Welcome to Our Lady of the Woods
We're glad that you are here, and we hope that you encounter Jesus in our community.
We're Glad You're Here!
We are a warm and inviting Catholic Church where all are embraced with open arms. If you are new to our community, we are thrilled to have you join us on this spiritual journey.
Whether you are seeking solace, guidance, or simply a new place to call home, we welcome you with love and acceptance. Come and experience the joy of worshiping together as one family in faith.
50th Anniversary Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes
Journey with Fr. Bob Johnson and Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church on an extraordinary Catholic pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, and Lourdes. Enjoy a spiritually enriching journey to three of the most sacred pilgrimage locations in Europe. Begin at Fatima, Portugal, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. Next, travel to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, the resting place of St. James the Apostle. The pilgrimage concludes in Lourdes, France, known for the Marian apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and its renowned healing waters. This pilgrimage offers profound opportunities for prayer, reflection, and renewal of faith. Don’t miss out!
What's Our Mission?
We, the Roman Catholic faith community of Our Lady of the Woods, in communion with ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC Church and under a patronage of Mary, are joined together as a people of God. Our mission is to spread the Gospel and bring people into a relationship with God and one another through the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. We live out Christ’s mission in the world through evangelization, worship, education, stewardship, and service to the needy.
Faith Formation Registration Now Open!
We are now accepting registrations for Youth Faith Formation and Sacraments for the 2025-2026 School Year. Registration is open for all grades from Pre-K to K through Grade 8 and for all of the Family of Parish locations (Our Lady of the Woods, Sacred Heart, St. Cyprian, St. Joseph, and St. Roch).
If you have any questions,
please contact the Cheryl in the Faith Formation Office at 734-818-4520.
No Second Tunic
A Plan for Mission-Ready Families of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Click the icon to read A Pastoral Note from Archbishop Vigneron.
50th Anniversary
1975-2025:
50 Years Rooted in Faith
Check out the latest news & events during our 50th Year!
Adoration Chapel
The Adoration Chapel, located in the Christian Growth Center, is open during Parish Office hours.
Come spend some time with Jesus!
Join Us For
Mass & Reconciliation
Weekend Mass Times
- Saturday (Vigil Mass) at 4:00 pm
- Sunday at 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Livestream options are available for the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday.
Weekday Mass Times
9:00 am Monday, Tuesday, & Friday
Holy Day Mass Times
Published in The Branch & on the Calendar
Sacrament of Reconciliation
- 3:00 - 3:45 pm Saturdays in the Church
- By appointment with Fr. Bob
Coming Soon in the Woods
For more information on these, or all events, click the link below.
Patriotic Golf Outing
Erie Metropark Golf Course
Saturday, July 19 | 7 AM Registration
Have a blessed Flag Day, OLOW friends!
Lord, we give thanks for your great preacher, St. Anthony, and ask that, through his intercession, we here at OLOW may always secure what is needed for our salvation. Amen!
This dazzling crown jewel of American Catholicism boasts 80 chapels and oratories, all alight with dozens of mosaics. Take a virtual tour today, OLOW family, and be refreshed by #truthbeautygoodness! See here: https://www.nationalshrine.org/virtual-tour/
ALL - without exception. This sign of unity and power, the Holy Spirit descending upon all gathered in Christ's name, is a beautiful prefigurement of the unity we will enjoy in heaven. Let's pray for that unity here at OLOW.
Today marks the anniversary of the start of the great liberation of Europe during World War II. Will you remember the dead today? Will you pray for them, OLOW family? Leave a 🙏🏻 in the comments below.
Want a deep dive into the life of today's incredible saint? Strap in - you're going to be amazed at what you learn! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J93a2eNALjg
According to some of his former employees in Rome, Pope Leo XIV generally prefers a glass of wine to one of Pope Benedict's favorite dinner drinks, Fanta.
What's your beverage of choice at dinner?
This month, our recently departed Holy Father, Pope Francis had asked us to pray here at OLOW for the following: "Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world."
Jesus is no longer on earth, at least as he was during his ministry. But rather than a source of sorrow, this should bring us joy for two reasons. One, he goes ahead of us to prepare a place for us in his Father's house. And two, he doesn't leave us alone but sends his Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and transform us. That's what we'll be getting ready for: the solemnity of Pentecost. Join all of us at Our Lady of the Woods as we prepare for Pentecost by coming to Mass: 9:00 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
Happy feast of the Visitation! We know the scene well. After accepting God's plan to become the mother of God, Mary travels "with haste" to visit her cousin Elizabeth. However, the translation of this passage from Luke's Gospel, which was used until recently in England (the Jerusalem Bible), puts it differently. It says that Mary "went as quickly as she could." This translation makes the point clear: when we're filled with Christ, as Mary was, our hearts are moved to love and serve others to the fullest degree possible!
Today, on the feast of the Visitation, our prayer here at Our Lady of the Woods is to receive Jesus' love into our hearts more fully, so that we can serve others as "much as we can" - just like Mary.
In 1968, St. Paul VI heroically reaffirmed the Catholic Church's insistence that human sexuality must be open to life. His encyclical, Humanae Vitae, has inspired many approaches to life-affirming fertility, including those championed at the Saint Paul VI Institute at Creighton University. Visit the link to learn more: https://saintpaulvi.com
May is almost over, and that means summer is right around the corner! Have any big plans this summer season? Let us know in the comments below. And with the more laid-back schedule, why not consider joining us for daily Mass? We have weekday Masses at 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
On Memorial Day, we remember those who have died defending our country and promoting the well-being of others abroad. Here is a prayer for today from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops:
God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace, especially those from OLOW.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Is love a feeling? No, it's a choice. And in today's Gospel, Jesus makes something clear: the quality of our love is directly connected to what we do. In the case of Christ, we cannot claim to love him if we do not keep his word, follow his ways, and love as he loves. So OLOW family, let's take this opportunity to ask God to help us love him more and more fully every day. #SundayScripture
There are as many as 100 million Christians in China. Still, they experience brutal crackdowns from the government, including surveillance and restrictions on religious activity, and even a ban on those under 18 attending Mass. Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, which Pope Benedict XVI instituted 17 years ago. Follow the link for more information--and please, join us at Our Lady of the Woods in praying for our Chinese brothers and sisters. https://www.churchinneed.org/a-call-for-christians-to-join-the-world-day-of-prayer-for-the-church-in-china/
St. Rita is linked to the "Legend of the Rose," an event near the end of her life. Laying on her deathbed in January 1457, the Italian widow and nun asked a relative to get her a rose from the garden. As it was the dead of winter, her relative didn't expect to find anything. But lo and behold, a single rose was found growing. For this reason, St. Rita is known as a patroness of impossible causes. St. Rita, pray for us at Our Lady of the Woods!
The Hail Mary is possibly the most recited prayer in the world. But oftentimes, we can speed through it without stopping to reflect on its powerful words. So, take some time now, which phrase from the prayer jumps out to you and resonates with your heart? Tell us in the comments below.
We here at OLOW are OVER THE MOON at the choice of Pope Leo XIV. May God grant his strength and peace as he begins his ministry!
What does it mean to love like Jesus does? If there's any doubt, consider the context of today's Gospel reading, during which Jesus gives his commandment for us to "love one another": the upper room, on the eve before his death on the cross. This isn't an accident. Instead, it's a witness to what loving like Christ looks like: self-emptying for the sake of another. That's what we are called to do with everyone around us.
A tall task? Of course. But fortunately, we're equipped with the spirit of the one who already did it. Here at Our Lady of the Woods, let's devote ourselves to receiving Christ's love more fully, so we can better love like he does. #SundayScripture
Edgar Allan Poe is known as the Father of Horror. However, a lesser-known fact is that this Baltimore-based author was also curious about Catholicism and befriended the local Jesuits. As proof, here's a poem Poe wrote in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, "Hymn" (1845):
Sancta Maria! turn thine eyes
Upon the sinner's sacrifice
Of fervent prayer and humble love,
From thy holy throne above.
At morn, at noon, at twilight dim
Maria! thou hast heard my hymn.
In joy and wo, in good and ill
Mother of God! be with me still.
When my hours flew gently by,
And no storms were in the sky,
My soul, lest it should truant be
Thy love did guide to thine and thee.
Now, when clouds of Fate o'ercast
All my Present, and my Past,
Let my Future radiant shine
With sweet hopes of thee and thine!
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
It's Mary's month! So what better time to ask for Our Lady's intercession by offering up a decade of the rosary for your OLOW community? And if you need some help and inspiration, watch this video with Fr. Mike Schmitz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKVCVRkLNzE
Not a ton is known about St. Matthias. He was picked to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles. He was likely born in Bethlehem and studied God's law under Simeon before following Christ. He then spread the Good News around the Mediterranean before he was martyred.
But even though we don't know much about St. Matthias--whether he was a brilliant speaker, a courageous leader, or a great administrator--we know he was an apostle. He was chosen to be a leader of the Church through the means that God ordained. And the same is true of our bishops today, modern successors of the apostles. Let's pray for them all, especially our own, at daily Mass, which we celebrate on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM.
Did you know our Family of Parishes has a men's ministry called, "Fishers of Men?" We recently hosted an event with Chuck Gaidica, as he shared his story of coming home to the Catholic Church. For more information about our men's ministry or to hear previous talks, go to https://www.downrivermissionariesforchrist.com/fishers-of-men-mens-ministry
These days, people are often looking for distinctive names for their kids. If so, they should take a look at the saints. While many common names (like John, Mary, and Joseph) come from the saints, many saint names haven't yet made their way into the mainstream.
We celebrate three of them today:
Pancras, which means "the one that holds everything"
Nereus, which means "water"
and Achilleus, which derives from the Greek word for "pain"
All three were martyrs at the hands of the Roman Empire, and all would make great names for any new babies in our OLOW community!
Does it ever bother you that Jesus calls us all "sheep"? Sheep, after all, can be a pejorative term meant to describe someone who never thinks for themselves but does what they're told.
But that's not how Jesus uses the term. Instead, Jesus is getting at the important truth of our relationship with him: He is God, we are not. And while we do not follow him "without thinking," we do follow him with trust and devotion, even when we can't see the path he leads us down.
At OLOW, we follow him because he, and he alone, is the Good Shepherd. #SundayScripture
Today is the feast of St. Damien of Molokai, a heroic priest who gave his life serving in the leper colonies of Hawaii. Follow the link to view a video about the Damien and Marianne of Molokai Education Center, found at the parish of St. Augustine by the Sea in Honolulu. And if anyone from our OLOW family has been, let us know!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkzH1CRWO0o
Helena, by the great English Catholic convert Evelyn Waugh, tells the story of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine and the finder of the True Cross. The novel blends Waugh's typically delightful prose with beautiful spiritual insights into this princess-turned-saint. Take it from all of us at OLOW--it should be on your summer reading list! #TruthGoodnessBeauty
'Pope' comes from the word 'pappas', meaning 'father'. A pope is often called the Holy Father, in the sense that he serves the Church's members like a father serves his children.
The Holy Father often visits Catholics around the world to give blessings, say prayers, and answer questions on the faith, but he is, most importantly the visible sign of unity here at OLOW and throughout the world.
White smoke signifies that a cardinal has received the required majority vote to become the next Successor to St. Peter. It is made by chemicals added to burned ballots. White is also the color of the pope's vestments, as well as one-half of the Vatican flag!
It's the Feast of Pius V - and NONE of us were alive during his reign! But who was the pope of your childhood - the first one you remember? Let us know in the comments.
And let's continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis as a OLOW family. Hail Mary, full of grace...
The French painter Delacroix had a knack for expressing emotion through his art - in this 1854 painting, you can clearly see the TOTAL trust of the Son as the boat is tossed about on the waves. May we be as trusting here at OLOW when times are tough! You can learn more about this painting here: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/40613/christ-on-the-sea-of-galilee/ #truthbeautygoodness
In today's first reading, we hear that the Apostles had true POWER - from God himself. Their words - about Jesus and his resurrection - were accompanied by signs and wonders. What they said or intended, in Jesus' name, HAPPENED. This is one of the ways that we know our faith is real - there is both word and power in what the Church intends and does!
What has really captured your attention in prayer and in the readings, OLOW family? Fr. Bob wants to know!
Isn't our legacy of caring for the sick incredible? You can learn more about the #truthbeautygoodness of our Catholic hospitals right here: https://www.chausa.org/news-and-publications/facts-and-statistics
What's an Octave, anyway? Watch our video to learn more!
Pope Francis has passed away. As an OLOW family, let's pray for his soul and thank God for his service as his vicar of God's holy Church. You can keep an eye on developments by visiting https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
Christ is risen! Today, we celebrate our Lord's conquering of death. Glory to you, Jesus - our victorious king! HAPPY EASTER from all of us here at OLOW!
On this Holy Saturday, everything is still before the Lord's Resurrection. Today, embrace the beauty of this silence. Rest and reflect on God's saving work, which is about to come to completion this evening at the Easter Vigil. Will you join us at OLOW?
Easter Vigil Mass - 8:30 PM
On this Good Friday of the Lord's Crucifixion, we pray that we will all hear these words at our own death. Jesus, thank you for shedding your blood for us here at OLOW, Lord.
Stations of the Cross - 12:00 PM
Seven Last Words of Christ - 1:00 PM
Good Friday Liturgy - 2:00 PM
May we all pray for one another as we begin the Sacred Triduum this evening.
Mass of the Last Supper will be offered at 7:00 PM and will be also available via livestream on Facebook and YouTube. Solemn Adoration will follow in the Chapel until 11:00 PM.
You may have heard that today is traditionally called "Spy Wednesday" - but why do we call it that, and what is its significance? Click the link to learn more: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254020/why-is-today-called-spy-Wednesday
Are you keeping the radio off? Limiting your screen time? Increasing your prayer? Let us know in the comments, OLOW family!
In today's processional Gospel, Jesus is done hiding who he is. When the Pharisees attempt to rebuke him, Jesus reveals himself - as the Lord of all Creation. The stones themselves would cry out in worship if his followers did not!
The patron saint of Poland did NOT know More or Becket on this earth, but his life followed a similar trajectory to theirs. As Bishop of Kraków, he stood up to King Boleslaus II, the bloodthirsty monarch of Poland. The king actually killed the saintly bishop with his bare hands. St. Stanislaus, peacemaker, and lover of justice, pray for us here at OLOW!
Happy National Siblings Day, OLOW! If you have a brother or sister, tag them in the comments and tell them how grateful you are for them!
There are many ways you can enter into Holy Week at OLOW, and the key is to prepare TODAY for the incredible action of next week. Here's some food for thought from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis about preparing and "entering in" as deeply as possible! https://www.archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/catholic-faith/what-is-holy-week-and-what-should-christians-do-to-properly-recognize-and-participate-in-it/
A Monday in Lent doesn't really seem like a great day to have a beer - it's Lent. So, if you're tempted…now's the time to offer it up for your salvation and the salvation of the WHOLE world.
Is there a fate worse than death, especially dying tragically and suddenly? In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us there is: to not repent of our sins. Living in unrepentant sin cuts us from God, who is the source of life. In other words, it kills us.
But thanks be to God; the Lord always offers us mercy and an invitation to repent and return to him. This Lenten season, let's each make this our task here at Our Lady of the Woods. #SundayScripture
The Sorrowful Mysteries help us contemplate important moments from Christ's passion, our focus during this Lenten season. They are:
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion of Our Lord
Is one of these mysteries especially meaningful to you? Do you have any special tips on how to pray them? All of us at Our Lady of the Woods would love to know! Please share in the comments below.
Did you hear the news? The Church will get two new saints later this year, both with big followings and important lessons for Catholic youth and young adults!
Follow the link to learn more about the upcoming canonizations of Bl. Carlo Acutis and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, and how their prayers and witness can aid all of us here at OLOW! https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260581/carlo-acutis-and-pier-giorgio-frassati-to-be-canonized-in-2025-pope-francis-announces-dates
Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Not a word is attributed to St. Joseph in Sacred Scripture, yet he is a holy and powerful man. Why else would God have picked him to be the foster father of Jesus?
We continue to turn to him for intercession and inspiration, especially for the virtues he uniquely possessed, which are included in his many titles. family, let's meditate upon them today while praying that we become holy like Joseph:
Light of Patriarchs
Chaste guardian of the Virgin
Diligent protector of Christ
Head of the Holy Family
Joseph most just
Joseph most chaste
Joseph most strong
Joseph most obedient
Mirror of patience
Glory of home life
Guardian of virgins
Hope of the sick
Patron of the dying
Terror of demons
Protector of Holy Church
Attributed to the fifth-century saint we celebrate today, "St. Patrick's Breastplate" is a prayer for protection. While it can be said year-round, it seems especially relevant for Lent, so please join us at Our Lady of the Woods in praying a short version of it today on St. Patrick's Day!
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
AMEN
Lent can be challenging! But we don't endure our Lenten sacrifices simply for the sake of suffering. Instead, we enter into Lent for the sake of what lies on the other side of it: Resurrection! Today's Gospel, which highlights Jesus' transfiguration and the revelation of his glory, is a bit of a "sneak peek" of this reality.
Like the apostles he revealed himself to, he wants to strengthen all of us at OLOW amidst this time of trial. Let's trust that our Lenten disciplines will draw us closer to him! #SundayScripture
No, that's not a typo. Today, 3.14, is National Pi Day --"pi" referring to the mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
Don't forget... Stations of the Cross are offered at 7:00 PM today in the church!
We're one week into Lent. How's it going for you? Is there anything Fr. Bob and all of us at OLOW can pray for you about? Just let us know in the comments below!
In addition to prayer and fasting, we also give alms during Lent. The Catechism defines almsgiving as "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." Let's all learn more about opportunities for almsgiving, OLOW community, by visiting the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' resource page at the link below:
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent
We know that Jesus resisted serious temptations from the devil in the desert for 40 days. But we're missing a key part of the story if we don't note where Jesus came from before his trial began.
As today's Gospel notes, Jesus came directly from the Jordan River. And what had happened at the Jordan? The clouds opened up, the Holy Spirit came down, and God the Father affirmed that Jesus was his "beloved Son." Rooted in his relationship with the Father, Jesus was ready to withstand the temptations of the devil.
There's a lesson here for us, OLOW, as we begin our Lenten journey. Let's first begin by remembering that we too are beloved sons and daughters of God, as we prepare for the prayer, penance, and almsgiving that lie ahead. #SundayScripture
Lent is a penitential season. But what exactly is "penance?" What does it mean, and why does it matter to us at Our Lady of the Woods? Watch today's #TheologyThursday video to find out!
It's Friday in Lent, so don't eat meat! But why not? Follow the link to learn why Catholics fast and practice abstinence during the Lenten season. https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-do-catholics-practice-fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent
Lent is a time of struggle, acknowledging sin in our lives and working to overcome it with God's grace. Perhaps no novel captures this dynamic better than Kristin Lavransdatter, written by Sigrid Undset, a 20th-century Norwegian author, Nobel Prize Winner, and Catholic convert. Set in medieval Scandinavia, the epic follows the saga of Kristin, a young noblewoman, and her long winding path through sin and selfishness toward holiness.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of our penitential Lenten season. Visit our parish website to see when we have liturgies today at www.olow.org, and join us if you can!
While European countries like Italy, France, and Ireland were Christianized in the first half of the first millennium, Lithuania remained pagan until the late 14th century. Today's saint, St. Casimir, was born to Lithuania's ruling family less than a hundred years later and was renowned for his piety, devotion to God, and generosity to the poor and downtrodden. He is just another example of how the grace of God can transform an entire nation!
St. Katharine Drexel grew up in a wealthy family in Philadelphia but gave up a life of luxury to devote her life to serving African and Native Americans. Several Catholic schools dedicated to serving minorities were founded or funded by her, including Xavier University of Louisiana and St. Michael Indian School in Arizona.
St. Katharine Drexel, patron of racial justice, help all of us at OLOW promote unity between all of God's children!
It seems to be a fact of human nature: it's easier to point out another's faults than to take ownership of our own. Perhaps the fear of honestly facing our weaknesses and shortcomings prompts us to highlight them in others. The problem is that if we never focus on the beam in our own eye, our vision will be obscured. In some way, we'll be blind. And if we're a parent, teacher, employer, or other kind of leader, that means there's a risk of leading others astray.
Thankfully, the Lenten season, which starts on Wednesday, is a time dedicated to taking stock of our faults, and asking the Lord for his help to see and overcome them.
Let's pray today at OLOW that we might embrace this Lenten season as a time to work on removing the beam in our eye, so we can lead others forward in holiness. #SundayScripture
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
Hey OLOW, today is National Pancake Day! Are you an originalist who loves pancakes with butter and syrup or are you more daring with your toppings? Tell us in the comments below.
Do you know if Fr. Bob likes pancakes? If so, are you taking him out for breakfast? :-)
OLOW, one week from today we enter the desert with Jesus for 40 days. Do you know what your sacrifices will be this Lent?
Mass times at our parish for Ash Wednesday are: 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Additional times for our Family of Parishes are:
8:30 Mass at Sacred Heart
8:30 Liturgy of the Word at St. Joseph
12 noon Mass at St. Roch
12 noon Liturgy of the Word at St. Cyprian
2:30 Liturgy of the Word at St. Joseph
6:00 pm Mass at St. Cyprian and St. Roch
6:30 pm Liturgy of the Word at Sacred Heart
7:00 pm Mass at St. Joseph
Very soon, we'll be praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
What are the 14 stations?
One of the great challenges that the Jews of the 1st century faced was preserving their culture in the face of oppression. Eventually, many Pharisees began to put up barriers between themselves and Gentiles that simply didn't need to be there, according to God's word. Jesus' message of mercy recalled the Jews of Israel to their original mission - to bring the message of God to the whole world.
Today is the feast day for The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle. This day commemorates the apostolic succession and office of supreme pastor from Saint Peter to Pope Francis, that was given by Jesus Christ himself.
Saint Peter Damian, known as the Monitor of the Popes, was a hermit, bishop, and a Doctor of the Church.
Earlier this month, we celebrated Our Lady of Lourdes. But do you know this story?
What are you thinking about, OLOW family?
OLOW, these scripture verses give insight into the future work of the Church, but they also provide insight into our lives.
When the apostles work solely on their abilities, they fail. They grow tired and weary. When they listen and follow Christ, the fruits are abundant. When the church follows Christ obediently, she grows and prospers.
As Catholics, when we open ourselves to Jesus and follow his will, more often than not, we see blessings and grace.
OLWO - in light of St. Josephine Bakhita's memorial, the Church encourages us to pray and bring awareness to the evil act of human trafficking.
An absolute sin against the dignity of the human person, human trafficking is a "business" that harms millions of people.
To learn more about how you can help defeat this practice, click here: https://preghieracontrotratta.org/?lang=en
One of the great Catholic authors of the 20th century is Gilbert Keith Chesterton, known to millions worldwide as G.K Chesterton. In his book, St. Thomas Aquinas – “The Dumb Ox” he states the following about Thomas –
“...this great intellectual creation was a Christian and Catholic creation and cannot be understood as anything else. It was Aquinas who baptized Aristotle, when Aristotle could not have baptized Aquinas; it was a purely Christian miracle which raised the great Pagan from the dead.”
As he traveled to Nagasaki to be crucified, along with 26 others, St. Paul Miki said...
On this day, when we see many cases of breast cancer, let us turn our attention and pray for those affected by this terrible disease. Let us ask for the intercession of St. Agatha, the patron saint of breast cancer, who in the 6th century was tortured by having her breasts cut off.
If you have time in your day and there is a Mass offered, think about offering your Mass for someone in your life suffering from this illness. Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM or Thursday at 9:00 AM at St. Roch.
Hey, OLOW - there are six orders in the Catholic Church that have formed our understanding of the monastic life. They are the Benedictines, the Carmelites, the Carthusians, the Norbertines, the Franciscans, and the Dominicans.
To learn more about each order, click on the link and answer the question - what order do you align with more and why?
https://media.ascensionpress.com/2019/11/20/12-catholic-orders-part-one-historic-orders/
Normally, on the feast of St. Blaise, the church blesses the throats of the faithful. Many healings have come from this blessing and by the intercession of St. Blaise.
OLOW, although the walk to Calvary would not begin for Jesus and Our Lady until the miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana, we see a small glimpse of Calvary and the cross in these words spoken by Simeon.
Through God’s grace, he knows that many will reject Jesus, and, in turn, Our Lady will feel that same pain in her heart. Part of her vocation is that she will be the suffering mother. Here, the Church sees the beginning of Our Lady’s sorrowful heart.
Pope Francis' prayer intention for February is for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us pray with him as a OLOW family:
"Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life."
Are Catholic schools in the United States focused on academic excellence? Personal integrity? Citizenship? Yes to ALL of these things - but at the core, being a part of a Catholic school is about holiness.
That's what makes a Catholic education so incredible. On this Catholic Schools Week, let's offer up our prayers here at OLOW for the continued growth of our Catholic schools.
When you attend a Catholic school, you quickly learn the key lessons in life about each individual's God-given dignity, the rights and responsibilities we all have as made in the image of God, and our responsibility to create a just society where people can flourish. Pretty incredible, right?
We know Fr. Bob did - from seminary. Did you graduate from a Catholic school? Let us know if you're one of the few, the proud, the educated for eternal life…
Did you know that OLOW offers financial support for active parish families who send their children to a Catholic School? For more information to apply or to support our program, visit www.olow.org/TAP.
Was it a favorite teacher? Class? Moment of grace? We'd love to hear, OLOW.
Help active families in our parish send their children to Catholic Schools by supporting the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). For more information to apply or to support the program, visit https://www.olow.org/TAP.
Our Catholic schools are one of the great treasures of the Church in the United States. Thankfully, we have a whole week to celebrate them.
Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday and goes until Feb. 1. Follow the link to learn how you can join the celebration! https://www.ncea.org/csw/
The whole world is longing for salvation - for freedom that is total, for joy that lasts, for life that fulfills. But like so many of Jesus' contemporaries, it's easy for us to overlook this salvation when it's offered to us. When it shows up in our midst. In many ways, we'd rather go on in our self-sufficient imperfection than embrace true freedom if it means giving up comfort or total control. But Christ is always reaching out to us with this offer anew.
OLOW family, let's recommit to embracing it.
#SundayScripture
Perhaps no painter's handiwork is as recognizable as Caravaggio's. The Italian Renaissance artist's hyper-realistic oil paintings and bold colors have a way of capturing the eye. But Caravaggio is also a master of using his artistic techniques to shed some theological light on his subjects.
In this painting depicting the focus of today's feast day, St. Paul's conversion, the Italian painter uses a style called "tenebrism" to create the dramatic effect of a light shining amidst the enveloping darkness. The light is meant to symbolize the presence of God, who overwhelms Saul, knocking him onto his back and opening him to conversion.
Let's pray that all of us at OLOW might respond to God's grace similarly.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of journalism. So perhaps unsurprisingly, the Catholic Media Association's award for the individual who has made an "outstanding contribution to Catholic journalism" is named after him.
Check out the list of "Franny" winners at the link below.
Maybe we'll see a OLOW parishioner on there one day!
https://www.catholicmediaassociation.org/st-francis-de-sales-award
St. Marianne Cope is only the 11th Catholic saint to have lived in what is now the United States and is one of the most recently canonized, having only been declared a saint in 2012. Her life took her from Germany to New York and, finally, to Hawaii. She spent her last decades on the island of Molokai, educating and caring for members of the leper colony.
To spread joy, she was known for bringing brightly colored scarves to women on the island. St. Marianne Cope, patroness of outcasts, help all of us at OLOW love the misfortunate as fervently as you did.
Today is the anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade. Although Roe was overturned in 2022, pro-lifers still march for life and prenatal justice. Learn more in our video below--and consider coming to Mass today to pray for the protection of unborn life.
Weekday Mass times are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM.
It's often said that to understand what someone means, watch what they do. And that quip perfectly captures what happens in today's Gospel. Jesus' response to his mother may seem brusque, but his actions show that it's not a dismissal. Mary's concern does affect Jesus--it prompts him to perform a miracle to save the wedding celebration. And Mary continues to play this intercessory role in our own life.
Let's turn to her and ask her to ask Jesus to continue to bless all of us at OLOW.
#SundayScripture
Visual arts can convey truth in more vivid ways than the written word. In this 16th-century Dutch painting, we see how St. Anthony of the Desert, today's saint, overcame temptation by turning his back on it and focusing on Christ. The various temptations are presented as grotesque, unnatural allurements because sin takes us away from who we're meant to be. But St. Anthony is unperturbed, his eyes locked in on Jesus, the perfection of humanity. It's a powerful image, and one we encourage you to contemplate.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
Today is Wednesday, when we typically pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. But what set of mysteries is your favorite to meditate upon?
Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, or Glorious? Bonus points if you can guess Father Bob's or Father Marc's!
Today begins Ordinary Time in the Church's liturgical year. But just because this season doesn't have a particular focus like Lent or Christmas doesn't mean it's a break from pursuing the Lord.
In fact, the green we see at liturgies throughout Ordinary Time is meant to symbolize that now is a time for us and that this period is a good time to grow in holiness by settling into good spiritual routines and practices. So why not start Ordinary Time off by adding a weekday Mass to your schedule?
Check out our Mass schedule!
Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM
At different points in his ministry, especially during times of rejection, Jesus returned to the Jordan River, where he was baptized. Why?
Today's scripture gives a possible answer: because it was the place where the Father, in an extraordinary way, affirmed Christ's sonship. Through our own baptism, we have become sons and daughters of God. And like Jesus, it can be good for us to return to that central truth of our identity, especially when we're facing difficulties and uncertainties in life.
OLOW family, let's join Jesus in going back to the Jordan in prayer today.
#SundayScripture
Everybody knows that Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. But did you know that the Church asks Catholics to engage in penitential practices on Fridays throughout the year?
It's all because Friday is the day that Jesus died for our sins. In the U.S., our bishops ask us to engage in some form of voluntary self-denial on Fridays and still hold abstaining from meat in "first place."
Let's prayerfully discern how we'll respond to this invitation at OLOW.
Gerard Manley Hopkins was a Catholic convert and a Jesuit priest in 19th-century England. He is also one of the greatest English-language poets to ever live. Many of his poems, such as "Pied Beauty," draw our attention to the beauty of God's diverse, even extravagant creation. Hopkins communicates this beauty not only through the natural images described by his poems, but with the rhythmic rhymes he uses to illustrate them.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
RSVP today for the Rescue Project!
The 7-week series from 6-8 pm on Wednesday nights begins on January 22. The link below offers more information!
https://downrivermissionariesforchrist.com/the-rescue-project-1
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@OURLADYOFTHEWOODS // #OURLADYOFTHEWOODS
Won't You Join Us?
Simply attending Mass doesn’t automatically register you. To become a member, you need to sign up and formally register. This commitment connects you to our community and includes you in our religious, social, and ministerial activities. Your registration helps shape our parish life, from Mass schedules to social events.
How do I join?
Registration forms are available in the Gathering Space in the church; complete the form and return it to the Parish Office by dropping it in any of the collection boxes in the church. You can complete a copy online and print it on your own.