All rising 8th graders and high school students planning to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of 2026 should take note of the following important dates and requirements. Preparation begins this fall and includes participation in youth ministry, attendance at formation sessions, and parish events throughout the year.

A Parent Information Meeting will be held on Tuesday August 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Saint Margaret Mary Parish to outline expectations and provide registration information.

As part of the preparation process, candidates are required to attend one Confirmation retreat. Three retreat dates are available:

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Sign-ups for retreat dates will be available soon.

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details, including the full preparation calendar and additional event dates.

We look forward to walking with your family during this special time of faith and formation!

For questions, please contact Heather Hensley at hhensley@dioceseofgreensburg.org.

Event Night: July 9 • 6:30PM
Sullivan Hall • St. Margaret Mary Parish
Registrations Due: July 1
Class Fee: $20 per person

How to have FUN and help the YOUTH GROUP travel to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC)!

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a three-day pilgrimage for Catholic high school students and their adult chaperones in Indianapolis. Participants will experience prayer, community, and the transformative power of God’s presence. Your donations/participation will help fund the trip for the students that are attending by helping to cover the cost of event tickets, bus ride and hotel stay.

How can I help?

1. Signup for the July 9, 6:30 pm “Cards in a Round” class to be held at St. Margaret Mary Sullivan Hall. Anyone ages 10 and up is welcome to attend. No experience necessary. All pieces are pre-cut. Each person will take home 5 gorgeous all occasion cards and envelopes.

2. Class fee is $20 per person that can be paid that evening or pre-paid by check to Lorraine Menk and dropped at the church office All profits will be for the youth group trip.

3. CRAFT ADHESIVE is very important. No Elmer’s glue. You can pick up a tape runner at a craft store or let Lorraine know and she will provide one for a $6.00 charge.

4. And YES, we will have snacks.

To participate, please register no later than July 1 by texting or calling Lorraine Menk at 412-965-5815 or email kirbie1@comcast.net. You may register by contacting the parish office.

Bring family and friends, help the kids, and have fun!

The Lower Burrell and New Kensington young adult ministry welcomes you to Mary’s Mantle, a fellowship and faith study group for young women ages 20s-40s.

Summer meetings will be held on June 14, July 12, and August 9 in the Peter’s Table room at Mount Saint Peter Church from 10:00-11:30.

Please bring a friend and a small brunch item to share!

For more information text or call Brianna Ruflin at 973-856-4472

Help us continue to amaze our guests with the beautiful and bountiful baskets that St. Margaret Mary Church is famous for!

Please consider contributing a basket this year. 

Please call Anna Mary Versace @ 724-339-2810 or call/text Marianne Thomas @ 724-980-8663.

Attention rising and current high school students! Registration is open for next year’s conferences. You have the opportunity to experience Jesus in an exciting and wonderful way with your friends and peers at the Steubenville Conference in Ohio on July 18-20, 2025 and The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis on November 20-22, 2025. Don’t miss these fun filled retreats with games, speakers, friends and Jesus!

For more information or to learn how to register contact Heather Hensley at 724-335-2336.

As a way of imitating Jesus, perhaps we can all better recognize the importance of Lent as A Time to Share. Bishop Larry J. Kulick explains that acts of charity are central to the season that is upon us, and your support of the Diocesan Lenten Appeal is critical to the Mission of the Church!

Visit www.DioceseofGreensburg.org/DLA2025 to make a donation.

Watch the video located here to learn more about the campaign.

Catholic Kennywood Day 2025
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – Park Closing
Location: Kennywood Park, 4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA​

Ticket Prices

General Admission: $32.99
General Admission + Dinner: $43.50
Dinner Only (Season Pass Holders): $12.50
Kids 6 & Under: Eat FREE!​

Event Schedule (Pavilion 5)
1:00 – 2:30 PM: Youth Activities
3:00 – 4:00 PM: Confessions
4:00 – 4:30 PM: Praise & Worship
4:30 PM: Mass with Bishop Zubik and priests from the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg
5:15 PM: Communal Dinner (wristband required)​

Dinner Menu

Chicken Tenders, Hamburgers, Hot Sausage with Peppers & Onions, Macaroni & Cheese, Fruit Salad, Potato Salad​

Tickets available at the Catholic Kennywood Day Ticket Table next to the Main Gate. For more details, visit https://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/catholic-kennywood-day/.

Saturday, July 26, 2025
PNC Park
Game begins at 6:40 PM

Tickets are $39 and include a $5 food/drink voucher at the game! Electronic tickets are emailed to you about 1 week prior to the game.

There will be a drone show at the end of the game
Participants are responsible for transportation
Young families and children are welcome.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Every 25 years, the Universal Church proclaims a Jubilee Year to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, repent of their sins, forgive the sins of others and renew a focus on their spiritual lives. On Christmas Eve, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, will begin the 2025  Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope,” with the official Opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Click here to review the Jubilee 2025 events in the Diocese of Greensburg.

Click here to listen to the Jubilee 2025 hymn that we will begin using at St. Margaret Mary in the coming weeks.
Title is “Pilgrims of Hope”  Text:  Pierangelo Sequeri, tr. Andrew Wadsworth; Music: Francesco Meneghello

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 section of the Diocese of Greensburg website.

Click here to visit the New Kensington Catholic Community homepage for information regarding events happening at our neighbor parishes of St. Joseph, St. Mary of Czestochowa, and Mt. St. Peter.

Looking for an affordable education solution in the Alle-Kiski Valley? Private, Catholic education is available from preschool through high school at Mary Queen of Apostles School (MQA) in New Kensington and Saint Joseph High School (SJHS) in Natrona Heights.

Both schools are still enrolling students for this fall! If your child is in preschool to grade 8, consider enrolling them at MQA. For more information, contact Michelle Farrell at 724-339-4411 or visit the MQA website to learn more about an education focused on developing minds, building character, and strengthening faith.

SJHS offers a college preparatory education that encourages spiritual growth, academic excellence, and extracurricular participation. Many scholarships are available, making Catholic education even more affordable! Apply online at the SJHS website or contact the Admissions Office at 724-226-2819.