Middle School Serve 'n Slide is happening on July 22-23. This overnight service experience is for students entering grades 6-8 for the 2025-2026 school year. We'll gather at St. Pat's in Cedar Falls and head out for a day of service. Overnight will be at St. Pat's, and then the next day we'll head out to Lost Island. Cost is $50/students ($25 if you have a Lost Island season pass). For more info, visit: waterloocatholics.org/middle-school-youth-ministry OR contact Annie Zeets: 319-239-0163.
Our Garage Sale Team is accepting donations for the Fall Sale. donation drop-offs must be scheduled through Margaret Klein (please do not drop items off outside the doors). To schedule a donation drop-off, PLEASE CONACT MARGARET KELIN AT 319-429-1907. Fall Garage Sale need: Does anyone have any unused pool noodles lying around? Our Garage Sale Team could use them for the sale. Believe it or not, pool noodles are used to display flowers in the Garage Sale's floral department. You can contact Margaret Klein, or simply drop off pool noodles to the Parish Office and we'll make sure that they get to where they need to be. THANK YOU!
Did you know that Campus Ministry is one of the strongest ways to form highly faithful young adults? One of the best things you can do for teen who are moving on to college is to connect them with a College Campus Ministry. Parents, reach out to the Catholic Student Center where your child will be attending and let them know that she/he is coming.
Catholic Daughters, Court Castile #49, Waterloo, Iowa will hold their next monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 14th in the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center. Meet at 5:30pm for dinner, followed by a short program. A short business meeting will follow at 7:00pm. To make a reservation or for more information about becoming a member, please call 319-45-4438.
On the weekend of May 17-18, we will hold our annual Pastoral Council election. This year we are looking to fill two vacancies. Serving on the Council is truly not as hard as one might think, and Fr. Tony makes it an enjoyable experience! To learn more, click on the image to the left of this article. If you are interested in running for one of the open spots, please contact Maggie England or Fr. Tony in the office or at 319.233.6179.
DID YOU KNOW that every Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm, we have Eucharistic Exposition (Adoration) here in our parish? While we have at least one person per hour serving as guardian, we would love to have more committed adorers (guardians) for each hour. Now that the weather is getting nicer and the daylight is longer, would you consider becoming a regular Wednesday adorer for just one hour? Please contact Maggie in the office if you would like to sign up for the 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm hour.
The Eucharistic Miracles Exhibition, which has been displayed at various parishes in the archdiocese, will once again be on display in the coming weeks at three nearby parishes: Immaculate Conception, Gilbertville - Sunday, April 27 from 9AM - 5PM; St. Athanasius, Jesup - Sunday, May 4 from 9AM - 5PM; and, St. Francis, Dunkerton - Sunday, May 11 from 8AM - 4PM. It is worth the short trip to see this wonderful exhibition!
The Blessed Carlo Acutis movie is in theaters April 27-29. Go and check out this documentary on Blessed Carlos Acutis, who was supposed to be canonized this Sunday, but it has been postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis. This movie is being shown at Crossroads Marcus Theaters in Waterloo, and it expresses the life of Carlo Acutis, the boy whose faith has captivated Catholics worldwide. You don't want to miss it! For mmore info and tickets, visit: www.carloacutisfilm.com.
All are invited to observe this Divine Mercy Sunday (April 27) at St, Patrick Church in Cedar Falls. Seven priests will be available to hear confessions. Confessions start at 2pm and will be available until 4pm. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be chanted by Blessed Sacrament's own Jim Roche at approximately 3pm.
Totus Tuus is back this summer. The Waterloo parishes are excited to offer Totus Tuus this Summer the week of JULY 6-11 for ALL YOUTH entering grades 1-12 for the 2025-2026 school year. The mission of Totus Tuus is to inspire in young people a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion and an openness to their vocation by challenging youth to give themselves entirely to Christ through Mary. Totus Tuus, a Latin phrase meaning "Totally Yours" was the motto of St. John Paul II. Registration is coming soon!
The Waterloo Parishes will offer summer religious education classes for public school youth entering grades K-8 for the 2025-2026 school year. Class dates are the weeks of June 23 and 30 (last class day is July 2). Classes will take place at St. Edward Elementary School from 9am - Noon. Note: Summer classes do NOT include any sacramental preparation (sacrament prep takes place during the school year and more information will be shared this Fall). Registration for Summer RE is now open online: waterloocatholics.org/reregistration. For more info, contact Annie Zeets: [email protected].
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 FROM 5PM - 7PM AT COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. Take a night off from cooking! This free-will donation dinner will help support youth from the Waterloo parishes attending the National Catholic Youth Conference in November. Dine in or carry out! We are also looking for businesses to sponsor our NCYC group t-shirts. $150 gets your business name/logo on the back of our t-shirts. If you would like to support our youth but can't make the dinner, or to sponsor our shirts: please email Director of Youth Ministry Annie Zeets: [email protected].
Blessed Sacrament's Parishioner Appreciation Breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 27th from 8:00 AM to Noon in the Parish Center. Our annual breakfast, hosted by the Stewardship Committee and Men's Group is open to all parishioners and is our way of thanking all of you for your faithful contributions to our community of faith. And best of all: IT'S FREE! Hope to see you there!
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is visiting our Archdiocese May 23-27. If you could not attend last year's Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, now is a time to experience firsthand the JOY of the Eucharistic Revival and the BEAUTY of our Church and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Details on every scheduled event are now available at dbqarch.org/eucharistic-pilgrimage.
ATTENTION WOMEN OF BLESSED SACRAMENT! The Waterloo Deanery ACCW will hold their meeting at St.Francis Church in Barclay on Wednesday, April 9 at 12:30 pm. We will have Stations of the Cross, lunch and a short meeting. ALL WOMEN are welcome to attend. Please contact N. Schmitz at 319-232-4615 with any questions. Hope to see you there!
It's that time of year to get your Easter flowers! The cost is $13.50 and forms are in the Gathering Space, or you can stop by the office during the week. Deadline is April 14th.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. (ONLINE). This preparation program is for first-time parents in the Waterloo parishes who are planning to baptize an infant or young child in the near future. Parents should be registered members of a parish and may either register at the class or coordinate registration soon. To register for the baptism class, CLICK ON THIS ARTICLE. To register with Blessed Sacrament Parish, please contact Maggie in the office: [email protected] or 319-233-6179.
FRIDAYS, MARCH 28, APRIL 4 AND APRIL 11, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, PARISH CENTER. COST: $14 (in advance) and $15 (at the door). MENU: Fish, Shrimp, Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Coleslaw, Vegetable, Rolls, Water & Lemonade. Just like last year, we are asking for volunteers in the parish to help with these fish frys. We need help setting up, serving the meal, and cleaning up. If you can help with any of these dates, please contact Tim PIllack by email at: [email protected] or text message at 319-269-6656.
IMPACT is a two-year formation program for Catholic adults, which is coordinated by the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The next offering of the IMPACT program will be held not too far from here at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton, starting in September of 2025. IMPACT provides the opportunity to grow in your faith by attending monthly sessions with dynamic presenters, engaging in discussions with other participants, reading spiritual books, and receiving guidance from a spiritual mentor. Through study, prayer, reflection, and conversation, participants are challenged to respond more fully to Jesus' call to mission - to IMPACT our world! To learn more and apply, visit www.dbqarch.org/impact. Want to talk to someone who went through IMPACT right here in our parish? Harland Robinson is a 2015 alum, Maggie England is a 2017 alum, and Pat Colwell is a 2023 alum. Harland can be reached at: [email protected]; Maggie at: [email protected]; and Pat at: [email protected].
DOES YOUR CHILD IN GRADE 3-12 LIKE TO SING? Encourage them to become part of the Youth Choir! Several new youth recently joined, and we would love to have even more! They will sing at the two First Communion Masses on April 26 and 27. Complete a yellow form in the Gathering Space OR email Music Director Faye Hansen at [email protected] OR talk with Kathy Grete, Youth Choir Director. What a great way for your child to grow in their faith and love of Mass by becoming involved through music!