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, hosts guest speakers, and participates in socials.
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
This group of mothers meets two Fridays a month in the Youth Room (located in the parish office/park in parking lot below and walk up path). All moms of the parish 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 are invited. 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. Learn more/sign up at www.ola-saturday-morning-mens-group.mailchimpsites.com. 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 Second Touch.
Jason and Maggie Hoback, secondtouch@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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Tuesday Evening Men's Group
All men of the OLA community are invited to join our bi-weekly Tuesday evening men's group, where we gather to discuss a wide range of topics that impact our lives as men. Meeting every other Tuesday from 8p-9:30 PM in the Youth Room, our group provides a welcoming and supportive environment for men to explore their faith, strengthen their relationships with God, and support each other through the challenges we face. Through scripture and Christian teachings, we seek to grow as individuals, husbands, fathers, and leaders in our community. Blake Smith and Lawrence Lee, eveningmensgroup@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)
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 as we explore the fundamental question of our Catholic faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ. We meet on Tuesdays at 7pm in the Upper Room of the Church. RSVP by the Friday before each meeting or with questions. More information will be emailed to attendees. Joy Baljet, Agatha Loh Nee, and Carolyn Noyd, wwp@olachurch.org.
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, womensfaithgroups@olachurch.org
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Christ Renews His Parish XLVIII
January 24-26, 2025
​The retreat is full! Click on the link below to be added to the wait list!
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Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) is a renewal weekend that gives you a special chance to get in touch with God and your fellow parishioners. No matter where you are in your personal faith journey, you are sure to find support and understanding.
CRHP takes place on our OLA Campus yet unlike other retreats you get to go home and sleep in your own bed each night, no sleeping bags and hard floors. We share meals and snacks in community throughout the weekend, so bring an appetite.
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Questions? crhp@olachurch.org
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Current & Upcoming Offerings
Surviving Divorce Hope and Healing
Sundays, 6:30-8pm in the Upper Room beginning January 12th
You are welcome to come to one session or all sessions. Start your new year off with Hope and Healing. 1/12 Session 1: Getting Your Bearings 1/19 Session 2: Finding Strength and Help 2/2 Session 3: Getting Though Your Anger 2/9 Session 4: Dealing with Depression 2/16 Session 5: Learning to Forgive 2/23 Session 6: Dealing with Your Family 3/2 Session 7: Handling Money Wisely 3/9 Session 8: Learning to Let Go 3/16 Session 9: Seeing God in Romance 3/23 Session 10: Deciding About Dating 3/30 Session 11: Loving All Church Teachings 4/6 Session 12: Finding Love that Last
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https://ascensionpress.com/collections/surviving-divorce
Email Elizabeth Piper at epiper@olachurch.org for more information.
Prophet’s Messengers of God’s Mercy
Tuesdays at 8:15am in the Upper Room beginning January 7th
The Prophets: Messengers of God’s Mercy speak to us today, not just to the ancient people. Together, we will read, discuss, and reflect on their words to connect them to our lives today, drawing you closer to Christ. The prophets afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, calling us to return to our covenant relationship with God. They urge us to repentance, warn us of the dangers of sin, and announce the blessings of faithfulness. Their prophetic words speak to us even today as they draw us closer to our heavenly Bridegroom and show us how to share him with others. RSVP to Elizabeth Piper at epiper@olachurch.org.
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Keeping in Balance - A Women's Walking
with Purpose Bible Study
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 to journey through Scripture together and build relationships that matter. Join us for our new bible study - Keeping in Balance - on Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Upper Room.
Register today at www.olachurch-forms.org/wwp
Questions? Email Agatha Loh Nee, Joy Baljet, and Carolyn Noyd at wwp@olachurch.org.
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A Quick Journey Through the Bible Wednesdays at 7pm in the Youth Room beginning January 8th
Discover the unfolding of the Bible's story. This quick walk through the Bible will open up sacred history. Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible helps you get the “big picture” by showing how the narrative books tell a complete story from Adam and Eve to Christ and the Church. If you have not taken this course, now is the time. If you are a lector, involved in choir, eucharistic minister, or usher, your ministry will be enriched by taking this course.
https://ascensionpress.com/collections/unlocking-the-mystery
RSVP to epiper@olachurch.org
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Psalms Bible Study
Thursdays at 8:10am in the Upper Room
The Psalms are basically the Hymnal of the Jewish Faith. Jesus quotes the psalms more than any other Book in the Old Testament. As a devout Jew, Jesus probably memorized and recited all 150 psalms every day of his life. He even recited some of them while dying on the cross. The psalms are part of the Catholic Mass and Jewish weekly Sabbath worship today. The psalms have been used in liturgies for close to 3,000 years.
St. Thomas Aquinas commented that all theology is contained in the Psalms. If you love songs with a message, then you may gain a lot from studying the Psalms. If you get nothing out of music and songs, then you may even get more from studying the Psalms. Come for the coffee stay for the Psalms. Email Art Keegan at
artkeegan@hotmail.com for more information. No need to RSVP, just show up!
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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