Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation is responsible for creating and sustaining events and programs that nurture the development of mature faith in adult Catholics. The American bishops have stated that the education and Christian formation of adults must be a priority for the Church. Therefore, at Our Lady Queen of Angels, we provide many opportunities for spiritual growth and education, which should lead to greater appreciation of the richness of our Catholic tradition, and to deeper commitment to putting our energies to work in spreading of the Good News of Jesus.
For the various Adult Faith Ministries, click the appropriate link under Adult Faith Ministries in the panel at right. Or simply scroll down the page.
Adult Faith Activities for 2008
To view the 2008 Adult Faith Formation Activities brochure (in PDF format), click here. PDF document will open in a new window.
To view photos of St. Andrews Abbey, please click the Photo Gallery link.
Welcoming of New Inquirers
Prior to beginning the formal R.C.I.A. process, interested persons are interviewed by the R.C.I.A. director, given reading materials, and encouraged to share what factors in their lives brought them to their desire to become Catholics or complete their sacraments.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the New Inquirers event calendar
R.C.I.A.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process that uses Scripture study, discussion, information on teachings of the Church, and creative activities to help participants get ready to be baptized in the Catholic Church or to complete their sacraments. Anyone who wants to update their own understanding of Catholicism is welcome also. The purpose of this ministry is to assist those who want to become Catholics or complete their sacraments by offering them opportunities for learning, prayer, and community. On Easter of 2006, thirty-six adults were fully received into the Church. One teenager, two young girls, and a baby also joined us. This ministry is year- round. Candidates and catechumens (those not yet baptized) meet on most Sunday mornings of the year. They attend the 8:30 Mass and then gather for instruction and discussion from 9:45 till 11:15 in the parish center.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the R.C.I.A. event calendar
Adult Bible Study
On Tuesday mornings at 9:30 during the academic year, Sheila Blake (714) 665-2326 teaches a Bible study. On Wednesday mornings during the academic year, at 9:30, a Bible study women is taught by Dr. Victoria Dendinger (949) 219-1408. An evening Bible study is in the planning stages, and there is also a three- to four-session Bible study every summer. People of all ages are welcome.
View the Adult Bible Study event calendar
Corpus Christi Fellowship
Corpus Christi Fellowship is a diocesan-wide singles’ group that meets weekly on Monday nights for faith-sharing and hearing of educational speakers. This group is for single young adults between the ages of thirty and fifty.
To visit the Corpus Christi Fellowship Web site, click here (the site will display in a new window).
For more information, call (949) 219-1499 ext. 295.
View the Corpus Christi Fellowship event calendar
Cursillo/Ultreyas
Cursillo is an international movement within the Catholic church, sanctioned by Pope John Paul II and by Bishop Todd Brown of the Diocese of Orange. Cursillo is a “short course” in Christianity. It is first and foremost, an encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ. The 3-Days begin this process. It is a short 3 day course on Catholic Spirituality. To evangelize the environment of OC, CA by making Christian Community possible in families, neighborhoods, work situations and other places through the formation of small Christian Communities which will leaven their environments with the Gospel.
For more information, contact Betty Winkler by email or at (949) 644-1291 or visit http://www.occursillo.org/
View the Cursillo event calendar
Eucharistic Adoration/Prayer Hour
To set aside one hour, once a week, to show our appreciation for the gift of God’s presence in our lives. This hour is spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in the church. This hour is private, personal, powerful and peaceful. This ministry offers a schedule of hours to choose from 24/7!
In the near future, we are hoping to schedule a “Parish Boost.” We will be inviting a priest from the Eucharistic Adoration Missionary Preaching Team to speak at the weekend masses. Each missionary priest specializes in helping parishes with Adoration Ministries to understand the life-changing benefits of the donation. In the past, we have had our parish priests share their insights and personal experiences with the Blessed Sacrament with the parish.
For more information, contact Barbara Mallos at (949) 644-1258.
View the Eucharistic Adoration event calendar
Grief Support
Six-week sessions that help bereaved people deal with their grief and get support in dealing with the changes in their lives are available three times a year. These sessions are open to all adults, teens and children who are old enough to participate. People from other parishes are also welcome. Watch the bulletin for details.
For more information, contact Dr. Gerry Miller at (714) 734-0848 or Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Grief Support event calendar
Marriage Ministry
This ministry has as its goal to support married couples in living out their vocation in a loving and growth-producing manner. Times to be arranged. Watch the bulletin for more information.
For more information, contact Fr. Eugene Lee.
View the Marriage Ministry event calendar
Midlife Journeys
A group for singles 45-60, will be starting soon. Its purpose is to support and educate members in their spiritual and personal lives. Divorced and separated are welcome.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Midlife Journeys event calendar
Moms' Bible Study
We are currently updating this section.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Moms' Bible Study event calendar
Mothers' Group
Almost every Thursday morning during the school year, this group for mothers of young children meets to discuss their faith, techniques for raising children, and other topics of interest.
For more information, contact Dina Metcalf at (949) 644-2109.
View the Mothers' Group event calendar
Prayer and Meditation
Lectio divina is prayed every Tuesday morning from 7:10-8:20. Participants use the upcoming Sunday Gospel for reflection and discussion. The format includes visualization on the Gospel, discussion, prayer with the Gospel’s theme, and Centering Prayer. The purpose of lectio is to promote the understanding of Sacred Scripture and its application to our lives, as well as to encourage prayer. Usual attendance: twelve to fifteen. People of all ages are welcome.
On Wednesday nights from 7:30-9:00, a contemplative prayer group meets to meditate and hear a talk or see a film. The format includes two twenty-minute sessions of silent meditation and a presentation including such topics as the life of a saint, techniques of prayer, the use of Scripture in prayer, and current scientific study on the effects of prayer and meditation on brain functioning, overall health, and the development of positive and loving attitudes. Usual attendance: eighteen to thirty. People of all ages are welcome.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Prayer and Meditation event calendar
Praying Goodbye
This is a once a year event for those who have lost a child. It happens early in the year after the feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28th. The evening involves prayer, music, and remembering the child who was lost. All who have lost children through divorce, drugs, SIDS, abortion, or any other causes are invited. Watch the bulletin for information.
Retreats & Workshops
Our parish offers the opportunity to participate in several retreat experiences during the year. At least two weekends a year are held at St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo. There is a men’s retreat in Sierra Madre each year. The parish council annually hosts a retreat speaker who gives a parish mission on campus. Several times a year, there are one-day retreats here at Our Lady Queen of Angels, and at St. Andrew’s Abbey. Christ Renews His Parish is a retreat program that is just forming. Watch the bulletin for more information.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Retreats event calendar
2008 Summer Gathering Series Begins
Each summer on Monday evenings after the 5:30 p.m. Mass, there is a complementary potluck dinner open to all parishioners in the Parish Center Hall. Following good food and conversation, a speaker or presentation is given on a current topic of interest to adult Catholics. The purpose of these events is to increase participants’ learning and appreciation of their Catholicism in an enjoyable way while meeting fellow parishioners in a fun, relaxed dinner setting. Each family brings a salad or dessert to serve 8 people.
This year, the theme of our Series is the Position of the Church on Social Issues.
Carol Bayley, Ph.D.
Plan to join your fellow parishioners on Monday, July 14th to hear Carol Bayley, Ph.D., Vice President of Ethics and Justice, Catholic Healthcare West, speak on Compassionate Dying: Issues at the End of Life. Carol will travel from the San Francisco area to be with us.
She will show us that in loving the body at the end of life, we can love the soul. For yourself: Who can speak your mind? What do you want them to say? For your loved ones: How to be with a dying person?
These are all questions we need to hear and answer.
Note the Rest of Summer Series
Monday, July 21st - The Throwaway Generation by Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., Founder of Homeboy Industries and worker with gangs in East LA,
Monday, July 28th - Restorative Justice: An alternative to Incarceration by Fr. George Horan, Director of the Office of Restorative Justice, Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
Monday, August 4th - An Eye for an Eye: The Church’s Position on Capital Punishment by Bishop Gabino Zavala, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. That evening the Bishop will celebrate a special Mass for the Feast of Our Lady Queen of Angels
To volunteer to serve or clean-up for any or all of the Series events, call Thais O’Neil at 949-644-0230.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Summer Gatherings event calendar
Wanted: Twelve Apostles
Sessions of Catholic update, including reviewing how Catholics interpret Scripture as well as the basic teachings of the Church, and an introduction to group leadership is currently underway. All adults and teens who would like to deepen their faith and broaden their Catholic knowledge are invited. This program is for those who would like to prepare themselves to assist with Children’s Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, and other group leadership. Watch the bulletin for details.
For more information, contact Dr. Victoria Dendinger at (949) 219-1408.
View the Wanted: Twelve Apostles event calendar
We Thirst
On Sunday mornings during the academic year, when their children are in their faith formation classes, parents and other interested adults meet to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
For more information, contact Tom and Helene Markel at (949) 760-8696.
