What Is First Tuesday?

First Tuesday is a monthly support and enrichment program for married couples sponsored by the Catholic parishes in Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
First Tuesday was created in 1994 as a regular opportunity for married couples of any age or faith who want to enrich their married life, discuss common concerns with other married couples, and continue growing together.

First Tuesday is designed for couples who have a good marriage and want to make it better ... for couples whose marriage needs a little extra attention ... and for couples who are experiencing some of the challenges that accompany every normal marriage.  Couples with serious problems may find First Tuesday helpful in conjunction with professional counseling.

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Our Vision

Our purpose is to encourage and enrich one another by our presence and by sharing the wisdom we have gained from our own experience as married persons.  None of us is an expert.  None of us has a perfect marriage.  We are married people who share common experiences, common problems, common hopes, and common fears. We believe that every married couple needs encouragement and support.  We believe that a good marriage takes time, attention and tender-loving care. We welcome the opportunity to meet other married couples who share our commitment to married life.

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Why It Matters

Most couples take their marriage for granted, until one or the other partner suddenly realizes that what was once there is gone.  But most marriages don't end suddenly, they die slowly and gradually, mostly from neglect. A marriage is a living thing -- if it's not growing, it's dying.  Individuals grow and change; circumstances change; life unfolds.  If a couple isn't growing and adapting, their marriage will suffer and there's always a danger that one or the other partner will decide they've "outgrown" the marriage.

• View our checklist: "Do We Avoid Conflicts or Talk About Them?"

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First Tuesday Format

First Tuesday meets monthly (except July and August) on the first Tuesday evening of the month.  Meetings are open to the public.  There is no registration or fee.  Married couples may attend regularly each month or occasionally from time to time, depending on their time, interest and personal needs. Each monthly meeting is conducted by married couples who know first-hand the rewards and challenges of married life.  Each meeting is divided into two sections:
• Discussion of a given topic, presented by one of the participating couples.
• An "open forum" in which anyone can express concerns, ask questions or share insights about married life.

First Tuesday is not a social club.  The format is informal and confidential, but couples may remain anonymous.  A friendly atmosphere encourages couples to share if they are comfortable doing so, but there is no obligation to speak.  Every person's observations are treated with respect.  We discourage criticism and advice. Many couples participating in First Tuesday discover that the most valuable sharing occurs later, outside the group, when a couple shares privately with each other.

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2017 - 2018 Schedule

First Tuesday meets at COR, the Waterloo parishes' community hospitality center at 220 E. 4th Street in downtown Waterloo. 
Monthly meetings begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm.
Our discussion topics for this fall are based on the book Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage by John and Julie Gottman.
 

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First Tuesday's “Dinner-for-Two”

Couples participating in First Tuesday receive a First Tuesday “Dinner-for-Two” card which may be used at participating local restaurants on the first Tuesday evening of each month.  The “Dinner-for-Two” Card entitles couples to receive a free entree or sandwich with the purchase of an entree or sandwich at the regular price. (Some restrictions apply.)

2016-2017 Participating Restaurants

• Applebee's Cedar Falls
• Beck's Taproom Grill, Waterloo
• Brown Bottle, Cedar Falls
• Brown Bottle, Waterloo
• Jameson's Public House, Waterloo
• LJ's Neighborhood Grill, Waterloo
• Montage, Cedar Falls
• The Noble Oak, Cedar Falls
• The Pump Haas, Cedar Falls
• Soho Sushi Bar, Cedar Falls
• The Screaming Eagle, Waterloo

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A Note to Husbands About First Tuesday

    "I know how many husbands react when their wives suggest attending a marriage enrichment program like First Tuesday.  Our first thought is: Why? What’s wrong with our marriage?"

Click here for a special message for husbands.

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Join Our Mailing List

• By phone: call 319-234-9912
• By email: DBQwcaf@dbqarch.org
 

Last Update: 09.11.17