WINGS: Still Soaring After 25 Years

In the spring of 1999, a trio of women went to their pastor at St. Raymond in Dublin, Father Patrick Goodwin with the idea to re-create a ministry they had encountered in Yorba Linda, California. 

“We went in guns blazing,” said Maggie Ringle, director of religious education at St. Raymond and one of the founding members who was at the original meeting, “It was an excellent way for the women of St. Raymond to be spiritually fed.”

Father Goodwin needed some convincing, but Ringle said it was a necessity and would succeed. “I told him we needed to take a chance.”

25th Anniversary GatheringUltimately, Father Goodwin agreed to give the group a two-year trial. Twenty-five years later, WINGS – Women in God’s Spirit – has soared. At their silver anniversary end-of-the-season brunch on May 22, Ringle took the microphone, looked up toward heaven and said, “Father Patrick, good for you. I’m glad you said yes.”

Mary Haupt recalled the work it took to get the group going in 1999. She estimated 10 women put in 100 hours of work, all without the internet. They would sit outside after Masses handing out fliers and called hundreds of women in the parish. 

She remembers thinking that they would keep trying if they managed to get a dozen women at the first meeting. Thirty-five women attended, and their group grew to 56 women by the end of that first season, which was themed Journey to Jubilee: Meeting the New Millennium.

Food, fellowship, faith
The group meets on a weekly basis from October to May. Meetings feature food, fellowship, a speaker whose talk reflects on the season’s theme, prayer and small group discussion. Past speakers have included priests and religious sisters, representatives of other faiths and local charities, and professionals in social work, music and medicine.

Six small groups meet in person for prayer and discussion after listening to the speaker. A seventh group meets online with a “shepherd” facilitating from a computer on-site in Moran Hall. The small groups are set at the beginning of each year. “Every year we change groups,” said member Maura White. “It’s a great way to see new perspectives.”

The theme this past season was Cultivating Peace in a Chaotic World … and Let It Begin with Me. The group has grown to 110 registered members with approximately 70 members attending every meeting. Members who have moved away or are unable to attend in person can participate via video.

“Sacred sassy sisters”
“This is a group of faith-filled women of all ages sharing their life experience and stories,” said WINGS co-moderator Irene Anderson, who joined the group 23 years ago as a new retiree. “It was just what I needed, and now I’m addicted,” she said with a laugh.25th anniversary celebration

Co-moderator Rosann Russo, who has been a WINGS member since 2013 added, “The women are phenomenal. Through the speakers, we learn about faith and outside organizations that live faith through action.”

“WINGS is based on women of faith striving to deepen their faith and get closer to God and caring for others,” Ringle said.

It is that care for others that makes WINGS special. “The best thing about WINGS is that it is intergenerational,” Haupt said, recalling the early years. “I had women 20 years older than me coaching and supporting me on how to raise three high school children.” 

When one of their members was diagnosed with cancer and preparing for surgery, WINGS made her a quilt. “Everyone contributed something,” White said. “Some had ideas for the design, others did needlepoint, some bought materials, someone knew her favorite color, and someone else her favorite quote.” They put their handprints on the back of the quilt and signed it. Although this is one example that sticks out to White, she noted that it is far from the only time the women of WINGS have rallied to support one another.

Their system of support extends beyond their group. “We can always count on WINGS to be welcoming with open arms, ready to help,” Ringle said. “They are women of faith willing to share.”

As these extraordinary women celebrated this milestone and reflected on their ministry, one member summed up WINGS with a simple alliteration: sacred sassy sisters. 

Christine Schreck is a staff writer for The Catholic Voice.

Father Mark Wiesner presented the first talk, entitled “Welcome to the Jubilee,” at WINGS St. Raymond during its inaugural season in 1999. Over the past 25 years, Father Wiesner has returned frequently as a speaker. “I am always happy to speak and be with the St. Raymond’s WINGS group,” he said. “What you have here is a group of women who are being intentional about learning more about their faith and deepening their relationship with Jesus, his Church, and with one another as sisters. I think any priest would welcome the opportunity to be present to a group like this. I am blessed that the women of WINGS have invited me back year after year to journey with them.”

WINGS groups around the diocese

Church of the Transfiguration
4000 E Castro Valley Blvd.
Castro Valley, CA 94552

Meets first and third 
Thursdays of the month, 
9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the parish hall

First meeting: Oct. 3, 2024
Registration fee: $30
transfigchurch.com/parish-ministries-groups/faith-formation-ministries/wings-women-in-gods-spirit/

St. Charles Borromeo/CCOP/St. Michael
St. Charles Borromeo
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
Meets Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Borromeo Hall
First meeting: Oct. 3, 2024
Registration fee: $40*
https://stcharleslivermore.org

St. Raymond
11555 Shannon Ave.
Dublin, CA 94568

Meets Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Moran Hall
First meeting: Oct. 2, 2024
Registration fee: $35*
[email protected]

St. Theresa
30 Mandalay Rd.
Oakland, CA 94618
Meets Wednesdays, 9:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m, St. Theresa Meeting Room
Opening prayer service:
Oct. 9, 2024

First meeting with speaker:
Oct. 16, 2024

Registration fee: $50
[email protected]
* Scholarships available.

WINGS groups are self-funded. Registration fees cover speaker fees, events and incidentals.