The Upper Room is the place the Apostles spent time during the passion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The Last supper and washing of the disciples’ feet took place in the Upper Room the night before Jesus’ death. The disciples used the space as a home base during the 50 days following Easter. While in the Upper Room, they spent time discussing what they just experienced, they prayed together and finally they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were then sent out unafraid to serve God and spread the Good News. With these Scriptures in mind, we were inspired to create a weekly event called Upper Room. Each Monday night and Tuesday night all are invited to join us as we dive deeper into what Jesus taught us, make time for prayer, have discussion and learn how to go out into the world to be disciples of Christ. There are two different types of programs as a part of Upper Room. One will be the Catholic basics and the other will go deeper into Catholic topics. Monday nights will go over the Basics of the Catholic Faith. All are invited to join us. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, then Monday nights is made with you in mind but all are welcome to join us. There is always so much we can continue to learn about our faith and our relationship with God. We will meet for 10 weeks from March 11 to June 3 leading up to Pentecost on June 9 when those interested in becoming Catholic will join the Church at Mass. Tuesday nights will go deeper into the faith. For 5 week from January 29 to February 26, we will take a Biblical Walk though the Mass. We are still finalizing the details on what we will do throughout Lent to continue to grow closer to God. PARISH ACCESS CODE FOR FORMED.ORG IS C98696 During the winter months we take a break so that we can all slow down to enjoy the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Between now and when we begin meeting again, you are invited to check out Formed.org. This is like a Netflix of Catholic Resources. Use our Parish Access Code to use these resources for free. Here are few suggestions to check out on FORMED.ORG: LISTEN - Audio Talks: The Case for Jesus with Dr. Brant Pitre, True Worship with Father Mike Schmitz, This Changes Everything with Ken Yasinski, Made for Greatness with Leah Darrow, Pray like a Saint with Matthew Leonard, WATCH-Movies: Joan of Arc, Bakhita From Slave to Saint, Restless Heart, Saint Francis of Assisi His life & Miracles, Mary of Nazareth, Pope John Paul II There are 168 hours in a week. We are asking for just 3 hours a week to build a relationship with Christ.
Calendar & Topics for Spring 2019 Upper Room We will meet in the Faith Formation Room at 7pm.
If you have any questions, contact Kate Tyler at 319-363-5238 or [email protected]
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Summertime often includes time off from work, plans for vacation, attendance at baseball games, and time with family enjoying picnics and swimming. Summer means relaxation and a break from normal routine. The summer months can also be the perfect opportunity for spiritual growth. Here are a few suggestions to encourage your spiritual relationship with Christ, shared ways to get involved to deepen your faith, and keep God close throughout the summer: - Invite a friend or family member to join you at Mass. - Consider reading the Gospel of Mark. Start with a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to be with you. Try and read for 5 minutes each day. - Next time someone asks you to pray for them, don't wait to leave to begin the prayer at another time. Pray right there with them. It could be as simple as an Our Father or a Hail Mary or you can pray spontaneously. - Go for a hike in nature and take pictures, write a poem or draw a picture. While you hike, thank God for everything that you see. You could even go stargazing one night. - Take a pilgrimage this summer. A pilgrimage is a journey a pilgrim makes to a sacred place for the purpose of venerating it or to ask for heavenly aid, and ultimately to come to know God better. Here are some places in Iowa you could visit this summer: Cathedral of St. Raphael - Dubuque Basilica of St. Francis Xavier - Dyerville Smallest Church in Iowa - Fort Atkinson - Pictures are from here New Melleray Abbey - Peosta Trinity Heights - Sioux City Outdoor Way of the Cross - St. Donatus West Bend Grotto - West Bend Grotto at Mount Mercy University or Prairiewoods are right here in town - When driving in the car, turn on Christian Music or pray. If it is a long road trip, consider praying the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Here is a Catholic Radio Station KMMK at 88.7fm. Here are a couple Christian Radio Stations Air 1 at 89.1fm or Life 101.9fm. - Read a faith-based book. Stop by our Parish Library in Kearn Hall to grab a book to read. Check out one of the 3 books below: - FORMED.ORG is a great place to go to learn more about our Catholic faith and to strengthen your relationship with God. Here is our Parish Code C98696 to access free Catholic Resources including ebooks, audio books, movies, audio talks and programs: ~ Watch a movie on the lives of St. Joan of Arc, St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Rita, St. John Paul II, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Bosco, St. Philip Neri, St. Maria Goretti and so many more Saints. There are also movies just for kids like Brother Francis, The Jesus Stories and more. ~ Check out the Symbolon Series to learn more about what we believe as Catholics and why. ~ Listen to an audio talk while doing the dishes. ~ Watch and discuss the Beloved Series with your spouse. ~ The best way to find out what is on FORMED.ORG is to sign up today and search around the website. You can download the app on your smart phone or go on from your computer. "Whether we eat or sleep,
Whether we work or play, May it all be for the honor & glory of God." St. Matthew’s is excited to begin a new faith formation program for families starting this fall! Family Formation draws families together to grow in faith at home and within the Parish. It replaces Wednesday evening classes. Family Formation is designed for ALL Parish families with kids in Grades K-5! This includes those at St. Matt’s school, public schools, and home schools. Mission: Family Formation is designed to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living the Catholic Faith. “The family is a domestic church.” - Lumen Gentium, 11 - Starting this fall, our Faith Formation program for elementary aged children will change to meet the needs of our Parish. Family Formation is a family-based catechetical program for all Parish families with children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 with an emphasis on adult formation. Why the Change? “Parents are the primary educators in the Faith. It is for this same reason that the Christian community must give very special attention to parents. By means of personal contact, meetings, courses, and also adult catechesis directed towards parents, the Christian community must help them assume their responsibility of educating their children in the faith.” – General Directory of Catechesis, articles 227 and 255. In Baptism, parents promise to raise their children in the Catholic faith. Our current Wednesday evening programs focus mostly on teaching children directly, and do not equip parents properly for their role as the primary catechists of their children. Changing to a family-based faith formation program empowers parents to make faith a part of their home. What will Family Formation Look Like? Family Formation combines a monthly church gathering with weekly at home lessons. The first Sunday of each month, children meet in grade-specific class settings while parents gather for adult catechesis and formation. We complete each monthly gathering with the celebration of parish Mass. Parents are given materials and an overview of weekly home lessons to teach their children the Faith. - The program coincides with the school year from September through May, starting in the Fall of 2018. - Monthly gatherings will be on the first Sunday of each month from 8:30AM – 11:30AM, with families attending 10:30AM Mass. - There will be 3 home lessons each month, with families given the flexibility to do these according to their schedule. - First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation is incorporated into this program for second graders. Registration begins April 15 for Family Formation! Visit our website and click on Grow In Faith for much more information and to sign up your family!
Come and See! You are invited to attend our Family Formation Preview Night on Wednesday, April, 25 from 6:15-7:30 PM in St. Matthew’s school gym. Families with children in Grades K-5 can come to experience our new program during a night of fellowship, prayer, and education. You will be given more information on Family Formation, as well as home lessons to try out. “Parents are the primary educators in the Faith… Indeed in the same way as the Church, the family is a place in which the Gospel is transmitted and from which it extends.” - General Directory for Catechesis, Article 255 - We are one month into the new year and for some people this means they have already given up on their New Years Resolutions. The beautiful part of being Catholic is there are many new years within each year; which means we have many chances to make change our lives. The Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent & Easter Seasons are a great time to reflect on your life and make changes to grow deeper in your faith. The Liturgical Season are just like the seasons within nature. Each season you can watch the trees change and learn from them. We are currently in the middle of winter which means the tree look bare yet on the inside they are slowly preparing for new growth. As we prepare for Lent, let us be like the trees and empty ourselves so that new growth can bloom. In order to make room for the new, one should begin with an examination of conscience. An Examination of Conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God” (— Glossary, The Catechism of the Catholic Church.) If you are looking for an Examination of Conscience to follow check out: http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/examinations-of-conscience.cfm Typically after one does an Examination of Conscience it is followed up by going to the Sacrament of Confession. It is through this Sacrament, that we are forgiven for our wrong doings and given the grace to change our ways. Once we have emptied ourselves, we can make room for growth. Lent is a great time to add some newness to your life. Throughout the season of Lent, we are invited to give something up. Most commonly people give up foods or drinks that are already meant to be had in moderation. Why not give up something or add something to your schedule that allows for you to deepen your relationship with God? Give up eating in between meals and any time you feel like a snack go pray for your family and friends who are going through a difficult time or read scripture instead of having that snack. Start a gratitude journal and daily write to God about what you are thankful for. Add Eucharistic Adoration to your Thursday Schedule and stop by St. Matthew's for a half hour of prayer in front of Jesus. Spiritual writer Henri J.m. Nouwen describe Lent as, "A time of returning to God....Lent is a time of refocusing, of re-entering the place of truth, of reclaiming our true identity." So this Lent make time for the Sacrament of Confession and time to deepen your relationship with God who loves you so much that He sent His only son to die so that you may have life and have it more abundantly (John 3:16 & John 10:10). If we are open to God and His will during the season of Lent, we will experience an Easter Season of new growth like never before. And just remember if you mess up on your Lenten Promise or New Years Resolution, every day is a great to start making changes to become the best version of yourself. If you need a refresher on how Lent works, check out the below chart from www.aleteia.org ~Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate ~
"As Christian Stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord." - United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - Our Parish Stewardship Committee has decided to monthly highlight those from our parish who are good stewards of the gifts God has given to them. The first of two ways you will see this information shared is through a bulletin insert on the 4th weekend of every month. Each bulletin insert will include details about stewardship. We will showcase reflections written by parishioners exemplifying their acts of stewardship within our parish and/or larger faith community. The second way is through our parish blog. Bulletins are a great way to spread information but so is the internet! All are welcome to share a short reflection (300 words or less). Please include how you live stewardship within your life, how you give back to God for the gifts He has given you, and why it is important for you to be a good steward. I'm sure some of you are thinking that you are not a good steward or that you don't do enough to write a reflection but the truth is, you only needed to say yes to one thing in order to be considered a good steward. For example, I said yes to a friend who asked me five times to get involved in youth ministry at my parish as a teenager. From that yes, I was asked to attend a retreat that winter. Because of that yes, I was asked to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference that summer which then led me to say yes to serve on the Student Ministry Team, go on a service trip, attend World Youth Day in Germany and....well I could go on for days about how each simple yes led me to the next thing which eventually led me to becoming the Pastoral Associate here at St. Matthew's but my point is that saying yes once is all it takes to be a good steward. Have you said yes to being a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server or Hospitality Minister? Have you said yes to helping with an activity at the School, Faith Formation Classes or in the Parish? Have you said yes to attending Mass at St. Matthew's? Have you said yes to attending a program promoted by our parish? If you said yes to any of those questions, then you would be considered a good steward and we want to hear your story. Your reflection and a photo can be emailed to me at [email protected] Two times each month, we will share a reflection right here on our Parish Blog. Can't wait to share with you soon about what all of you are doing within our parish. St. Matthew's Catholic Parish is blessed to have so many wonderfully gifted human beings as a part of our family. Thank you for your willingness to share your gifts with the parish as well as for helping share your example of stewardship. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - 2016 has ended. A new year has begun. For the past week people have been reflecting on everything that happened last year and have started their resolutions for 2017. It is easy to reflect on the big events that happened during the past year whether they were positive or negative. I encourage you to consider two deeper questions "What did you learn in the past year and how do you hope to grow this year?" These questions help me to reflection on how God has been working in my life this past year as well as come up with my goals for the new year. I spend time reflecting on the past and then begin planning for the future. Yet it is in my daily actions that I form habits which then create the person I will become. Every year, I make it a goal to grow closer to God. I think this is a new year's resolution for everyone. There is always more to learn about God and our Catholic faith. We can all work on our prayer life. Thankfully our parish has access to a great resource to help us to learn more and grow spiritually. FORMED.ORG offers plenty of ways to grow closer to God and deeper in knowledge about our Catholic Faith. If you do not yet have our parish access code contact the Parish Office at 363-8269 or email [email protected] or [email protected] Here are few suggestions of things to check out on FORMED.ORG: Programs: - ECHO: A 36 part video-based study of the United States Catholic Catechism of Adults (USCCA) presented by Bishop Donald Hying of Gary, Indiana. These short and engaging videos introduce each chapter of the USCCA and provide an inspiring start to personal or group study of our rich Catholic Faith. https://formed.org/course/581cb21072e0ff781f728326 - LECTIO - PRAYER: In six video sessions, Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God captures the secret to opening our hearts and minds to Scripture as the means to hear from God and then respond in conversation, basking in his presence and resolving to live in and through his love. The Lectio Divina approach includes Reading, Reflecting, Responding, and Contemplating. https://formed.org/course/5661d4098d0f20c00f1075c4 - BELOVED: This series has 6 videos to help couples to understanding the true meaning of marriage is one thing, living it out is another. Beloved: Living Marriage examines the day-to-day challenges of being united as husband and wife, while maintaining individuality. Whether you are preparing to get married or have been married for years this is a great resource to use with your spouse or spouse-to-be. https://formed.org/course/55a92486505d8ba80aa99c21 FORMED also has Audio Talks to listen to, Movies to watch and Ebooks to download and read. There are even resources for Children to check out on FORMED. The best way to find out what is available on FORMED.ORG is to go search and find what interests you.
So next time you are doing the dishes or clean, consider turing on an audio talk instead of the radio. The next time you are waiting in a doctor's office, consider downloading a book and reading it while you wait. Instead of renting a movie, consider picking one of the movies about the lives of a Saint. What program, movie, audio talk or book have you enjoyed on FORMED.ORG? We love to hear your suggestions. - Kate Tyler, Pastoral Associate - I am constanly amazed by the people of our parish. You are all so generous.
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If you are looking for a great online community of women, check out Blessed is She: https://blessedisshe.net/ |
Everyone who is baptized is a part of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is made up of sinners. It is filled with people trying to be the best that they can be to become who they were made to be. But like all the amazing Saints who have gone before, we start as sinners and hopefully one day can become Saints. To be a Saint is to be a holy person.
How do you live a holy life? That is simple. We must try. It is in striving to become holy that we do become holy. By reading the Bible or the lives of the saints we learn about how others lived. By praying, we make time for God in our lives and once we let God in, He changes our life for the good. As we journey towards holiness all those around us also become holy. It is the beauty of life. Just by being who we are, we share a message with others. Each one of us is regularly evangelizing others whether we know it or not. “Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words,” St. Francis’ word still rain true today.
This is what our community has been doing. We are living our life and inspiring others along the way. This is why each year we welcome more and more Catholics into our community whether they are infants or adults. Each one of you on your journey towards holiness has grabbed someone else’s attention and you invite them to journey with you. You may not have said any words but simply how you live and who you live for speaks so loudly that others wanted to follow you. You lead others to Christ.
With that in mind, I am so glad to share about the changes to the RCIA process. RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process of people joining the Catholic Church as adults. At some point it was decided to go with a one size fits all program. If someone was baptized in another Christian faith they would take the exact same journey as someone who has never been baptized. It might not seem like that big of a deal but the difference is God’s grace. When a person is baptized into the Christian faith, they receive God’s grace in their lives. For those who are unbaptized, they do not yet have those graces.
We have finally recognized that one size fits all does not work. We need to meet people where they are and journey with them from there. At this time each individual who has been inspired to finally join the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments of Initiation has been meeting one on one with me. In those meetings we discuss where they came from, where they are right now and where they hope to be. After this we offer different options of growing spirituality. There is a Monday mornings group who is meeting together and diving deeper into the Mass. On Thursday nights, we gather to break open the scriptures and find what it all means and how it relates to our lives. As we go forward, it is my hope to have more regularly meeting small faith sharing groups throughout the year for individuals to join so that they can grow closer to our Lord and also closer to the members of our amazing parish community.
The other big change you will soon notice is that all those who are already baptized Christian will be joining the Catholic Church throughout the year during our Sunday Liturgies. Marv and Kim Lewis, a father and daughter just joined the Church on Sunday October 18,2015 at 8am Mass. There is no way to put a time line on the work of the Holy Spirit and therefore the only people who will be required to join the Church at the Easter Vigil will be those who have never been baptized. If someone who is already baptized wants to join at the Easter Vigil they are invited to take part in the beautiful experience of that celebration.
It’s important to remember that holiness doesn’t happen in a few months. It takes a lifetime and takes a whole community. Thank you for being a witness of Christ’s love here on earth. Thank you for sharing yourself with our parish so that we might inspire others to journey with us each day towards the holiness we are all called to experience.
How do you live a holy life? That is simple. We must try. It is in striving to become holy that we do become holy. By reading the Bible or the lives of the saints we learn about how others lived. By praying, we make time for God in our lives and once we let God in, He changes our life for the good. As we journey towards holiness all those around us also become holy. It is the beauty of life. Just by being who we are, we share a message with others. Each one of us is regularly evangelizing others whether we know it or not. “Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words,” St. Francis’ word still rain true today.
This is what our community has been doing. We are living our life and inspiring others along the way. This is why each year we welcome more and more Catholics into our community whether they are infants or adults. Each one of you on your journey towards holiness has grabbed someone else’s attention and you invite them to journey with you. You may not have said any words but simply how you live and who you live for speaks so loudly that others wanted to follow you. You lead others to Christ.
With that in mind, I am so glad to share about the changes to the RCIA process. RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the process of people joining the Catholic Church as adults. At some point it was decided to go with a one size fits all program. If someone was baptized in another Christian faith they would take the exact same journey as someone who has never been baptized. It might not seem like that big of a deal but the difference is God’s grace. When a person is baptized into the Christian faith, they receive God’s grace in their lives. For those who are unbaptized, they do not yet have those graces.
We have finally recognized that one size fits all does not work. We need to meet people where they are and journey with them from there. At this time each individual who has been inspired to finally join the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments of Initiation has been meeting one on one with me. In those meetings we discuss where they came from, where they are right now and where they hope to be. After this we offer different options of growing spirituality. There is a Monday mornings group who is meeting together and diving deeper into the Mass. On Thursday nights, we gather to break open the scriptures and find what it all means and how it relates to our lives. As we go forward, it is my hope to have more regularly meeting small faith sharing groups throughout the year for individuals to join so that they can grow closer to our Lord and also closer to the members of our amazing parish community.
The other big change you will soon notice is that all those who are already baptized Christian will be joining the Catholic Church throughout the year during our Sunday Liturgies. Marv and Kim Lewis, a father and daughter just joined the Church on Sunday October 18,2015 at 8am Mass. There is no way to put a time line on the work of the Holy Spirit and therefore the only people who will be required to join the Church at the Easter Vigil will be those who have never been baptized. If someone who is already baptized wants to join at the Easter Vigil they are invited to take part in the beautiful experience of that celebration.
It’s important to remember that holiness doesn’t happen in a few months. It takes a lifetime and takes a whole community. Thank you for being a witness of Christ’s love here on earth. Thank you for sharing yourself with our parish so that we might inspire others to journey with us each day towards the holiness we are all called to experience.
-Kate Tyler, Pastoral Associate
St. MattsA Catholic Parish in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. |
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