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I’ve read in a few bulletins lately that the Catholic Singles Ministry is hosting a retreat at Mt. Claret over Halloween and the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. When I first read this announcement, I thought the retreat dates, Oct. 31-Nov. 2 sounded odd (no Halloween party?), but after reading the theme, it all came together. 

The retreat, “Call to Holiness: The Saint Within,” will remind single Catholics (ages 35+) that they still have a vocation, even if it isn’t marriage, priesthood or the religious life. And what better time for that reminder than the feast of All Saints Day?

And they’re not the only group in the diocese devoted to strengthening the single life within the Church. These groups — which cater to singles of various ages — often hold a retreat or two a year helping unmarried Catholics deal with relationships, sexuality and loneliness in the context of their faith. They also specialize in hosting great socials and service projects.

Why not learn more about them?

• Rebecca Bostic featured several of these groups in a spread on the single life in 2006.
• If you’ve lost track of your special “Welcome to the Diocese” pullout we print each January, get your replacement and scroll to p.4 (or ‘IV’ as the header says) for a basic description and contact info for some of the groups.
• Be sure to regularly check the “Singles” section of Sunbeams for upcoming opportunities including a retreat for singles ages 18-35this weekend and weekly sand volleyball games. 
• Speaking of opportunities, I briefly wrote about Singles Serving Orphans in our July 17 issue. This group brings a dozen or so Catholic singles to an orphanage in Mexico during the Christmas season to engage in service work for others who are alone.

-Ambria