Baptismal Preparation Team
Baptism team members visit families that are having a baby baptized and bring a packet of information about Baptism and about St. Mary’s. Team members also assist at the Masses where children are baptized. They are also asked to visit one family a month on average and to assist at Mass every few months.

Contact person – Mr. William Mascitello – 201-384-3062 - bill@stmarysdumont.org

Baptismal Garment Maker
During the rite of Baptism, a small white garment is placed over the person being baptized as a sign that they have “put on Christ,” that they have risen with Christ. The garment is embroidered with a cross to signify the redemption that Christ won for us when he died. Flowing water is also embroidered on the garment, signifying that those baptized are “born of water and the Spirit.” At St. Mary’s, these garments are made by parishioners so that the initiation of the newly baptized is much more personal. The sewing and embroidering is done by individuals in their homes whenever their schedules allow.

Contact person – Janet Kaine - 201-385-3607 - wandjkaine@njaccess.com

Religious Education Volunteers
Our parish Religious Education program needs men and women who volunteer, but who are not directly involved in teaching within a classroom setting. Examples of what such volunteers would do would be: answering phones, assisting with preparing mailings to parents of our Religious Education students, hall monitors.

Contact person – Mr. William Mascitello – 201-384-3062 - bill@stmarysdumont.org

Transfiguration Academy
As of September 2006, St. Mary's School has merged with St. John's School, Bergenfield, and Ascension School, New Milford, to form Transfiguration Academy. This new school will be co-sponsored by these three parishes so that Catholic school education will remain available and affordable in our area of Bergen County.

The lower grades - Pre-K - 4 - will be located in Bergenfield at 10 Bradley Avenue, and the upper grades - 5-8 - will be located in New Milford at 1092 Carnation Drive. Our goal is to educate our children spiritually, academically, and socially and to foster an atmosphere that recognizes the dignity and diversity of every student. In addition to teaching our students to live the Gospel message and to work together, we also offer classes that will provide them a solid foundation for their future education.

Our volunteers are parents/grandparents, but we also invite parishioners to become involved in the life of our co-sponsored school.

Lower school (Bergnefield) - 201-384-3627

Upper school (New Milford) - 201-836-7074

Small Christian Communities
As a result of the RENEW International process in which parishes were involved several years ago, our parish now has a number of Small Christian Communities (SCC). These faith-sharing groups, composed of 6-12 people per group, come together to reflect upon the Scriptures, to share faith stories, to pray together and to offer mutual support in deepening their own faith lives. Although each community is unique in its membership, style and format, each group reflects on the Sunday Scripture readings or on various spiritual themes. If you would like to be a part of an established SCC or if want to lead your own SCC with friends and/or parishioners, contact Sr. Kathleen.

Contact person – Fr. Bob – 201-384-0557 - frbob@stmarysdumont.org

Pre-Cana Team
Engaged couples, intending to marry at any Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Newark, are required to attend a formation program in preparation for their wedding. One choice they have for this formation program is Pre-Cana. This program is offered twice a year at St. Mary’s, once in the fall and once in the spring. Married couples in our parish present talks, based on their own lived experience, on a variety of topics related to Christian married life. Time is provided for couples to share with each other and to reflect upon some important aspects of their future lives together. Married couples in our parish are invited and encouraged to consider becoming part of the Pre-Cana process in different and important ways.

Contact person – Fr. Bob – 201-384-0557 - frbob@stmarysdumont.org

Cornerstone Retreat
Cornerstone is an opportunity to reflect on and renew your faith, a chance to grow spiritually and to share with others. St. Mary’s sponsors a Men’s Cornerstone retreat weekend and a Women’s Cornerstone retreat weekend each year. The retreat lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Cornerstone is a way to meet and to interact with other people from our parish in a warm and welcoming environment on both a spiritual and personal level.

Contact person – Gary Barba – 201-385-8735 - BayRidge@aol.com

Sacramental Preparation I
Men and women who seek to come forward as catechists for one part of our sacramental preparation program assist us in the immediate preparation of our parish 2nd graders for the celebration of First Penance and First Communion. They teach in special classes during the months of November (Penance) and March (First Communion). They also assist the director of our Sacramental Preparation Program at parent meetings, a retreat morning and rehearsal sessions.

Contact person – Mr. William Mascitello – 201-384-3062 - bill@stmarysdumont.org

Sacramental Preparation II
In 9th grade, our teenage parishioners celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. Men and women who volunteer as catechists in this program provide assistance in preparing our Confirmation candidates. They serve as leaders for small group discussions which are conducted during special sessions in the month of March. They also assist at orientation meetings, retreat days and rehearsal sessions.

Contact person – Mr. William Mascitello – 201-384-3062 - bill@stmarysdumont.org