Hello Parents!

I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little about myself and how I came to be the Pray & Play Coordinator. My name is Melissa Martinka and I have been a parishioner at St. Columbkille all of my life. I went to elementary school here and graduated from Normandy High School. I have been very active in many different ministries here. During my college years I was a Youth Group advisor. I am also a Eucahristic Minister, Lector, and I help out with the Marketing Committee. I recently became a team leader for Walking With Purpose, a women''s Bible study group that is starting up at St. Columbkille soon. 

I was a teacher for fourteen years in Catholic Education before I became a mom. I taught first and second grade for three years at Jesus and Mary School in Slavic Village and eleven years in third grade at St. Michael School in Independence. I also taught in the summer PSR program at St. Basil for five years and sixth grade PSR for two years during the school year. 

My husband Tony and I have two children. Our boys, Caden and Christian, attend St. Columbkille School in 5th and 3rd grade. My husband is the president of the Holy Name Society, an usher, and a Cub Scout leader. He is also active in many other ministries in the church as well as the school.

Pray and Play was started in 2014. I was a mom with a two year old and a two month old looking for something to do with my oldest. I attended their first meet-up and never looked back. In the summer of 2016 I was asked to take over as the coordinator of Pray and Play. This year will mark my seventh year running this amazing program. Through Pray and Play I was able to meet some really amazing moms and form many special friendships. My boys also formed great friendships with other children that they still have to this day. Pray and Play offers a wonderful hour filled with prayer and many other activities to keep the children engaged. It gives moms the opportunity to meet other moms, for their children to socialize, to learn, and have fun!

If you have a child(ren) that are 5 and under I hope you will consider joining us at one of our monthly meet ups. We have a lot of fun and we love meeting new people! 

Yours in Christ,

Melissa Martinka