About St. Margaret Mary · Slidell, Louisiana
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of New Orleans located at 1050 Robert Blvd in Slidell, Louisiana. Founded on August 17, 1965 by Archbishop John Patrick Cody and named after his mother by founding administrator Fr. Timothy Pugh, the parish was established alongside a school that has been educating local Catholic children for six decades. Today St. Margaret Mary serves a diverse, bilingual community with daily and Sunday Mass in English, a Saturday evening Mass in Spanish, a weekly Spanish Mass in the chapel, and a First Saturday Mass in Latin, supported by an active school, a vibrant Hispanic ministry (Apostolate), Knights of Columbus and Legion of Mary groups, and Eucharistic Adoration. The parish celebrated its 60th anniversary on October 12, 2025, with all three living former pastors — Fr. Dan Darmanin, Fr. Ed Grice, and Msgr. Lanaux Rareshide — in attendance and newly designed sanctuary renovations blessed.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
- Rector
- Fr. Daniel (Dan) Darmanin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
St. Margaret Mary is a 60-year-old bilingual parish where the same three living pastors recently gathered for the 60th anniversary — a sign of the loyalty and continuity the community inspires. Worshippers find a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses in English, a Saturday evening Spanish Mass, a Thursday evening Spanish Mass in the chapel, and a First Saturday Mass in Latin, plus weekday confessions and a parish school recognized as a 1999 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Beyond the altar, parishioners serve through Good SAMS outreach to the poor of Slidell, Alton, and Pearl River; Knights of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary, Legion of Mary, and Magnificat chapters; a Spanish Apostolate with retreats, prayer groups, and Bible studies; Eucharistic Adoration; a High School Youth Group; and a vibrant parish fair tradition dating to 1967.
Mass times at St. Margaret Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Friday 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- By appointment — call the church office at 985-643-6124
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is promoted and coordinated by a parish committee (specific hours are coordinated with the parish office; First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is also observed by the school community)
History of St. Margaret Mary Parish
St. Margaret Mary was established by Archbishop John Patrick Cody on August 17, 1965, with Fr. Timothy Pugh as the first administrator. The Archdiocese of New Orleans dedicated the school in 1966 and the church building was completed in time for the first Mass on Christmas Day 1976. Under Msgr. Richard Carroll (1970–1999) the entire campus took shape; under Msgr. Lanaux Rareshide (1999–2015) it survived Katrina and reopened its renovated church in 2009. The parish has celebrated its Golden (2015–2016) and Diamond (2025) Jubilees, with the 60th anniversary mass bringing together all three living pastors and featuring newly blessed sanctuary renovations designed and built by Fr. Dan Darmanin.
- 1965 — Parish established August 17 by Archbishop Cody; Fr. Timothy Pugh appointed Administrator.
- 1966 — School dedicated by Archbishop Philip Hannan; Benedictine nuns invited to run it.
- 1967 — Sunday Masses initially celebrated in the school cafeteria; Ladies Altar Society sponsors first parish fair.
- 1968 — Fr. Pugh named Pastor; he died of a heart attack about a year later.
- 1970 — Fr. Richard Carroll appointed Pastor; he envisions the master plan for the campus.
- 1976 — Church building completed; first Mass in the new church on Christmas Day.
- 1999 — School named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence; Msgr. Carroll retires; Msgr. Lanaux Rareshide named Pastor.
- 2005 — Hurricane Katrina devastates Slidell; church later renovated; Pre-K 3 & 4 building constructed.
- 2009 — Renovated church (with new center aisle) reopened January 24; Youth Room opens shortly after.
- 2015–2016 — 50th Jubilee Year celebrated; Mayor Drennan proclaims St. Margaret Mary Parish Day; pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial, France.
- 2020 — COVID-19 cancellations begin; Fr. Dan Darmanin arrives as Parochial Vicar (November).
- 2022 — Fr. Daniel Darmanin becomes Pastor (July 1).
- 2023 — Stations of the Cross walkway created with parishioner sponsorships.
- 2024 — Fr. Jorge Gomez ordained June 1 and assigned as Parochial Vicar effective July 1.
- 2025 — 60th anniversary celebrated October 12; new sanctuary renovations, designed and built by Fr. Dan, are blessed.
Clergy, Staff & Pastoral Team
St. Margaret Mary is led by Pastor Fr. Daniel (Dan) Darmanin, who joined the parish as Parochial Vicar in November 2020 and became Pastor on July 1, 2022. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Jorge Gomez (ordained June 1, 2024 and assigned July 1, 2024). Four permanent deacons — Louis Bauer, Roberto Zambrano, Chris Schneider, and Gil Ganucheau — round out the ordained ministry. Day-to-day operations are supported by a staff that includes Jim Agar (Maintenance / Facilities Manager), Janine Bridges (Finance), Justin Bridges, Kathy Gardner (PSR Coordinator), Misty Bauer (Director of Religious Education & Youth Minister), and Nita Meyer (Sacramental Records / Archivist).
Sacraments & Faith Formation
Through the Spanish Apostolate, sacramental preparation is offered in Spanish for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and Quinceañeras. The parish also runs the Parish School of Religion (PSR), with Kathy Gardner as Coordinator, plus Catechists, Substitute Catechists, and programs for children with special needs. Sacramental records are maintained by parish archivist Nita Meyer.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage preparation (English and Spanish)
- Quinceañera celebrations through the Spanish Apostolate
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) — Coordinator Kathy Gardner
- Director of Religious Education & Youth Minister — Misty Bauer
- RCIA inquiries directed through the parish office
Parish Ministries & Groups
Parishioners serve and grow through a wide array of lay organizations, from service to evangelization. The Knights of Columbus Council 2732 and the Ladies Auxiliary support parish and community projects, the Legion of Mary visits the sick and evangelizes, and Magnificat — a Catholic women's ministry established in New Orleans on October 7, 1981 — hosts prayer breakfasts with testimony, rosary, and praise. Good SAMS (a joint outreach with St. Luke the Evangelist, established 1993) helps the poor and those in emergencies across Slidell, Alton, and Pearl River. The Fair Committee carries on the parish fair tradition launched by the Ladies Altar Society in 1967.
- Spanish Apostolate / Hispanic Ministry — Olga Zambrano, 985-639-8176
- Good SAMS Outreach — 985-641-6421
- Knights of Columbus Council 2732 — Fred Litchliter
- Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary — Mary Welch, 985-265-4246
- Legion of Mary — Mary Jo Cloud, 504-577-7525
- Magnificat — Debbie Callens, 985-502-0349
- Eucharistic Adoration Committee
- Fair Committee
- High School Youth Group (SMMP)
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School & Early Childhood Center
Founded alongside the parish in 1965 and dedicated in 1966 under the care of Benedictine nuns, St. Margaret Mary Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade) has served generations of Slidell families. The school was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 1999. It integrates faith into the daily routine through Morning Prayer, weekday Mass participation (with students serving as sacristans, greeters, altar servers, cantors, gift bearers, and lectors), and Middle School First Friday Adoration. The campus also houses the Rev. Msgr. Lanaux J. Rareshide Early Childhood Development Center for 3- and 4-year-olds (built after Hurricane Katrina).
- Pre-K through 8th grade Catholic school, founded 1965/dedicated 1966
- 1999 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- Religion curriculum: Silver, Burdett & Ginn 'Blest Are We' (K–8), supplemented by Bible, liturgical magazines, and Children's Daily Prayers
- Middle School First Friday Adoration
- Rev. Msgr. Lanaux J. Rareshide Early Childhood Development Center (Pre-K 3 & 4)
Campus & Worship Space
The original church building, completed in 1976, was renovated in 2009 with a new center aisle and again after Hurricane Katrina. In 2025 a new set of sanctuary renovations, designed and built by Fr. Dan Darmanin, were installed and blessed for the 60th anniversary. The campus also includes a rectory (renovated by Miramom Construction in 2015), a Youth Room, the Stations of the Cross walkway (added 2023), and the Early Childhood Development Center.
Service & Outreach
Beyond the campus, St. Margaret Mary extends the gospel through Good SAMS — a joint outreach with St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church established in 1993. Good SAMS helps the poor and those coping with emergencies in Slidell, Alton, and Pearl River with utility, housing, and gas bills, and offers seasonal programs including School Supplies, Thanksgiving baskets, and a partnership with St. Tammany Project Christmas. The entire staff is volunteer-run and works out of office space donated by St. Luke Catholic Church.
- Emergency bill assistance (housing, utilities, gas) in Slidell, Alton, Pearl River
- Seasonal School Supplies drive
- Thanksgiving baskets
- St. Tammany Project Christmas partnership
- Call Good SAMS at 985-641-6421 to volunteer
Getting Involved — Join the Parish
From the High School Youth Group to substitute catechists, from the Knights of Columbus to the Eucharistic Adoration Committee, new parishioners are warmly welcomed. New Parishioner Registration is available through the parish website (saintmmchurch.org); specific ministries can be contacted directly using the names and numbers listed on the parish's Ministries page.
- New Parishioner Registration — via saintmmchurch.org
- Youth Ministry — High School Youth Group, contact Noelle Daugherty
- Catechetical Leadership — contact Jacqui (via parish office)
- Children's ministry with support for children with special needs
- Knights of Columbus Council 2732 meetings: 4th Tuesday of the month
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Timothy Pugh1965–1969
First Administrator, then named Pastor in 1968; died from a heart attack about a year later. The parish was named in honor of his mother, Margaret Mary Pugh.
- Fr. Richard Carroll (Rev. Msgr.)1970–1999
Pastored the parish for 29 years. As Secretary of the Archdiocesan Building Commission, master-planned the parish's present facilities.
- Rev. Msgr. Lanaux J. Rareshide1999–2015
Installed July 1, 1999; retired June 30, 2015. The Pre-K 3 & 4 Early Childhood Development Center was later named in his honor.
- Rev. Edward (Ed) Grice2015–2022
Installed as Pastor on July 1, 2015; announced his retirement in 2022 effective June 30, 2022.
- Fr. Daniel (Dan) Darmanin2022–present
Had served as Parochial Vicar since November 2020; became Pastor July 1, 2022. Designed and built the new sanctuary renovations blessed at the 60th anniversary in 2025.