Contact Information
Julie Niemeyer 319-234-9912  jniemeyerff@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 October. Families that do not receive an information letter in the mail by early September should contact Julie Niemeyer. 

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

• Sunday, Jan. 17 - Sacred Heart Church Cafeteria @ 3:30 pm (in Burmese)
• Wednesday, Jan. 20 - Sacred Heart Church Cafeteria @ 6:30 pm (in English)
• Thursday, Jan. 21 - Online/Virtual Meeting @ 7:00
• Sunday, Jan. 24 - Queen of Peace Scallon Hall @ 1:00 pm (in Spanish); 2:30 (in English)
• Monday, Jan. 25 - Online/Virtual Meeting @ 7:00
• Tuesday, Jan. 26 - Online/Virtual Meeting @ 7:00

* If you cannot attend one of the parent meetings, contact Julie Niemeyer to arrange for a make-up session. 


Celebrations of First Communion -- Spring 2021 
Children normally celebrate First Communion in the parish where the family belongs. First Communions will be scheduled for the four weeks following Easter. First Communion weekends are as follows. 

• April 10/11 - Sacred Heart --  Saturday @ 5:30 pm (English); Sunday @ 10:45 am (Burmese)
• April 17/18 - Queen of Peace --  Saturday @ 4:00pm (Spanish); Sunday @ 2pm (Spanish)*
• April 24/25 - St. Edward -- Saturday at 3:00pm* and 5:15 pm; Sunday at 10:30 am
• May 1 - Blessed Sacrament -- Saturday @ 11:00am*

*Indicates a Mass for First Communicants and their families only; it is not a regular parish Mass. Others listed are regular parish Masses with a limited number of First Communicants.

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. Retreats are held at Sacred Heart Church. 

• Saturday, Feb. 27 - 10:00-11:30 am or 1:00-2:30 pm
• Sunday, Feb. 28 - 1:00-2:30 pm or 3:00-4:30 pm
• Monday, March 1 - 6:00-7:30 pm 

Rehearsals and First Communion Photos
Due to efforts to limit gatherings and ensure social distancing, there will be no rehearsals this year. Likewise, there will not be a professional photographer to take the large group or individual photos. 

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.