Children in the Waterloo Parishes customarily celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and Communion for the first time around the age of 7 or 8 - which is normally when the child is in second grade. As a general rule, however, children should celebrate these sacraments when they are best prepared to do so, regardless of their age or grade level. 

It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Dubuque that children celebrate Reconciliation before First Communion.  
  
• Click here to read more about our Sacrament Preparation Policy.

Expectations.  

• To begin preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion, children must be baptized and should be enrolled in a Catholic school or parish religious education program. 
• At least one parent must be a practicing Catholic who is registered in a local parish.
• The most important criteria for a child's preparation is the religious environment in the child's home and the family's participation in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Catholic faith community. Parents should be providing a nurturing environment for Catholic faith and values and should be actively participating in their child's faith formation.

• Click here to download a checklist of expectations about the family's participation in the Catholic faith community.

   Parents must provide a copy of the Baptism Certificate if the child was not baptized in one of the Waterloo parishes. 
   If a child has not been baptized, parents should contact the director of Sacrament Preparation (Julie Niemeyer) to arrange for preparaton for and celebration of baptism.

First Reconciliation and First Commuion Preparation for children in 2nd grade:

Preparation for each of these sacraments will occur both in the school or religious education classroom and in the home. What happens in class only enhances what families are doing at home.  
To learn more about their role in a child's preparation for these Sacraments, parents attend a Parent Information Meeting for both Reconciliation and First Communion. 

At the Parent Meeting parents will see the student textbook that the child will use in the school or RE religion class to write in and keep as a momento. (Children who attended the summer religous education classes will do all the preparation at home.) Parents receive a support materials which will help them prepare for the sacrament with their child. A prayer booklet will also be provided to be used at home. There is a $25 fee for First Reconciliation preparation and a $25 fee for First Communion preparation. Fees cover the textbook materials, parent support materials, retreats, and celebration expenses.

• Click here to download Enrollment Form for First Reconciliation & First Communion
• Click here to download Spanish Enrollment Form for First Reconciliation/First Communion


Sacrament Preparation for children and youth in grades 3-8 (P.R.E.P.):

Children who are in grades 3-8 may prepare for Reconciliation and Eucharist by enrolling in the Catholic school or religious education program and particpating in immediate preparation classes through P.R.E.P. (Penance/Reconciliation & Eucharist Preparation). A parent information meeting is held in October. Preparation for First Reconciliation is done in October/November. Preparation classes for First Communion are in March/April. Contact Julie Niemeyer at jniemeyerff@gmail.com or 319-234-9912 for more informaiton about P.R.E.P or about sacrament preparation for young people in grades 9-12. 

Sacrament Preparation for youth in grades 9-12 
An immediate preparation program can be designed to meet the needs ot the youth. Contact Julie Niemeyer at jniemeyerff@gmail.com or 319-234-9912.  

•   •   •

More Information About First Reconciliation - Fall 2019  

Parent Meetings for First Reconciliation (choose one to attend)

• Sunday, Sept. 22 – Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (basement) @ 1:15-2:15pm (Spanish)
• Sunday, Sept. 22 - Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (basement) @ 3:00-4:00pm (English)
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 – Blessed Sacrament Putz Hall @ 6:30-7:30 p.m. (English)
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 - Sacred Heart O'Hagan Hall @ 6:30-7:30 pm (English)

Reconcliation Retreat for parent and child (optional, but recommended)

• Saturday, Nov. 16 - Sacred Heart Church @ 10 am - Noon 

Waterloo Parishes Celebration of First Reconciliation with Confession (choose one to attend)

• Wednesday, Dec. 4 - St. Edward Church at 6:30 pm
• Saturday, Dec. 7 - Blessed Sacrament Church at 10:00 am

More Information about First Communion - Winter/Spring 2020

Parent Meetings for First Communion (choose one to attend)

• Sunday, January 12 - Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (basement) @ 1:15-2:15pm (Spanish)
• Sunday, January 12 - Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (basement) @ 3:00-4:00 pm (English)
• Monday, January 13 - St. Edward Church Hall @ 6:30-7:30 pm (English)
• Wednesday, January 15 - Sacred Heart O'Hagan Hall @ 6:30-7:30 pm (English)

Eucharist Retreat for parent(s) and child (mandatory; choose time that works best for you)

• Saturday, Feb. 29 - Sacred Heart Church @ 10am - Noon
• Sunday, March 1 - Sacred Heart Church @ 2:00-4:00 pm
• Monday, March 2 - Sacred Heart Church @ 6:00-8:00 pm

First Communion Parish Celebrations

• Blessed Sacrament Parish - April 18 4:30 Mass, April 19 8:30 & 10:30 Masses; Rehearsal and photos on Saturday, April 18 @ 9-11 am
• Sacred Heart Parish - April 25 5:30 Mass, April 26 10:45 Mass; Rehearsal and photos on Thursday, April 23 @ 6 pm
• Queen of Peace Parish - April 26 at 9 am and Noon Masses; Rehearsal on Saturday, April 25 -- 12:30 rehearsal for the 9:00 Mass; 1:30 rehearsal for the Noon Mass
• St. Edward Parish - May 2 5:15 Mass, May 3 11:00 Mass; Rehearsal and photos on Thursday, April 30 starting at 5:30 pm.

For more information, contact
Julie Niemeyer
Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation - Children and Family Catechesis 
jniemeyerff@gmail.com
319-234-9912