Social & Service Ministries

Called to Protect

OLMC is in need of people willing to train the safe environment program Called to Protect. Safe environment trainers are comfortable speaking in front of large groups while discussing sexual issues. They are level headed under stress and compassionate towards others, they're willing to make a time commitment to become trained and able to offer a four-hour block to train the parish 2 to 3 times a year. If you’re interested in joining this ministry please contact the ministry head.

Contact Information
Julie Gradillas
480-967-8791 ext. 228
jule@olmctempe.com

Catholics Come Home

Catholics come home invites all those who have been away from the Catholic Church for any reason to take another look and consider coming home. If you’re interested in joining this ministry please contact the ministry head.

Contact Information
Sr. Monica
480-967-8791 ext. 222
spdmonica@olmctempe.com

Celebrate Recovery

What is it? Celebrate Recovery is a Christ Centered 12 step group where it is understood your higher power is Jesus Christ.

Who is it for? Celebrate Recover is for anyone struggling with hurts, habits and hang ups. Many people come because they know someone who needs help and stay because they find a community of people who care and understand their struggles.

How does it work? Celebrate Recovery follows the Christ-Centered 12 steps combined with the Eight Recovery Principles found in the Beatitudes.  

We are meeting on Sundays here in McCready Hall at 6pm for dinner and fellowship, 7pm large group with a testimony or teaching and 8pm small groups followed by café time.

Contact Information
BJ
480-967-8791

Full Circle (Youth at Risk)

A ministry serving families with teens/young adults struggling with a range of issues that can challenge the very foundation of any household. Issues may include substance abuse, addictions such as (but not limited to) gambling or pornography, depression, promiscuity, or eating disorders. This list is by no means exhaustive, and is not meant to be exclusive. If you or someone you love is in pain, or just have questions about a particular matter, we here at Mt. Carmel would like to help. Often conventional help, be it advice, therapy, or rehabilitation, while well intentioned, allows young people to slip through the cracks. Our aim is to provide a program that provides families with support, responds to individual needs, affirms your strengths, and, above all, a program that will serve as a safety net so that our children will not fall through the cracks.

Contact Information
Anthony "AJ" Creswell
480-967-8791
aj@olmctempe.com

Funeral Planning

The death of a loved one can be a trying and stressful time. At the time of loss it may be difficult to focus on planning the funeral for your departed loved one. However, the funeral can be a wonderful tribute to him or her, and it can be part of our memories which last forever. The funeral can also offer great comfort and solace to those who mourn. A Funeral Minister from the parish will assist you in this process. The Funeral Minister is also available to assist with prearrangements and address your questions and concerns. Please contact the church office if you want to make an appointment.

Contact Information
Julie Gradillas, Funeral Coordinator
480-967-8791 ext. 228
jule@olmctempe.com

Humanly Possible

Humanly Possible is a community of men and women responding in mercy to the injustice of sexual immorality.
Read more here.

Contact Information
Dr. Breaux
humanlypossible@yahoo.com

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus are “practical Catholic” men over the age of 18 interested in serving Christ, the church and the community about two-four hours a month. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education and actively defending Catholicism in various nations.

Contact Information
James Armstrong (Grand Knight)
480-967-8791
www.kofc6627.org

Meals for Moms

Meals for Moms Ministry (MFM) provides 7 evening meals to OLMC families after the birth of their child or adoption, miscarriage/stillbirth, death of a child or on bed rest during pregnancy. This ministry operates online as the meal schedules are sent out via email. If your schedule permits, you can sign up on a particular day (of your choice) to bring dinner to that family's home. On average our volunteers can expect to be invited to cook 1 meal every other month. Our ministry benefits our new moms as they transition into parenthood whether it be for the first time or the tenth time.

Contact Information
Monica Donnellan
480-967-8791
7donnellan@gmail.com

Ministry of Care

Ministers of Care visit the hospitalized and the homebound in the name of Christ and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. What a privilege to bring our Lord in the Eucharist to those of our brothers and sisters who are unable to receive Him due to illness or infirmity! Ministers of Care serve the Catholic patients at Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital and the homebound of our parish that request the Eucharist be brought to them. Volunteers should feel comfortable in a hospital setting or in a home setting with infirmed persons, many of whom are elderly. Time commitment varies from once a week to once a month, an hour each time on average. Talents needed include kindness, compassion and the love of our Lord. Volunteers will be trained as a Minister of Care in order to serve.

Contact Information
Karen Shepard
480-967-8791
kshepard@cox.net

Our Lady's Men of Christ (Men's Ministry)

Our Lady's Men of Christ provides opportunities for Christian fellowship with Catholic men while focusing on education, prayer and evangelization. Our mission is to better understand what it means to be Catholic men and to better prepare ourselves to share the love of Jesus Christ with our families, friends and communities.

We meet at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in McCready Hall on select Saturday mornings. Check the calendar at olmctempe.com for meeting dates and times or contact Sean at men@olmctempe.com or or text OLMCGo to 84576 to get on our mailing list for more information!

Contact Information
Sean Kelly
480-967-8791
men@olmctempe.com

Pastoral Council

A council member is representative of the diversity of the parish and fosters full participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the parish and the universal church. A member is a parishioner in good standing and helps with pastoral planning, policy, procedures and programs. If you’re interested in joining this ministry please contact the ministry head.

Contact Information
Fr. John Bonavitacola
480-967-8791
frjohn@olmctempe.com

Pro Life Ministries

Our Lady of Mt Carmel parish affirms the dignity of every human person no matter what stage of development or decline. The Pro Life Ministries at Mt. Carmel include advocacy, support for persons and institutions and community education around issues that degrade human life including abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, unethical research and medical practices. Each year we participate in the 40 Days for Life campaign, Diocesan ProLife events and host other scheduled speakers and prayer opportunities.

Contact Information
Fr. John Bonavitacola
480-967-8791
frjohn@olmctempe.com

Rosary Makers

The Carmelitas of Our Lady of Mount Carmel gather once a month in prayer and community to produce rosaries for distribution during outreach, during hospital visits, homebound visits and special events at Mount Carmel. If you’re interested in this ministry please contact the ministry head.

Contact Information
Cathy Masella
480-967-8791
2sweetpeas.mgt@gmail.com

Sodality

The Ladies Sodality at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ministry started in 1949, with strong dedicated women, whose purpose is to foster in its members a devotion to our Blessed Lady.

Women of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel who are above the age of sixteen and registered in the parish are invited to join our parish’s longest running ministry. The Sodality is a lifelong commitment to join the Army of Our Blessed Mother Mary. A multi-age group, we are a community of women who meet regularly for community building, fellowship, food, and prayer. We care for the needs of the parish and larger community though our personal service, prayer groups, and by raising funds for the church (for items such as the Easter Candle, as well as student scholarships).

Contact Information
Lydia Pedrego
480-967-8791
cocopedrego1@gmail.com

St. Vincent de Paul

The St. Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church in Tempe is part of the largest lay Catholic charitable organization in the world. We are committed to serving people in our community who find themselves in a difficult situation. Visiting them in their homes, we assess their individual needs and provide emergency food boxes, help pay rent and utility bills, offer clothes and furniture vouchers, and refer them to other organizations. Our assistance encompasses the whole person, addressing not only material but also spiritual needs.

Contact Information
Dave Knebelsberger
Pantry 480-966-1974
olmcstvincentdepaul.weebly.com
Find us on Facebook - Saint Vincent de Paul - Tempe

Unitas - Marriage Preparation

Unitas: Preparing for a Sacramental Marriage is the program base for the marriage preparation program. Unitas meets for seven consecutive Fridays from 7:00 -9:00 pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Each session follows a general format: topical presentations followed by small group discussions, or discussions as a couple. Couples are assigned to a sponsor couple who help lead the small group discussions. Each couple receives a workbook, which contains activities and worksheets for in-class and homework assignments. In addition to the Friday sessions there are two rituals administered at Sunday mass. The program is designed to aid engaged couples in gaining additional insights into their relationship and involve them in the parish community.  Unitas satisfies the Step 3: Life Skills requirement for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Contact Information
John & Toni Logan
480-967-8791
mumfylog@aol.com or jloganaz@gmail.com

Women’s Studies Ministry

The OLMC Women’s Studies Ministry is dedicated to helping women grow in their relationship with God through fellowship, scripture teachings and group discussions. Our ministry typically runs two Bible study sessions(one in fall and one in spring) based on a specific book or topic, and an annual retreat (in the winter).

Past studies have included the Holy Spirit, the Year of Faith, St. Paul-the Apostle, our Blessed Mother Mary, 33 Days to Morning Glory; A Marian Consecration, and Discovering the Feminine Genius; a Theology of the Body study.

The Women’s Studies Ministry is always looking for women interested in sharing their time and talent to help plan and run our Catholic/Bible study sessions and our annual winter retreat.

Contact Information
Carey Gass
480-967-8791
cncgass@yahoo.com