The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long formation, enrichment and spiritual growth opportunities for Catholic adults and young adults of all ages. These opportunities are available at various times through the year. For more information, contact the Faith Formation Center at 319-233-0498 or check our Bulletin Board for scheduled opportunities.
ALPHA FOR CATHOLICS
Alpha is an exciting, engaging faith enrichment opportunity for adults and young adults who want to learn or review the basic components of Christian faith and practice. Each session in this 11-week series includes a meal, a video presentation, and an opportunity to discuss the video in a small group. The goal of Alpha is to help participants understand the Christian faith and develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and the Christian faith community.
> Learn more here.
BRIDGES TO CONTEMPLATIVE LIVING
“Bridges to Contemplative Living” is a series of four-week small group faith-sharing experiences which uses prayer, reflection and discussion to lead participants on a journey toward spiritual transformation. It uses the writings of Thomas Merton and other spiritual masters to help participants discover the secrets of living a more contemplative life in the midst of the everyday world.
> Learn more here.
THE BUSY CATHOLIC'S GUIDE
TO CATHOLIC LIVING
The Busy Catholic's discussions provide basic information about Catholic teaching or practice for adults and young adults who wish to review or re-learn what they may have learned at a younger age. The discussion takes place in a discrete, respectful and non-judgmental atmosphere where participants are encouraged to share their personal concerns and questions.
> Learn more here.
BUSY CATHOLIC'S ONLINE RETREATS
A Busy Catholic's Online Retreat is designed for adults and young adults who are too busy to participate in a traditional weekend or weeklong retreat outside the home. Participants receive access to daily prayers, reflections and discussion questions which are posted online. There is an opportunity to submit personal reflections and to read other participants' reflections online each day.
> Learn more here.
CATHOLIC 101
This six-week discussion series is designed for adults and young adults who want to learn or review the the fundamental foundation of the Catholic faith. Each session lasts about 90 minutes and is conducted in an informal and comfortable format for individuals who know a lot about their Catholic tradition and those who are still learning.
> Learn more here.
CATHOLIC READERS BOOK CLUB
Participants in the Catholic Readers Book Club choose books of literary merit which reflect basic Catholic convictions about human existence such as the value of community, beauty, truth, hope and reconciliation. The group meets once a month to discuss the selected book and its application to our personal, social and spiritual lives as Catholic Christians.
> Learn more here.
CATHOLIC SPEAKERS SERIES
The Catholic Speakers Series makes available distinguished Catholic scholars, writers and speakers in a comfortable, familiar local environment. The format provides a stimulating combination of presentation and discussion designed for Catholic adults and young adults who want to learn more about important and timely issues or insights in Catholic theology, spirituality and tradition.
> Learn more here.
CATHOLIC WITNESS HOUR
The Witness Hour is sponsored by Cedar Valley Catholic Evangelization Outreach and is held several times a year in various parishes. Each program includes a short witness talk by a local person who has experienced God's presence and love in their lives and wishes to share their experience with others. Each Witness Hour includes a free supper, which is available before and during the witness talk, and an opportunity for table discussion following the talk.
> Learn more here.
FAITHFUL COMPANIONS
“Faithful Companions” provides an opportunity for regular spiritual discernment in the context of a small faith-sharing group. Each group of four to six persons meets monthly with a spiritual guide who helps participants recognize and understand how God is working and speaking in their personal lives. The environment is comfortable, confidential and safe.
> Learn more here.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION FOR ADULTS
The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo offer immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adult Catholics who have been baptized and fully catechized but not confirmed. The four-week preparation process usually takes place in January, February or March, leading to the celebration of Confirmation during the Easter season.
> Learn more here.
CRITICAL CHOICES WORKSHOPS
A Critical Choices Workshop is designed for family members who want to discuss the medical, personal, emotional and spiritual issues involved when a family member is seriously ill and/or unable to speak for themselves. Participants learn how to create Advanced Medical Directives which explain the kind of medical care they wish to receive, and designate a Health Care Agent with the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
> Learn more here.
SPIRITUAL SEEKERS, INACTIVE, ALIENATED and LGBTQ CATHOLICS
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo provide a variety of opportunities for Catholic Seekers, inactive, alienated, discouraged, recovering or former Catholics, and gay or lesbian Catholics who wish to examine their past, present or future relationship to the Catholic community in a safe, non-threatening atmosphere. These opportunities include regular "Listening Sessions" at COR, the parishes' hospitality center, and private appointments with a pastor or members of the pastoral staff. We invite Seekers and inactive Catholics to continue in dialogue about their relationship to the Church, even if they do not plan to participate regularly in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic community or are participating in another church.
> Learn more about inactive and alienated Catholics here.
> Learn more about Catholic sekkers here.
> Learn more about gay and lesbian Catholics here.
KNOW YOUR FAITH
These monthly discussions focus on various aspects of Catholic faith and practice. They are designed both for individuals thinking about joining the church and for practicing Catholics who want to review or clarify what they believe. The discussions take place in an informal, nonthreatening environment online.
> Learn more here.
LEARN25
Learn25 provides recorded lectures by some of the world's best Catholic theologians and teachers in a fomat that combines scholarship with lively instruction that enlightens, entertains, engages and informs. Each series is broken into convenient 25-minute segments on a variety of topics of interest to Catholic learners.
> Learn more here.
RITES OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION AND RECEPTION
• The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the primary way in which the Catholic community welcomes new members who have not been previously baptized. This process of personal formation, discernment and spiritual growth incorporates prayer, study and reflection in a combination of public rituals and small group discussions.
• The Rite of Christian Reception of Adults (RCRA) is the primary way in which the Catholic community welcomes new members who have been previously baptized, catechized, and have been actively participating in another Christian tradition. This is a shorter period of discernment and preparation which concentrates on the distinctive characteristics, rituals and teachings of the Catholic tradition.
> Learn more here.
SCRIPTURE STUDY
• The Bible Timeline. This 12-week video series provides a comprehensive overview of the Bible from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation. It focuses on explaining how the major people, places and events of Salvation History come together to reveal the truth of the Christian faith.
> Learn more here.
• Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible. This 8-week video series is a shorter version of The Bible Timeline. It focuses on explaining how the major people, places and events of the Bible come together to reveal the truth of the Christian faith.
> Learn more here.
• Summer Bible Study. This four week series offered each year during the summer months provides an opportunity for participants to gather with an acknowledged scripture scholar to explore a particular book or theme from the Scriptures.
> Learn more here.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH DISCUSSIONS
These discussions are designed for adults and young adults who want to examine their spiritual life and learn more about how to develop or strengthen their spiritual life. Whether you’re lost and confused or doing well and want to do better, participating in one of these discussions or visiting personally with a member of our Faith Formation Team will help you focus on ways in which you can strengthen and deepen your spiritual life. Contact the Faith Formation office to set up an appointment, or check our Bulletin Board for the next scheduled discussion.
> Learn more here.
SUMMER and WINTER FORUM SERIES
This series for adults and young adults provides an opportunity for continuing formation and enrichment in a friendly and comfortable adult environment. Each session includes a presentation and an opportunity for discussion facilitated by a Catholic pastor, pastoral minister or academic. The programs focus on current issues of interest in the world and the church. These opportunities take place at COR, the parishes' downtown hospitality center. Food and beverages are available before and during the program.
> Learn more about the Summer Forum Series here.
> Learn more about the Winter Forum Series here.
VIRTUAL LEARNING AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
A wide variety of on-demand virtual formation opportunities are available from various Catholic providers.
> Learn more about current and on-going virtual opportunities here.
LEARN MORE…
> See our weekly Bulletin Board here.
> Find a guide to virtual learning opportunities here.
> Find information on our website for Catholic adults and young adults here.
> Find information on our website for Catholic parents here.
> Discover how we can help you learn and grow here.
> Find FAQ about being Catholic here.
[Last Update: 11.27.22]