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.
• 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 (Gen Wandro) to arrange for preparaton for and celebration of baptism.
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 classroom. He/she will write in it and keep it. (Children who attended the summer religous education classes or have chosen the home-schooling option for religious education will do all the preparation at home with the assistance of Gen.) 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.
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 on Wed. October 19th at 6:30pm in the Sacred Heart gym.
Preparation classes for First Reconciliation are done on Jan. 21st & Feb 4th, 9-11AM at Sacred Heart. A parent information meeting about First Communion will be held in March. Click Here to see dates for 1st Communion Parent Info meetings. A letter will be sent out in Jan. to remind you of these meetings. Preparation classes for First Communion are done on Mar. 11th & 25th, 9-11AM at Sacred Heart
Contact Gen Wandro at dbqwcff@dbqarch.org or 641-257-8912 for more informaiton about P.R.E.P. for grades 3-8.
Sacrament Preparation for youth in grades 9-12
An immediate preparation program can be designed to meet the needs ot the youth. Contact Annie Zeets at anniezeets@gmail.com or 319-233-0498.
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For 2nd Graders:
Info meetings for parents of 2nd graders for First Reconciliation (choose one to attend)