Karmen Bower, director of faith formation for the Diocese of Sioux City, explains why more people than ever are seeking to become Catholic through OCIA and how Catholic media is helping lead them there. She shares the simplest first step for anyone feeling drawn to the Church and why every Catholic should make their faith known to friends and coworkers. Karmen also covers today's popular confirmation saints and practical ways to start serving in your parish.
Karmen Bower, director of faith formation for the Diocese of Sioux City, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to talk about the growing number of people entering the Catholic Church. A Polk City native who was baptized at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart in Ankeny and studied theology and philosophy at Benedictine College, Karmen says Catholic resources have exploded in the last 15 years, and podcasts, video, and Catholic radio are helping draw people to OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
If you feel God drawing you toward the Catholic Church, Karmen's advice is simple: start with a conversation. Calling a parish office can feel daunting, so she encourages every Catholic to let coworkers, friends, and family know their faith matters to them, so that anyone curious has someone to talk to and someone to walk with them into the parish.
Karmen also shares the confirmation saints young people are choosing today, from classics like Sebastian and Isidore to Pier Giorgio Frassati, Carlo Acutis, and Saint Dymphna, patron of those facing mental health struggles. And if you want to serve in your parish, she says, contact the parish office and come with an idea, a plan, and a few friends ready to help.
Middle and high school students across the Diocese of Sioux City are invited to the Called Youth Conference on Sunday, November 1, in Granville. Learn more at the Diocese of Sioux City.
Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.
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