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- PASTORAL RESOURCES
- Pastoral Care in Institutional Settings
- >Hospitals & Other Health Care Institutions
- >Mental Health
- >Prison & Jail Ministry
- Pastoral Care in Parish Ministry
- Domestic Violence
- LITURGY RESOURCES
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Liturgy - General
- Preaching and Scripture
- ACADEMIC RESOURCES
- Academic Writing
- Canon Law
- Catholic Social Teaching
- Church History
- Evangelization, Catechetics, Youth Ministry
- Philosophy (including Ethics)
- Spanish Language Resources
- Spirituality
- Theology
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Pastoral Resources
The following links are provided as a service to those who are engaged in Diaconal ministry or formation. The diocese is not responsible for their content, and does not necessarily agree with the material found or opinions expressed on those sites. Some of the sites are explicitly Catholic; others are not. Please report any concerns or broken links to the Director of Formation.
Use these links to access information about the Diocesan Safe Environment Program or the VIRTUS Website.
Pastoral Care: Health Care & Other Institutions
Hospital & Health Care Ministry
From the USCCB Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (5th Edition)
To Live Each Day with Dignity
-website addressing the issues of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide
-statement from the USCCB
Statement on "Reiki Therapy"
National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) See especially their resources webpage, which includes links to other websites, prayer & spirituality resources, and information on ethical issues.
Popes / Vatican Salvifici Doloris (Pope St. John Paul II) National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI)
Local Affiliates:
NAMI: Iowa
NAMI: Greater Mississippi ValleyNAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all of those in need.
NAMI: FaithNet NAMI FaithNet is a network of NAMI members and friends dedicated to promoting caring faith communities and promoting the role of faith in recovery for individuals and families affected by mental illness. This site is a reflection of a closer partnership between NAMI, NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliate leaders.
Archdiocese of Chicago: Commission on Mental Health The purpose of the Commission on Mental Illness is to educate and resource parishes on the spiritual and supportive needs of persons with serious mental illnesses such as bi-polar disease, major depressive illnesses, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. Since mental illness not only affects the individual with the disease but also family members, the needs of the entire family are addressed. National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) Pastoral, theological, catechetical, and other resources. Includes a section on suicide prevention.
Document: A Pastoral Response to Mental Illness: Resources for the Catholic CommunityCalifornia Catholic Conference: Hope and Healing Website dedicated to the Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California on Caring for those who Suffer from Mental Illness
Addressed to All Catholics and People of Goodwill.
Dowloads:
-letter in English (HOPE AND HEALING)
-letter in Spanish (ESPERANZA Y SANACIÓN)
-letter in Vietnamese (HY VỌNG VÀ CHỮA LÀNH)
-Study GuidePrison/Jail Ministry
Dismas Ministry
-A national Catholic outreach among inmates and those affected by crime. Website includes links to other resources.
Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN) to End the Use of the Death Penalty
-CMN proclaims the Church’s unconditional pro-life teaching and its application to capital punishment and restorative justice.
International Network of Prison Ministries
-A website whose purpose is to bring under one Internet roof all Prison Ministries involved in crime prevention and in rehabilitation through the Word of God worldwide (ecumenical).Parish Ministry
Domestic Violence Resources
In their 2002 Document, When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women, the US Bishops unequivocally condemned domestic violence and called upon the Church to reach out to victim and perpetrator alike. Click on the links and see what your parish can do....
National Dometic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
TTY: 1-800-787-3224
Poster with tear-off tabs. Iowa Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
and
Domestic Violence Helpline
Hotline: 1-800-770-1650The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence seeks to engage all people in a movement to change the social and political systems that perpetuate violence against women. ICADV does this through education, advocacy and quality services. Click here for a map and contact information for services around the state.
Children and Families of Iowa: Domestic Violence Services
Hotline: 1-800-942-0333
For the Des Moines Area. Iowa International Center:
Domestic Violence Resources
Information targetted specifically to immigrants. Bulletin Insert
A full page insert in Spanish and English. Bulletin Paragraphs
Short quotes that can be reproduced inside your bulletin. The Domestic Violence
"Power and Control Wheel"
A visual aid in understanding what can constitute domestic violence. Pax in Familia How Can We Help to End Violence in Catholic Families: A Guide for Clergy, Religious and Laity – a 100-page illustrated booklet by Dr. Christauria Welland, with Imprimatur from the Diocese of San Diego, CA, USA, on violence in Catholic families, how to respond to and prevent violence, and how to educate Catholic youth and couples for peace.
FaithTrust Institute "FaithTrust Institute is an international, multifaith organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. We provide communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge they need to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse. FaithTrust Institute works with many communities, including Asian and Pacific Islander, Buddhist, Jewish, Latino/a, Muslim, Black, Anglo, Indigenous, Protestant and Roman Catholic."
HopeLine Verizon's program for collecting no-longer used cell phones and accessories and making them available to DV programs. They also provided this infogrpahic on chronic medical conditions and domestic violence. -
Liturgy Resources
Liturgy of the Hours
Click here for LOH resources on our Liturgy Links page.
Click here for LOH planning sheets and other resources on the Liturgy Library page.
Information on the Liturgical Calendar can be found on the Liturgy Events webpage.
Liturgy - General
See our Liturgy Links and Liturgy Library pages.
Preaching (Homiletics) / ScriptureSee our Preaching Links page.
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Academic Resources
The following links provide help in properly citing references, according to a variety of methods:
Son of Citation Machine Citation machine helps students and professional researchers to properly credit the information that they use. Its primary goal is to make it so easy for student researchers to cite their information sources. Boston College:
Citing with IntegrityAn overview of ethical citation practices. Purdue University's
Online Writing Lab:American Psychological Association (APA)
Documenting Electronic Resources
Modern Language Association (MLA)University of Wisconsin-Madison's Writing Center: APA
Chicago/Turabian Style
MLAThe Ultimate Grammar
Resource GuideLinks to numerous resources regarding proper English grammar. Ad Tuendam Fidem
Motu proprio of John Paul II (5/18/98) making changes to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
Omnium in Mentem
Motu proprio of Benecict XVI (10/26/09) making changes to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus
Motu proprio of Francis (8/15/15) making changes to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
De Concordia Inter Codices
Motu proprio of Francis (5/31/16) making changes to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
Currently available in Latin and Italian only.
Magnum Principium
Motu proprio of Francis (9/3/17) making changes to the 1983 Code of Canon Law.
Currently available in Latin and Italian only.
Sacrae disciplinae leges
Code of Canon Law - Vatican
Code of Canon Law - Great Britain
USCCB - Complementary Norms (application of 29 canons to the Church in the US)
Msgr. J. Gray
Selected Reference Documents related to the Code of Canon Law, as prepared by Monsignor Jason Gray of the Diocese of Peoria. Contains electronic versions of the 1983 Code of Canon Law (as updated 2015), the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, and the 1917 Code of Canon Law.
Canon Law Books
A source for common textbooks in Canon Law, including much of the Gratianus Series from Canada.
Canon Law Research Guide
Here is a research guide a civil lawyer put together on Canon Law. Some useful links and reference material for a variety of sources.
Christian Classics Ethereal Library Emphasis on the early church. Early Church Fathers New Advent website Early Church Texts Includes originallanguages and translations. Early Church UK History and texts. Part of a collection of linked websites from an Evangelical perspective. Medieval Sourcebook Fordham University Medieval Church UK History and texts. Part of a collection of linked websites from an Evangelical perspective. Reformation Church UK History and texts. Part of a collection of linked websites from an Evangelical perspective. Historical Maps Overview Evangelization and Catechetics / Youth Ministry
21st Century Catholic Evangelization Loyola Press - Sunday Connection Lifelong Faith Outside Da Box - videos for youth ministry The Five Loaves St. Mary's Press - resource center LifeTeen Vibrant Faith at Home (ecumenical) Catholic Health Association This link will take you to the CHA's ethics page; click here to retrieve the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (4th edition) from the USCCB website. The CHA also publishes an ethics newsletter, which is available here.
Commission on Biomedical
EthicsFrom the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The site includes reference materials as well as links to other sites.
Loras College / Archdiocese of Dubuque Bioethics Resource Center
AND Archdiocese of Dubuque - BioethicsMultidisciplinary in nature, the Bioethics Resource Center at Loras brings together the perspectives of medicine, philosophy, theology, and law in approaching the problems of bioethics.
National Catholic
Bioethics CenterThe National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), established in 1972, conducts research, consultation, publishing and education to promote human dignity in health care and the life sciences, and derives its message directly from the teachings of the Catholic Church. The NCBC also sponsors a channel on YouTube, where a number of educational videos are posted.
Anscombe Bioethics Centre From the UK. See especially this resource page on PAS / euthanasia. Philosophy: An On-Line
Resource GuideLinks to various resources for the study of philosophy. Philosophy Bites Podcasts by contemporary philosophers.
SmartScholar Philosophy Guide With eight separate sections comprising 40+ individual resources, you’re sure to find links to useful information within, no matter your level of expertise. Browse this guide for general resources – including free online philosophy courses – study resources, teaching resources and much more. On-line Encyclopedias The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Philosophy Pages
Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyDiccionario Teológico Theological dictionary in Spanish. Google Translator Duolingo Aprender Español La Mansion del Inglés Resources for learning English for those who speak Spanish. For list of English-Spanish words that are spelled the same, click here. Inglestotal Another resource for learning English for those who speak Spanish. For a list of words that sound the same in English and Spanish but have very different meanings, click here. Spanish Vocabulary Genius
(on YouTube)Resources on our Liturgy Links Page Resources on our Preaching Links Page Catechism of the Catholic Church From the USCCB Website. US Catholic Catechism for Adults From the USCCB Website. Page includes links to the Catechism in both English and Spanish. Catholic Classics Electronic versions of spiritual classics, such as St. Augustine's Confessions, St. Ignatius of Loyola'sSpiritual Exercises, St. Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, and many more... Catholic Treasury An on-line library of spiritual classics. Christian Classics
Ethereal LibraryHundreds of works listed alphabetically by author. Contemplative Outreach "Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. The common desire for Divine transformation, primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily Centering Prayer practice, unites our international, interdenominational community." Discerning Hearts Podcasts, including on spiritual direction and discernment. Early Church Fathers The Franciscan Archive Includes the writings of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Bonaventure... Ignatian Spirituality Website introducing Ignatian Spirituality, sponsored by Loyola Press. Jesus Christ, the Bearer
of the Water of LifeA reflection on the "New Age" from the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Interreligious Dialogue St. Therese of Lisieux:
The Story of a SoulCatechism of the Catholic Church
with Search UtilityUnited States Catechism for Adults Catholic Resources -
Prof. Felix Just, S.J.While the emphasis of this site is on the study of Scripture, there are also resources here for the study of the Liturgy and theology in general.
There is a very helpful section on official Church documents related to the study of the Scriptures.
USCCB Resources on Ecumenism Clicking on the link opens a PDF docuemnt that contains multiple links to resources for ecumenical dialogue, engagement, and understanding.
Ecumenical Dialogues in the US PDF from the USCCB providing a brief history of ecumenism in the US.
Ecumenism in Canada While containing some material specific to the Canadian Churches, this website contains excellent research tools in terms of documents from various denominations and the study of Scripture. Includes links to other ecumenical and inter-religious organizations.
A Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together A document signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on 4 February 2019, as part of the Pope's apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates.
A Church in Dialogue:
Catholics & Muslims in Canada"The pamphlet is meant to help Canadian Catholics better understand their Muslim neighbours. Our country is home to an impressive array of cultures and religions, and the Catholic Bishops of Canada wish to foster understanding and dialogue amongst the diverse people of our land." PDF.
Other Resources on Islam
USCCB: Islam (Interreligious Relations)
USCCB: Walking Together on the Road to Peace (Videos)
The Bridge Initiative (Georgetown)
Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center (Univ. St. Thomas)
Islamic Center of the Quad Cities (includes resource page)
Islamic Society of North America
World Council of Churches The WCC brings together churches, denominations and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world, representing over 500 million Christians and including most of the world's Orthodox churches, scores of Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches, as well as many United and Independent churches. At the end of 2013, there were 345 member churches.
Parliament of the World's Religions The Parliament of the World's Religions was created to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
Internet Theology Resources, by School of Theology Major Areas General information, Scripture, Systematics, Moral Theology, Church History, Liturgy and Liturgical Music, Monastic Studies, Religious Education, Spirituality, Pastoral Ministry, Spanish Language and Culture
Theology on the Web UK Sources for the study of scripture, biblical archaeology, church history, theology, and missiology. From an "Evangelical" perspective.
Journal of Religion and Film
Judaism 101
Jewish-Christian Ralations
Pocket Catholic Dictionary
St. Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologica
Theology Library A huge "gateway" organized according to subject area: Church, Revelation, Liturgy, Justice, Theology, Morality, Spirituality, Evangelization, and Religion (ecumenism and interreligious relations).
INTERS - The Interdisciplinary Encyclopedia of Religion and Science Hosted by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.
Papal Encyclicals Online An on-line collection of papal and conciliar documents.