Our Small Groups
Welcome to our Emmaus Small Groups! Below, you can find a list of all of our groups, with information about the group leaders, the types of groups, when they meet, and where they meet. If you have specific questions contact Julie Szymkowski at jkrs04@yahoo.com. Many of our groups have limited space and placement in selected groups is not guaranteed.
We welcome you to register now to join a group this Fall!
Marc Diederich & Zach Norman
Format: In person with option to call in
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Pets: None
Location: 12 Mile & Orchard
Demographics: Young Adults (mid 20's to 30's) Single and Married.
Bio: Marc is a computer engineer who likes board games, hiking, travel, and Notre Dame football.
Zach is an engineer who loves entertaining guests, games, movies, video games, and cooking. Zach and Marc welcome new members and would love for you to join their group!
Joe & Krista Schmidt
Format: In person
Day: Monday
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Dog
Location: 14 Mile & Middlebelt (Rotate Homes)
Demographics: Open to all, especially couples
Bio: Hello and welcome to our new group that plans to start meeting in February! We are empty nesters, with exception of our dog Matilda. Joe is semi-retired and volunteers at Deo Gratias Ministries and with the Red Cross. Krista works from home full-time in healthcare. We are foodies and enjoy gardening, camping, watching sports and connecting with others in faith. We worship at St. Fabian and are eager to get to know members of both our parish and our parish family. Come share God’s graces and, hopefully, more than a few laughs with us.
High School Group
Format: In Person
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: 10 Mile & Power
Demographics: High School 9th - 12th Grade
Bio: Sabrina & Brenna would like to welcome all in High School (9th grade through 12th grade) to join their group. The students will gather (along with Courtney Szymkowski as the Adult Coordinator) to support one another in their faith journey and occasionally gather to have social fun and do service projects. Sabrina and Brenna are kind, sincere, faithful leaders and understanding of busy high school schedules. They would love to have you join them!
Kate Kelly
Format: In Person
Day: Friday
Time: Evening
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Dog
Location: 9 Mile & Halstead
Demographics: Couples
Bio: We invite you to join our group that plans to start meeting in February for lent. We try to meet every other week and are open to people's busy schedule. We are eager to grow in faith and make new friends!
Mike Kandah & Joanna Kowalik
Format: In person with option to pivot to online
Day: Saturday
Time: Evenings
Frequency: Monthly
Pets: 1 Trained Dog
Location: Power & Grand River
Demographics: Couples with Young Children
Bio: Mike is married to his lovely wife Stefanie, and they have a young daughter that attends OLS. Mike is a dedicated teacher and Acting Principal in Detroit. He loves rooting for Detroit pro sport teams, being involved with the Knights of Columbus, playing the ukulele, fishing and golfing.
Joanna is looking forward to connecting with other Catholic parents of young ones in the parish. She and her husband Neil have two children under age 7. Joanna enjoys music, crafting, and bargain hunting. They are open to coordinating onsite childcare and sharing childcare expenses for future gatherings.
Michael Kalata & Courtney Szymkowski
Format: In person
Day: Wednesday
Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets:
Location: Rotating
Demographics: Young Couples
Bio: Michael is a Mechanical Engineer and enjoys flying airplanes, fixing things, weightlifting and listening to music by U2. Courtney is working as an Ultrasound Tech while finishing her schooling. She enjoys spending time with family, painting and playing volleyball. They invite you to join their new group with other young couples.
Jerry/Fran Ashe & Gerald/Cheryl Wernette
Format: In Person (or Online if needed)
Day: Thursday
Time: 7:00 pm
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: 10 Mile & Power
Demographics: Couples of all ages
Bio: Jerry and Fran originally met in a hospital at the age of 16 and have been married for 48 years. Fran enjoys reading and getting together with friends and family. Jerry enjoys golf, hockey, and coaching high school softball. They both love spending time with their grandson.
Gerald and Cheryl met while attending college at Central Michigan University and have been married almost 37 years and are parishioners at St. Fabian. Gerald and Cheryl both love helping others and spending time with their family. They welcome couples of all ages to join their group.
Kathy/Joe Sparks & Steve Brune
Format: Online
Day: Tuesday
Time: Evenings
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Orchard Lake & Lone Pine
Demographics: Couples
Bio: Joe and Kathy enjoy spending time with other couples especially given the opportunity to share faith and fellowship. We strongly value the power of our Sacrament and growing together as a couple. Our favorite Scripture is Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Steve is a recent convert and likes to read, watch movies and TV shows along with spending time with family and friends. We invite you to join us in the journey of Emmaus Small Groups.
Chuck Nagi & Mike, Sarah Emmerling
Format: In Person
Day: Thursday
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: 10 Mile & Power
Demographics: Open to all.
Bio: All are welcome to join! Chuck would love to welcome you to his group! He is married to his lovely bride Therese and has two adult children. He has served as an assistant leader and both Chuck and Therese feel very blessed to have participated in an ESG group for the past several years.
Michael and Sarah have 2 children and were confirmed into the Catholic Church in 2015 and 2016. Michael jumped into the Catholic faith by getting a certificate in Catholic studies from Sacred Heart Seminary and continues his studies Greek and Latin to deepen his understanding of scripture. He runs his own tree and handyman service. Sarah is a nurse and enjoys crafting, ceramics and entertaining friends and family.
Mikayla Benton & Megan Rady
Format: In Person
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows
Demographics: Young Adults, age 20ish
Bio: Mikayla has an MA in History and has worked at Oakland University in the Advancement Services division since 2020. She loves drinking tea, exploring new places, and reading (favorite books are Pride and Prejudice and the Lord of the Rings trilogy).
Megan is currently working as an engineer in the automotive industry. With any free time, she enjoys various outdoor activities and loves to make things - whether it's cooking, crafting, or home & garage DIY projects. If you're looking to connect with other young adults in fellowship and faith, we'd love to have you!
Cori Michalski & Anne Klein
Format: In Person
Day: Tuesday
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows
Demographics: ages 55 and Up - Men and Women
Bio: Cori is happily retired, loves to garden and crochet and enjoys trying new restaurants. She has enjoyed her time with the Tuesday morning group leading a weekly scripture study, as well as attending other faith formation classes at OLS. She volunteers her time at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen, and is a member of the OLS Martha Ministry team.
Anne owns a cat sitting service and has loved attending OLS since transferring from the St. Claire's parish. She enjoys volunteering for C.A.R.E.S. and supporting the clothes closet there. She has loved participating in the Tuesday scripture study for 6 years and attending various faith formation events.
Susan Riggs & Pat Labrecque
Format: In Person
Day: Wednesday
Time: Evenings
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Small Dog
Location: 11 Mile & Farmington
Demographics: Single Women age 40's & Up
Bio: Susan enjoys gardening, golfing and cooking. Her two cats, Ben and Jerry keep her company since her two children are grown and are no longer living at home.
Pat has been a member of the parish for more than 16 years and has enjoyed participating in the ESG program for three years. Pat has worked in education and in human resources and is currently volunteering at a local hospice. She likes theater, music, shopping, reading, eating at new restaurants and spending time with family and friends. She is enjoying the freedom of retirement.
Johnna Balk & Melissa Peura
Format: In Person
Day: Monday
Time: 5:45-7:15 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Rotate Homes
Demographics: Open to all especially Religious Education Parents
Bio: Johnna is a librarian for Oakland Community College and has lived in Farmington for almost 25 years. She and husband Erik have three adult children and daughter-in-law. They began attending Sorrows a few years ago after she attended an Endow group. Having been raised in an evangelical church, she decided to join RCIA and was confirmed.
Melissa is from Massachusetts and has lived in Farmington for the last 20 years. Married with 4 children, she has been a member of OLS for 6 years. Her favorite verse is "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28
Jennifer B. & Nina Gjonaj
Format: In Person
Day: Friday
Time: 2 p.m. (an hour before school lets out)
Frequency: Monthly
Pets: None
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows
Demographics: Open to all Women/Mothers of school aged children; especially convenient for those picking up children from OLS.
Bio: Jennifer has been blessed with the gift of wonderful parents who have instilled in her the gift of faith and is a mother of 5 children that attend OLS. Over the years the seed of faith has grown and she enjoys sharing her love for Christ and the Church with others. She has been involved in various prayer groups throughout the years, and recently was inspired to lead an Emmaus. Nina is married with 4 children that attend OLS and owns a construction company with her husband. Her favorite Bible verse is “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt 6:33
Maureen Altermatt
Format: In Person
Day: Monday
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Pets: 2 small dogs at one location
Location: Grand River & Halstead
Demographics: Open to All
Bio: Maureen is a recently retired educator who wishes to continue growing in her faith and service to others. She welcomes you to journey with their group in fellowship. Her favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:6-7.
Dorothy Phillips & Laura Smentowski
Format: In Person
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Dog
Location: 11 Mile & Drake
Demographics: Women
Bio: We are a group of women at all stages of life who get together for the opportunity to share our faith, thoughts, and experiences. Learning, sharing, and growing in friendship and faith is such a blessing. If this is something you'd be interested in, please consider joining us. Favorite Scripture verse of the moment: " [A]nd hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)
Linda & Mark Kaminski
Format: In Person
Day: Saturday
Time: 7-9:00 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Yes
Location: 13 Mile & Farmington Road
Demographics: Couples (ages 40-60's)
Bio: Mark and Linda were both born and raised in the Catholic faith and received much of their education in Catholic schools. They have been members of the OLS Parish for over 25 years with faith and prayer being an integral part of their marriage and lives, giving them strength, consolation, and joy. Mark’s favorite bible passage is Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Linda’s favorite scripture verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Barb McCulloch & Joe/Krista Schmidt
Format: In Person
Day: Monday
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: none
Location: Middlebelt & Joy - Access to home requires the ability to navigate 3 stair steps.
Demographics: Mix of men, women singles/couples age 50s thru 70s
Bio: Barbara enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and spending time with family at various family events. Barb leads the evening Bible Study sessions and is a member of the Bible Study Planning committee. Barb was a leader and alternate host for ESG since it's inception and also functions as a retreat captain for the OLS parish women's retreat group at St. Paul of The Cross.
Joe is semi-retired and volunteers at Deo Gratias Ministries and with the Red Cross. Krista works from home full-time in healthcare. They are foodies and enjoy gardening, camping, watching sports and connecting with others in faith and worshiping at St. Fabian.
Erin Somerville & Matt Damasceno
Format: In Person
Day: Wednesday
Time: 7:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Rotates around Farmington Hills
Demographics: Couples or Singles in the "Older Millennials" age range (30-40ish)
Bio: Erin and husband John love to spend time with their children, Johnny and Susanna, as well as travel, read and complete DIY home renovations. Erin recently joined the church staff as the Director of Advancement at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.
Originally from Brazil, Matt loves spending time with his wife Alex and children Zoey and Elliot. He has quite the entrepreneurial spirit, running a soy candle business with Alex, in addition to his full time consulting work in the automotive industry.
We regret that we can not offer babysitting but babies who will remain seated on laps are welcome to join us.
Tom Szymkowski and Sal Zablock
Format: In person
Day: Thursday
Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: Varies depending on who hosts
Location: 9 Mile & Halstead (Rotate Homes)
Demographics: Couples
Bio: Tom grew up in the Chicago area and worked for the Air Force testing C-130 and F-16 Avionics systems. Now he works for FCA and volunteers at OLS as an Usher. He enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 adult children and supporting occasional service projects.
Sal has been a member of OLS for 12+ years. He volunteers at OLS as an Usher and also helps to video-stream the Sunday Mass. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Suha, of 24 years and his three children that have graduated from OLS. He is an IT engineer and enjoys working on home automation, learning new technologies, working on small home projects and most importantly advancing and sharing the Catholic faith.
Form A New Group
Don't see a group that works for you? Sign up to be a leader and form your own group. We provide all the materials and training to make your small group meetings simple and easy to lead.