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 First Reconciliation and First Communion, 

• The child must be baptized.
• The child must be in 2nd grade or older.
• He/she must also be enrolled in a Catholic school or a 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 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.) 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 in November. Preparation for First Reconciliation is done in January/Feb. A parent information meeting about First Communion will be held in March; preparation classes for First Communion are in March/April. Contact Julie Niemeyer at jniemeyerff@gmail.com or 319-233-0498 for more informaiton about P.R.E.P.  for grades 3-5. Contact Gen Wandro at dbqwcff@dbqarch.org or 319-233-0744 for information about P.R.E.P. foor grades 6-8.

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.  

•   •   •

More Information About First Reconciliation - 2021-22  

For 2nd Graders: 
Info meetings for parents of 2nd graders for First Reconciliation (choose one to attend)
(A virtual meeting option may be added.)  All parent meetings held at Sacred Heart Church basement.

• Sunday, Sept. 26 -- 1:00 pm in Spanish; 3:00 pm in Burmese
• Monday, Sept. 27 - 6:30 pm in English
• Tuesday, Sept. 28 - 6:30 pm in English
• Wednesday, Sept. 29 - 6:30 pm in English

Reconcliation Retreat for parent and 2nd grader -- December 11 - 10am-Noon (English); December 12 - 2:00-4:00 (Burmese)

First Reconcliation Celebrations for 2nd graders (and one or both parents) will include a prayer service and individual Confessions. Parents sign up to attend one. 

• Saturday, Jan. 8 @ 9:30 am -- Blessed Sacrament Church
• Sunday, Jan. 9 @ 2 pm -- Sacred Heart Church (in Burmese)
• Wednesday, Jan. 12 @ 6:30 pm -- St. Edward Church
• Saturday, Feb. 5 @ 1:00 pm - Queen of Peace Church

For students in grades 3-8 (P.R.E.P)

• Wednesday, Nov. 10 -- Sacred Heart Church Cafeteria @ 6:30 pm (in English)
• Sunday, Nov. 14-- Queen of Peace Scallon Hall (basement) @ 3:30 pm (in Spanish)

• Saturday, Jan. 29 
• Saturday, Feb. 12 

For 2nd graders: 
Info meetings for parents of 2nd graders preparing for First Communion (choose one to attend)

• Monday, January 24 - 6:30 pm (in English) Site TBA
• Tuesday, Jan. 25 -  6:30 pm (in English) Site TBA
• Wednesday, Jan. 26 - 6:30 pm (in English) Sacred Heart Church Basement
• Sunday, Jan. 30 - 12:30 pm (in Spanish) Queen of Peace Scallon Hall
• Sunday, Jan. 30 - 3:00 pm (in Burmese) Sacred Heart O'Hagan Hall 

Eucharist Retreat for parent(s) and child (mandatory; parents sign up for a time)

• Saturday, March 5 - Sacred Heart Church @ 10:00-11:30 am or 1:00-2:30 pm
• Sunday, March 6 - Sacred Heart Church @ 1:00-2:30 pm or  3:00-4:30 pm
• Monday, March 7 - Sacred Heart Church @ 6:00-7:30 pm

For students in grades 3-8 (P.R.E.P) 

• Wednesday, March 19 - Sacred Heart Church Cafeteria @ 6:30 pm 

• Saturday, March 26
• Saturday, April 9 

First Communion Celebration Dates (for 2nd grade and PREP)
First Communion will be celebrated in the child's home parish after Easter. 

• Weekend of April 23/24 - Queen of Peace Parish @  4:00 pm & 11am Sunday Masses
• Weekend of April 23/24 -- Blessed Sacrament Parish @ 4:30 pm and 10:30 am Masses
• Weekend of April 30/May 1 -- St. Edward Parish @ 5:15 pm, 8:00, and 10:30 am Masses
• Weekend of May 7/8  -- Sacred Heart Parish @ 5:30 pm and 10:45 am Masses

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