Waterloo Catholics

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Weekly Bulletin Board

- Current and Continuing Opportunities to Learn and Grow
  For Catholic Adults and Young Adults in the Waterloo Parishes
  Week of February 1-7, 2026
  • • •
  This Week
  BUSY CATHOLIC'S GUIDE TO LENT
  Monday, February 16. 7:00-8:00pm.
  Live Video Discussion
  This discussion is for adults and young adults who want to explore basic information about how and why Catholics observe the season of Lent. Topics will include the origin and purpose of Lent, various components of Lenten observance and traditional lenten devotions. The discussion will include an opportunity for questions and discussion. Pre-registration required.
  • Learn more at waterloocatholics.org/busy-catholics-guide
  • Register to participate at: https://bit.ly/AFF-Registration (Check Busy Catholic's Guide to Lent)
  
  SPIRITUAL GROWTH JOURNEY
  By Email starting Feb. 18.
  Our spiritual life is a composite of various relationships—to God, to church, to others, to the world around us and to ourselves. Each week during our Lenten Spiritual Growth Journey participants will have an opportunity to examine these relationships and the impact they have on their spiritual life. Weekly emails will guide participants in this private, entirely personal process of self-examination consistent with the Lenten call to renewal and growth. The emails begin with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and will arrive each Sunday of Lent after that.
  • Register to participate at: https://bit.ly/AFF-Registration (Check Lenten Spiritual Growth Journey)
  Next Week
  ALPHA FOR LENT
  Sunday evenings, 5:30-7:00pm. Starting Feb. 22
  Blessed Sacrament Parish
  Alpha gives everyone the opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course meets once a week for 11 weeks. Sessions begin with a meal, followed by a short talk, and time to discuss the topic. A half-day retreat is also part of the experience. Alpha is a place to ask questions; participants are free to discuss as much or as little as they wish. No previous knowledge or experience in Christian faith is necessary. The program is free and open to all adults and young adults.
  Learn more at: blessedsacramentwaterloo.org/alpha-program
  • For information contact Maggie England at m.england@dbqarch.org, or 319-233-6179.
  • Register to participate at: https://bit.ly/Alpha-Lent-26
  
  LET'S TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION
  Sunday, February 22. 10:15am.
  Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls.
  This program, facilitated by members of the Cedar Valley Interfaith Council's Immigration Committee, will examine how people of faith can have constructive conversations about the highly controversial and politically divisive issue of immigration. Free and open to anyone who is interested, concerned or confused about the plight of immigrants and refugees in our country. For information contact cvic.immigration@gmail.com.
  > Learn more at: https://bit.ly/constructive-conversation
  
  CANTERBURY FORUM
  Sunday, February 22. 7:00pm.
  Live Video Presentation
  Dr. John Burnigh, Associate Professor of Religion University of Northern Iowa, will discuss “Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: The Heritage of the Bible in the Qur'an,” highlighting the important role that each plays in Islam. Canterbury Forum is a venue for the discussion of social and religious issues from the perspective of the mainline religious traditions.
  • Information online at www.canterburyforum.net
  • Use this link to join the program:
  
  WEEKLY LENTEN DISCUSSION
  Monday, February 23. 7:00-8:00pm.
  Live Video Discussion
  This weekly online discussion, facilitated by members of the Faith Formation Team, give participants an opportunity to reflect on the Sunday scripture readings and discuss how the readings shape their personal lives.
  • Learn more at: https://waterloocatholics.org/lenten-discussions
  • Use this link to join the discussion: https://bit.ly/Weekly-Lenten-Discussion-26
  
  BUSY CATHOLIC'S GUIDE TO RECONCILIATION
  Tuesday, February 24. 7:00-8:00.
  Live Video Discussion
  Find out more about how and why Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. This session will address practical questions like when and how often Catholics go to confession, what formats are available, how to prepare, and what to say. The discussion will be conducted in an informal, non-threatening format and will include an opportunity for questions and discussion. Pre-registration required.
  • Learn more at waterloocatholics.org/busy-catholics-guide
  • Register to participate at: https://bit.ly/AFF-Registration (Check Busy Catholic's Guide to Reconciliation)
  
  INACTIVE AND ALIENATED CATHOLICS DISCUSSION
  Wednesday, February 25. 7:00p
  Meet in the lobby at Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Waterloo
  Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation hosts this Listening Session for inactive, alienated, discouraged and former Catholics who wish to discuss their past, present or future relationship to the Catholic Church in a safe, respectful environment.
  • For information contact Dave Cushing at 319-233-0498 (email: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org).
  • Find more information for inactive and alienated Catholics here:
  https://waterloocatholics.org/information-for-inactive-and-alienated-catholics
  
  Coming Opportunities to Learn and Grow
  Itinerary
  Itinerary
  Itinerary
  Itinerary
  • Learn more about the pilgrimage's Drexel Route at https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/
  CATHOLIC READERS BOOK CLUB
  Monday, March 2. 6:30-8:00pm
  Live Video Discussion
  The book club meets monthly to discuss books of special interest to Catholic readers and is open to all. This month's book is “The River We Remember“ by William Kent Kruger. For information or to receive the video conference link contact Bev Byford at 319 229 6395 (email: byfordbev93@gmail.com ).
  • Learn more at: https://waterloocatholics.org/catholic-readers
  
  BAPTISM PREPARATION
  Saturday, March 14. 9:30-11:30am.
  Live Video Conference
  This online preparation program is for first-time parents in the Waterloo parishes who are planning to baptize an infant or young child in the near future. Parents should be registered members of a parish and may register at the class. Participants must have the ability to download and print material in advance.
  • Register online at https://bit.ly/baptism-preparation-class
  • To arrange an inperson meeting email dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org
  • Learn more at: https://bit.ly/baptizing-infants-and-children
  Continuing Opportunities
  Pastoral Care Grief Group
  This weekly discussion group is open to people of any faith who are grieving the loss of a friend or loved one. The Group meets on Thursdays, 1:00-2:30pm at Cabin Coffee in Waterloo. For information contact Vickijolene Reece at 319-233-3146
  
  Spiritual Growth
  Feeling Lost or Confused, Searching for More? Members of our faith formation team are pleased to meet personally with individuals who are looking for direction in their spiritual lives. We can help you discern how to continue growing in your faith, your relationship to Jesus Christ, and your participation in the Catholic faith community.
  • Learn more here or contact the Team at 319-233-0498 or email dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org.
  
  Faithful Companions
  Faithful Companions is an opportunity for adults and young adults who want to continue growing in their spiritual life through conversations with a small group of spiritual companions. Groups meet monthly under the direction of a spiritual guide. The format will include a combination of prayer, reflection, personal sharing, reflective listening and mutual support. The atmosphere will be prayerful, respectful and confidential.
  • Find out more online here.
  
  Local Online Prayer Opportunities
  • Lectio Divina -- Thursday evenings at 7:00pm. Join us for the ancient practice of quiet prayer and reflection called Lectio Divina conducted online via Zoom and led by Carolyn Pfiffner a trained spiritual director . This ancient tradition of the Catholic church involves reading scripture, meditation and prayer. For registration and more information email pfiffnercarolyn@gmail.com.
  • Centering Prayer -- These 30 and 20-minute sessions are led by members of Contemplative Outreach of Northeast Iowa Monday nights at 6:00pm; Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30am and Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm. Intercessory prayer follows the Centering Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For information contact Julie Rowell at julirowell@mchsi.com
  • Prayer Partners -- Looking for an online prayer partner? Send us an email with your age, gender and relationship status and we'll pair you with a local person. Contact Dave Cushing at dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org
  • • •
  Alpha in the Waterloo Parishes
  Alpha is a faith enrichment opportunity for adults and young adults who want to learn or review the basic convictions of Christian faith. This exciting, engaging opportunity consists of 10 weekly sessions and one reflection day. Each weekly session includes a meal, a video presentation, and a discussion. The sessions explore such basic questions as “Who is Jesus?” “Why did Jesus die?” “How do I pray?” “How can I resist evil?” “Is there more to life than this?” and more.
  • Find out more about Alpha online here.
  • • •
  Catholic Seekers
  Are you an adult Catholic who feels you have outgrown the faith you learned as a child? Join our new group of Catholic Seekers who are searching for a more mature, adult understanding of your faith.
  • For information contact Dave Cushing at 319-233-0498 (email dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org) or register online here.
  • • •
  Inactive and Alienated Catholics
  The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are eager to encourage and support our sisters and brothers who no longer participate regularly in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic Church. If you or someone you know is an inactive, alienated, angry or disillusioned or former Catholic, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns and questions in a safe, understanding and non-judgmental environment, even if you do not anticipate resuming participation in the Catholic faith community.
  • Learn more here or contact Dave Cushing at 319-233-0498 (email dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org) .
  • • •
  LGBTQ Catholics
  The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are eager to encourage and support our gay and lesbian sisters and brothers. If you or someone you know is a gay or lesbian Catholic or former Catholic, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns and questions in a safe, understanding and nonjudgmental environment, even if you do not anticipate resuming participation in the Catholic faith community.
  • Learn more here or contact Dave Cushing at 319-233-0498 (email dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org)
  • • •
  Trending Today
  
  Trending Today is our summary of news and commentary about what’s happening in the Church and the world. Read it on our Facebook page at facebook.com/WaterlooCatholics
  To receive it by email send a request to dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org.
  • • •
  The Bulletin Board
  The Bulletin Board is updated each Sunday. To receive an email notice when the update is posted, send a request to: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org
  • • •
  Adult Faith Formation in the Waterloo Parishes
  The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing formation, education and spiritual growth opportunities for adults of all ages. We value the individual's life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.
  [Last Update: 02.12.26]

Weekly Bulletin Board

This Week

Next Week

Coming Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Itinerary

Itinerary

Itinerary

Itinerary• Learn more about the pilgrimage's Drexel Route at https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/

Continuing Opportunities

Itinerary
• Learn more about the pilgrimage's Drexel Route at https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/