The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

Rite of Christian Reception of Adults

Spring 2008 Schedule

All Discussion Sessions meet 10:00-11:30am
in St. Matthew Room (rectory basement) at St. Edward Parish, Waterloo

 February 17, 2008  •  INTRODUCTION
Facilitator: Bev Byford, Director of Religious Education, Queen of Peace Parish

The purpose of this session is to help you understand the purpose and goals of the process and begin to get to know other participants. You will have an opportunity to share highlights from your personal faith journey, if you are comfortable, and your impressions of the Catholic Church.  If time permits, there will be a short overview of historical developments in the Catholic Church since the Reformation.

 February 24, 2008  •  THE CATHOLIC IMAGINATION
Facilitator: Dave Cushing, Director of Adult Faith Formation, the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

In this session we will explore the basic question, “What does it mean to be ‘Catholic’?”   We will highlight the primary characteristics of the Catholic “imagination” or worldview; we will examine how these characteristics or convictions are represented in the Eucharist, expressed in the Creed and experienced in everyday life.

 March 2, 2008  •  SACRAMENTALITY
Facilitator: Beb Byford, Director of Religious Education, Queen of Peace Parish.

The purpose of this session is to explore the Catholic principle of sacramentality as it is expressed, experienced and celebrated in the Sacraments and sacramentals.  The principle of Sacramentality expresses the Catholic conviction that material objects, rituals and experiences can embody and reveal God’s presence; it is at the heart of the Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

 March 9, 2008  •  HISTORY
Facilitator: Barb Duggan, Director of Religious Education, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community.

In this session we will explore the special way in which Catholics understand the meaning and purpose of history.  An adjunct to Sacramentality, Catholic Christians believe that God’s presence and love can be revealed and experienced in time and human experience.  Many aspects of Catholic faith and practice reveal this reverence for the sacred nature time and history.

 March 30, 2008  •  COMMUNITY
Facilitator: Hazel Martin, Director of Religious Education, St. Edward Parish

Catholic Christians believe that God is embodied and experienced in and through the individual’s relationship to the faith community, the Body of Christ.  The purpose of this session is to help participants appreciate the Catholic principle of community, particularly as it applies to the Church as a community of people.

 April 6, 2008 •  COMMUNITY
Facilitator: Pam Johnston, Director of Religious Education, Sacred Heart Parish

In this session we will explore how the Catholic principle of hope shapes our mission and our responsibility for the others and the world.  The Catholic faith is an especially hope-filled tradition; this hopefulness is embedded in Catholic moral and social teaching as well as in the very structure or organization of the faith community.

 April 13, 2008  •  LIFE AS A CATHOLIC
Facilitator:  Dave Cushing, Director of Adult Faith Formation, the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo

The purpose of this session is to help participants appreciate how Catholic Christians experience and live their faith in everyday life.  We will examine the role of the Mass as the “source and summit” of Catholic life, the role of personal prayer and devotion, family life, spiritual development, and the special value of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
 

TBA  •  CONCLUSION
This session will take place in the parish you choose to join
and will be facilitated by the director of religious education in that parish.

In this final session we will explore how the local parish is organized, major parish celebrations and events, opportunities for ministry, leadership, continuing formation and spiritual develop-ment.  We will also clarify any questions or concerns you may have about joining the Catholic Church and the Rite of Reception of Adults.

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For more information, contact the Director of Religious Education
in one of the Waterloo parishes, or:
Adult Formation Office
320 Mulberry Street, Waterloo IA 50703.
Phone: 319-234-9912
Email: <DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Posted  02.03.08