About Blessed Sacrament · Waterloo, Iowa
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque located at 650 Stephan Avenue in a residential neighborhood on the northwest side of Waterloo, Iowa, near the city's western boundary with Cedar Falls. The parish was founded in 1947 by Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman and today serves roughly 2,520 Catholics in about 992 households. It is currently led by Fr. Anthony (Tony) Kruse, who was appointed pastor in 2018, along with three permanent deacons and a faith-formation team shared with the other Waterloo parishes. The parish offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, regular Eucharistic Adoration, a Healing Prayer Ministry, and a live-streaming outreach (Blessed Sacrament LIVE) for the homebound and sick.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- Blessed Sacrament (the Body and Blood of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Kruse
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Blessed Sacrament is a Christ-centered, sacramental community whose stated mission is to be disciples of Christ 'witnessing the love of God through worship, service and lifelong faith formation.' The parish offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration several days a week, a Healing Prayer Ministry, and the sacraments of Reconciliation weekly — plus a live-streaming outreach (Blessed Sacrament LIVE) that keeps homebound parishioners connected. Active groups include a Social Concerns Committee, a Stewardship Committee, Vacation Bible School, a Garage Sale Team, and faith-formation opportunities for children, youth, young adults, and adults, all supported by a parish staff shared with the other Waterloo parishes.
Mass times at Blessed Sacrament
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 PM to 5:25 PM
- Thursday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (during Healing Prayer Ministry)
- Friday 7:40 AM to 8:00 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- Available by appointment — call the parish office
Adoration times
- Tuesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM (except Ash Wednesday; may change due to a funeral Mass)
- Thursday 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM (may change due to a funeral Mass)
- Thursday 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM during Healing Prayer Ministry
About Blessed Sacrament Parish
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Dubuque serving about 2,520 Catholics in roughly 992 households on the northwest side of Waterloo, Iowa. The parish's stated mission is: 'Because our hearts are burning within us, we the Community of Blessed Sacrament are disciples of Christ, witnessing the love of God through worship, service and lifelong faith formation.' Its vision frames the community as 'a joyful, Christ-centered, sacramental community of love, service, and peace, standing with God's people as a beacon of hope.'
- Mailing/physical address: 650 Stephan Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa 50701
- Parish phone: (319) 233-6179
- Part of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
History of the Parish
The parish was founded in 1947 by Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman, with Father Louis A. Putz appointed as first pastor. The community's very first Mass was celebrated in the Little Theatre of Edison School on January 4, 1948, before a permanent home existed. Within months a house was acquired as a rectory, a temporary church was built on Falls Avenue, and the parish's first sacraments were celebrated — 38 First Communions and 21 child and 32 adult Confirmations that same year. Seventeen acres were purchased in December 1948 at the present Stephan Avenue site.
- 1947: Parish founded by Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman; Fr. Louis A. Putz named first pastor
- January 4, 1948: First Mass in Edison School's Little Theatre
- July 1948: Temporary church completed on Falls Avenue
- September 17, 1950: Cornerstone laid for the original church-school building
- December 1, 1950: First Mass in the new (basement) church
- September 1951: School Sisters of Notre Dame from Mankato, MN arrive; 130 students begin classes
- 1951 and 1961: Major school expansions (12 classrooms; 570 students)
- 1964–1966: Separate church and rectory built; cornerstone March 21, 1966
- Thanksgiving Day 1966: First Mass in the new church
- April 9, 1967: New church formally dedicated
- 1974: Franciscan Sister hired as pastoral minister
- 1975: First director of religious education joins staff
- 1979: Parish's first permanent deacon ordained
- 1991: Anne Sulentic Parish Center completed (parish center + gymnasium)
- 1993: Membership reaches 2,500+ in 906 households
- 2003: School incorporated into Cedar Valley Catholic Schools
- 2018: Fr. Anthony (Tony) Kruse appointed pastor
- 2019: Elementary grades moved to St. Edward Center
- 2024: Original school building closed
Parish Staff and Clergy
Blessed Sacrament is currently served by Fr. Anthony (Tony) Kruse, who was appointed pastor in 2018. He is assisted by three permanent deacons and a faith-formation team shared with the other Waterloo parishes.
- Fr. Anthony (Tony) Kruse — Pastor (appointed 2018)
- Deacon Chris Evans
- Deacon John Herman — also Music Director
- Deacon Bob Stirm
- Judy Bullis — Pastoral Minister (part-time)
- Kelleryn Rauzi — Pastoral Minister for the Sick and Homebound
- Faith Formation Team shared with the other Waterloo parishes
- Pastoral Council (elected positions)
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Blessed Sacrament is part of the wider Waterloo Catholic faith-formation network, sharing a Faith Formation Team with the other Waterloo parishes so that Catholic education, youth ministry, and adult enrichment are offered collaboratively across the city.
- Adult Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry
- Youth Ministry (Waterloo Catholic Youth Ministry — youth minister Annie Zeets)
- Children's Formation (K-12 Religious Education, VBS)
- Opportunities to Learn & Grow (parish-wide study programs)
- Scuba-themed Vacation Bible School offered free to children ages 5–11
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Waterloo Catholic parishes jointly offer the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and the Order of Christian Reception of Adults (OCRA) for those exploring Catholicism or coming from another Christian tradition. Blessed Sacrament parishioners participate through the shared Faith Formation Team.
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — for unbaptized or uncatechized adults (typically 1–3 years)
- Order of Christian Reception of Adults (OCRA) — for already-baptized Christians (typically ~8 weeks)
- Preparation culminates in Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil
- Open to inquirers year-round
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and supports parishioners through every stage of life — from infant baptism to funeral and bereavement ministry — with particular attention to the sick and homebound.
- Baptism: parent preparation class required (children 5–6 may have informal preparation; ages 7+ follow formal Children's Initiation)
- First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation
- Matrimony: contact the parish office
- Reconciliation: weekly schedule (see above)
- Anointing of the Sick and homebound visits
- Funeral / Bereavement Ministry support
- Pastoral Minister for the Sick and Homebound: Kelleryn Rauzi
Parish Ministries and Groups
Parish life at Blessed Sacrament is shaped by active lay committees and ministries that handle everything from stewardship and outreach to liturgical music and fundraising. A newly formed Social Concerns Committee hosted the parish's first 'Music on the Lawn' friend-raiser, and a Garage Sale Team supports fundraising.
- Pastoral Council (elected)
- Stewardship Committee — welcomes new parishioners and coordinates Time & Talent surveys
- Social Concerns Committee
- Healing Prayer Ministry
- Liturgical Music Ministry (Music Director: Deacon John Herman)
- Blessed Sacrament LIVE (live-streamed Mass for homebound)
- Garage Sale Team
- Vacation Bible School volunteers
- Pictorial Directory committee (published every five years)
Stewardship and Parish Life
The parish's Stewardship Committee welcomes new members, publishes a pictorial directory every five years, and gathers Time & Talent surveys each year from both adults and youth (Grades 3–12) to match parishioners' gifts with parish ministries.
- Online Time & Talent Survey for adults
- Online Youth Stewardship Commitment Form for children, Grades 3–12
- Printable PDF versions of both forms
- Volunteer recognition events
Blessed Sacrament LIVE — Outreach to the Homebound
Blessed Sacrament LIVE is an outreach of the parish's Liturgical Ministry targeting those who, for reasons outside their own control, cannot attend Mass or parish events. Streaming feeds are archived on the parish website for about a month, with an on-demand 'Previous Broadcasts' feature so homebound viewers can catch up on homilies and liturgies.
- Live-streamed Masses and parish events
- On-demand archive (Previous Broadcasts)
- Liturgical music licensed via One License #A-623815
- Donations accepted through the parish (Outreach Programs designation)
Capital Campaign and Facilities
The parish is currently running a Capital Campaign for HVAC replacement in its facilities. Earlier building milestones include the Anne Sulentic Parish Center (1991) — which serves as both parish center and gymnasium — and the 2024 closure of the original school building after years as a preschool and day care center.
- Capital Campaign: HVAC Replacement
- Anne Sulentic Parish Center (1991)
- Original church-school building (cornerstone 1950; first Mass 1950)
- Separate church (cornerstone 1966; dedicated 1967)
- Rectory (built 1965–1966)
- School building (closed 2024)
Contact and Visit
Visitors and parishioners can reach Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church by phone or in person at the parish office on Stephan Avenue. The parish also maintains a Facebook page and a Flocknote channel linked from the official website.
- Address: 650 Stephan Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa 50701
- Phone: (319) 233-6179
- Website: https://blessedsacramentwaterloo.org/
- Facebook and Flocknote (links on the parish homepage)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis A. Putz1947 (founding pastor)
Appointed by Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman as the parish's first pastor; also served as temporary chaplain of Saint Francis Hospital until relieved of the chaplaincy shortly after the parish was founded.
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Kruse2018–present
Current pastor; succeeded to the parish from the Archdiocese of Dubuque.