About Sacred Heart · Waterloo, Iowa
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 627 West 4th Street in the heart of Waterloo, Iowa, belonging to the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Founded in 1909 by Catholic families on the west side of Waterloo, it is a historically significant building constructed in the Lombardic-Romanesque style — the first church of that style in the region and the largest church in the city at the time of its dedication in 1911. Today the parish is a culturally diverse community that celebrates Mass in both English and Burmese, with a 10:45 AM Sunday Mass offered specifically for the Burmese Catholic community that has grown up around the parish in recent decades. Its mission statement describes the parish as 'a beacon of hope, reaching out and welcoming people of all ages and cultures' offering 'acceptance, care, and formation in the Catholic faith.'
- Established
- 1909
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Htai Naw
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Sacred Heart is a culturally diverse and welcoming parish rooted in a 115+ year-old west-side Waterloo community. It offers both English and Burmese Sunday Masses, a wide range of lay liturgical ministries (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, ushers, gift bearers, altar servers, music ministry), Faith Formation for children and adults through the Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation office, an active Pastoral Council with published Parish Vitality Goals, and a long tradition of service — once home to a parish school staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, and today a spiritual home for both longtime Iowa Catholic families and the area's growing Burmese Catholic community.
Mass times at Sacred Heart
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
- Sunday 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
- Saturday 5:00 PM – 5:25 PM
- By appointment (call 319-234-4996)
Welcome to Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart describes itself as 'an active and growing parish located in the heart of Waterloo' that 'welcome[s] people of all ages and cultures.' Its mission statement reads: 'We, the faith community of Sacred Heart Parish, are a beacon of hope, reaching out and welcoming people of all ages and cultures. We worship and minister in the heart of Waterloo, offering our gifts of acceptance, care, and formation in the Catholic faith.' Visitors are asked to dress respectfully but comfortably — shorts and sandals are common in summer — and visitors are not expected to put anything in the collection basket.
- Address: 627 West 4th Street, Waterloo, IA 50702
- Phone: 319-234-4996
- Becoming a member: call the rectory at 234-4996
- Hearing assistance devices available from ushers at the main entrance
Our History (1909 – Present)
Sacred Heart Parish was born out of a 1908 meeting of Catholic families on the west side of Waterloo who were previously worshiping at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's on the east side. Their petition to form a new parish was granted by Archbishop James J. Keane in January 1909, and Father J. J. Hanley — the first pastor — arrived on March 4, 1909. Mass was first celebrated in the Knights of Pythias Hall, the first baptism took place on March 21, 1909, and the cornerstone was laid on September 5, 1909 by Bishop P. J. Garrigan of Sioux City. The Sisters of Mercy opened the parish school on August 24, 1909, and the new church was dedicated by Archbishop Keane on October 8, 1911.
- 1908 — West-side Catholics petition for their own parish
- January 1909 — Archbishop Keane approves the new parish
- March 4, 1909 — Father J. J. Hanley arrives as first pastor
- March 21, 1909 — First parish baptism
- April 14, 1909 — First parish wedding
- September 5, 1909 — Laying of the cornerstone by Bishop P. J. Garrigan
- December 25, 1909 — First Mass in the winter chapel (basement) at 5:00 AM
- March 1911 — Munich Stations of the Cross dedicated
- April 8, 1911 — Marble altars from Vermont installed
- October 8, 1911 — Dedication of the new church by Archbishop Keane
- 1940 — Wicks pipe organ installed
- 1973 — First Parish Council formed
- 1984 — 75th anniversary celebration at Oppold's Airport (theme: 'Reflect our Past, Renew our Future')
- 1985 — Elevator installed
- 1990 — Major renovation; Christmas Masses celebrated in the 'new' church
- 2000–2008 — New Jubilee entrance completed
- 2002 — Major church renovation
Liturgical Ministries (Mass Ministries)
Sacred Heart runs a full complement of lay liturgical ministries, open to teens and adults (and some roles to children with an adult). Volunteers are trained for each role and can sign up via the parish Time & Talent form. 'English not necessary' is noted on several ministry descriptions, reflecting the parish's bilingual character.
- Weekend & Weekday Sacristans
- Lector — proclaimed Scripture (high school students and adults)
- Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion (commissioned by the pastor; high school and adult)
- Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion for the Homebound (Ravenwood Nursing & Rehab, homes, hospitals)
- Usher — children with adult, teens, and adults
- Gift Bearer — individuals or families
- Mass Server — children in 3rd grade and up; also serves weddings, funerals, special liturgies
- Launder Altar Linens
- Church Cleaning
- Greeter
- Adult Altar Server
- Student Altar Server
Music & Liturgy
Sacred Heart maintains a robust music ministry with choirs for nearly every age and occasion. Singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to share their gifts through the parish's Time & Talent process.
- Praise Choir
- Resurrection Choir
- Men's Choir
- Teen Choir (grades 9–12)
- Youth Choir (grades 2–8)
- Cantor
- Instrumentalist
Burmese Ministry
Sacred Heart is the home of a vibrant Burmese Catholic community serving Karen and other Catholics from Myanmar in the Cedar Valley. The parish celebrates a Sunday Mass in Burmese at 10:45 AM (live-streamed), and many Mass-related communications and parish resources are made available in both English and Burmese. Burmese ministry at Sacred Heart was inaugurated in 2012 with the hiring of John Lazuum, and in 2015 Father Luigi Htya Ruh joined as Associate Pastor for the Burmese community. Today Rev. Paul Htai Naw serves as pastor, continuing the parish's deep commitment to this community.
- Sunday Mass in Burmese — 10:45 AM (live-streamed)
- Stations of the Cross in Burmese — Sundays during Lent at 4:00 PM
- Burmese ministry inaugurated in 2012 (John Lazuum)
- Father Luigi Htya Ruh joined as Associate Pastor in 2015
- Rev. Paul Htai Naw — current pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's religious education is coordinated through the Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation (WCFF) office serving the Waterloo Catholic parishes. Sacred Heart's in-person Religious Education classes are held in the church basement on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (classes taught in English). Director of Family and Children Formation Judy Bullis oversees the program; tuition for the 2025–26 year is $95 for one student, $165 for two, and $210 for three or more. Children's Initiation (for grades 3–12 not yet baptized or making First Reconciliation/Communion) is offered as a metro program through WCFF (contact Grace Gudenkauff at [email protected] or 319-234-0498).
- Religious Ed — Wednesday evenings during the school year at Sacred Heart
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Sunday) — Leader (grades 11–12) and Helper (grades 6–10)
- Vacation Bible School — Planning Team, Station Leader, Decorating Help
- Confirmation Team
- Children's Initiation (grades 3–12)
- Tuition: $95 / $165 / $210 (1 / 2 / 3+ students)
- Contact: Judy Bullis, [email protected], 319-240-7782
Youth Ministry
Sacred Heart offers both middle school and high school youth ministry tracks with leadership, retreat, service, and fellowship opportunities throughout the year.
- Middle School Youth Ministry — Summer Serve 'n Slide, Girl's Group, Guy's Group
- High School Youth Ministry — Peer Leader (grades 11–12), Retreat Team (grades 11–12), Summer Service Trip, NCYC, Bible Study
Adult Faith Formation & RCIA
Adults seeking to learn more about the Catholic Church or to become Catholic are welcomed through the parish's Adult Initiation (RCIA / RCRA) process, coordinated through the Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation office. Inquiry, the catechumenate, the Rite of Election, and the Easter Vigil sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion) are all described on the parish's Adult Initiation page. Adult faith formation opportunities include scripture/book studies, parish missions, the parish library, the IMPACT lay formation program, and marriage preparation sponsor couples.
- RCIA Team, Companion, Scripture Leader
- Adult Faith Formation — scripture/book study leader
- Parish mission help
- Parish library
- IMPACT lay formation program
- Marriage prep sponsor couple
- RCIA contacts: Dave Cushing ([email protected], 233-0498) and Ellen Kuchera ([email protected], 233-0498)
Pastoral Council & Parish Vitality
The Pastoral Council is an advisory body to the pastor that uses the gifts of the laity to lead the parish community in discerning and expressing its mission. Current chairperson is Steve Schmitz. The council also oversees Parish Vitality Goals; for 2024–2025 these include (1) updating the parish database, (2) renewing Prayer Ministry efforts in the parish, and (3) continuing to increase communication between and among the parish's diverse ethnic groups. Other parish committees include the Finance Committee and the Knights of Columbus, which meets monthly.
- Pastoral Council chair: Steve Schmitz
- 2024–2025 Vitality Goals committee: Vicki Cutsforth (Chair), Brian Dolan, Julie Johnson, Julie Niemeyer, Connie Patava, Steve Schmitt, Pat Sears, Fr. Paul Htai Naw
- Contact: Julie Niemeyer at [email protected] or 319-234-4996
- Finance Committee
- Knights of Columbus
Outreach & Care of the Sick
Sacred Heart carries on a strong ministry to the homebound, hospitalized, and elderly of the parish. Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion for the Homebound bring Communion to individuals at Ravenwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, in private homes, and in the hospital. Parishioners can place themselves or a loved one on the Parish Sick List by calling 234-4996 or emailing [email protected].
- Parish Sick List — call 234-4996 or email [email protected]
- Homebound Communion visits — Ravenwood Nursing & Rehab, homes, hospital
- Hospital visits
- Nursing Home visits
- Rides (for parishioners needing transportation to Mass)
Facilities & Accessibility
The church building has been thoughtfully maintained and updated over more than a century. An elevator was installed in 1985 to make the worship space more accessible, and a major renovation in 1990 prepared the church for Christmas Masses that year. The Jubilee entrance — completed between 2000 and 2008 — gave the parish a renewed and welcoming main approach. Hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers, and the large main entrance serves as a comfortable gathering space for families with small children.
- Elevator (installed 1985)
- Major renovation completed 1990
- Jubilee entrance completed 2000–2008
- Hearing assistance devices (adjustable volume)
- Accessible restrooms near the main entrance
- Children welcome at all Masses — no separate children's service offered
Getting Involved & Joining Sacred Heart
New parishioners are asked to contact the rectory at 319-234-4996 to register. The parish publishes a Sign Me Up! / Time & Talent form online so newcomers and current parishioners can volunteer for liturgical, formation, music, outreach, and parish-office roles. Office volunteer and bulletin/envelope stuffing roles are also available, as is tech support help for the parish.
- Rectory: 319-234-4996
- Email: [email protected]
- Sign Me Up! / Time & Talent form on sacredheartwloo.org
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) available for tithing
- Office volunteer and tech support roles
- Bulletin / Envelope stuffing
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. J. J. Hanley1909-1912
First pastor; arrived from St. Patrick's Church in Monti on March 4, 1909
- Rev. D. J. Lenihan1912-1918
- Rev. J. M. Molloy1918-1934
- Msgr. E. J. Dougherty1934-1951
- Msgr. E. J. O'Hagan1951-1971
Celebrated his 50th anniversary on May 2, 1967 with 200 priests concelebrating
- Msgr. Kenneth Ryan1971-1978
- Rev. John McClean1978-1986
- Msgr. W. Dean Walz1986-1994
- Rev. Michael J. Mescher1994-2002
- Rev. Clayton Landherr2002-2006
- Msgr. Lyle Wilgenbush2006-2007
Parochial Administrator
- Rev. Louis Jaeger2007-2012
- Rev. Kenneth Stecher2012-2020
- Rev. Paul Htai Naw2020-present
Current pastor