Waterloo Catholics


Adult Formation, Enrichment
and Spiritual Growth

 

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Parenting Formation
in the Waterloo Parishes


The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo believe that the religious formation of children is a shared responsibility which unites parents and the parish in an exciting and important partnership.  This shared responsibility assumes the full and active participation of both the parents and the parish community in the faith formation of children. The nature of this shared responsibility is outlined in the Baptism Covenant which we ask parents to sign when baptizing an infant or child in one of our parish communities.

We believe that parents are the “first heralds of faith.”  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children“ (#2223).  What children learn in the home “precedes, accompanies and enriches [all] other forms of instruction in the faith“ (#2226).

We believe that the parishes have a responsibility to prepare, encourage and support parents in their role as the “first heralds of faith“ for their children.  This includes providing opportunities for life-long formation, enrichment and spiritual growth for adults and young adults, including parents.

We believe that infancy and early childhood are decisive moments in the faith formation of individuals.  The goal of faith formation in infants and young children is to “develop those human resources which provide a...basis for the life of faith -- a sense of trust, of freedom, of self-giving, of invocation and of joyful participation“ (General Directory for Catechesis, #178).

We believe that the parishes have a responsibility to provide those components of a child's faith formation which the family cannot provide on its own, including access to the Sacraments, the support and witness of the faith community, and formal instruction in the Catholic faith.

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Resources for Catholic Parents

Baptism Covenant
Faithful Parenting Formation Program
Parents' Guide to the Religious Formation of Children

Stages in Faith Development
Catholic Parents' Guide to Formation in Human Sexuality
Parents' Guide to the Protection of Children and Adolescents
Guidelines for What Children Should Understand About Their Faith
Resources for Catholic Parents

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For information contact:
Director of Adult Faith Formation  •  320 Mulberry St., Waterloo IA 50703. Phone: 319-234-9912  •  Email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Posted 07.16.10  •  Last Update 03.10.11

OUR COMMITMENT TO ADULT FORMATION
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.


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