Holy Trinity’s Young Mothers - Coming Together In Fellowship And Fun!

As a young mother with small children, its often difficult to find an opportunity to worship or communicate with peers in an environment that also allows for the inclusion of children. Thanks to Holy Trinity’s Adult Faith Formation Office, there is now a new and exciting ministry available to parish Moms looking to grow spiritually and socially, along with their kids!

Started in the Fall of 2006 in an effort to better connect with women during this demanding stage of their lives, the Young Mother’s Group seeks to combine Catholic faith formation with peer support-system camaraderie. It targets parish mothers with children from newborn to 4 years of age who are seeking “more” from their affiliation with the Church. According to Carol Neary, Director of Holy Trinity’s Adult Faith Formation Office, “we are always looking for ways to better reach the ministry needs of our parishioners and felt that the creation of the Young Mother’s Group would do just that.”

The mission of the group has been defined as: 1) to provide encouragement, support and sharing among young mothers, 2) to provide a reliable, loving and spirit filled ministry in which moms can be nurtured and strengthened and in turn be empowered to give back to the church and their families, 3) to provide an environment where women can grow in their faith, and 4) to be a source of prayer for each other. Eventually, it is the hope of the Faith Formation Office that the group become large enough to split into two age-defined gatherings: one for brand new mothers with newborns and infants and one for “experienced“ mothers of toddlers and preschoolers.

In addition to conducting timely liturgical discussions and scripture readings, the group addresses such topics as how holy observances, such as Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, can be celebrated age-appropriately with children. Adding an interesting twist, the group also focuses on a variety of non-religious topics that mothers express an interest in learning more about, from “Fun Things To Do With Children in Portland” to “Education Options: Public, Private or Home Schools”. The group has even been helpful in mobilizing mothers to help explore the possibility of adding an on-site preschool program to the Holy Trinity School (LOOK FOR THE HOLY TRINITY PRESCHOOL SURVEY). Holding true to the initial vision of the group itself, the topics of discussion for each gathering are proposed and led by the mothers themselves, thereby, allowing the group/discussion to take on a life of its own.

And its fun for the kids too! Because the Young Mother’s Group encourages children to come and play, there is no need for a nursery or babysitter. Located in a safe and “for the most part” child-proof environment, children who accompany their mothers get to know their “peers” as well, through coloring activities and uninhibited free-play. Snacks and refreshments, of course, are welcomed and encouraged! “I feel the Young Mother’s Group is a great way to get to know mothers and children of the parish I would not otherwise have the opportunity to meet,” says parishioner and mother of two young daughters, Christine Koelling.

The Young Mother’s Group currently meets at Holy Trinity Church on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 9:30 am – 11 am in the Fireside Room. (Please make note that there will be no meeting the 4th Wednesday of March due to Spring Break and that the schedule is subject to change based on Holy Trinity School‘s holiday/vacation schedule.) For questions or to learn more about the Young Mother‘s Group, please contact Carol Neary, Director of Adult Faith Formation, in the Faith Formation office at (503) 646-0331 x125.

Saturday: 5:30 pm

Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:15 am
Mon-Fr: 8:15 am
in the chapel; Wed in the Church.

Holy Days: 8:15 am, 7:00 pm

Reconciliation
Saturday: 4-5 pm