Momentum Catholic Single Mothers is a fantastic Catholic ministry dedicated to serving single mothers in our community. They began in Montreal and have a local chapter here in Ottawa.
Single mothers often feel isolated and alone; these feelings can be amplified when entering a parish. But Momentum’s mission is to build a vibrant faith community for these mothers. Founded by single mothers themselves, they offer in-person and online retreats, local chapter gatherings as well as online weekly gatherings for single mothers. Currently, the Ottawa chapter operates out of St. Basil’s and Divine Infant.
We sat down with Maria and Angela, the heads of the Ottawa Chapter, to discuss their experience with the ministry.
- How did you first get involved in Momentum?
Maria: I was fortunate enough to attend the first ever Momentum retreat (before it was even called Momentum). I was working alongside an amazing couple at St. Basil’s church. When they found out my home life had crumbled, they were so kind and compassionate towards me. They let me know about a retreat for single mothers. I jumped at the chance to attend. My 3 children (then 10, 7 and 6 years old) and I spent a weekend at the camp and the blessings poured out on us were abundant.
Angela: In the summer of 2021, one year after my marriage separation, I received a chance for a week’s holiday at a Catholic-owned cabin. I managed to pack up my daughter and I wept on the steps upon arrival. For the first time in years, I felt I was in a blessed and protected place, away from the associations of my broken marriage.
On that porch, I met the facility owner who instantly welcomed me and who knew of my circumstance. She shared about annual retreats for Catholic single mothers, led by a burgeoning group: Momentum.
That September, I joined Momentum’s weekly online prayer groups. What a Godsend! I was so grateful to gather with sisters in Christ who were in a similar predicament, each with their own individual story. After having been so alone, this sisterhood was exactly what I needed.
- What made you decide to take up leadership in Momentum?
Maria: When we decided to open a chapter in Ottawa, I was further along in my healing journey. I wanted to offer support and hope to other single mothers. I know how much it meant for me to lean into and strengthen my faith throughout the very difficult years. Now, I wanted to help other moms on their journey to healing.
Angela: While the online gatherings were great, I still longed for in-person fellowship. I knew that the founders of Momentum used to host pot-luck gatherings for single mothers at their parish. I wanted to do something similar. I arranged to speak to my priest, and he was so positive, even though my idea was, at the time, admittedly not well formed.
After meetings with key partners, I reached out to our parish Catholic Women’s League. With incredible enthusiasm, the CWL hosted our first gathering in Sept 2022, and we welcomed 14 mothers and their children (with childcare provided by volunteers). There were many tears and smiles.
- How has Momentum affected your faith journey/relationship with God?
Maria: My faith has been strengthened immensely through the spiritual conversations I had, the rich themes and content provided at the retreats, and the prayers and outpouring of love by so many!
Angela: I have always been Catholic, but as I discovered the broken vows and false elements of my marriage, I felt a lot of shame and experienced significant wounds to my heart. Momentum helped me through my personal spiritual work of self-discovery and healing. I explored my faith, deepening my relationship with Jesus.
Momentum also incorporates beautiful music into their programming. I found myself drawn into this prayer form. I have gained more confidence in leading prayerful music at Mass, no longer self-conscious that everyone knows I’m a single mother. I even have my daughter joining me at the microphone! We are active members of our church, breaking the stigma of single mothers feeling excluded and alone in their parish community.
- What kind of unique challenges are single moms facing? Are there any challenges specific to the Church?
Maria: Many single moms not only have to raise their children on their own but are faced with adversity from the father of their children. This makes child rearing so difficult. For those who are divorced, losing your vision of what your future would be, coupled with the excruciating pain of losing your children for half of the time, is nearly unbearable.
Angela: This would be a long list… single mothers grapple with ever-present feelings of sadness, shame, emotional and physical pain, anger, helplessness, financial vulnerability and more, particularly in the early stages of their situation. It could be separation/divorce, death of a spouse, new single moms with an infant who have been alone from the beginning or were abandoned near the time of delivery.
Some of the above feelings extend into the experience of faith and the Church. We often spend time reassuring single parents that they are not rejected from the Catholic faith. Many experience feelings of isolation from a misunderstanding of the Church’s teachings, or from misinformation spread by leaders in the church. Navigating routine gatherings in the church can sometimes feel tricky when so many events are oriented around “intact” family structures.
- How can local single moms get connected with the Ottawa chapter?
Angela: Simply reach out to Momentum through their website www.momentummothers.org/contact or by emailing momentumcatholicsinglemothers@gmail.com You can ask to learn more about Momentum, join their mailing list, or get connected to the Ottawa Chapter via email. Once on the Ottawa mailing list, you will receive the notices for our monthly gatherings (Sept-June), how to register, and even a chance to inquire about carpooling.
- How can people support Momentum’s Ministry here in Ottawa?
Maria: By volunteering to provide childcare for the gatherings or donating funds or food for refreshments. Every little bit helps!
Angela: Prayer. In addition to a prayer team that actively prays for the Momentum mission, prayers for our local chapter can be so powerful.
Financial support through Canada Helps helps the whole ministry. You can even identify your donation as being set aside for the Ottawa Chapter. Funds help us purchase coffee and snacks, spiritual materials for participants (rosaries, prayer booklets, etc), taxi fares for those without vehicles who want to attend, or gas money to help mothers attend the summer retreat in Quebec.
