Meaningful relationships with single adults who love the Lord

By Priscilla A. Greear
– Catholic in Florida

DAVIE | When Olga Torres launched St. Bonaventure Catholic Singles Ministry in January 2024, she envisioned the opening event with only about 10 supportive friends. To her surprise, around 60 Catholic singles attended the opening of this new ministry for this often overlooked part of the church.

Torres and other church leaders had been praying about planting a church for the past year. She had previously planted a church for young adults in Broward during the pandemic, but then members began getting married and having children. In December, St. Bonaventure’s enthusiastic pastor, Father Edward Prendergast, asked her, “Are you going to do this?”

“I’m just impressed with the Lord and what he’s decided to do with this. He’s doing something,” said Torres, 31. “It’s been very difficult to meet single people our age. I would love to meet single young adults who love the Lord and put him first. We’re professionals and we’re looking for meaningful relationships. There are a lot of marriage and family ministries out there, but there’s a gap. And I get great feedback like, ‘I’ve always wanted to meet brothers and sisters who put the Lord first.'”

Photographer: COURTESY

From left to right: Olga Torres, founder of St. Bonaventure Parish Singles Ministry in Davie; Father Edmond Prendergast, pastor of the church; and Hellen Rivas, a ministry participant, during a monthly meeting on May 18, 2024.

The monthly Saturday event for singles ages 25 to 55 is held at St. Bonaventure Church in Davie and begins with Mass at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner, spiritual reflection and a fun social activity. All are welcome to this service that draws singles from Kendall to Palm Beach.

“It’s very Christocentric, it’s not just about gatherings. The focus is on community and education in this time of being alone. We’re preparing to be the people we’re called to be so we’re ready for our calling when it comes,” Torres said.

The April program included “speed dating,” in which participants take turns walking around the room and asking the others questions about themselves.

“It was a new way to meet and interact with people you might not otherwise have contact with,” she explained. “There were regular questions to get to know someone and recognize their dignity: What is your goal in life? What is your best Christmas memory?”

Torres, who describes herself as a “sincere person,” said she also asked men, “What is your relationship with Jesus?”

Breathtaking statistics

Ministries to increase church engagement and community are indeed needed, considering that, according to Gallup, only 33 percent of Catholics reported attending church weekly between 2021 and 2023—compared to 45 percent between 2000 and 2003. Not to mention that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared loneliness a national health epidemic.

At the May 18 ministry meeting, Nicholas D’Agostino, 29, along with Lizzy Arocha, 31, led a multimedia quiz night that challenged teams to exhaust their CCD knowledge banks. Drawing on his knowledge from youth ministry at St. John XXIII Church in Miramar, D’Agostino began with a reflection on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He also spoke about the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, noting that “the gifts of the Spirit are for the building of the Kingdom of God and our sanctification and perfection of the virtues.” After the reflection, they began the quiz, firing off questions such as “When did the Second Vatican Council end? (1965)” and “Where was St. Bonaventure Bishop? (Italy!)”

“This is harder than RCIA!” complained competitor Alejandro Capote.

Attendee Patricia Ramirez enjoyed connecting with other singles at the interactive event while figuring out her life path.

Photographer: PRISCILLA GREEAR | FC

Father Edmond Prendergast, pastor of St. Bonaventure in Davie, poses with some participants of the parish’s Singles Ministry at their monthly meeting on May 18, 2024.

“You can strengthen your faith and realize that you are not alone,” she said. “Whether you go to seminary or religious life, start a family or go to mission, if you bring people together, anything is possible. Everyone has a different background and different experiences,” added Ramirez, a bank clerk who attends Mass daily. “It’s hard, everyone is busy and doesn’t have time for those kinds of interpersonal relationships. You create that space. It’s not about making money or doing business, it’s about meeting other people who are on the same path as you.”

Arocha said her parish, St. Boniface, previously had a singles congregation, but it moved to St. Michael Parish in Miami to establish a Spanish-speaking congregation.

“I want to meet someone I can marry one day. And I want to do that in an environment where I know I will meet people with similar values ​​in a good environment,” she said.

Lissette Myrthil said she set a goal two years ago to be more socially active despite her shyness.

“I’ve been able to make a lot of friends over the last few years, really good, solid friendships, and maybe I’ll venture out into dating. I’m nervous and excited,” said Myrthil, who attends St. Philip Neri in Miami Gardens and St. Benedict in Hialeah.

At a picnic for young adults in Broward, she met Torres, who invited her to the new office.

“I’m going to be more open and hang out and not stay at home all the time, but just go out and explore. That’s the only way I’m going to grow as a person,” said Myrthil.

Bridging the distance

Luis Maderal, 38, a member of St. Augustine Parish in Coral Gables, traveled a long way to attend the meeting.

“Without community, our faith doesn’t make sense,” he said. “You’re at a stage of life where you’re not married and you’re not young, so it’s a good place to meet people. In Miami, it’s hard to meet people because of the size of the city. I think a lot of Catholics just want to be around other Catholics.”

Photographer: PRISCILLA GREEAR | FC

From left to right: Luis Maderal, Alejandro Capote, Nicholas D’Agostino and Freddy Batista attended the monthly meeting of the Singles Ministry of St. Bonaventure Parish on May 18, 2024.

Another Miami participant, Alexandra Figueredo, was even inspired to start a Catholic singles community at the Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables, with the first meeting taking place on May 31. She participates in activities for Christian singles, but sees a need for more outreach to Catholic singles.

“We’re trying to meet a need for singles who want to get married or not, and those who want to have a sacramental marriage or who aren’t even sure who they’re in a relationship with and who they’re supposed to be,” she said. “I think it’s really important, not just for the fellowship and the education, but also for the ministry. I have time one Saturday to help out at the Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen. I think it’s so valuable to use time wisely in the season of singlehood.”

Torres, who had a “return experience” during a crisis in her 20s, is excited to help grow the ministry. She said her faith has “gotten stronger and stronger by building that relationship every day. You have to exercise that muscle.”

At the June 15, 2024 meeting, there was a bowling night; at the next meeting on July 21, 2024, they will attend Mass together at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck brunch at noon in the parish center.

“Every month I am always amazed when I say, ‘Lord, I don’t know what you are doing, but keep doing what you are doing. I am the instrument. You do what you want because you are the divine conductor,'” Torres said. “One couple met at the first meeting in January and are engaged. I told Father Ed we are already seeing the fruits!”

Father Prendergast came along on quiz night and mingled with the participants.

“We’re excited to have them with us and they’re part of the church and it needs this group more than ever. It’s going great,” he said, praising Torres’ leadership. “She has this enthusiasm and she really wants to have a spiritual dimension to it.”

• For information about St. Bonaventure Catholic Singles Ministry, call 954-424-9504.