FOR 38 YEARS, WOMEN across 10 diocesan parishes have coordinated fellowship through WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit), a regularly scheduled program devoted to spiritual development and community.
WINGS was originally founded in 1987 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Yorba Linda by six women who sought time to deepen their faith and friendship. “We went to a class on how to start a Bible study… and we had the idea,” explained Roz Odion, one of the group’s founders.
Inspired by the class, they created WINGS with the guidance of Fr. Dan Hopcus and Sr. Paula Damiano. As young mothers, they intentionally designed the structure of the meetings around the school calendar to accommodate family schedules.
Offering childcare during the meetings was “revolutionary,” according to Odion, as it opened the door for more women to join.
“At the time, we were all sitting in the Blessed Sacrament chapel with our children. We were dying to come out and mingle with these other young moms.”
Barbara Baldo, a past moderator for WINGS, added: “I think it’s more of a sisterhood that’s really been created between all of us, different ages, different walks of life. It’s the bond of the sisterhood.”
Mary Coulter, who currently serves as the moderator for WINGS, agreed.
“We really would like to get more of the young women,” said Coulter. “It’s so powerful to have a breadth of women, from the start of their adult life to retirement.” The community inherently fosters multi-generational connection.
“If you’re a mom, you’re going to want to have those women that have raised their children already to give you some advice,” said Coulter.
Linda Tapia, another original member, explained that WINGS is a great place to meet other women, to share faith and to really see God in action.
“WINGS is faith, family, fun and fellowship,” she said.
Tapia emphasized the support that the group provides.
“We’ve gone through deaths, we’ve gone through the loss of children, we’ve gone through the loss of homes and cancer, divorces. Anything you can think of. The women have supported each other through these hard times, and it’s because of being in WINGS. It has always been very much rooted in prayer.”
Baldo said she believes WINGS is one of the oldest ministries in the diocese.
“I think that tells something about the way it feeds us,” she shared.
In the fall, members focus on building their faith, and invite clergy, sisters and other outside speakers to explore different topics. In the winter, the group runs a Bible study that coincides with Lent. The spring season centers on outreach opportunities, so that after a year of development members can put their faith in action.
“I think that we have a real variety at WINGS,” said Bernie Cinadr, a WINGS member. “Some people will be more interested in the Bible study, or some will be interested in the catechetical talks at the beginning, and our speakers will really speak to that, and in the spring we have our outreach. And I just think it’s a wonderful balance under the umbrella of prayer.”
WINGS member Cathy Holden archives the history of the group. She emphasized the sense of faith that each meeting brings.
“We feel so faith-filled by the end of every meeting,” she said. “Over the years, there have been so many nuggets, I call them, words of wisdom. For example: ‘every saint has a past, every sinner has a future’, ‘there is a lot we can accomplish if no one is looking for recognition’, and ‘people will become better when they stop trying to become better off.’ These are just a few to give an idea of what it’s all about.”
WINGS also creates a unique space for women to share God-given gifts with the community.
“We have a gal that does the absolutely most beautiful dance,” said Holden. “We’ve got people that will lead us on different things, in songs and prayers. We need to develop their God-given talents, gifts and abilities.”
At its first meeting, WINGS had 40 women in attendance. Now, the community has 170 registered for the upcoming year. Along with speakers, study and outreach, WINGS also puts on retreats, skits and holiday brunches.
“We come to this belief that it’s not just ‘my’ parish—it is our faith,” said Coulter. “And our faith is universal.”
WINGS invites all women in the diocese, especially those who are young, to join in fellowship and enjoy the generational community and rich traditions of WINGS.
Meetings will begin in October, on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the parish hall at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.
For more information, visit https://smdpyl.org/wings or contact Mary Coulter at [email protected].