Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Life
OLA’s Adult Formation and Spiritual Life Ministries foster continuing education on the teachings of the Catholic Church and opportunities for spiritual growth for adults.
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If you have questions about an individual ministry, please contact the ministry contact listed or the Pastoral Council Commission Ministry Head, Art Keegan, at PC-adult-formation@olachurch.org.
Bible Studies/Courses
Throughout the year various studies are offered to the parish. Each study presented allows you to better understand sacred history and your role in this history.
Elizabeth Piper, Director of Faith Formation, epiper@olachurch.org
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Bible Discussion Group for Men
The group attends the 7:30am Mass and then meets for breakfast and bible study. We are in need of fresh blood and would welcome new members with open arms. Joining is easy - just show up at Mass on Friday or if you sleep late come to J. Christopher’s on Dresden at 8:15am.
Al Massey, almassey3394@att.net; Art Keegan, artkeegan@hotmail.com
Catholic Divorce Ministry
Catholic Divorce Ministry is a place that welcomes you during the time of healing after a divorce. This group provides topics to encourage healing, meet guest speakers and participate in socials. Click here to register for the group.
Elizabeth Piper, Director of Faith Formation, epiper@olachurch.org
Christ Renews His Parish Retreat (CRHP)
Christ Renews His Parish is an annual parishioner led retreat designed to give both the individual and the parish community an opportunity for renewal and growth in the spiritual life. CRHP is held early in the new year on the OLA campus and lasts from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. The weekend is a great opportunity to get to know other members of the parish, and to see where God is calling you to serve. Participants go home each night.
Elijah Cup Vocations Ministry
Every other weekend at one of the Masses, a different family or individual takes the Elijah Cup home to pray for vocations to the religious life and priesthood - especially to the Society of Mary (Marists), the religious society that serves our parish. Click here to sign up.
Katie Schermerhorn, ktscchermerhorn@gmail.com
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Marriage Encounter (WEDS)
Marriage Encounter is the largest pro-marriage organization in the world and promotes weekend experiences for couples who want to make their good marriage even better. WEDS groups are couples who have attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend. They meet for to help each other live out the concepts of the Marriage Encounter Weekend.
Karen Sheehan, marriageencounter@olachurch.org
Mary's Mothers Prayer Group
Fridays at 9am in the Youth Room
This group of mothers meet each Friday (located in the parish office/park in parking lot below and walk up path). All moms who wish to connect with other moms and who seek to create a spiritual foundation of faith for themselves as they experience the joys and challenges of motherhood. Email Kim Carey and Kelly Perry at ​olamarysmothers@gmail.com.
Mosaic (Interfaith Couples Ministry)
The goal of this ministry is to offer support for couples who are in dual faith relationships. Parish leaders will work with our interfaith couples to determine their needs and how our parish community can best help them navigate the challenges – and joys – that an interfaith relationship can bring.
Laura and Alan Berstein, mosaic@olachurch.org
Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
Inquirers into the Catholic Faith are invited to meet Sundays at 4pm in the Upper Room of the church. The Inquiry Group starts with time to ask questions about the Catholic church and how to become Catholic. It is the beginning of the Order of Catholic Initiation for Adults (OCIA). OCIA is also for baptized Catholics who seek to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and/or Confirmation.
Elizabeth Piper, Director of Faith Formation, epiper@olachurch.org
Saturday Men's Discipleship Group
The Saturday Men's Discipleship Group welcomes all men in the community. They meet every Saturday from 7:30-9:00 am in the Parish Office Conference Room. We discuss a variety of issues that all men face, utilizing both scripture and Christian teaching to guide us through the issues on our hearts. This diverse group of men, at all different places in our Christian journey, is focused on men in their relationship with God, their spouses, their children, and in their careers. We strive to become better men, better husbands, better fathers ... Better Christians. Deacon Bill Kester and Ralph Williams, olasatmorningmensgroup@gmail.com, bkester@olachurch.org
Second Touch Retreat
Relive the experience that awakened you at CRHP by joining us at this mini-retreat that is held in the Fall from Friday night through Saturday. You must have attended a CRHP weekend retreat in order to attend this retreat.
Jason Hoback, jwhoback@yahoo.com
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Small Christian Communities
Small Christian Communities are faith-sharing groups of persons that meet on their own schedule to discuss materials rooted in Scripture and Church tradition. They are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support, and the shared experience of Christian living and service. ​
Elizabeth Piper, Director of Faith Formation, at epiper@olachurch.org
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Sponsor Couples for the Engaged
Lay ministers/married couples meet with engaged couples as part of the marriage preparation process. Training is required.
Bridgett and Lee Posey, sponsorcouple@olachurch.org
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Thursday Morning Bible Study with Art Keegan
Parishioner Art Keegan presents a Bible Study each Thursday morning September - May. Classes are from 8:15 - 9:15am. in the Upper Room. Multiple books of the Bible are discussed each year - selections are chosen by the group under Art's leadership. Everyone is invited to join the group after the 7:30am Mass.
Art Keegan, artkeegan@hotmail.com
Walking with Purpose Bible Study (for Women)
Tuesdays at 7pm in the Upper Room.
Longing for connection to live a Christian life? Connection to God and to other women? Walking with Purpose invites all women of the parish (not just OLACS Moms) to journey through Scripture together and build relationships that matter! Join us for our new bible study - Opening Your Heart: The Starting Point -as we explore the fundamental question of our Catholic faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Email OLA.wwp@gmail.com to RSVP by the Friday before each meeting or with questions. More information will be emailed to attendees.
Women's Small Faith Groups
Women's small groups are groups of 10-15 women who meet in each others homes to support one another in their journeys as individuals, spouses, mothers, and Christians. Part social and part reflection, these groups promote deepening friendships through faith-filled connections.
Catherine Rice and Gianna Kasten, olawomensgroups@gmail.com
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Current & Upcoming Offerings
Set Boundries, Find Peace
Sundays at 6:30pm in the Upper Room
You are invited to the book study Set Boundaries, Find Peace focusing on healthy boundaries. We all know we should have them in order to achieve a work/life balance. This study provides an opportunity to look at how to set healthy boundaries, common responses to boundaries, and how to handle the responses. We will read and discuss the book, do exercises with the work book and listen to Nedra Tawwab’s pod cast. The CDM ministry is hosting this book study.
The book and workbook can be ordered online.
RSVP: epiper@olachurch.org.
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Lectio: Eucharist with Dr. Brandt Pitre
Tuesdays at 8:15am in the Upper Room
Discovering the Mass in the Bible. Acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching. "The Lamb of God," "The Bread of Life," "The Body and the Blood of Christ"... these are phrases we know from the Mass. But do we understand what they mean in the greater and deeper context of Scripture and Church teaching?
We'll discover firsthand how Christ's Body and Blood are an integral and wondrous part of God's plan for our salvation.
RSVP: epiper@olachurch.org.
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The Wild Goose: An Invitation to
Encounter the Holy Spirit
Wednesdays at 8:15-9:30am or 7-8pm in the Upper Room - Begins April 10th
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What is your relationship like with the Holy Spirit? Many feel that they do not know the Holy Spirit. The Wild Goose provides an invitation to encounter or renew your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Wild Goose is a term that the Ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit. Fr. Pivonka takes us on a journey through nature and various interviews to see this Spirit move through our lives. All materials for the group are on FORMED digital library. To learn more contact Elizabeth Piper at epiper@olachurch.org.
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National Eucharistic Congress
July 17 - 21 in Indianapolis, Indiana
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress invites a movement of the faithful, by way of pilgrimage, to share in a celebration of the gift of Christ’s love in the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Congress this year in in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Lucas Oil Stadium on July 17 to 21.
OLA is getting a group together to attend and you are invited! Tickets and housing are going fast. Now is the time to book. For information on the event contact Elizabeth Piper.
All are welcome. Email Elizabeth Piper at epiper@olachurch.org for more information.
FORMED: The Best Catholic Content - All in One Place
OLA is happy to provide our parishioners with free access to Formed, a digital library of Catholic resourses for all ages. Formed resources, including those listed below, are used throughout our programs for children and adults.
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Register for a Free Subscription to Formed
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Go to formed.org/signup.
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Select your parish by entering name, city and/or zip code. Select: Immaculate Conception - press 'Next'
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Register as a Parishioner with your name and email address.
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Check your email account for a link to begin using FORMED.
Contact Us
Art Keegan
Adult Formation and Spiritual Life Ministries Pastoral Council Commission Head
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