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Learn to Grow this Lent.
Lent is traditionally a time when Catholics focus on growing in our faith, our relationship to Jesus Christ,
and our participation in the church. Here is a list of enrichment opportunities
for adults and young adults sponsored by Waterloo Faith Formation.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH DISCUSSION
BUSY CATHOLIC'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC LIFE.
This online discussion is 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. Preparing for Lent is a perfect time to have this discussion. Whether you’re lost and confused or doing well and want to do better, this discussion will help you focus on ways in which you can strengthen and deepen your spiritual life.
• Saturday, February 26. 10:00-11:00am.
Faith Formation Center at Blessed Sacrament School.
> Learn more here.
WEEKLY LENTEN DISCUSSION
These weekly online discussions are facilitated by members of the Faith Formation Team and parish staffs. They give participants an opportunity to reflect on the Sunday scripture readings and discuss how the readings shape their personal lives.
• Discussions meet on Monday evenings starting March 7. 7:00-8:00pm.
> Learn more and see a schedule of discussion sessions here.
> Use this link to join the discussion.
LENTEN BOOK DISCUSSION
These weekly online discussions, facilitated by members of the Faith Formation Team, examines the book “In His Spirit” by Richard Hauser SJ. Free copies of the book are available for pickup at Blessed Sacrament and St. Edward Parishes.
• Discussions meet on Thursday evenings starting March 10. 7:00-8:00pm.
• Learn more here.
• Use this link to join the discussion.
BUSY CATHOLIC'S VIRTUAL LENTEN RETREAT.
"Fall Silent" is the theme of this virtual retreat which provides weekly reflections on the Lenten Scripture readings and the focus themes chosen for each week. Each reflection includes a scripture reading, a meditation and questions for personal reflection.
• Use this link to join the discussion.
BISHOP BARRON'S "THE MASS" VIDEO SERIES
This three-part online video series helps participants experience the Catholic Mass as a privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ and helps viewers learn how to participate more fully, consciously and actively in what Catholics believe is both the source and summit of Christian life. Pre-registration required.
• Online Discussions meet on Wednesday evenings starting March 23. 7:00-8:00pm.
• Learn more here.
• Register to participate here.
CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE WEEKEND
CEW is a renewal weekend for adults and young adults designed to enable them to more deeply experience their personal relationship to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith community. The weekend begins Friday evening at 8:00pm and ends on Sunday at 4:00pm. Pre-registration required.
• March 25-27. Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School, Waterloo.
> Learn more here.
> For registration contact: Mona Rottinghaus (monasoriginals@yahoo.com) 319-827-6222; or, Mike Williams (william2098@yahoo.com) 319-504-2641.
ARCHDIOOCESAN MEN’S CONFERENCE
“St. Joseph, Model for All Men” is the theme of this year’s virtual conference featuring Mark Hartfiel and Devin Schadt. $15.00 registration fee includes materials, refreshments and lunch. Pre-registration required.
• Saturday, March 19. 9:00am-3:00pm.
St. Edward Parish Center (church hall)
> Learn more here.
> Register before March 15 by contacting Deacon Tom Lang at 319-883-8154.
KNOW YOUR FAITH DISCUSSIONS
These online discussions are designed for adults and young adults who want to learn or review basic components of the Catholic faith. The discussions are informal; questions and doubts are welcome.
• Monday, March 22. 7:00-8:00pm. "Who Is God?."
• Tuesday, April 18. 7:00-8:00pm. "God’s Revelation--How Catholics Read Scripture"
• Monday, May 16. 7:00-8:00pm. "God’s Revelation--How Catholics Experience the Sacraments"
> Learn more here.
> Use this link to join the conversation.
These one-hour online discussions are for adults and young adults who want to participate more intentionally in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church. The discussions are informal and welcome questions and doubts. Pre-registration required.
• Monday, February 28. 7:00-8:00pm. "Busy Catholics Guide to Lent"
• Tuesday, March 15. 7:00-8:00pm. "Busy Catholics Guide to Prayer"
• TBA. 7:00-8:00pm. "Busy Catholics Guide to Reconciliation"
• TBA. 7:00-8:00pm. "Busy Catholics Guide to Holy Week."
> Learn more here.
> Use this link to join the discussion.
HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS
These daily email messages provide an opportunity to reflect more intentionally on the important events of this sacred time: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.
> Register to receive the meditations by email here.
GOOD FRIDAY MEDITATIONS
These hourly online meditations help busy Catholics join in the solemn commenmoration of the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The meditations, which are available by email, contain the prayers and reflections for the Pope's annual Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum in Rome. Pre-registration required.
• Friday, April 15. Hourly, 7:00am to 8:00pm.
> Register to receive the meditations by email here.
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 of the meeting includes a combination of prayer, reflection, personal sharing, reflective listening and mutual support.
> Learn more here.
LABYRINTH PRAYER.
The labyrinth is a form of contemplative or silent prayer which in the Christian tradition became popular in the Middle Ages as a symbol of life's spiritual journey. A labyrinth will be available for individuals and groups in Will Hall at St. Luke' Episcopal Church in Cedar Falls during Holy Week. For information or to schedule a group call 319-277-8520 or email st.lukes@cfu.net. Prayer guides will be available.
> Learn more about labyrinth prayer here.GROWING IN FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD THIS LENT
"Lent is a great time to give God a chance to convince you of his desire for your friendship ," writes Fr. William Barry SJ. It is a time for "engaging in practices of penance or prayer that will ready us to experience, more and more deeply, the almost unbelievable love and generosity of God toward us wayward human beings." This seven-part series of reflections is based on Fr. Barry's reflections and features commentary by various spiritual writers and guides.
> Access the series online here.
HOPE AND THE NEARNESS OF GOD ONLINE RETREAT
This retreat hosted by the Jesuit spirituality site Pray As You Go consists of weekly reflections by Teresa White FCJ and it is based on her book, "Hope and the Nearness of God" (Bloomsbury, 2021). The reflections will examine the deep need for hope in all aspects of our lives after two challenging years of pandemic.
> The audio reflections will be posted online each Monday starting February 28 here.
VIRTUAL LENTEN PILGRIMAGE THROUGH THE HOLY LAND
Magdala organization offers this virtual Lenten pilgrimage which features weekly reflections combining aspects of faith, Lent, and Holy Land destinations. Registration required.
> Learn more and register here.
FROM ASHES TO GLORY VIRTUAL LENTEN RETREAT
Internationally known Catholic composer and artist Dan Schutte has created this virtual Lenten retreat to serve as a kind of spiritual "spring cleaning." Each of the 21 reflections, which participants can access on their own time between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday, includes an inspirational musical reflection. Registration includes a downloadable retreat workbook and journal. Pre-registration required.
> Learn more and register here.
Related Links:
> Spiritual growth during a pandemic
> More virtual learning opportunities
> More Lenten resources
> Guide to Common Lenten customs
> Fast and Abstinence Rules
> Lenten Services in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Parishes
[Last Update: 03.03.22]