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!
Michael Kalata & Courtney Szymkowski
Format: In person
Day: Sunday for fall and TBD after November
Time: evening
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets:
Location: TBD
Demographics: Young Couples
Bio: Join Michael and Courtney as they attend the weekly Rescued Project sessions at Our Lady of Sorrows on Sunday evenings starting Sept. 25 thru Nov. 12th. These sessions include a meal are free and open to all that wish to attend. To register please indicate that you wish to sit at their table by clicking here: OLS - The Rescue Project. After November, they will determine what day of the week works best for the group and plan to meet on a Bi-Weekly basis.
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 and enjoys spending time with family, painting and playing volleyball. They invite you to join their new group with other young couples.
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: Sophia would like to welcome all in High School (9th grade through 12th grade) to join her group. The students will gather (along with Tori Polhill as the Adult Coordinator) to support one another in their faith journey and occasionally gather to have social fun and do service projects. This group is lead by kind, sincere, faithful leaders that understand busy high school schedules. They would love to have you join them!
Jacqueline & Bob Iannaccone
Format: In Person
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Our Lady of Sorrows
Demographics: Young Adults, mid 20's-30's
Bio: Jacqueline and Bob Iannaccone married at Our Lady of Sorrows in November 2022. Jacqueline has an Asociates in Arts & Communication and Bob is an Mechanical Engineer. Jacqueline enjoys learning about sustainable living and crafting and Bob likes 3D printing. They both enjoy doing DIY projects.
Marc Diederich
Format: In person
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Frequency: Weekly
Pets: None
Location: 12 Mile & Orchard
Demographics: Young Adults (mid 20's to 30's)
Bio: Marc is a computer engineer who likes board games, hiking, travel, and Notre Dame football.
Marc welcomes new members and would love for you to join their group!
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. 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!
Maureen Altermatt & John Bongort
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.
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.
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.
Erin Somerville & Kim Wahmhoff
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: Married or Single Women in the "Older Millennials" age range (30-40ish)
Bio: Erin Somerville and husband John are blessed to be the parents of Johnny, Susanna and a new baby due in November 2023. Erin serves as the Director of Advancement at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and enjoys reading, travel, and home design.
Kim Wahmhoff and her husband Tim are the proud parents of Gabriel and Lucy. She enjoys fitness, cooking, and travel and currently works as a Nurse Practitioner in Urgent Care facilities.
The group meets on a staggered schedule with the Matt Damasceno & John Somerville group so that any couples with children can always have one parent home.
Matt Damasceno & John Somerville
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: Married or Single Men in the "Older Millennials" age range (30-40ish)
Bio: Originally from Brazil, Matt loves spending time with his wife Alex and children Zoey, Elliot, and Asher. 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.
John and his wife Erin love to spend time with their children, Johnny and Susanna, as well as travel, read and complete DIY home renovations. John operates an independent fiduciary Financial Advisory firm with his father.
The group meets on a staggered schedule with the Erin Somerville & Kim Wahmhoff group so that any couples with children can always have one parent home.
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 49 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.
Johnna Balk & Joe Flemming
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.
Joe is a cradle Catholic who loves to explore the history of the Bible and enjoys hearing the many different thoughts in the Gospels that are brought up in group discussion. He is also a self proclaimed nerd.
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
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.
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)
Steve Brune
Format: Online
Day: Tuesday
Time: Evenings
Frequency: Bi-Weekly
Pets: None
Location: Orchard Lake & Lone Pine
Demographics: Couples
Bio: Steve is a recent convert and likes to read, watch movies and TV shows along with spending time with family and friends. He is married and their group invites you to join them in the journey of Emmaus Small Groups.
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.
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.
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.