With over 250 members, Twin Cities Catholic Singles Group helps support and guide singles toward holy marriages. Gabrielle “Abby” Arrowsmith, the founder of this group, set out to provide this support through intentional dating, fellowship and service.
After a long-term relationship ended for Arrowsmith, she discovered in talking with other Catholic women that some had experienced similar life situations and that the vocation to marriage just wasn’t shaping up in their lives.
Arrowsmith told “Practicing Catholic” producer Rachael McCallum in a program set to air at 9 p.m. March 28 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, “As I began to recognize that I wasn’t on an island, and that there were lots of other women in the same situation that I was in, I began to feel like we needed a way to support one another in that, not just as friends, but centered around our faith.”
Arrowsmith said a group of 30 women began meeting over tea to discuss singlehood through the lens of faith. She said the biggest challenge Catholic singles face is the pressure and a sense of hesitancy that develops over time.
“Some of it is the way that our culture operates,” Arrowsmith said. “We’re so visually oriented and we’re so used to instant gratification with the way that we receive even media and so a lot of online dating is happening and that’s almost the go-to now versus this in-person connection, which is really so important.”
Arrowsmith said it is important to recognize that we are all children of God, made as “unique and repeatable” individuals.
“Always approaching our dating events with that in mind as we’re trying to see who we’re interested in, who God is calling us to spend more time getting to know, we always want to see first his presence in the other individuals and then being as intentional as possible about what it is that we’re sharing with others that we’re interested in getting to know,” Arrowsmith said. “Outside of our dating challenges, just try to make the most of this season of preparation that the Lord has given us. Recognize it as a gift of time.”
To hear Arrowsmith share more about Twin Cities Catholic Singles Group, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. March 29 and 2 p.m. March 30.
As part of the program, Archbishop Bernard Hebda talks about the importance of humility during Lent. Also, Bishop Kenney shares how, in surrender and self-denial, we experience the fullness of life in Christ.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, “Practicing Catholic” can be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
