Ministries

graphic representing the round window "rose" on the south face of the Basilica

Parish Life

About the Parish Family

Catholic parish is the single most important part of our Catholic Church. This is where we continue the mission of Jesus Christ. This is where we publicly express our faith, joining together with others to give proof of our communion with God and with one another.

The Basilica of St. John family is truly an expression of the communal character of Catholic Christian life and with over 900 families registered. The beauty of our family is in the diversity of races and the unity with which we love one another.

We are a vital and growing church in the heart of Des Moines If you decide to join, we can use your help in one of our many organizations and ministries.

Becoming a Parish Member

Contact our office, wither at 515-244-3101 or by e-mail at basilicadm@msn.com, and ask for a new member application form to be sent to you. You may return it in the postage paid envelope or drop it by our office during business hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday).

If you have questions or nee additional assistance, please contact Barb Kean or Margaret Voss at 515-244-3101, extension 0.

Within a few weeks after we receive your complete application form you will be contacted by a member of our welcoming committee. Please spend some time with this person so that you and your family have a good understanding of the opportunities that are open to you as a member of our parish family. During this meeting you will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

Making the Commitment

Shortly after you register, you will receive a personalized envelopes for your parish donation. It is necessary for you to use your envelopes so that the amount of your donation can be recorded into a confidential database. If you need this information for tax purposes, we are then able to provide you with a statement of your contributions. Using your envelopes is an important way for us to know you are still an active member.

Together as a faith-filled Community of Catholic Christians, we are committed to supporting one another in our faith journey, by full participation in the prayer and liturgical events of the parish, as well as outreach opportunities to assist our needy brothers and sisters locally and throughout the world. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who forms us as a parish, and it is because of him that our parish activities are developed. Our growth in likeness to Jesus Christ is primary and it is to this that we are committed above all else. The sharing of our time, talent, and treasure with our brothers and sisters helps us to direct all our energies to manifesting the mind of Jesus and fulfilling God's will wherever our daily life takes us.

Why Should You Register

There are many reasons to register. The most important reason is that you desire a sense of belonging in your church community. You are making a commitment to practice your faith. This commitment should be a high priority in your life. You should be willing to give of your time, talent and treasure to your church community.

Our practical reasons include the fact that you must be a practicing Catholic in order to receive the Sacraments of Baptism (or a parent in the case of a child), First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, or Holy Matrimony. To be a Godparent or a Sponsor for Confirmation also requires that you receive a letter from you parish church stating that you practice your faith.

A practicing Catholic is one that attends Mass weekly and on holy days, and is in good standing with the Church. If you have children and want them to attend Holy Family School or Dowling High School, registered parishioners have priority when there are openings. For religious education instruction and Sacramental preparation, the families of those attending must also be registered parishioners.

Your decision to become a registered member of our parish family is an important decision involving all members of your immediate family. If we can do anything to help you, please contact us.

R.C.I.A. Program

Thinking about joining the Catholic Church,
or learning more about it?

Ask your self these questions:

Where is your journey of faith leading you?
Are you interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith?
Do you know someone who would like to draw closer to our faith?

Consider spending some time with the Basilica family and see if Christ is calling you to the Roman Catholic faith. • The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (R.C.I.A.) classes are held at Basilica of St. John Education Center, east of church. To register for the R.C.I.A. process, or for more information, call Rosemary today at 515-244-3101 ext 204.

• Many people feel called to consider if Roman Catholicism is their path to Christ and Christ's people. R.C.I.A. is a process not a program, your needs and personal journey are vital to the success of our time together. If you are interested, come and see what we are all about.

• We also hold classes for those who are already baptized Catholic who wish to complete their Sacraments of initiation, Confirmation and Eucharist.

There is no obligation to come and learn. Classes will begin Tuesday, September 4th, 2012. If you are interested or have questions, please call Rosemary Sloss 244-3101 ext. 204, or e-mail her at rosemarysloss@msn.com Please tell Rosemary that you saw this on the parish web site.

The Purpose of Continuing Formation

To do our part in sharing in the mission of Jesus Christ, adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well equipped to share the Gospel, promoting it in every family circle, in every church gathering, in every place of work, and in every public forum. We must be women and men of prayer whose faith is alive and vital, grounded in a deep commitment to the person and message of Christ.

We are entering a period of new vitality for the Church, a period in which adult Catholic laity will play a pivotal leadership role in fulfilling the Christian mission of evangelizing and transforming society. For us to fulfill our roles our faith must be lifelong, just as we must continue to learn to keep up in the changing world in our jobs, our families and our society.

The qualities of a mature and adult faith life and discipleship include:

Living Faith - a searching faith to find understanding (frequent reading of the Word of God, the writings of our tradition, involvement in our parish and diocesan life and the mission of the Church, participation in works of justice and service to the poor, and the fulfillment of our human obligations in family and society.
Explicit Faith - a faith rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ lived in the Christian community, a faith entered into through dialogue with the gospel message as professed by the teaching of the Church and lived by the people of God.
Fruitful Faith - a faith which enjoys the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ). Such fruits bear justice and compassion through active outreach to those in need, sharing the witness of Jesus to a world that is in need of love and justice.

Our goals are:

Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Christ in Holiness of Life - help to develop an attitude of conversion.
Promote and Support Active Membership in the Parish Family - that our response to God's call to community cannot remain abstract and un-incarnated, but reveals itself concretely by a visible entry into a community of believers.
Call and Prepare Adults to Act as Disciples in Mission to the World - to study and understand, then share the the message of Christ to renew and to transform the social and temporal order.

Basilica of St. John Altar & Rosary Meeting

Minutes of the Meeting, April, 2012

The meeting was called to order by President, Beverly 9:50 a.m. It was hosted by Band #4. Recitation of the Rosary and the Basilica Prayer by Bev. Sixteen (16) members were present. April fools day is over, Easter has come and we are in the fourth week of the season which inspired band #4 to decorate the tables in spring colors and Easter Bunnies.

Minutes - March meeting minutes were read and approved by Melody.

Sue read the Treasury report, motion was called and approved and sent for audit.

Correspondence - Sent a get well card to Marian.

Altar Linens - Everything was in order

Funeral and receptions - None to report.

New Business

Divine Mercy Sunda Reception (following 10:30 a.m. Mass) - Was a success with Mary bringing a bouquet of Red & White flowers. Tables were decorated with white tables and red and white flowers in honor of Cardinal Rigali.

President Bev asked for volunteers to clean the church kitchen. This includes decreasing of equipment and cleaning doors and drawers of cabinets. Three people volunteered.

The Salad Supper is Tuesday, May 8th - Jeanne provided a sign up sheet for members to serve and clean up after the supper. Poster were handed out to local stores and signs were given to members to put in their yards. Melody will serve as the MC for the evening events. All members are asked to bring a salad for the supper.

Nominating committee - has selected Jenifer P. as upcoming President, Secretary Melody, and Treasurer Sue. They will be installed in the June meeting.

Christmas Bazaar - Evie and Sheila volunteered to be in charge of the vendors. Their responsibilities start in August.

Fall Kick Off - September 17th - Searching for new ideas. One suggestion was to have a Tea Party and have a Tea store come make a presentation. Bev agreed to contact Teavana from Jordan Creek Mall and Melody will contact Gong Fu Tea. Another suggestion to contact Dowling Catholic for a theater or dinner theater or a comical piano duo. All should have information for our May meeting.

Chris B. asked to be replaced as Sympathy Chairman and Judy T. agreed to fill the responsibility.

Motion to adjourn by Dwayne and seconded by Rita. Adjourned at 10:45 a.m. The next meeting will be May 12th and Band #5 will host.

If you have any questions or comments contact Beverly at lbchic@peoplepc.com.

Thought for the Month:
Instead of pointing a finger, why not hold out your hand.

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