Contact Information
Annie Zeets, anniezeets@gmail.com
Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation Office. 319-233-0498

Children need to celebrate their First Reconciliation prior to First Communion. Second graders prepare for First Reconciliation in the fall, and for First Communion in the second semester. 

Parent Meetings 
Letters to families of 2nd graders will be mailed in late-August or sent home from St. Edward School. Included will be dates for Parent Information meetings about preparation for First Sacraments - and First Reconciliation in particular - that will be held in early October. Families that do not receive an information letter in the mail by early September should contact Annie Zeets. 

Information about immediate preparation for First Communion will be sent to parents in January. Choose to attend one of these parent information meetings:

• Sun. Feb 4th - 1:00pm Parent Info Meeting - Sacred Heart, Putz Hall (Burmese)
• Sun. Feb 4th - 4pm Parent Info Meeting - Queen of Peace, Scallon Hall (Spanish)
• Mon. Feb 5th - 6pm Parent Info Meeting - Blessed Sacrament Parish Center
• Thur. Feb 8th - 6pm Parent Info Meeting - St. Edward, Parish Hall.

* If you cannot attend one of the parent meetings, contact Annie Zeets.


Celebrations of First Communion -- Spring 2024 
Children normally celebrate First Communion in the parish where the family belongs. First Communion weekends are as follows. 

• April 13th/14th
  • Sat. 13th - 4:00pm First Communion Mass at Queen of Peace (English)
  • Sat. 13th- 5:15pm First Communion Mass at St. Edward.
  • Sun. 14th -8am First Communion Mass at St. Edward
  • Sun. 14th - 10:30am First Communion Mass at St. Edward
  • Sun. 14th - 11:00AM First Communion Mass at Queen of Peace (Spanish)
• April 27th/28th
  • Sat. 27th - 4:30pm First Communion Mass at Blessed Sacrament
  • Sat. 27th - 5:30pm First Communion Mass at Sacred Heart (English)
  • Sun. 28th - 10:30am First Communion Mass at Blessed Sacrament 
  • Sun. 28th - 10:45am First Communion Mass at Sacred Heart (Burmese) 

Preparation Program Format and Fees 
The school/religious education and the parents work together for their child's immediate preparation for First Communion.* There is a $25 fee for student and family materials, retreat supplies, and celebration costs for each of the First Sacraments.  More information about the schedule for lessons will be given at the parent meeting. 

* For children participating in the home-schooling option for religious education, the immediate preparation for First Communion will be entirely a home study. Parents of these children will receive the student books and the support materials at the parent meeting. 


Sacrament Retreats - Eucharist Retreat
A sacrament retreat will enhance learning through interactive experiences with the child and parent. All second grade students from the Waterloo Catholic parishes who are preparing for First Communion will attend a Eucharist Retreat. Parents are required to attend with their children. Sign up's for times will be sent out in December/January. Dates and times are below: 

• Sat. March 23rd - First Communion retreat at Queen of Peace, 9AM - 11AM.
• Sunday March 24th - First Communion retreat at Sacred Heart, 1pm - 3pm.
• Monday March 25th - First Communion retreat at Blessed Sacrament, 6pm-8pm.
• Tuesday March 26th- First Communion retreat at Saint Edward, 6pm-8pm.

Rehearsals and First Communion Photos
Attend the rehearsal at the Parish your child will be recieving their First Communion.
Rehearsal schedule: 
Queen of Peace : Thursday, April 11th, 6pm(English) and 6:30pm(Spanish)
Blessed Sacrament: Thursday, April 25th, 6pm - 7:30pm.
Sacred Heart: Sat. April 27th, 10am(English) and 10:30am(Burmese)
St. Edward: Tuesday, April 9th, 6pm-8pm. 

A professional photographer will be on hand to take large group and individual photos at the rehearsals. Please have your child come in their First Communion attire.

First Communion Dress Code 
Children should wear their "Sunday best". Slacks and dress shirt, tie or vest/sweater are appropriate for boys; some boys wear a suit. A modest dress is appropriate for girls. White dresses are common, but not required; a veil may be worn, but it is not required.

General Requirements for First Communion

• Children must be at least 7 years old, be baptized and have celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).  Children should be enrolled in a Catholic school or religious education program (or be participating in an approved religious education home-schooling program).
• At least one parent or guardian must be a practicing Catholic who is registered in one of the Waterloo parishes. Parents should be providing a nurturing environment for Catholic faith and should be actively participating in their child's faith formation.

• If your child is not baptized or has not celebrated Reconciliation, contact Julie Niemeyer
• If your child was not baptized in one of the Waterloo parishes, you will need to provide a copy of the child's Baptism Certificate.