Sacramental Programs

The heart of living as a Catholic is the experience of Community and the Sacraments.  Since St. Stephen the Witness is considered a faith community and not a canonical parish, Sacramental preparation will be a bit different than in other places.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA is a faith formation process for persons not baptized or baptized in another denomination who are interested in entering into full communion with the Catholic community.  The RCIA process begins in early September, typically meets every Sunday evening (there are a few exceptions) when school is in session, and culminates with Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. 

The Team contact is Fr. Ken Glaser:  kjglaser@ststephenuni.org

Baptism

The Baptism of your child is a wonderful and important event in your life and the life of  your child.  It is the entry of your child into the Catholic Church.  It adopts him/her as a Child of God.  It also places responsibilities upon parents who request Baptism for their child.  Here are some guidelines we follow at St. Stephen the Witness:

  • Who?  Registered members of St. Stephen who regularly attend Mass and have completed the Baptismal preparation session.

  • Requirements?  Pre-registration in the Baptismal preparation class.  Attending a two-hour session prior to the Baptism of your child.
  • When?  Baptism is celebrated once a month as determined by the Campus Ministry Team during a Sunday Eucharist except during Advent, Lent, and Holy Week.

The Team contact is Fr. Ken Glaser:  kjglaser@ststephenuni.org

Marriage

St. Stephen the Witness rejoices with you in the mutual love you have discovered, and commends you for your desire to declare and seal your love publicly in the Sacrament of Marriage.  In this way, your love and life together will serve those around you as a sign that Jesus Christ is alive and present in the world.  Preparation for marriage is a time of spiritual growth together with God. 

  • Who?  Registered members of St. Stephen the Witness.

  • Requirements?  Marriage preparation is an important element of planning a life together.  It takes approximately six months for marriage preparation to take place.  Please contact the office one year in advance of your anticipated wedding, or as soon as you are engaged.

  • When?  Wedding celebrations in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are as follows: Friday evening, or Saturday no later than 4:00 pm.

If you have been previously married, no wedding date can be set until a Decree of Invalidity (Nullity) is obtained.  If you need assistance, please contact Fr. Ken.

The Team contact is Fr. Ken Glaser:  kjglaser@ststephenuni.org

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing that tells us all healing is a gift from God.  God cares about our bodies as well as our souls.  God especially cares about those who are suffering.  The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of caring.  Throughout salvation history, God has made a "preferential option for the poor".  Christians, by vocation, choose sides with the suffering and the poor.

Upon request, the sick will be anointed at any time.  During the year a communal celebration of Anointing takes place each semester.  This is announced beforehand in the Sunday Bulletin.  If you are hospitalized, please indicate that you are a Catholic and would like someone from St. Stephen to be notified.  If possible, one of the Campus Ministry Team will visit you in the hospital.  As a Christian community, we support one another with our prayers during difficult times.