At St. Margaret Mary, we strive to provide opportunities for learning and growing in the Catholic faith as we partner with parents who are the most important witnesses of the faith for their children. Education in faith ALWAYS begins in the home. As such, the focus of our dedicated volunteer Catechists is to work alongside and support families as we bring the Light of Christ to each and every child.
We offer age-appropriate faith formation to help enrich the spiritual lives of the children as they open themselves to a deeper understanding of God's presence in their lives. Classes are scripturally-based with emphasis on preparing for sacraments.
Our classes will include Grades 1-7* on Mondays at the following times in the 2024-25 school year:
Grades 1 thru 7 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Class schedule TBA
*Last year's 7th graders have received Confirmation, therefore, there is no 8th Grade class this year. If you are new and have an incoming 8th grader in need of Confirmation, please call the office.
Sacraments are received in the following grade years:
First Reconciliation: 2nd grade
First Holy Communion: 3rd grade, always the first Saturday in May at 10 AM
Confirmation: no Confirmation will be held this year as it is being transitioned back to 8th grade
"Early Registration" packets are sent in the mail in the spring of each year to families with existing students. If you have not received one, download it from this page. Deadlines must be met to avoid a late fee. Download "Parent Agreement" packet as well and follow the directions. Forms will not be accepted without payment or a completed and signed financial assistance request.
Families new to the Parish or those registering children for the first time, please download the "New Family" packet (as well as the "Parent Agreement"). Baptismal Certificates must be provided for all children new to the program and proof of attendance at religious ed in another parish for children above 1st Grade must be submitted.
Please call the office for forms if you cannot download and print.
See the enrollment packets and Parent Agreement for info on tuition/fees and more details.
2024-25 Enrollment Forms:
Early Registration Packet for existing students (deadline for submission without late fee is May 1st)
OR
Registration Packet for Families New to Parish
ALL
families, please also download the following, read the manual, sign the top sheet and forward to the office with your registration materials.
Parent Agreement with Policies and Procedures Manual
***IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR***
FIRST CLASSES TBA
MANDATORY PARENT MEETING (in the Church Hall) TBA
ALL GRADES
(See yearly schedule for sacramental parent meetings later in the year).
FIRST RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (2nd Grade) TBA
MANDATORY WORKSHOP
FIRST RECONCILIATION
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Saturday, 5/3/25 10 AM
MAY CROWNING Sunday, 5/4/25 10 AM Mass
CONFIRMATION TBA
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please consider volunteering to be a Catechist in our Religious Ed program. A Catechist is a person of faith who leads others in understanding the official teachings of the Catholic Church. The Catechist must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church. The main goal of a Catechist is to model God's love for others. Therefore, a Catechist must have a strong love for God and for children. If this
ministry calls to you, please consider helping us out as a teacher, an aide or a substitute.
Catechists are required to complete online training from the Institute for Catholic Formation by the Diocese of Bridgeport within the first year of service. Go to Home - Formation Reimagined and click "Becoming A Catechist". Follow the prompts to create an account and begin the process. The session includes a short video followed by questions that take about 15 minutes.
All volunteers must complete “Protecting God’s Children” awareness training through the VIRTUS platform. If you have not yet been certified, go to
virtusonline.org and click "First Time Registrant" to begin the registration process and choose your session. You will be selecting "Bridgeport, CT (Diocese)" as your location. Sessions may be in-person or by ZOOM so be aware of that when choosing where to take your training. This MUST be completed before your presence in the classroom will be allowed. Please contact the Religious Ed Office when you have completed this or for more information if necessary.
Tuition is waived for Catechists. Teaching Assistants will be offered a half-price discount.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EXISTING VOLUNTEERS!
First Holy Communion
May 2022
First Holy Communion
May 2022
First Holy Communion May 2022
May Crowning May 2022
“Keep your heart in peace and let nothing trouble you, not even your faults.
You must humble yourself and amend them peacefully, without being
discouraged or cast down, for God’s dwelling is in peace.”
— Margaret Mary Alacoque