Lisa Brenninkmeyer, founder of the Walking with Purpose women’s apostolate which has chapters in several diocesan parishes, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Westerville St. Paul Church, 313 N. State St., on the subject “Hope for Right Now.”
Her talk will be based on the 58th chapter of the Book of Isaiah and contrast the spiritual dehydration felt by many people with the way Jesus, the Living Water, can refresh us. It will identify symptoms of spiritual fatigue and help listeners discover practical ways to bring restoration to the soul.
The cost is $25 per person. To register, go to www.walkingwithpurpose.com/events. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. A book signing and reception will follow the talk.
Saint Challenge daily devotional book released
Catholic Treehouse, a Columbus-based distributor of Catholic books and other devotional items, has released a daily devotional book titled The Saint Challenge, based on its daily email and podcast with the same name.
For every day, it gives a brief biography of the saint of the day, then presents a challenge inspired by that saint. The challenges include corporal and spiritual works of mercy, development of the interior life, and catechesis of key dogmas of the Church.
“The Saint Challenge was developed to keep people actively engaged in pursuing holiness,” said the book’s author, Michael LaMorte, the founder of Catholic Treehouse. “I wanted to reach casual Catholics and re-engage them. It provides example after example of how to meet times of adversity by living your faith.
“On some days, readers will uncover a fact or story about Church history, such as finding out where the Church got certain prayers and hymns and traditions. Other days may feature catechesis or learning certain Church dogmas. Some days, readers will simply be inspired by heroes who were martyred for refusing to deny their faith. But no matter what day it is, every day, readers will meet a wide array of fascinating people who were part of the living history of the Church.”
The book is 419 pages long, with every page containing quick-reference icons with key information about the saint and links to online resources. It also contains a section with 35 common prayers, chaplets and litanies.
The book can be purchased for $29.99 on Amazon. In addition, the free daily emails can still be subscribed to at www.thesaintchallenge.com.
For more information, contact LaMorte at mike@catholictreehouse.com or (614) 282-3144.
Columbus Catholic Renewal sponsors Mass on Nov. 18
Father Patrick Toner will be the celebrant for a Mass that will be part of a program sponsored by Columbus Catholic Renewal from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18 at Columbus Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 5225 Refugee Road.
The day will start with Mass, followed by a potluck breakfast, a talk by Father Toner on “How Is Your Life in the Spirit?” and Eucharistic Adoration. Individual prayer ministry and confessions will be available.
The Columbus Catholic Renewal is under the authority of Bishop Earl Fernandes with Father Toner as liaison. For more information, go to www.ccrcolumbus.org.
Hocking Hills retreat planned for Dec. 2
A one-day retreat for women aged 18 and older will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the St. Martin de Porres Retreat House in South Bloomingville in the Hocking Hillas.
The retreat, led by local author Cecile Smith, will be based on the method of prayer presented in her book, Connecting with God in the Garden, An Inspirational Journal for All Seasons. It will include times for prayer and silent reflection, potting poinsettias, decorating Christmas cookies, conversation and sharing.
The cost is $75 (meals included), or $125 if an optional overnight stay and Sunday brunch are added. To register, go to http://www.CecileSmith.com/contact or Seeds_of_Grace@yahoo.com.
Bishop Fernandes to speak to men’s luncheon club
Bishop Earl Fernandes will give his annual address to the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club on Friday, Dec. 1 at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave., following the 11:45 a.m. Mass. No reservations are necessary. A $12 donation to cover the cost of the lunch is requested. The lunch will be sponsored by The Catholic Foundation.
The club’s next meeting will be on Friday, Feb. 2, when the bishop returns to present its annual Catholic Man of the Year award. To sponsor one of the club’s lunches, contact Pat Foley at foleyp513@gmail.com.
Newman Center to present seasonal concert in December
“Gaudete! Rejoice!” will be the theme for a concert by the Buckeye Catholic choir at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 in the Columbus St. Thomas More Newman Center, 64 W. Lane Ave.
The program of seasonal music is designed to prepare for the birth of Jesus by accompanying the Virgin Mary from the Annunciation to the Incarnation.
Ohio Dominican receives Catholic Foundation grant
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) has received a $6,800 grant from The Catholic Foundation to support and strengthen programming provided by the university’s office of campus ministries. The money will be used during the 2024-25 academic year to develop programs to educate, inspire, deepen, celebrate and fulfill the religious imagination, personal growth and spiritual needs of ODU’s campus community.
The ministries office promotes spiritual enrichment and personal development through a full range of Catholic-based faith experiences and integrates ecumenical and interreligious programming.
It sponsors weekday and Sunday Masses, weekly rosaries, weekly Bible studies, guided meditations, Eucharistic Adoration, praise and worship events, service projects and other events, lectures and activities throughout the academic year.
Our Lady of Guadalupe image coming to diocesan parishes
A special missionary image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that has been traveling the United States is available for visits to diocesan parishes through Monday, Nov. 27.
Ralph Martinez of Columbus, who is serving as guardian for the image during this time,will accompany the image and give talks about it.
Talks are scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at Columbus St. Peter Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, and 9:30 a.m, Friday, Nov.17 at Powell St. Joan of Arc Church, 10700 Liberty Road. Martinez invites other parishes to contact him at (614) 431-2446 to set up times for a talk.
The image is an exact replica of the original image of Our Lady which she left on the cloak of St. Juan Diego in December 1531.
It is among four images blessed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico by its rector to bring conversions, reverence for life, sanctity of the family and solidarity of the Church in America. The images are known to have been associated with many miracles and healings.
Martnez said he learned of an unexpected opportunity to have the image in the area a short time ago and took advantage of it. He said it is booked in advance and has stops scheduled through 2024 and that it last visited this area in 2017.