Sacred Heart Parish

Advent Communal Penance
Sunday, December 5th
at 2:00pm

The Infrequent Catholic's Guide to
Reconciliation and Confession

Sunday, Dec. 5. 1:00-2:00pm
O'Hagan Hall, Sacred Heart Parish
• • •

If your first confession was your last... or you can't remember how long it's been since your last confession... if you're perplexed, afraid, uncomfortable or just plain don't know how or why Catholics celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Confession, we invite you to join us for this safe, non-threatening, informal discussion.

We'll review the purpose of Reconciliation and the important role it plays in our personal and spiritual lives.

We'll address practical questions like:
• How often do Catholics go to confession?
• What formats are available?
• When should you confess your sins privately to a priest?
• What sins should you confess?
• How do you prepare for Confession and what do you say?
• What difference does it make?

Participants who wish may participate in the Communal Celebration of Reconciliation at 2:00pm in Sacred Heart Church.




Parish Life Bake Sale
after all Masses
December 4-5


Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8th
(holyday of obligation)
Masses at 9:00am & 5:30pm


Christmas Mass schedule 2010

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th: Masses at 5:30 & 9:00pm
Christmas Day, Dec. 25th: Mass at 9:00am

Regular Sunday Masses:
Dec. 26th at 8:15 & 10:45am
(Please note: NO 5:30pm Mass on Dec. 25th)


New Year's Mass schedule 2011

New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st: Mass at 5:30pm
New Year's Day, Jan. 1st: Mass at 9:00am
(These are holyday Masses,
but there is no obligation this year)

Regular Sunday Masses on Jan. 1 & 2:
5:30, 8:15 & 10:45am



Register for new M.O.M.S. Session
Ministry of Mothers Sharing (M.O.M.S.) is an opportunity for spiritual renewal for women of all ages who have or work with children of all ages. It's also a great way to meet other women in our parish with whom you have something in common! We are now planning a winter session of M.O.M.S. which will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm beginning Jan. 10 through March 28 . To sign up, complete a registration form found at the church entrances or contact Cathy at 610-0956 e-mail BQ209re1@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us" rel="self">DBQ209re1@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Advent 2010
Adult Formation, Education and
Spiritual Growth Opportunities for Advent 2010
________________


“Advent Here and Now”
Busy World Advent Retreat
December 5-11, 2010

This year's online Busy World Advent retreat will feature daily reflections and prayers adapted from the booklet Advent Here and Now by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer IHM. Participants may choose to use this material in the privacy of their home or another environment of their choosing, on their own schedule. The daily reflections will be posted online; participants may share their personal reflections online and will have the option of sharing their retreat experience in a small group discussion at the conclusion of the retreat. $5.00 registration fee.
To register: contact Dave Cushing at dbq208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

• • •

“Bridges to Contemplative Living”
for Advent and Christmas

This popular faith-sharing series, now adapted especially for the season Advent and Christmas, uses the writing of Thomas Merton and other contemporary spiritual guides to help participants become more contemplative, reflective and prayerful in the midst of their every lives. Groups will meet once a week for five or six weeks, on a day and time chosen by the participants. $10.00 registration fee includes book.
To register: contact Dave Cushing at dbq208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us


• • •

Social Justice Advent Retreat
“”
Saturday, December 4, 2010. 8:30am-3:30pm
O'Hagan Hall, Sacred Heart Parish, Waterloo

Our annual Social Justice Advent Retreat is designed to help people of faith focus on the social justice dimension of our Advent journey to conversion and Gospel living in preparation for the celebration of the Lord's birth at Christmas.
This year's retreat will be presented by Sr. Nancy Schreck OSF.
To register: contact Dave Cushing at dbq208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us




Busy World Online
Advent Retreat

Sunday, Dec. 5 - Sunday, Dec. 12
(Participation fee: $5.00 per household)
Small Group Discussions:
Monday, December 12 (Times TBA)
Rectory Parlor/Sacred Heart Parish

2010 Theme:
“Advent Here and Now”

Reflections by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer IHM

About the Theme
In an act of astounding love, God chose to invest himself wholeheartedly in our lives, even in the most ordinary moments of our days. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, in whom God came to fully inhabit human life. With simple scriptural reflections, Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, IHM, demonstrates that Advent is a time for us to embrace our own humanity wholeheartedly, and thereby discover God's presence in our lives. These daily prayerful meditations are sure to deepen one's experience not only of Advent and Christmas, but of our Christian journey throughout the year.
What is a Busy World Retreat?

A Busy World Retreat is designed for adults and young adults who are too busy to participate in a traditional weekend or weeklong retreat outside the home. It is a seven day retreat experience which takes place in the midst of everyday life.

During a Busy World Retreat, the individual's time for prayer and quiet reflection takes place in their home, work, or another environment of their choosing, at whatever time of day is convenient for them.

How Does a Busy World Online
Retreat Work?
• Participants register for the retreat and are given access to daily prayers and reflection material posted online.

• During the next seven days, participants reflect privately each day on a scripture passage or spiritual reading and on the reflection questions assigned by the retreat guide. Participants may share their thoughts and insights online with other participants.

• At the conclusion of the retreat there is an opportunity for participants to gather in small groups of four or five with a retreat guide to share the insights and reflections which have come to them over the past week. If necessary or helpful, participants may arrange to meet privately with the retreat guide following the final group discussion.

Who Can Participate in a Busy World Retreat?
Adults and young adults of any age are welcome to participate in a Busy World Retreat. This is an opportunity for any one who wishes to spend some time reflecting on God's presence and goodness in their lives. You do not need to be actively participating in a faith community, and you do not need to be familiar with the format or techniques of spiritual reflection in order to grow from a Busy World Retreat. What you need is a desire to do this, and the commitment to spend 20 to 30 minutes each day in quiet reflection in an environment of your choice.

Registration

• By phone: call 319-234-9912
• By email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us




Faithful Parenting - NEW Offering


Introduction

Faithful Parenting is a faith formation and enrichment opportunity for Catholic parents sponsored by the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo.
Faithful Parenting is designed to prepare, encourage and support parents in their role as the “first heralds of faith“ for their children. Our goal is to help parents understand and fulfill their responsibility as the first teachers of faith.


Goals

Faithful Parenting is designed to help parents:
• understand the experiential or catechumenal model of conversion, by which children and adults come to know, understand and practice their faith.
• recognize the developmental characteristics and spiritual needs of children in various stages of growth from infancy to adolescence.
• appreciate the complementary roles of the family and the parish in the religious formation and education of children.
• understand the fundamental principles of the Catholic faith which parents must know in order to pass faith on to their children in word and deed.
• create “households of faith“ in which children see, hear, express and live their faith in age-appropriate ways.

Overview

The Faithful Parenting formation process begins with preparation for Baptism and continues through a series of annual formation opportunities for parents of young children ages 6 months to four years old. This chart provides a summary of the content for each session:

Baptism Preparation (Parents of Newborns and Infants)
This session introduces parents to the role of faith; the Paschal Mystery; Sacraments and the catechumenal conversion process; and the concept of parents as the “first heralds of faith” for their children. There is an opportunity to discuss the Baptism ritual and Baptism policies in the parishes.

Session One (Parents of Children 6 to 24 Months Old)
The first session introduces parents to the characteristics of the “Catholic Imagination,” rooted in the doctrines of Creation and Incarnation; the four dimensions of faith formation in children and adults; and the stages of faith development. There is an opportunity to discuss the child’s developmental needs and practical steps for faith formation at this age.

Session Two (Parents of Children 24 to 36 Months Old)
Session Two introduces parents to the role of mystery and story in life and in Revelation; the Eucharist as the source and summit of Catholic faith; characteristics of “Imaginative Faith;” and attitudes of the “Catholic Imagination.” There is an opportunity to discuss the child’s developmental needs and practical steps for faith formation at this age.

Session Three (Parents of Children 36 to 48 Months Old)
Session Three introduces parents to the relational nature of faith rooted in the Trinity; fundamentals of prayer; principles of Catholic moral teaching; guidelines for formation in human sexuality; and principles of positive discipline. There is an opportunity to discuss the child’s developmental needs and practical steps for faith formation at this age.

Session Four (Parents of Children 48 to 60 Months Old)
Session Four introduces parents to the principles of good stewardship; the fundamentals of Catholic Social Teaching; the traditional Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy; and the concept of developmental assets. There is an opportunity to discuss the child's developmental needs and practical steps for faith formation at this age.
Sessions for parents of children ages 6-24 months will be scheduled for January, May, July 2011
To register on line: www.waterloocatholics.org
or call 234-9912


There are LOTS of adult formation and youth ministry events scheduled every month.
To catch a glimpse of what is going on in the Waterloo area this month, click on the links below for a listing of all offerings.


For a complete listing of Adult Formation Opportunities contact Dave Cushing at 234-9912
or go to the Metro Adult Formation page of this website OR simply click on the following link: 
http://www.waterloocatholics.org/


For a complete listing of Middle School and High School Youth Ministry activities and offerings,
contact William Brandle (dbq208ym@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us) for high school youth ministry
or
Annie Zeets (dbq208ym2@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us) for middle school youth ministry

You may also call them at 233-3358 Ext. 134 OR simply click on the following link: 
www.WCYM.org