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H1N1 and Liturgy
Click here to see information on the Diocese of Des Moines’ position on this topic.
Music Workshops
Please see memo and promotional flyer regarding upcoming music ministry workshops, which will include important new information on the new Roman Missal as it pertains to music in worship.
Worship on the Web:
Click here for more specific Worship information in the Diocese of Des Moines.
We believe that through worship and sacraments, we have an interaction with God that transforms us and makes us holy and in turn energizes us to carry forth the good news of Jesus with a lively faith. We believe Christ is present in the sacraments so that when a man baptizes, it is really Christ himself who baptizes. He is present in his Word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in Church. Lastly, he is present when the Church prays and sings, for God promised: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20). Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #7, Second Vatican Council
Pastoral Letter
Bishop Joseph L. Charron, C.PP.S. issued a pastoral letter in November, 2004 to the people of the Diocese of Des Moines on the Eucharist as a means of kicking off a year-long celebration called the Year of the Eucharist. In his pastoral letter, Bishop Charron calls on Catholics in central and southwest Iowa to learn more about their faith, deepen their devotion and put their faith into action. The pastoral letter is available in both English and Spanish. It includes study guide questions for small group discussions.
Podcast
Click here to subscribe to a podcast of the daily readings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions regarding worship and sacraments are about the liturgical calendar, baptisms, weddings and annulments. For specific information, you may want to talk with your pastor.
Liturgical Calendar – A liturgical calendar marks the seasons of the Church year, saints’ feast days and daily readings.
January 09
February 09
March 09
April 09
May 09
June 09
July 09
August 09
September 09
October 09
November 09
December 09
Baptism – Baptism is the first of three initiation sacraments of the Catholic Church, the others being Eucharist and Confirmation. The Catholic Church addresses baptism of infants and baptism of adults differently. Each parish community has their particularly practices and policies. If you have questions, contact the parish in which you reside.
Baptism of Children - Ancient testimony regarding infant baptism dates back to the second century and actual practice may date back to apostolic times. It is a sacrament celebrated with the faithful of the Church.
The role of the parents is to help form their child in the faith, and the role of sponsors or godparents to assist in the child’s journey of faith.
A baptism can be performed by a bishop, priest or deacon. In cases of emergency or necessity, anyone can baptize.
Baptism purifies one from sin, offers new and eternal life with God and is the first of the initiation rites into the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant Baptism.”
For more information or to arrange for a baptism of an infant or child, contact your local pastor.
Baptism of Adults - Baptism of adults brings one’s faith to maturity and recognizes a conversion of heart divinely inspired. It welcomes a person into the Christian community.
Adult baptism goes back to the very beginning of the Catholic tradition, for it was John the Baptist who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.
The Second Vatican Council brought back into tradition the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. This is a process of learning and prayer that leads up to one’s baptism.
For more information on baptism for adults, or the RCIA process, contact your local pastor.
Weddings – Marriage is a life-long vocation, a sacrament and a covenant between two people. The Diocese of Des Moines offers a Marriage Ministry office which assists couples who are marrying for the second time. A handbook for wedding planning is available.
Weddings - You are considering a lifetime of marriage. What a wonderful time in your life! Marriage is a lasting commitment that you make to each other freely. The gift of your whole self to the other calls for fidelity, a life-long commitment and enables you to have and nurture children in an atmosphere of love. This is what the Church means when it calls marriage a covenant. A married couple becomes a sign of how much God loves us, a sacrament of this total love. The Diocese of Des Moines offers “Wedding Planning Guidelines,” a handbook that can help couples in their choices for worship space decorations, worship aids, parts of the wedding Mass or service, some thoughts on traditions and contemporary music. To receive a copy of this handbook, call 515-237-5046.
Funerals – The Church uses a variety of rites to mark the death of one of her children. The rituals called the Order of Christian Funerals are used to provide a wake service and funeral Mass. (Link to pdf that’s off of the Worship office’s page).
“The death of one of our sisters and brothers is a significant event for us as Church. It is a time when we, who loved the deceased person, mourn for our loss. It also is a time when we as the Church celebrate God’s gift of life and mark, with special rites and gatherings, the return of that life to our loving God. This is an overview of the Order of Christian Funerals. It includes the journey of grief, a general overview, music, cremation and more.” The Catholic Funeral: An Overview, Diocese of Des Moines
Annulments -- The Tribunal Office assists people who face difficulties of divorce and remarriage while maintaining faithfulness to the legal procedures established in the Church. (Link to Tribunal Office)
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Kyle Lechtenberg Director of Worship 515-237-5046
Sandy Riesberg Administrative Secretary 515-237-5046
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