency occurs during the night or on a weekend when parish offices are closed.
   The "Last Rites" include Confession, Holy Communion and prayers for the dying, and are reserved for persons who are in immediate danger of death.  Neither the Anointing of the Sick or the Last Rites may be administered if a person has died. If the person has died, the pastor, a parish staff member, or a member of the hospital's pastoral care staff may lead family members in prayer and reflection for the deceased.
   Catholics who are divorced and remarried outside of the Church may receive the Sacrament of Anointing and Last Rites if they are in danger of death.
• For more information about Anointing of the Sick or administration of the Last Rites, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo.

•   •   •

How do I go to Confession?

   The Catholic parishes offer various opportunities for individuals who wish to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession.
   Regular opportunities for individual confession are scheduled before some weekend Masses and in some parishes before weekday Masses.  In an emergency, individuals may also make an appointment for individual confession with a local priest by contacting the parish office.
   In addition, the parishes provide an opportunity for the Communal Celebration of Reconciliation at least twice a year during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  These Communal Celebrations include the opportunity for individual confession and are announced in parish bulletins and on parish websites.
   Catholics are required by Church law to confess mortal sin at least once a year.  Catholics who have not committed mortal sin are welcome to confess individually to a priest at any time, but may also participate in a Communal Penance Service without going to individual confession.
   As a general rule, a person who wishes to discuss serious spiritual matters at length in the context of the Sacrament of Reconciliation should make an appointment with the parish priest outside of regularly scheduled individual confession or communal penance services.
(See also: "How do I learn to appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation?")
Click here for more information about Celebrating Reconciliation
Click here for a schedule of individual Confession

•   •   •

How do I arrange a funeral in the
Catholic Church?

   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo welcome the opportunity to support and encourage Catholic families who are celebrating the life and mourning the death of a loved one.
   When a family member dies, you may contact the parish directly.  However, it is also possible to wait until you have met with the funeral director, who will consult with the parish about the time of the vigil service and funeral Mass.  The funeral director may also schedule a time for family members to meet with the pastor or a member of the parish staff.
   When family members meet with the pastor or parish staff they will have an opportunity to select the scripture readings, music and other arrangements they wish to incorporate into the vigil service or the funeral Mass.  Family members will have an opportunity to talk about the loved one's life, so that important aspects about the person can be incorporated into the homily at the vigil or funeral Mass. 
   Parish facilities are usually available after the funeral if the family wishes to make arrangements for a luncheon.
   In some parishes the vigil is conducted by a deacon or the pastoral associate.  A deacon or parish staff member may also preside at the funeral service and burial if the family decides not to have a funeral Mass.
• For more information about arranging for a funeral, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo
Click here for What Every Catholic Needs to Know About Funerals

•   •   • 

How do I get married in the Catholic Church?

   The Catholic Church considers marriage a sacrament, and therefore takes marriage and the preparation for marriage very seriously.  The Catholic parishes in Waterloo welcome the opportunity to celebrate this important decision with the couple, their families and friends.
   A couple should contact the parish as soon as they decide to be married in the Catholic Church.  As a general rule, couples should contact the parish at least six months before the marriage. 
   The pastor, or a parish staff person designated by the pastor, will meet with the couple to explain the preparation process and the documents which will be necessary in order for the marriage to take place. (For baptized persons, this includes a copy of your Baptismal Certificate and a Statutory Declaration of Freedom.)
   In most parishes, an engaged couple will be asked to complete the FOCCUS Inventory, which helps couples identify and discuss important issues and attitudes that contribute to the success of married life. In some parishes couples will also be asked to participate in a marriage preparation program such as Engaged Encounter and/or to meet with a “Sponsor Couple.”
   According to Church law, any baptized Catholic has the right to be married in the Church as long as they are free to marry, are mature enough to enter into a marriage covenant, and are willing to accept responsibility for living in a sacramental marriage.  Baptized persons (Catholic or non-Catholic) who have been previously married must obtain a Decree of Invalidity in order to be married in the Catholic Church. (See “How do I Petition for a Decree of Invalidity?”)
   Catholics may be married in a Catholic Church where they do not attend with the permission of the local pastor and the pastor of the parish in which they do participate.
• For information about being married in the Catholic Church, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate or plan to participate.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo.
Click here for frequently asked questions about Catholic weddings.
Click here for a guide to Catholic weddings.

•   •   •

Why should I get married in the Church?

   There are various reasons why Catholics choose to be married in the Church or not.  Some do because it is a social custom to be married in church or because a church is a sacred and beautiful place for a wedding; others do because parents, grandparents or in-laws insist on a church wedding. Some don’t because they no longer practice their faith, disagree with certain Church teachings, or are marrying someone who is not Catholic and, in some cases, feel they cannot be married in the Church.  In any case, this question entails more than the location of the wedding; it also speaks to the meaning of the marriage.
   Catholics believe that marriage is an intimate community of life and love designed for the good of the spouses and the welfare of children. We believe that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament -- that is, a sacred relationship between a man and a woman which embodies and expresses God's relationship to humankind. Since God's commitment to us is permanent, total and life-giving, we believe that the commitment which a married couple makes to each other should also be permanent, exclusive and life-giving.  This is a promise which is made freely, with reasonable knowledge and good intentions.  The Church hopes that a married couple will remain faithful to their promise "until death do us part," barring circumstances which cause serious spiritual or physical danger to the spouse or children, or otherwise make life together impossible.
   Although no one has a perfect marriage, and some marriages fail, two people who want their marriage to be happy, permanent, exclusive and life-giving should welcome the encouragement and support of a faith community which believes that, with God's grace, this is possible and desirable.
• If you have concerns or questions about what it means to be married in the Catholic Church, please visit with a pastor, parish staff member, or spiritual guide.
Click here for frequently asked questions about Catholic marriage.
Click here to read more about what Catholics believe about marriage.

•   •   •

How do I petition for a Decree of Invalidity (“Annulment”)?

   A Decree of Invalidity (what in the past Catholics commonly called an “annulment”) is an official declaration by a Church tribunal that a couple's valid civil marriage was not actually a sacramental marriage as understood by the Catholic Church.  A Decree of Invalidity is different from a legal divorce, which in civil law dissolves a valid civil marriage.  As a result of a Decree of Invalidity, a person is free to marry in the Catholic Church.
   When an individual petitions for a Decree of Invalidity, the diocese’s Marriage Tribunal investigates the couple’s marriage in order to determine if one or both partners were willing and able to enter into a sacramental covenant at the time they were married.  The Tribunal does not determine who is to blame for the failure of the marriage, but determines the intention of the partners at the time of the marriage.
   To obtain a Decree of Invalidity, an individual must petition the Marriage Tribunal and provide information about the marriage.  This process begins when an individual contacts the pastor or a parish staff member who is trained to guide an individual through the petition process.  Individuals must be legally divorced before filing a petition for a Decree of Invalidity. 
   The process of obtaining a Decree of Invalidity may take several months or several years.  The process relies on the written testimony of witnesses and the former spouse, if he or she agrees to participate in the Tribunal's investigation.  There is a suggested fee for a Decree of Invalidity which covers part of the costs of the Tribunal’s work, but an individual is never denied a Decree of Invalidity if they are unable to pay.
   A Decree of Invalidity, like a legal divorce, does not affect the legitimacy of children born to a couple during the civil marriage.
• To petition for a Decree of Invalidity, contact the parish office in the parish where you participate or another local parish.
Click here for more information about Decrees of Invalidity
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

•   •   •

What does the Church expect of me?

   Catholics become members of the Church by the grace of Baptism.  This sacrament establishes a personal, spiritual and canonical relationship to the Catholic Church which cannot be revoked unless it is formally and intentionally renounced by the individual.  Even Catholics who are excommunicated remain members of the Church.
   Membership in the Catholic Church assumes a person's intention to participate as fully as possible in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community.   As a general rule, active participation includes weekly attendance at Sunday Eucharist; personal prayer; assent to Catholic doctrine, moral and social teaching; a continuing effort to grow in one’s understanding and practice of the faith; and a contribution of time, talent and financial support to the parish and to those in need. 
   According to the Precepts of the Church, Catholics are expected to confess mortal sin at least once a year, receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter Season, attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation, and follow rules on fasting and abstinence established by the local conference of bishops.
   Actual participation in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church may vary from time to time and person to person, depending on a wide variety of personal and spiritual circumstances.  In the end, of course, Jesus says that everything depends upon how we have lived our lives. The Church expects no more from its members than Jesus expects from his disciples: to love God as best we can with our whole being, and to love our neighbor as our self.
• If you have questions or concerns about your status in the Catholic Church, visit with a pastor or parish staff member, a confessor or a trusted spiritual guide.
(See also “How Do I Become More Active?” and "What If I Don't Agree with Some of the Church's Teachings?")
Click here for a list of traditional "Precepts of the Church"
Click here for a summary of Catholics' rights and duties under Canon Law

•   •   •

What are the rules on fasting
and abstinence?

   In the United States, Catholics age 14 and older are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays in Lent.  (Meat is considered to be the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl and soups or gravies made from them, but not saltwater or freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles and shellfish or food products such as margarine and gelatin derived from animals which do not have any meat taste.)
   Catholics age 15 through 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (Fasting means refraining from consuming food or drinks considered to be food outside of one regular meal and two smaller meals each day.  The smaller meals, if added together, should not exceed the main meal in quantity.)
   Catholics should abstain from any food or drink, except water or medicine, for at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion.
   Individuals are excused from fasting and abstinence if they are sick, frail, pregnant, nursing, have other disabilities which make it difficult to understand or observe the practice; also excused are manual laborers who need more sustenance,  guests who cannot excuse themselves from a meal without giving offense, and individuals in other situations of moral or physical difficulty or situations in which fasting or abstinence would prevent them from carrying out their responsibilities.

•   •   •

How do I become more active in
my parish?

   The Catholic parishes in Waterloo offer a variety of opportunities and welcome parish members who wish to become more actively involved in the social, spiritual and organizational life of the parish faith community.
   These opportunities include liturgical ministries such as lector, extraordinary Eucharistic minister, hospitality minister and music ministry; catechetical ministries; outreach to the sick and homebound; opportunities to help plan and implement social events such as parish festivals and fairs; the parishes' social outreach to those in need; and opportunities to serve on various boards and commissions, including the Pastoral Council, Faith Formation Commission, Liturgy, Parish Life, Stewardship, Social Justice and Buildings and Grounds Committees.  Parish members may also choose to participate in inter-parish organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Daughters.
   In most parishes, members are asked to complete a “Time and Talent” survey.  If you have not completed a Time and Talent survey in the parish where you participate, or have not been contacted after completing a survey, contact the parish office to talk about the Time and Talent survey or the type of parish activities you want to participate in.  If you have a talent or interest which is not represented among the opportunities offered by the parish, contact a member of the parish staff to discuss the possibility of creating a new opportunity for yourself and others.
   Keep in mind that becoming more active in any faith community is a little bit like getting to know your in-laws; it takes time and patience on both sides to fit in -- much less change -- the customary way in how the community does things.
Click here for a Directory of Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

•   •   •

How do I learn to appreciate the Mass?

   Catholics consider the Mass the source and summit of their lives, but many Catholics complain that they “don't get anything out of Mass.”
   This complaint is not as selfish as it sounds.  We should expect that participation in something as important as the Mass will make a difference in our lives.  It should inspire and challenge us to live more intentionally as active members of the Mystical Body of Jesus on earth.
   Many Catholics are fascinated (or confused) by various incidentals of the liturgy, but better participation more often depends upon a deeper appreciation for the Mass as a whole.  Regardless of the specific words, gestures, rituals, music and prayers, the Mass is always God's People gathered together to remember, celebrate and give thanks for what God has done for humankind.  We come to Mass to be incorporated more fully into God's redeeming activity which finds its most perfect expression in the life, death and resurrection (the Paschal Mystery) of Jesus Christ.  As his disciples and members of his Body on earth, we re-dedicate ourselves to live as Jesus does. 
   These aspects of the liturgy -- the gathering, remembering, celebrating, and commitment to mission -- are inseparable, but they are experienced in the four “movements” of the Mass: the Gathering Rite, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Dismissal Rite.  Experienced as a whole, the liturgy enables us, in the words of St. Augustine, to receive what we are, the Body of Christ.
   Our active participation in the Mass always depends in part upon the concrete ways in which, as individuals and as a community, we continue to experience the real presence of God's faithfulness, love and mercy in our daily lives.
• To appreciate the Mass more, take time to identify the ways in which you have experienced God's presence, love, forgiveness, joy, and beauty in your own life and in the lives of the people around you; anticipate how you hope to continue to experience that presence.  Then allow yourself to be filled with gratitude and praise; unite your gratitude and praise to that of the people around you and to the eternal sacrifice of Jesus, and offer it to God.
Click here for our Guide to the Mass
Click here for books that will help you appreciate the Mass

•   •   •

How do I learn to appreciate the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

   There are a wide variety of reasons, both good and not-so-good, why many Catholics today do not celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation as frequently as Catholics did in the past. 
   On the positive side, these reasons include a deeper understanding of sin, a better understanding of the Sacrament, and an appreciation for other ways in which we can recognize and accept God's forgiveness in our personal and spiritual lives.
   On the negative side, however, some of us today have an inflated sense of individual freedom, a diminished sense of personal responsibility, a nagging resentment toward authority, an innate fear of confessing, or a confused sense of sin.  All of these tend to reduce our need or desire to celebrate Reconciliation.
   The biggest obstacle to recognizing the value and importance of this Sacrament is the fear we have of admitting (first to ourselves) that we are imperfect, incomplete and sinful human beings.  In a society which penalizes failure, we make mistakes and bad choices.  We do good things for bad reasons and bad things, even for good reasons.  There are important things we cannot achieve, accept, manage, control, fix, endure, escape, excuse or forgive on our own, no matter how hard we try.
   Our appreciation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation begins when we are willing to believe that God knows all of this and loves us anyway.  At the heart of Reconciliation is the experience of God's mercy and love; the acceptance of our status as imperfect, sinful human beings who are dependent on God's mercy should make us all the more aware of God's love. 
• If you have doubts or fears about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, visit privately with a good friend, a pastor or a trusted spiritual guide who can help you identify underlying issues which may prevent you from growing in your appreciation for God's love and acceptance which Catholics celebrate in this sacrament.

•   •   •

How do I learn to pray better?

   Prayer begins with an awareness of God's presence (or apparent absence) in our life.  There are times when we are fully aware of God's presence and our need for God's help; it is generally easy to pray at those times.  At other times, we may need to intentionally make an effort to become more aware of God's presence and our need for God's help; once we do that, prayer will flow more naturally and easily.
   All prayer is a combination of listening and responding, but there are many types of public and personal prayer.  Some types fit one person's personality or spiritual needs better than another's.  For instance, if you are a very active, talkative person, you may find it more natural to develop a style of verbal prayer which includes traditional prayers and spontaneous prayer.  If you are more reserved or  reflective, you may find it more natural to develop a style of reflective prayer, which includes forms of meditation and contemplation.   Creative persons may use art or music as a form of prayer.  As a general rule, you will find prayer much more natural and less burdensome if you develop a style of prayer which fits your personality as well as your spiritual needs.
   As in any other relationship, how often we express the awareness of our relationship to God in prayer will depend upon each individual and the circumstances of our lives.  Learning to pray better does not always mean learning to pray more.  The quality of our prayer is more important than the quantity, or even the frequency, of our prayer. 
   Keep in mind, however, that God is the other “person” in this relationship, and God may be waiting to speak to you when you're not paying attention.
• If you wish to grow in prayer, choose a good friend, pastor, pastoral staff person or spiritual guide who can help you learn more about different styles of prayer and can help you discern what style of prayer works best for you.  Or, explore and choose a prayer group whose style of prayer works well for you.
Click here to explore your prayer style.
Click here for a guide to types of personal prayer.
Click here for a guide to local public prayer and devotions.
Click here for information about Spiritual Direction.

•   •   •

How do I continue growing in my faith?

   In the past, many Catholics thought about faith as some thing which you either have or you don't.  Often, faith was equated only with a body of information -- knowledge about what Jesus did, what the Church teaches, or how Catholics should act.
   Today we are more aware of the fact that faith is also a relationship -- to God, and to our neighbor.  Like any relationship, our faith is always being challenged by changing times and changing circumstances.  In other words, as long as we are alive, our faith needs to continue growing, and each of us needs to continue growing in our ability to apply what we know to how we live.
   That is why the Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation, enrichment and spiritual growth opportunities for Catholics of all ages.  We want to encourage, support and guide Catholics in this never-ending process of growing in their faith and in their ability to live intentionally as disciples of Jesus Christ.
   Opportunities for continuing education and formation are available in a variety of formats which recognize the diversity of adult experience and the variety of adult needs based on age, gender, learning styles, religious experience, faith development, life tasks and church participation.
   Information about opportunities for adult and young adult education and formation are published in the weekly parish bulletins, a weekly email bulletin, a monthly newsletter, and on our website. 
   We invite you to participate as fully as you can in these opportunities for life-long faith formation sponsored by the parishes, and additional opportunities for spiritual growth available at nearby retreat centers.  For adults who are looking for a more intense and comprehensive formation experience, we encourage you to consider enrolling in the Archdiocese of Dubuque's three-year Lay Formation Program.  For adults and young adults who are seeking more personal spiritual guidance, we invite you to consider finding a professional trained spiritual director.
• For information about opportunities for adult education, formation and spiritual growth, contact the Director of Adult Faith Formation at 319-234-9912.
Click here for information about stages in faith development.
Click here for more information about adult formation opportunities.
Click here for information about the Lay Formation Program.
Click here for information about Spiritual Direction.

•   •   •

What if I don’t agree with some of the Church’s teachings?

   The Church expects Catholics to give "religious assent" to its ordinary teaching on faith and moral issues, but it is not uncommon to meet Catholics who do not agree with all of the Church’s teachings. 
   In some cases, individuals object to (or do not correctly understand) certain truths of the faith, such as those proclaimed in the Creed.  More often, individuals object to some aspect of the Church's moral teaching -- what the Church says we may or may not do, based on its understanding of divine revelation and natural law.
   The Church teaches that individuals must follow their own conscience, even if it is wrong.  However, it also insists that Catholics have a moral obligation to ensure that their conscience is properly formed. 
   A properly formed conscience is different from one's personal opinion or desire; it is a decision made by studying and respecting the teaching of the Church. In making a morally correct decision, the presumption is always in favor of what the community believes and the Church teaches. 
   Nevertheless, some Catholics may have doubts about what the Church believes, or will make choices which contradict Church teaching.  It is tempting in those situations to decide that the Church is wrong and to reject what the Church believes or teaches.  Usually, however, it would be more honest to recognize that these personal choices are an indication that an individual is, under the circumstances, either unable or unwilling to fully understand, accept or comply with the Church's teaching.
   Barring circumstances of a very serious nature, that fact should not ordinarily prevent us from participating as fully as possible in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church, always with the hope that through our participation we will grow in our ability to respect and understand what the Church believes and teaches.
• If you have questions about, or objections to, certain teachings of the Church, you should visit privately with a pastor, confessor or spiritual director who can help you discern if you understand the Church's teaching correctly, and how your questions or objections affect your relationship to the faith community.
Click here for a summary of what Catholics believe.
Click here for more information for Catholic Seekers.
Click here to learn more about formation of conscience

•   •   •

What if I consider myself “spiritual
but not religious”?

   Some people who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious” are looking for an excuse not to be committed or responsible to any particular religious community.  Others avoid church affiliation because they disagree with specific teachings of the church, are scandalized by the human imperfections in organized religion, or feel disillusioned or alienated from traditional religious communities.
   Many individuals who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious” may actually be in a very natural process of spiritual growth which sometimes requires that they step back to re-examine the religious traditions and teachings they learned as children and young adults in order to understand and accept them as adults.
   Because human beings are social beings, however, our faith and our spirituality are always nurtured, expressed, affirmed, and celebrated in a community which shares our fundamental convictions about the meaning of life and the purpose of human existence. 
   For Catholics, commitment to and participation in the religious community is essential because we believe that our relationship to God is mediated (experienced and expressed) in and through the community of the Church, which we believe is the Body of Christ, in spite of its human imperfections. 
   Being spiritual but unattached to a religious community is much like being married but physically separated or emotionally estranged from one’s spouse. It is difficult to maintain a healthy relationship under such conditions.  
   Although you may find it helpful, even necessary, to limit or withdraw from participation in a faith community at certain times or under certain circumstances in your life, it is disorienting and painful to remain separated from the community on a permanent basis.
• If you are a Catholic who considers yourself “spiritual but not religious” you may find it helpful to visit regularly with a pastor, a parish staff person or a spiritual director about your spiritual growth and your relationship to the church.
(See also "How Do I Resume Participating?" and "How Do I Continue Growing in Faith?")
Click here for more information about Catholic Seekers

•   •   •

What is my status in the Catholic Church if I attend another Church?

   There are a variety of reasons why Catholics decide to attend another church on a regular basis.  Some do so because they are in a relationship with or are married to a person who attends that church.  Others do so because they have been alienated from or feel unwelcome in the Catholic Church, or because they disagree with what the Church teaches.  Some do so because they have spiritual needs which are not being adequately met in a Catholic parish.  
   Whatever your reason, you may find that attending another church seems like the right thing to do and is an important part of your spiritual life at a particular stage in your faith journey.  Over time, however, you may begin to feel like something important is missing in your spiritual life.  Many Catholics who regularly attended another church say that they eventually came back to the Catholic church because they missed its deep sense of sacramentality, particularly the Eucharist; the church's long heritage; or its definitive moral and doctrinal teaching.
   Many Catholics who attend another church still consider themselves Catholics, even though they do not participate regularly in the worship or sacramental life of the Catholic faith community.  Generally, membership in the Catholic Church presumes active participation in the sacramental and spiritual life of the Church, but in fact persons who are baptized Catholic remain members of the Catholic Church unless they have formally and publicly renounced their membership in the Catholic Church. 
   The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo welcome the opportunity to talk more with Catholics who regularly attend another church even if you do not plan to resume active participation in the Catholic Church at the present time.
• If you are a Catholic who regularly attends another church, you are always welcome to visit with a pastor, a parish staff person or a spiritual guide about your spiritual life and your past, present or future relationship to the Catholic church.
(See also "How Do I Resume Participating?" and "What If I Disagree with Some of the Church's Teachings?")
Click here for Information for Catholic Seekers

•   •   •

What is my status in the church if
I am divorced?

   Divorce is a devastating personal and spiritual experience under the best of circumstances.  The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are eager to support our sisters and brothers who are separated, divorced and remarried.
   If you are a divorced Catholic, the most important thing you should know is that divorced persons are not excommunicated from the Church. 
   A Catholic who is divorced and not remarried is a Catholic in good standing, and is entitled to participate fully in all aspects of the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church. 
   A Catholic who is divorced and remarried without a Decree of Invalidity (an "annulment") is still a member of the Church and may participate in a limited way in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church.
   For example, a Catholic who is divorced and remarried without a Decree of Invalidity may attend Mass; participate in communal celebrations of Reconciliation; be anointed when in danger of death; have a Catholic funeral and be buried in a Catholic cemetery; have their children baptized and enrolled in a Catholic school or religious education program.  They may not receive Holy Communion at Mass; be absolved in confession; serve as a catechist, teacher, Godparent or Confirmation sponsor; or serve in other public ministries or leadership positions.
• If you are a Catholic who is divorced and remarried or planning to remarry outside the Church, visit with a pastor, a parish staff person or a confessor about your status in the parish community and/or the possibility of obtaining an annulment.  (See also “How do I Petition for a Decree of Invalidity?”)
Click here for more information for divorced Catholics

•   •   •

What is my status in the Church if
I use birth control?

   The Catholic Church realizes that parents may need to limit the number of children they have, and the Church approves of natural forms of family planning based on a woman's cycle of fertile and infertile periods. However, the Church believes that other forms of birth control are morally wrong because they artificially interfere with the divinely ordained purpose of marital intimacy. 
   If you are using a form of birth control not approved by the Church, you should study why the Church believes this form of birth control is wrong, and then reconsider why you have made this choice.  There may be circumstances which reduce an individual's moral culpability for choosing a form of birth control which the Church considers wrong, but the decision to do so should be made after careful discernment, prayer and consultation with a spiritual director or guide.  Catholic couples should always make such a decision reluctantly, recognizing that they are under present circumstances unable or unwilling to follow the Church's teaching. 
   Couples using a form of birth control not approved by the Church should continue to participate as fully as possible in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church; pray for the grace to more fully understand and accept the Church's teaching; and be willing to re-examine their choice of birth control as their attitudes or circumstances change.  If this is an issue which causes you spiritual concern, or creates conflict between you and your spouse, you should discuss it more fully with a pastor, spiritual director or confessor.
Click here for what the Church teaches about birth control.  
Click here for information about natural family planning.  
Click here for more information about how to form a moral conscience.

•   •   •

What is my status in the Church if I am gay or lesbian?

   In the day to day life of the Catholic community, the Church is slowly emerging from its “don't ask, don't tell” attitude toward our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who are gay or lesbian.
   The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that gay and lesbian persons “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity” (#2358).  In their pastoral letter Always Our Children (1997), the U.S. Catholic bishops affirmed that gay and lesbian Catholics “have a right to be welcomed into the [faith] community, to hear the word of God, and to receive pastoral care.”  The bishops said “homosexual persons living chaste lives should have opportunities to lead and serve the community.”
   According to Catholic teaching, gay and lesbian persons are called to a life of chastity.  The Church considers sexual acts between homosexual persons sinful just as sexual acts between unmarried heterosexual persons are sinful.  However, the bishops affirmed that gay and lesbian persons need to be nourished by interpersonal relationships.  "This includes friendship," the bishops wrote, "a way of loving...essential to healthy human development [which] can and does thrive outside of genital sexual involvement."
   Gay or lesbian Catholics who are sexually active or living in a committed relationship with another person are still members of the Church; however, like Catholics who are divorced and remarried without a Decree of Invalidity, they should limit their participation in some aspects of the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic community (click here). 
• If you are a gay or lesbian Catholic who does not feel welcome in the Church, or is sexually active and have questions about your relationship to the Church, you may visit privately with a pastor, confessor or spiritual director.
(See also: "What If I Don't Agree With Some of the Church's Teachings")
Click here for "What the Church Teaches About Homosexuality"
Click here for resources for gay and lesbian Catholics

•   •   •

How do I complain if I am unhappy about how I am treated in the parish?

   Despite our best efforts and sincere determination, parish staff and members may not always respond as attentively and compassionately as we should.
   If you are angry, hurt or displeased by the way you have been treated by a member of the parish staff or a parish member, you should first visit privately with that person and explain your concern.  If you are not satisfied by the person's response, or if the behavior continues, you should contact the person's supervisor.
   If your complaint concerns a parish member serving in a leadership position or as a representative of the parish community, you may contact the parish staff member who is responsible for that person's ministry or the pastor.
   If your complaint concerns a parish staff member, you may share your concerns with the pastor.
   If your complaint concerns a pastor, you may contact the Dean and/or the Regional Vicar.  The current Dean for the Waterloo Deanery is Fr. Jerry Kopacek, the pastor of St. Edward Parish.  He may be reached by phone at 319-233-8060.  The current Vicar for the Waterloo region is Msgr. Lyle Wilgenbusch.  He may be reached by phone at 319-236-0241.
   Complaints made directly to the Archbishop are referred to the regional Vicar.

•   •   •

How do I get help if I am the victim of sexual abuse by Church personnel?

    Many individuals and the Catholic community at large continue to suffer the devastating consequences of sexual abuse by priests and other church personnel. The Archdiocese of Dubuque is committed to preventing any future abuse by priests or other church personnel.  The Archdiocese is committed to providing whatever encouragement, support and services are necessary to help victims begin healing the personal, emotional and spiritual wounds left by the abuse inflicted on them in the past.
    If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual abuse by a priest or other Church personnel you are encouraged to take one or more of the following actions:
• Contact the Archdiocese of Dubuque's Office of Child Protection
  at 800-876-3546.
• Contact a professional Victim Assistance Coordinator who is under
  contract to provide services to the Archdiocese but is not employed by
  the Church. 
• Contact the Iowa Child Abuse Reporting Hotline at 800-362-2178.
• Contact a local child protection agency or private attorney.
• Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction
  where the abuse occurred.
Click here for more information for sexual abuse victims

 _______________________________________

Compiled and written by Dave Cushing

Information on this page was approved for publication by
Rev. Msgr. Lyle Wilgenbusch
Vicar for the Waterloo Region
 

Posted 02.28.10  •  Last Update: 04.10.13