Ministries
Ministries
Christian Meditation
What is Christian meditation? It’s an ancient practice of contemplative prayer, where one opens the mind and heart to silence, simplicity, and stillness. Like any practice, there are a few simple steps. Please join Genevieve Lane, Fr. Francis, and other meditators every Wednesday on Zoom, from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m., to practice together the art of Christian meditation.
Fr. Francis Kim
Young Adult Ministry
Young Adult Ministry accompanies young people ages 18-39 in various stages of life and discernment. Our goal is to create paths to encounter Jesus Christ in your own life. Together with a strong community of young adults and support from our clergy we provide a safe space to share your faith and build lasting relationships with other members of our parish. Join us at one of our many fun activities and form part of our amazing group of young adults.
Contemplatives in Conversation
The mission of our group is fellowship, sharing, and support for those on the contemplative path. We meet every first and third Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the convent. Each meeting includes 20 minutes of contemplative prayer and the reading of scriptural passages, the writings of Christian mystics and other material related to a monthly theme (e.g., humility, spiritual maturity, love, grace, and prayer). Participants are guided through a set of discussion questions designed to facilitate conversation around the month’s theme.
We seek to learn from one another as we explore the deeper meanings of Christ’s teachings and how to apply them in daily life. This group is directed to those who are given to study and conversation as a supplement to their spiritual practice.
Arthur Aghajanian
aghajanian2000@yahoo.com
Please put "Contemplatives in Conversation" in the email subject line.
GLO
St Mel’s GLO ministry is a fellowship ministry for the LGBTQ community and its allies where we share a vision of diversity and offer support on your spiritual faith journey.
Faith sharing for LGBT Catholics and their families
Alan Wong
Grief Support Group
St. Mel Parish offers support to those who are mourning the loss of loved ones. If someone close to you has died and your heart is hurting, there is a place for you at St. Mel Parish.
Each Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm in the school faculty lounge, a group of people comes together to support one another through this difficult time and for as long as you need.
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbor on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries.
The Legion of Mary meets every Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Joy Rivera
818-823-8987
M.O.M.S. Group
Ministry of Moms Sharing (MOMS) - Prayer and conversation for moms and fun for their preschool children. Mothers of young children bring their kids and gather twice a month to discuss the joys and challenges of motherhood. One Thursday each month from 8:15 am to 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Center.
Sara Aviles
saraaviles25@gmail.com
Men's Group
The St. Mel Men’s Group was founded more than 30 years ago with the belief that men’s spiritual lives can be improved by sharing their personal life experiences in small groups — focusing on a spiritual topic. Each of us is encouraged to participate and contribute our own personal experience on that week’s topic.
Members attend Mass, share breakfast, discuss relevant spiritual issues and welcome new members on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Mass begins at 8:15 a.m., socializing at 9:00 and the meeting is from 9:30 to 10:30 am.
Anselm Varni
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knitters and crocheters of all levels are welcome! Join us on the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the St. Teresa of Calcutta Room (2nd floor Parish Center).
Kim Bonilla & Kim Stockemer
Saints Among Us
Our ministry welcomes families of children and young adults with a variety of special needs into a supportive and caring community. The group is led by experienced teachers along with dedicated volunteers who provide a friendly environment to learn about God and his love for us through an accessible curriculum including art and music activities.
Our Saints Among Us class will involve preparation for the sacraments upon request of parents. The group meets after 11:15 a.m. Mass upstairs in the Parish Center one Sunday each month during the school year. Catholics from outside St. Mel Parish are welcome!
Secular Franciscans
The Secular Franciscans meet monthly at St. Mel to study and plan for living the Gospel life, serving the poor and modeling Christian living.
Leah Dulay
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry provides one-to-one care for parishioners going through a crisis or difficult time in life. Trained Stephen Ministers meet with that person on an ongoing basis, offering distinctively Catholic care and support.
St. Mel Stephen Ministers are parishioners who have spent fifty hours in study and training to become spiritual caregivers.
If you find yourself in need of encouragement or companionship due to a personal loss or significant change in your life, we want you to know that you are loved. You are cared for. And your parish is prepared to respond to your need.
Deacon Brian Conroy
818-698-2883 ext. 1018
bconroy@stmel.org
The Fireside Fellowship
These once-a-month IN PERSON and ZOOM discussion meetings offer women and men the opportunity to find a better, more meaningful life. Utilizing personal, real-life stories and coupling them with spiritual references, The Fireside Fellowship focuses on finding useful, valuable insights in everyday events that seem to float past the observations of most people. By offering practical and spiritual perspectives as well as interaction with participants, the Fellowship hopes to effect a positive change in the life and faith of each person. Do You See What I See? Discovering the Obvious, the book on which The Fireside Fellowship is based, was written by Robert Hanley who leads each meeting.
Robert Hanley
info@robert-hanley.com
818.366.7263
Brotherhood of Faith
(Men's Group)
The Brotherhood of Faith offers men a weekly opportunity for spiritual growth, support, prayer, fellowship, and … breakfast.
All men — married or single, 20somethings, working dads, retirees — whatever stage of life you find yourself in, we welcome you to our brotherhood in Christ. Our meetings are every Friday in St. Patrick Hall (the Auditorium) Breakfast is served at 6:00 a.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30. Bring some friends and come join us.
For more details, contact Bob Nicholas at (818) 340-6020, extension 1021 or BoF@stmel.org
Bob Nicholas
Theresians
Theresians are part of a global program of “women in support of women reaching out with Gospel values.” The group meets monthly for Mass, sharing, socializing, prayer and support. The Theresians meet with other groups of women from nearby areas, participate in an annual retreat, and grow in their faith vision through the dimensions of community, vocation, education and ministry.
Maty Goodman
818 825-5895
Women of Grace
One hour away from the craziness of life, mothers come together to reflect on their spiritual journey.
First Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Lourdes Curley
(310) 367-7320
Contact Us
20870 Ventura Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm