In the heart of Neenah, Wisconsin, something beautiful is unfolding at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community—a story of growth, grace, and the Gospel in action.
The Catholic Foundation is pleased to announce that St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community has been awarded an Advancing the Mission Lifelong Catechesis Grant to support its growing Hispanic ministry. This grant will help the parish provide bilingual sacramental preparation resources, ensuring that all parishioners—regardless of language—can fully participate in the life of the Church.
Meeting a Growing Need
Over the past few years, the parish has seen a remarkable increase in Hispanic families joining the community. With this growth came a heartfelt realization: the parish needed to do more to serve these families in a way that honors their language, culture, and devotion to Jesus.
“We’ve seen families come to us hungry for faith and connection,” said Amy Bolle, Director of Religious Education at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community. “This grant allows us to meet them where they are with resources in their language and to honor their culture.”
Thanks to the generous grant from the Catholic Foundation, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community is now equipped to do just that. The grant is helping fund bilingual sacramental preparation materials, allowing the parish to offer inclusive catechesis for Spanish-speaking families preparing for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and more.
“Our parish is growing not just in numbers, but in spirit,” said Father Nonito Barra, Pastor of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community. “This grant from the Catholic Foundation helps us continue our mission of evangelization and inclusion, rooted in the love of Christ. We are so grateful for the Foundation’s support.”
Supporting Lifelong Faith Formation
The Lifelong Catechesis Grant is part of the Catholic Foundation’s mission to help parishes grow in faith and form disciples of all ages. It was created through the Advancing the Mission capital campaign in 2006 to support religious education in a variety of ways, such as funding learning materials, helping provide teacher stipends, offering tuition assistance to families in need, and supporting diocesan Catholic schools and adult faith formation programs across northeastern Wisconsin.
“Nearly two decades later, the Advancing the Mission campaign continues to make a difference for parishes like St. Margaret Mary,” said Josh Diedrich, Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation. “St. Margaret Mary is living out the Gospel by welcoming and forming disciples in their parish community.”
As the parish begins implementing this initiative, the Catholic Foundation celebrates their leadership and vision. Together, we advance the mission of the Church—one community, one family, one soul at a time.
A Mission That Transforms Lives
For more than 25 years, the Catholic Foundation has supported Catholic parishes, schools, ministries, and organizations throughout northeastern Wisconsin. Through the Catholic Foundation, families leave a legacy of faith, helping others encounter Jesus and building a culture that cherishes life.