Ministries for Women
Overview
Whether you need just a couple hours of fellowship each month, a weekly study, a full weekend retreat, or any combination, HNOJ has just the thing.
Women’s Small Groups and book studies abound at HNOJ. We have many groups for women to talk about faith and life. Contact Tim for more information about joining a small group.
These are just some of the opportunities that await you. Check out the menu for more women’s only faith formation options.
Ministries for Women
Upcoming Events
Events
List of events in Photo View
Explore Ministries for Women
Women’s Night at HNOJ
Women’s Night at HNOJ is a new ministry this year! We will offer an evening (generally the first Thursday of the month) for socializing, prayer, and growing in faith. What to expect: a speaker, small group discussion, fellowship, laughter, snacks, and drinks. No cost to attend, but we will take up a free-will offering to cover snacks, wine, soda, and sparkling water.
What the evening will look like:
- 7 pm Social time
- 7:20-8:30 pm Speaker and smaller group discussion
- 8:30-9 pm Adoration in the church (optional)
We will meet on the following dates in 2025-2026 (mostly the first Thursday of the month with a couple of exceptions):
- Sept. 4: Speaker: Mary Ruff. Inspiration: St. Monica.
- Oct. 2: Parishioner Liz Kostelc will share her testimony. Thérèse of Lisieux will be our inspiration.
- Nov. 6: Eve Washburn, our Senior High Youth Minister, will be our speaker. St. Elizabeth of Hungary will be our inspiration.
- Dec. 4: Parishioner Angie Paske will speak. Saints Mary and Martha will be our inspiration.
- Jan. 8: Speaker – Judy Cozzens. Our saint inspiration will be our Mother Mary in this month of mercy.
- Feb. 5: Speaker – Jennifer Wendt. Our saint inspiration will be St. Scholastica.
- March 5: Speaker – Sharon McCartney. Our saint inspiration will be St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa).
- April 16: Olivia Haggerty. Our saint inspiration will be St. Hildegard.
- May 7: Speaker Janet Bezdicek
Please mark your calendar and invite your friends! We will meet in the Emmaus Rooms at Holy Name of Jesus.
Resources
September speaker, Mary Ruff, spoke on the topic of prayer. She gave a few resources for anyone wanting to have a spiritual director. Resources include:
- Father Wratkowski has a list of spiritual directors in our parish
- https://loyolaspiritualitycenter.org/our-spiritual-directors/
If you are interested in training as a spiritual director, https://divineprovidence.org/healing-and-spiritual-direction/#spiritualdirection
Women’s Wisdom on Wednesday’s
Women exploring their faith lives – one Wednesday at a time.
Women’s Wisdom on Wednesdays (WWW) is a community of women who meet throughout the year at HNOJ for fellowship and learning. Our objectives are:
- Build supportive and enriching friend and neighbor relationships.
- Explore what it means to be grace-filled women at any stage of life.
- Share collective wisdom to better appreciate blessings and deal with challenges.
- Generate a deeper appreciation for our Catholic Christian faith and traditions.
Every year, we participate in a multi-session program focused on a particular theme and also read and discuss a number of interesting books together.
Their Stories, Our Lives: Eighteen Holy Women Who Can Inspire Us Today
2025-2026 Program
Please join us for one, two, or all of our blocks this year. We meet from 10:30 am-Noon at Holy Name of Jesus.
Please join us for this year’s WWW spirituality program, during which we will explore the lives of selected Catholic saints and holy women – mystics, mothers, and movers and shakers. Through short video or audio presentations and thoughtful discussion, we will reflect on the challenges and choices these women faced during their times. Together, we will discern what their lives and voices can teach us as modern women of faith – within our families, the Church, and the wider world. Come be inspired, challenged, and encouraged by the enduring wisdom of these saints.
- Block I: Mystics – St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese Lisieux, Blessed Julian of Norwich, St. Bridget of Sweden, and St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Wednesdays – Sept. 24 through Oct. 29 - Block II: Mothers – St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Venerable Henriette Delille, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Frances of Rome, and St. Zelie Martin
Wednesdays – Jan. 7 through Feb. 11 - Block III: Movers and Shakers – St. Joan of Arc, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Brigid of Kildare, Servant of God Dorothy Day, St. Angela Merici, and St. Clare of Assisi. Wednesdays – April 8 through May 13.
Contact Chris Kostelc at 763-745-3489 with questions.
MomCo
Whether you are expecting your first child, have a baby, toddler, or your youngest is in school, MomCo is for you! Formerly MOPS, MomCo re-branded its name in 2024 to better reflect the lives of 21st century moms. However, its mission remains the same: to help moms of young children realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church. In our group here at Holy Name of Jesus you will find friends, mentors, speakers, and activities all focused on helping you be the mom and woman you were created to be.
MomCo at Holy Name of Jesus (HNOJ) believes in developing a fellowship of moms who support one another, and we believe that we can do more as the hands of Christ together than individually. We meet in small groups throughout the school year and host events like Moms’ Nights Out, service activities, and family gatherings.
MEETING TIME: September through May, once or twice a month, typically the first and third Fridays, from 9-11 am
COST: $100; which includes the MomCo International Membership, childcare, and speaker fees.
Childcare spots are currently full for the 2025-2026 year. If this inhibits your ability to attend MomCo, you can join the waitlist for nursery spots by emailing MomCo leader Hannah Ficks. If you can still attend MomCo and would like to be placed on the waitlist for childcare, please continue to register using the registration link below and there will be an option to join the waitlist.
You may email us with questions. You can also contact Chris Kostelc at 763-745-3489 for more information.
Women’s Retreat
Theme: Women of the Resurrection
Saturday, May 2, 2026 • 8 AM–3:30 PM • HNOJ
$60 ($45 if registered before Feb. 28)
Registration is now open for the HNOJ Women’s Retreat! This year we’ll explore Women of the Resurrection, walking with the women in the Gospel accounts to discover how we can live as people of the Resurrection in our own daily lives.
The day will feature:
- Two talks by Catholic author Laura Kelly Fanucci
- Music and prayer led by Caroline Metzinger
- Time for reflection, sharing, journaling, and community
- Mass, Adoration, and Confession
We joyfully welcome women ages 18 and older to join us for this special day.
About our Featured Guests:
Laura Kelly Fanucci is an author, a speaker, and the founder of Mothering Spirit, where she first started writing about parenting and spirituality in 2010. She has authored seven books, including Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting and Grieving Together: A Couple’s Journey through Miscarriage. Her latest book, Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection, is now available from Ave Maria Press.
Laura’s work has been featured on the Hallow and Ritual apps and on popular programs such as NPR’s Morning Edition, On Being, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. She writes for numerous outlets including OSV News, The Catholic Spirit, Give Us This Day, and her own Substack publications (The Holy Labor and The Compassion Brigade). She and her husband live in St. Michael, Minnesota with their five sons.
You can pre-order Living Easter now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop. Or you can order directly from Ave and save 20% with code FANUCCI20.
Caroline Metzinger studied music at Queensland University of Technology, where she majored in classical voice and minored in jazz voice. She joined the faculty of Chesterton Academy in 2018 and currently serves as the Dean of Student Life, Assistant Choir Director, Assistant Drama Teacher, and Safe Environment Coordinator.
What Women Said About Last Year’s Retreat
- “The smallest detail was considered and put into action. Great talks, witnesses, time for sharing and journaling — and of course the sacraments. An incredible day of beauty!”
- “Seeing the wide range of women coming together to grow in their faith was heartwarming and inspirational.”
- “It was a perfect day!”
We hope you’ll join us for this uplifting and beautiful retreat!