Opportunities for Spiritual Growth...
The mission of the Church is to provide Spiritual Growth to its members. One cannot grow spiritually without growing as an individual. It is through positive growth that we enhance our relationship with our Creator and Savior. It is through positive spiritual growth that we become better parents and members of our family. It is through positive spiritual growth that we become better employers, employees, and members of our community at large. It is through positive spiritual growth that are able put a better since of meaning, purpose, and priorities into a sometimes fast pace and hectic life.
At St Patrick's we offer numerous in-parish opportunities for spiritual growth as well as participating in city wide and Archdiocesan wide spiritual growth programs. Listed below is only a partial list and brief explanation of some of the opportunities available for spiritual growth. For information on any of those listed or other spiritual growth opportunities please call the Parish Office or send an e-mail to srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Bible Study Group
At St. Patrick's we have several different Bible Study groups meeting at different times and on different days in order to meet a schedule convenient to almost anyone. The Groups meet to share their ideas and feelings on a particular gospel or other book of the bible. Some groups are more structured in the text they may use than others.
Prayer Group
While there are several different prayer groups that meet for prayer and meditation, one that is most prominent in the parish is a group that meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in the Church. This group gives special honor to our Blessed Mother, and prays the Rosary and other prayers of devotion. All are invited to come and pray.
Rosary for the Pilgrim Virgin
The Traveling Pilgrim Virgin Statue has been a tradition for many years. Each week the Pilgrim Virgin Statue travels from home to home in the Cedar Rapids/Marion Area. The rosary is then said Monday through Friday at 7:30pm at the home the Statue is residing at. For information on the location of the Statue please call the Parish Office or watch the Parish Bulletin.
Retreats
In addition to some type of renewal or mission sponsored by the parish itself, St. Patrick's also promotes and participates in a number of city wide and Archdiocesan wide retreat experiences. Listed below is just a few of the retreat experiences available to the members of our Parish.
CEW (Christian Experience Weekend)
CEW's are offered in the Cedar Rapids area each year. The retreat begins on a Friday evening and goes through Sunday afternoon. They are designed as one weekend for the men and another for the women. For information on the CEW Retreat experience call the Parish Office or send an e-mail to srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Marriage Encounter
Marriage Encounter is designed to give married couples the opportunity to examine their lives together, to share their feelings, hopes, disappointments, joys and frustrations. Marriage Encounter places strong emphases on communication between the husband and wife. Marriage Encounter is held at various sites and dates throughout the Archdiocese. For information on dates and location or if you would just like additional information on Marriage Encounter please call the Parish Office or send an e-mail to srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Marriage Retorno
Marriage Retorno means turning toward God as a couple. The goal of marriage Retorno is to provide an atmosphere and a context in which the couple can open themselves both as individuals and as a couple to dialogue with God through Scripture. It is a weekend prayer experience, a couples retreat for the husband and wife that is facilitated by a married couple and a Catholic priest. It is geared to provide the participating couples with an opportunity for a renewal of their relationship as a couple with God. For additional information on marriage Retorno call the Parish Office or send an e-mail to srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille is a program designed for couples living with disappointment and pain in their marriage. Couples who are separated or divorced and want their marriage to work are also encouraged to attend. The program consists of a weekend experience with six follow-up meetings. Through Retrouvaille the couple gains awareness of themselves as persons and of their relationship in a new and positive way. Retrouvaille is NOT a retreat or sensitivity group. There are no group dynamics or group discussions. It is not a time for hurting but a time for healing. For confidential information on upcoming Retrouvaille weekends call the parish office and ask for Sr. Linda or e-mail him at srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Beginning Experience
The Beginning Experience (B.E.) is a weekend experience designed to help those who are separated, divorced, or widowed make a new beginning in life. The Beginning Experience weekend is open to persons of all ages and all denominations. The Beginning Experience Weekend is a supportive experience of community and friendship. One can look forward to a reflective, sharing, and spiritual weekend. For more information on dates and locations of the Beginning Experience call the Parish Office or send and e-mail to srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)
How someone comes to consider joining the Catholic Faith as an adult is as varied as we are as individuals. Regardless of the reason or the motivation, your next step will be to consider becoming part of the Parish's R.C.I.A program. Becoming involved in the R.C.I.A. program is not an automatic commitment on the part of the Candidate to become a Catholic. The program is a multi-step process that permits the candidate to make decisions along the way according to their own individual calling and comfort level. The entire process of R.C.I.A., as we celebrate it at St. Patrick's, begins in early fall and ends with the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Night.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Catholic through the R.C.I.A process please contact Sr. Linda Bechen at the Parish Office or send him an e-mail at srlinda@stpatrickscr.org.
