Upcoming Events

Let's keep the theme of HOPE alive throughout the month of May. Join the RCL Benziger team for practical ideas for celebrating Mary mother of us all, Mother's Day and May saints.

Register in advance for this webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pHgmKEb_SgmA1jBsyBdkDg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If this time is not convenient, please register and after the webinar you will receive a link of the recording.

Participation Certificate is available upon request.

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

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About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 853 8860 2979

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Maureen Pratt will deliver the next lecture on Two-Fold Prayer and the Journey to Peace. The music of our faith can be powerfully prayerful, reaching into our hearts and souls to bring us closer to God. In this special evening of reflections on prayerful song, award-winning Catholic author, ministry leader, and cantor Maureen Pratt will offer insight on the ages-long tradition of faith-song, encouragement for even the most timid to “raise a joyful noise,” and examples of how carrying two-fold prayer throughout difficult days can bring immense comfort, joy, and peace.

Light refreshments will be available prior to the start of the program. After an initial period of prayer, the lecturer will present a 45-minute talk. After a short break, there will be a 30-minute period of conversation and dialogue with participants.

Register Here

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About the Forum

The Forum for Catholic Discipleship Lectures promotes the holistic formation of adult Catholics through encounters with truth, beauty, and goodness, while being accompanied in spiritual friendship the entire way.

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About Our Presenter 

Maureen Pratt, MTS, MFA, GIA GG, Gem-A FGA (Merit), is a popular speaker, the award-winning, bestselling author of 10 books and the executive director and founder of The Peace in the Storm Project. Her books include the award-winning titles Salt and Light: Church, Disability, and the Blessing of Welcome for All, Don't Panic! How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough, the beloved devotional, Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness (2nd Edition - Galilee Road Publishing, LLC), which is the only devotional focused on chronic pain and illness to be granted the imprimatur, and Peace in the Storm for Caregivers (2024, Galilee Road Publishing).

Learn More

Presented by the Archdiocese of Newark,  "Continuing the Journey" is a conference for all those that minister, work, volunteer and most importantly walk with young people on their faith journey - Youth Ministry Leaders, Diocesan Youth Ministry Staff, Volunteers, Clergy, Religious, PCL/DRE's, Catechists, Scout Leaders, Campus Ministers and more!

Join us April 17-19th at the St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny, NJ. It will be a weekend packed with workshops, keynotes, exhibitors, time to network, prayer, Mass and so much more! Speakers include Steve Angrisano Chris Rogers, Marisally Santiago, Catholic Young Life , Chris Wesley, Goodfaith, Charlotte McCorquodale, Christie and Will Smith, Scott Anthony, Bishop Bismarck Chau, Bishop Gregory Studerus, Fr. John Gordon, Fr Lito Ebron, Fr. Allan Hoffa, and Cardinal Tobin!

Learn more and register here

Presented by the Archdiocese of Newark,  "Continuing the Journey" is a conference for all those that minister, work, volunteer and most importantly walk with young people on their faith journey - Youth Ministry Leaders, Diocesan Youth Ministry Staff, Volunteers, Clergy, Religious, PCL/DRE's, Catechists, Scout Leaders, Campus Ministers and more!

Join us April 17-19th at the St. John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny, NJ. It will be a weekend packed with workshops, keynotes, exhibitors, time to network, prayer, Mass and so much more! Speakers include Steve Angrisano Chris Rogers, Marisally Santiago, Catholic Young Life , Chris Wesley, Goodfaith, Charlotte McCorquodale, Christie and Will Smith, Scott Anthony, Bishop Bismarck Chau, Bishop Gregory Studerus, Fr. John Gordon, Fr Lito Ebron, Fr. Allan Hoffa, and Cardinal Tobin!

Learn more and register here

During this in-person meeting, all parish catechetical leaders will meet for prayer, fellowship, and new ideas. Our speaker is Dr. Joseph White, a Child and Family Psychologist and Associate Publisher for Catechetical Resources at OSV Publishing.

We will open the doors promptly at 10 am for refreshments and then begin with morning prayer.

There will be a brief presentation by Dr. White, and then we will break for lunch.

Please use the form below to RSVP so we know you are planning to join us. This meeting will not be recorded, so your presence - in person - is anticipated.

Who Should Attend?

Everyone who bears responsibility for formation in the parish: DRE/CRE, youth ministry leaders, OCIA coordinators, and those who help prepare families, young people, or adults for reception of the sacraments.

Clergy are welcome, but not expected to attend.

About the Topic:

Integrated Family Catechesis: Multiple Models for Honoring the Role of Parents as First Witnesses of the Faith: An ever-present question in parish and school religious education is how to move beyond a child-only focus to a model of formation that supports parents as first and most important catechists. While no single approach is ideal for every parish or school, some best practices have arisen for forming families and equipping parents in this God-given vocation. In this session, we’ll discuss various models that integrate parents and family life in religious education in effective and meaningful ways.

About Our Presenter:

Dr. Joseph White is a Child and Family Psychologist and Associate Publisher for Catechetical Resources at OSV Publishing.  He formerly served as a parish Director of Faith Formation for two years, and then worked for seven years as Director of Family Counseling and Family Life for the Diocese of Austin, Texas. Dr. White has written twelve books and numerous articles about catechesis, Catholic education, spirituality, and ministry, including Listening for God in Everyday Life and the Companion to the Directory for Catechesis. He is co-author of the Allelu and Alive in Christ religion series. He also served on the working group that wrote the Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process for the Institute on the Catechism at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

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About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 853 8860 2979

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Every other week, parish faith formation leaders are invited to a half-hour online meeting to discuss upcoming events, learn more about what others are doing in their parishes, and brainstorm solutions to common problems. Our goal is to pray together, learn from each other, and leave affirmed that we are on the right path in our own parishes and ministry settings.

Who should attend?

Faith formation leaders, youth ministers, and others who are entrusted with catechetical leadership in their parish.

All meetings are on Tuesdays, and all are at 11 am. Meetings are not recorded.

---

About Our Virtual Meetings
This gathering is a virtual meeting hosted by Zoom. The link below will take you directly to the live webinar. You may be asked to download Zoom. If you call in a few minutes before the meeting begins, you will likely hear music playing until we begin.

Join Zoom Meeting

If you would like to join by phone, dial one of these numbers: 646-558-8656, or 267-831-0333 and enter the Meeting ID: 853 8860 2979

Please note: the link for all parish leader check ins will be the same.

Learn about LEAD, the innovative learning platform developed by the Institute for Catholic Formation and the Diocese of Bridgeport, in partnership with the nerds at Fivable, LLC!

This platform offers online formation, registration for face-to-face gatherings, and a single source of truth when it comes to data for those in ministry.

These sessions are free and designed especially for catechetical leaders, liturgical ministry coordinators, and anyone who needs to track formation in a parish. Lunch will be served, so pre-registration is required. Please use the form below!

If possible, bring your laptop or tablet so we can learn online together.

Topics to be covered:
Overview
Local Leaders
Using Tasks
Building Communities
Communication Tools
Reports and Tracking Formation
Creating In-Person Formation Opportunities
And More!

Register:

This is the first session of a three session course training catechists in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). See the 2026 formation schedule here.

Please note that participants must attend all three sessions.

CGS is a reflective-based catechetical program for children ages 3-12 that helps them further develop their relationship with God in a developmentally appropriate way. It is rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sunday worship, and Maria Montessori's educational philosophy.

Formation for those facilitating CGS involves at least ninety hours of in-person learning and is open to all catechists and parents.

Enrollment for this formation is now open! Please register in LEAD.

Event details

• Saturday, May 16 - Sunday, May 17


• Formation from 9 am to 4 pm each day


• Doors open and hospitality begins at 8:00


• Join the group for Sunday Mass (optional)

Cost

• Inside Diocese of Bridgeport - $35 payable to the Diocese of  Bridgeport.


• Outside the Diocese of Bridgeport - $335 payable to the Diocese of Bridgeport.


• All food and materials are included.


• Unfortunately, accommodation is not provided.

This is the first session of a three session course training catechists in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). See the 2026 formation schedule here.

Please note that participants must attend all three sessions.

CGS is a reflective-based catechetical program for children ages 3-12 that helps them further develop their relationship with God in a developmentally appropriate way. It is rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sunday worship, and Maria Montessori's educational philosophy.

Formation for those facilitating CGS involves at least ninety hours of in-person learning and is open to all catechists and parents.

Enrollment for this formation is now open! Please register in LEAD.

Event details

• Saturday, May 16 - Sunday, May 17


• Formation from 9 am to 4 pm each day


• Doors open and hospitality begins at 8:00


• Join the group for Sunday Mass (optional)

Cost

• Inside Diocese of Bridgeport - $35 payable to the Diocese of  Bridgeport.


• Outside the Diocese of Bridgeport - $335 payable to the Diocese of Bridgeport.


• All food and materials are included.


• Unfortunately, accommodation is not provided.

The Diocese of Bridgeport invites Scouts and their families to participate in the 2026 Catholic Scouting Awards, a celebration of faith, service, and personal growth within the Scouting community.

Catholic Scouting plays a vital role in fostering the spiritual and character development of young people. Through participation in the Catholic Scouting emblem programs, the diocese accompanies families in their journey of faith, encouraging a deeper encounter with Christ and strengthening their commitment to Catholic values.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 awards. Recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Parish in New Canaan.

Learn more

Scouts who wish to receive an award must submit their applications to Astrid Alvarez either by email or by regular mail at:

Diocese of Bridgeport
100 Beard Sawmill Road, Suite 650
Shelton, CT 06484

All applications must be received by April 15, 2026 in order to participate in the ceremony.

Gracias por inscribirse para la formación para el matrimonio. Su formación se llevará a cabo en persona en la iglesia San Pedro, 695 Colorado Ave, Bridgeport, CT

• Comenzamos a las 8:30 am y continuamos hasta las 5:00 pm.


• Recuerden que el retiro es solo para la pareja... si tiene hijos, favor de conseguir a alguien que los cuide.


• Habrá desayuno ligero y almuerzo

Felicitaciones por el gran evento en sus vidas y esperamos verlos.

Inscríbase ahora Se le invitará a inscribirse en el grupo matrimonial de LEAD, responder a algunas preguntas sobre usted y elegir una clase para la formación presencial.