January 10, 2026. 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saint Mar. 26 Dodgingtown Rd. Bethel, CT 06801
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No images? Click here  FEATURED EVENT 
Regional Confirmation Retreat January 10, 2026 Saint Mary All parishes in Deanary D are invited to send their Confirmation candidates to this dynamic regional retreat, designed to inspire young disciples as they prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. UPCOMING EVENTS Lunch and Learn January 14, 2026 
First Communion Parents Meeting with the Bishop (Deanery C) January 14, 2026 
Adult Confirmation Formation February 21, 2026 
Big Questions Teenagers often grapple with profound questions about identity, purpose, and belonging. For instance, 70% of teens report feeling pressure to figure out their future career paths, while 60% ponder their life's purpose. These "big questions" can significantly impact their mental health. Engaging with these questions can lead to anxiety and stress, but it can also foster personal growth and resilience. Support from family, friends, and mentors is crucial in helping teens navigate these challenges and develop a healthy sense of self-worth and direction. Identity, Belonging, and Purpose The research provided here shows how the questions of identity, belonging and purpose can help teens understand themselves and grow in confidence and in relationship with Jesus Christ. WHAT'S NEW IN LEAD Kinship Kinship is not serving the other, but being one with the other. It's recognizing that we belong to each other. How we reach out to those on the margins of our communities is an essential part of ministry and Christian living. FEATURED RESOURCES Advent Resources 2025 To help you and your families celebrate Advent well this year, we have put together the best resources we could find. We even categorized for an easy search. We are once again delighted to share a new Advent poster! FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 
Meet Me in St. Louis In 1903, the Smith family lives in St. Louis, where they eagerly await the 1904 World’s Fair planned for their hometown. Sisters Rose and Esther (Judy Garland) also dream about romance, with Rose awaiting a marriage proposal and Esther hoping for the attention of the handsome boy next door. Meet Me in St. Louis is a classic musical which introduced a number of iconic songs, including the Christmas song “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. Divided into seasonal vignettes throughout the year, the film’s climactic Christmas sequence may serve as a gentle and uplifting opening to the Advent season. The film is not rated under the modern system, but would likely be G, and is appropriate for the whole family. FROM THE FIELD 
Devon McCormick: How Do We Help Young People to Share Emotion and Empathy? Empathy can be hard to find sometimes in today's fast-paced culture, especially for our young people trying to navigate it. This week, Devon shows us how it always comes back to Jesus, and how following His examples can lead us to the compassion we need. 
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No images? Click here  FEATURED EVENT 
Regional Confirmation Retreat January 10, 2026 Saint Mary All parishes in Deanary D are invited to send their Confirmation candidates to this dynamic regional retreat, designed to inspire young disciples as they prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. UPCOMING EVENTS National Catholic Youth Conference November 20-22, 2025 
Clase de preparación para el matrimonio November 22, 2025 
Adult Confirmation Formation February 21, 2026 
Self-Image About one-third to one-half of adolescents struggle with low self-esteem. This issue is often exacerbated by social media, which can create unrealistic standards of beauty and success. Low self-esteem in teenagers is linked to higher risks of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. It can also lead to substance abuse, eating disorders, and social withdrawal. On the flip side, high self-esteem fosters resilience, better stress management, and overall psychological well-being. How to Help Your Teen Develop a Positive Self-Image This article gives us ways to engage with our kids about how they see themselves, and why this is such a beneficial conversation to have. A Catholic Therapist’s Perspective on Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and The Christian Virtue of Humility This articles helps us embrace a proper view of self-worth, self-value and humility from a Catholic perspective. Comparison, Self-Image, and Your True Worth (feat. Stacey Sumereau) This video discusses the danger of a poor self-image and how it can keep us from embracing our true selves in Christ Jesus. WHAT'S NEW IN LEAD Dilexi te: Continue walking through Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te! In chapter four, Pope Leo traces how the Church’s love for the poor has evolved into a comprehensive social teaching over the last century and a half. FEATURED RESOURCES November is Black Catholic History Month This November, as we remember the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora, take time to explore this rich legacy and deepen your understanding of the faith’s global roots. Advent Resources 2025 To help you and your families celebrate Advent well this year, we have put together the best resources we could find. We even categorized for an easy search. We are once again delighted to share a new Advent poster! FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT 
The Bridge on the River Kwai In 1943, a group of British prisoners of war led by the principled Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) arrive at a Japanese prison camp where they are ordered to build a railway bridge over the River Kwai. When the harsh Japanese commandant demands that all prisoners, including officers, work on the bridge, Nicholson refuses, leading to a brutal standoff between the two officers. The Bridge on the River Kwai is an epic war drama exploring how virtues like duty and dedication to principle can become corrupted by pride when we lose perspective. Though rated PG, this classic does contain some mild violence is likely best suited for older children and teens who can better appreciate its complex moral questions. FROM THE FIELD 
Katie Prejean McGrady: Keeping Catechesis Fresh Teaching our faith to young students can sometimes feel both overwhelming and boring to them. This week, Katie relates some tips to keep all that content fresh and exciting for the young minds in the classroom. 
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