Contact Information
Julie Niemeyer 234-9912   dbqwcfs@dbqarch.org or jniemeyerff@gmail.com 
Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation Office. 319-233-0498

Children need to celebrate thier 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 
Information about immediate preparation for First Communion will be sent to parents in early December. Choose one of these Parent Meetings to attend.

Sunday, Jan. 20  3:30-4:30 pm @ Blessed Sacrament Parish Center
Monday, Jan. 21  6:30-7:30 pm @ Blessed Sacrament Parish Center
Wednesday, January 23 6:30 -7:30 p.m. (in Spanish and English) Sacred Heart O'Hagan Hall

• If you cannot attend one of the parent meetings, contact Julie Niemeyer.


Celebrations of First Communion in Spring, 2019

Blessed Sacrament Parish.  May 4/5   4:30 p.m., 8:30 a.m., or 10:30 a.m. Mass
Queen of Peace Parish.  April 28   9:00am and Noon Masses.  (Noon Mass in Spanish)
St. Edward Parish.  April 27/28     5:15 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. Mass
Sacred Heart.  May 4/5    5:30 p.m. or 10:45 a.m. Mass

• Children ordinarily celebrate First Communion in the parish where the family belongs; arrangements can be made to celebrate at another parish when there is a need to do so.


Lesson Schedule
The school/religious education and the parents work together for their child's immediate preparation for First Communion.* The student workbook is used in the classroom. The child writes in the book, and it can be kept as a momento.* At home parents use the support materials provided and the child's My Own Mass Booklet to reinforce and extend learning. A $25 fee for First Communion covers child and parent materials, retreat and celebration costs. More information about the schedule for lessons will be given at the parent meeting. 

* For children who completed their religious education in the Summer RE program, the immediate preparation for First Communion will be entirely a home study. Parents of these children will receive the student workbook, parent support materials and My Own Mass Booklet at the parent meeting. 


First Communion Retreats
All second grade students from the Waterloo Catholic parishes who are preparing for First Communion will attend a retreat with one or both parents. At the parent meeting in January you will have an opportunity to choose a date for your child's First Communion Retreat. Choose from among these dates and times.

Saturday, March 2 10:00am-Noon at Sacred Heart Church (O'Hagan Hall)
Sunday, March 3    2:00-4:00 p.m. at at Sacred Heart Church (O'Hagan Hall)
Monday, March 4   6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church(O'Hagan Hall)

• If you have questions about the retreat or need to change the date you plan to attend, contact Julie Niemeyer.

Rehearsals and First Communion Photos
You must attend the rehearsal at the parish where your child will celebrate their first Communion.  You will receive information in advance about ordering group and individual photos from the professional photographer. Dates and times for the rehearsals and photo sessions:

• Blessed Sacrament - Saturday, May 4 @ 9 am - 11 am
• Queen of Peace - Saturday, April 27 @ 12:30 pm (English) and 1:30 pm (Spanish)
• St. Edward - Thursday, April 25 - Times TBA
• Sacred Heart - Thursday, May 2 @ 6:00 pm 

First Communion Dress Code 
Children should wear their "Sunday best" -- slacks and dress shirt, tie or sweater are appropriate for boys; a modest dress is appropriate for girls. 
White shirts and white dresses are common, but 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 have completed at least one year of the Summer religious education 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.  

Parent Evaluation
Your opinions and suggestions are important to us.  Please take a moment to evaluate your family's experience with preparation for First Communion. An evaluation form will be posted here at the end of the preparation process.