Spiritual Life Ministries

“Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure.”

- Pope Saint John Paul II

Spiritual Life Ministries help foster the spiritual life of the members of our community through activities including retreats, prayer, and discussion groups. If you have questions about an individual ministry, please contact the ministry leader listed or the Commission Ministry Head, Jim Eyre, at PC-SpiritualLife@olachuch.org.

For Everyone

Elijah Cup (Vocations Prayer Ministry

Every other weekend at one of the Masses, a different family 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. Katie Schermerhorn, ktscchermerhorn@gmail.com

Click here to sign up to take home the Elijah Cup.

For All Adults

Christ Renews His Parish (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 each February 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. Participaants go home each night. Merry and Ben Cella at crhp@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. This ministry is in need of leaders. If you are a former CRHP Lay Director and interested in leading this ministry, contact Anne Stephens at astephens@olachurch.org.

Small Christian Communities

Small Christian Communities are faith-sharing groups of 6 – 12 people that meet at various times and days. Small Christian Communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support, and the shared experience of Christian living and service. These groups meet in parishioners homes and use discussion materials rooted in Scripture and Church tradition. Elizabeth Piper, Director of Faith Formation, at epiper@olachurch.org.

SoulCore

Join SoulCore Leader Sue Soha to nourish body, mind & soul with SoulCore - a prayer experience that combines the prayers of the rosary with core strengthening, stretching and functional movement. Suggested donation of $10, for those who are able. Dress in comfortable clothing or sportswear and bring a fitness mat if you have one. Sue Soha, SueSoha@SpecialSettingsPT.

Young Adult Ministry

All young adults (20s and 30s) are invited to join the Young Adult Ministry! There are several ways to participate: we have a Bible/spiritual book study group that meets weekly and we also plan social events and service opportunities. For more information on ways to get involved and to receive our emails, please contact us. Angela O'Donoghue and Meghan Schmidt, youngadults@olachurch.org

For Couples

Marriage Encounter/WEDS Group

Worldwide 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 meet for the purpose of supporting each other in dialogue and to help each other live out the concepts of the Marriage Encounter Weekend. All couples who have attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend are invited to join the OLA WEDS group. Karen Sheehan, marriageencounter@olachurch.org

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

Sponsor Couples for the Engaged

Lay ministers/married couples meet with engaged couples as part of the marriage preparation process. Training is required. Kelly and Andrew Moore, sponsorcouple@olachurch.org.

For Women

Mary’s Mothers: A Faith Group for Mothers of School Aged Children

This group of mothers meet each Friday during the school year from 9-10am in the grassy area next to the church entrance. 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. Kim Carey and Kelly Perry, olamarysmothers@gmail.com

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

For Men

Friday Morning Men's Bible Study

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

Saturday Morning Men's Discipleship Group

Saturday Men’s Discipleship Group: The Rescue Project | Saturdays at 7am in Marist Hall Does our Catholic faith look and feel like alot of rules & requirements, but not a path to salvation??? Does coming to Church feel like going through the motions?? Why could ONLY the Son of God be the one to open the gates of Heaven to us all??? If questions like these, and others like them about the Gospel, puzzle you, please join the upcoming nine-part series called the "Rescue Project" hosted by the the Saturday Morning Men's Group & Knights of Columbus. All men of the OLA community are welcome! We begin on Saturday, 4-March @ 7am sharp, in Marist Hall (OLA School Cafeteria). Breakfast will be provided Contact Deacon Bill Kester at bkester@olachurch.org or olasatmorningmensgroup@gmail.com for details. The Men’s Group also invites you to look into the True North Men’s retreat sponsored by Life Teen March 17th-19th. Learn more at olachurch.org/around-the-archdiocese +++ The Saturday Men's Discipleship Group welcomes all men in the community. They meet every Saturday from 7:30-9am 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, Declan Reilly, and Ralph Williams, olasatmorningmensgroup@gmail.com

Current & Upcoming Offerings

Mary's Mother's Prayer Group

Fridays at 9am in the Youth Room

Upcoming:

March 17 - Rosary (Disabilities Awareness)
March 24
March 31
April 7 - No Meeting

Are you a mom of a child(ren) 18 years and younger? Are you looking for a way to connect with other moms and grow spiritually? Then the Mary’s Mothers group is for you!

ALL MOMS of the OLA parish are invited to join us as we meet to connect and to create or grow our spiritual foundation of faith as we experience the joys and challenges of marriage and raising children. We’d love for you to join us!

Questions? Email us at olamarysmothers@gmail.com.

SoulCore

Fridays at 9am in the Upper Room

Contact Sue Soha at SueSoha@SpecialSettingsPT.

Saturday Men's Discipleship Group: The Rescue Project

Saturdays at 7am in Marist Hall

Does our Catholic faith look and feel like alot of rules & requirements, but not a path to salvation? Does coming to Church feel like going through the motions? Why could ONLY the Son of God be the one to open the gates of Heaven to us all? If questions like these, and others like them about the Gospel, puzzle you, please join the upcoming nine-part series called the "Rescue Project" hosted by the the Saturday Morning Men's Group & Knights of Columbus. All men of the OLA community are welcome!

Breakfast will be provided

Click here for more details

Contact Deacon Bill Kester at bkester@olachurch.org or olasatmorningmensgroup@gmail.com for details.

Young Adults Group: Around the Lenten Circle

Mondays, 7-8:30 PM in the Youth Room

Young adults in their 20’s and 30’s are invited to join us to grow in faith and fellowship. During Lent, we are doing weekly sessions on the upcoming Sunday readings. No materials are required and you can join in at any time.

For more information or questions, contact Angela and Meghan: youngadults@olachurch.org.