Catholic singles group marks five years of ministry

By Sylvia L White, The Catholic Sun
July 5, 2007

Catholic Singles Ministry celebrated five years of fellowship with Mass and presentations June 23 at Mount Claret Retreat Center.

“Our Lord in His wisdom placed in my heart the need to reach out to individuals in the age range of late 30s to 50,” said Karina Penaranda, one of the group’s founders, “as there are several other groups within the Church that cater to younger singles and to senior citizens.”

In 2002, Penaranda approached seven other singles one by one to gather together a core group to begin the ministry. The first retreat back in 2003 had 45 attendees.

“That told us this ministry is needed,” Penaranda said.

Most participants begin involvement in the ministry through a retreat weekend, but those who cannot commit to a whole weekend participate in other activities.

Kari Froelicher drives from her home in Wickenburg to attend as many functions as possible.

“It’s good to have a singles group that’s Catholic,” Froelicher said. She also says attending a retreat specifically for singles is helpful because it makes it easier to relate to others.

Kathy Bridges, another participant in the ministry, said people treat singles differently than married couples in social situations.

“They don’t invite single people to parties and to be part of their lives as often as they do if you are married,” she said.

Since being involved with the ministry she knows it’s not just her being singled out.

“It’s nice to be able to go places with other singles and have a great time with others as I did with my late husband and our children,” she said. “I can go and have a good outing with other Catholics.”

Penaranda attributed the group’s success to God’s grace.

“We are very blessed to be where we are five years later and have had so many people come to the ministry,” she said.