WOMEN’S MINISTRY
“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
~ Luke 1:45
Offerings for Women at OLPH
We are blessed to be the parish home of a diverse group of women who span the spectrum of vocations, life circumstances, and ages, all committed to growing in faith with one another
Special Events

OLPH Women’s Advent Retreat
“COME AWAY WITH ME” – Mark 6:31
Saturday | Dec 9
Church
OLPH Women and friends, save the date as an early Christmas gift as we Come Away from the busyness of life to restore and be loved by the one who loved us first. On this special day during Advent, we will nurture our souls, hearts, and bodies in time with Jesus, other women from the parish, an inspiring talk, a meal together, and so much more as we pray, reflect, and restore.
Our day will include a special guest speaker, Annie McHugh, Adoration, Music, Lunch, Prayer, Quiet Time, and special treats!
The schedule for the day:
- Church doors open for registration – 7:30 -8:10 am
- Mass – 8:15 am
- Retreat continues from 9 am – 3 pm

Women’s Ministry – Christmas Gathering & Book Exchange
Tuesday | December 12| 6:30 pm
Ladies of OLPH Parish, you are invited to the home of a parishioner where we will celebrate with Christmas Cheer! Bring a side or beverage to share! Also, if you would like, please bring a favorite book from your bookshelf to participate in a book exchange. We request the books be spiritual or inspirational. Please RSVP for the event address and planning purposes.


Women’s Sunset Stretch and Rest
Monday | Oct 16 | 7-8:30 pm
Patio – Parish Office (in case of rain)
Join us on the backyard patio of the parish office for an evening of light stretching and prayer, and we will end our evening with time to hang out and get to know each other. Feel free to bring a snack, dessert, or drink to share. Bring an exercise mat or yoga mat, and know that the stretching is geared for all ages and levels of flexibility.


Women’s Ministry – The Well, Morning Retreat
Saturday | October 21st| 9:00am-12 pm
OLPH Parish Office Backyard (rain location – Parish Office Living Room).
Ladies – join other women of OLPH for one simple purpose – spend time together and deepen our friendships in faith. All OLPH women and friends 21 and better are welcome!

OLPH Women’s Advent Retreat
“COME AWAY WITH ME” – Mark 6:31
Saturday | Dec 9
Church
OLPH Women and friends, save the date as an early Christmas gift as we Come Away from the busyness of life to restore and be loved by the one who loved us first. On this special day during Advent, we will nurture our souls, hearts, and bodies in time with Jesus, other women from the parish, an inspiring talk, a meal together, and so much more as we pray, reflect, and restore.
Our day will include a special guest speaker, Annie McHugh, Adoration, Music, Lunch, Prayer, Quiet Time, and special treats!
The schedule for the day:
- Church doors open for registration – 7:30 -8:10 am
- Mass – 8:15 am
- Retreat continues from 9 am – 3 pm


Women’s Sunset Stretch and Rest
Tuesday | Sept 18 | 7-8:30 pm
Patio
Join us on the backyard patio of the parish office for an evening of light stretching and prayer, and we will end our evening with time to hang out and get to know each other. Feel free to bring a snack, dessert, or drink to share. Bring an exercise mat or yoga mat, and know that the stretching is geared for all ages and levels of flexibility.

Women’s Ministry – Living in the Father’s Love!
September 8th – October 27
Small group weekly book discussion options include in-person and virtually, or you may study independently.
In a world where women are measured by beauty, achievements & possessions, wouldn’t it be nice to find a place where you could just be valued for who you are? Living in the Father’s Love will lead you to that safe place where you are unconditionally loved, baggage and all.


Women’s Ministry – The Well, Morning Retreat
Saturday | October 21st| 9:00am-12 pm
OLPH Parish Office Backyard (rain location – Parish Office Living Room).
Ladies – join other women of OLPH for one simple purpose – spend time together and deepen our friendships in faith. All OLPH women and friends 21 and better are welcome!


Women’s Ministry – “Come Away with Me”, Advent Retreat
Saturday | December 9th| 9:00 am-3 pm
Come with a heart ready to “Come Away with Me.” – Mark 6:31 This special time will include worship, music, testimony, prayer, and confession. In addition, attendees will be inspired by two talks offered by Annie McHugh. About Annie… Annie’s love for Christ and the Catholic faith has led her to work for the Church as a parish youth minister and for the Domestic Church as a homeschooling mother of six. She studied Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and Media Studies at The Catholic University of America, where she met her husband, Mike, and graduated in 2008. Now, Annie and Mike work in youth ministry at two parishes, run the Rockville Catholic Summer Program, and give talks about life and love through their family ministry, “Mike and Annie Talk.” Annie has given talks at the MD Catholic Women’s Conference and Mount 2000, but you can usually find her prepping a meal, reading a book or outdoors with her kids, or attempting to keep the clutter at bay around her home!


Women’s Ministry – Lenten Retreat for Women
Saturday | March 18, 2023 | 6-9pm
Women of the parish and friends are invited to join us for a Lenten Retreat Evening on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Sr. Albertine Cevallos, OP, will share the significance of the Holy Week liturgies with us. As a bride of Christ, Sister will teach us how to best respond to the tremendous gift of our Bridegroom’s suffering, death, and resurrection and the eternal memorial of the Eucharist.

Set the World on Fire
A 4-week personal study of the Women Doctors of the Church
Only four women in the two thousand–year history of the Church—Thérèse of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Hildegard of Bingen—have the distinction of being named Doctors of the Church because of their impact on the faith. Each week offers a unique and in-depth experience of the saint and her unique gifts to the Church. Then weekly, you will have the option of joining a small group discussion about the saint for that week.
Small groups are offered on Tues. 9 AM, Tues. 7 PM or Sat. 12 PM, beginning the week of Feb. 27th

Women’s retreat: Thurs. March 23rd – Sunday, March 26th.
St. Louis / St. Francis ACTS Ministry invites you to immerse yourself in your faith on retreat at Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland.
This is a three-day, three-night retreat with a private room and bath. Retreats begin on Thursday evenings, with check-in between 5:45- 6:15 pm at St. Louis Church Parish Hall (just to the right of the Rt. 108 entrance). Transportation will be provided to Bon Secours Retreat Center as well as a light meal upon arrival. Return is on Sunday in time for the 11:00 am mass at St. Francis or St. Louis. Family and friends are encouraged to attend Mass and a reception following Mass.
Reoccuring Opportunities


Previous Video Content
Previous Events


Ladies – Join us for a Backyard Bash!
Are you new to the Parish, ready to make some new friends in faith, or connect with old friends? Join us for this outdoor evening where we celebrate our sisterhood as OLPH Parishioners. Bring a drink or side to share and join us in the OLPH Parish Office Backyard for our evening under the stars. No need to RSVP; join us any time after 7:30 pm!


Spiritual Warfare – Preparing for the Unseen Battle
OLPH Parish is excited to welcome Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP, for her talk on Spiritual Warfare on Wednesday, October 19th, at 7 pm. Join us in the church to learn how the evil one has been working to destroy God’s people ever since Adam and Eve and how Prayer is the correct response in when in combat. God is there, along with Jesus and St Michael the Archangel, to defend us. Confession will be available at OLPH from 6-7 pm that evening, and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Adoration before and after this talk.
Click here to learn more about our speaker


A Guided Advent Holy Hour
Women of OLPH and friends are invited to this special Holy Hour, where we will set the busyness of our lives at the door, and, through music, prayer, and quiet time for reflection and journaling, we make room in our hearts for God. Ladies, take this time as a gift to yourself to hear God call you beautiful!


These Beautiful Wounds
Visio Divina with Sacred Art & Scripture
Saturday, Dec. 10 | 6:30 PM
BEHOLD – These Beautiful Wounds—a 6-week series for women beginning Thursday, Jan 12 at 8 pm. OLPH is excited to participate with BEHOLD to offer another Visio Divina event. Hosted by Nicky Verna via Zoom, women will explore our Feminine Genius as our gifts to embrace the wounds of our life and find Christ as our healing Father for those wounds. These Beautiful Wounds are for anyone struggling with past wounds, fear, or shame in any area of their life. We offer you two ways to participate – 1- in the privacy of your own home or 2- as part of a small group which will allow for discussion on each evening’s topic.
To learn more about Visio Divina, this series, visit: https://www.beholdvisiodivina.com/store/p137/Nicky_Verna%27s_Small_Group_-_These_Beautiful_Wounds_%28with_PDF_Copy_of_Text%29.html


Grab a Treat and Learn About Women’s Ministry Events
Stop by the gym after 9 am Mass on Sunday, September 18th, to grab a donut and get to know all the offerings of OLPH Women’s Ministry. Everything from upcoming special events to Catholic Mom’s Rosary Group, Social events, and more.

Encounter Christ From Trust unto Surrender
OLPH Women’s Ministry has received a special invitation by the founder of BEHOLD to participate in the newest Visio Divina offering. This six-lesson series, Encounter Christ – From Trust unto Surrender, couples Sacred art on the themes of a daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother with the Litany of Trust and Surrender Novena. During prayer, the BEHOLD facilitator will thoughtfully lead women through Vision Divina, allowing God to change one’s life by listening to Him and encountering Him through Sacred art.
Space is limited to 10 participants. Do not delay in signing up for this small group and order your book.


Ladies – Join us for a Backyard Bash!
Are you new to the Parish, ready to make some new friends in faith, or connect with old friends? Join us for this outdoor evening where we celebrate our sisterhood as OLPH Parishioners. Bring a drink or side to share and join us in the OLPH Parish Office Backyard for our evening under the stars. No need to RSVP; join us any time after 7:30 pm!