Skip Navigation

ABOUT US

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

We are a Roman Catholic lay apostolate within the Archdiocese of Baltimore and founded almost 50 years ago by a local family. We are faithful to the Magisterium and joyfully, unapologetically Catholic, seeking to spread devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are an independent 501(3)c non-profit and rely completely on the support of our patrons.

OUR BEGINNINGS

Our Lady’s Center was founded by Frank R. Lancelotta Sr. and his wife Josephine on May 13th, 1974, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima, during a time when devotion to the Blessed Mother was falling away. Our Lady’s Center became a beacon of the Blessed Mother’s love and constant presence for her devoted children.The roots of this amazing place, however, reach far back and across the ocean. Learn more about our incredible founding and the challenges we have faced and overcome in this nearly half a century of history:

Lancelotta Presentation

Activities

Children’s Storytime & Craft:

Bring the children twice a month on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am to hear Mrs. Ginny read one of the wonderful faith-filled children’s storybooks that we feature in the bookstore. Help them foster a love of reading, an appreciation of the faith, and the joy of being a part of a safe, friendly faith community especially devoted to spreading a mother’s love, Jesus’ mother, Mary. While the children are making friends, their parents do too.
Every storytime also features a fun craft to bring home and a snack. We appreciate RSVP’s so we know how many crafts and snacks to have on hand, but walk-ins are always welcome. Contact us to sign up for the email reminders. Dates are always listed in the monthly Newsletter.

Linus Project Blanket Making Group:

Blanket Making Workshops are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 1 pm in the Conference room. Come in and learn from our Blanketeers how to make simple, no-sew fleece blankets for area children in crisis. Once finished, they are brought up to the chapel on Blanket Blessing Day, when they are laid across the front pews during Mass. After Mass, they are blessed, sprinkled with Holy Water, and prepared to be brought to area hospitals and shelters to help bring the warmth of Christ’s love to the suffering. Drop ins are welcome, and a good time is had by all. If you can tie a knot, you can make a blanket. Over 500 blankets have already been made at OLC Blanketeers.

Speakers:

We host a number of speakers throughout the year. The Defend Life Speaker Series brings the leading voices in the cause of Life to our little shrine six times a year to speak on relevant topics in the pro-life movement. We also host talks and book signings by well-known regional authors and speakers in the Catholic faith.

Legion of Mary:

The Legion of Mary, Our Lady Undoer of Knots Praesideum, meets here at OLC on Friday evenings at 5:30 pm. Along with carrying out their myriad devotions and responsibilities, the women of the LOM also provide much needed volunteer help here at OLC, and we are very grateful to have them.

Volunteering

With only one full time and several part time employees, Our Lady’s Center simply could not continue to exist without the efforts and enthusiasm of our wonderful volunteers. We are so grateful for their help, and are always ready to welcome anyone willing to serve the Blessed Mother.

Spring Clean-up

Our Annual Spring Clean up is an opportunity for any and all volunteers to come together to spruce up the grounds after a long harsh winter. From clearing dead wood, trimming back the overgrowth and power washing the siding to giving the chapel a deep cleaning and polishing, there is a job for everyone. We always follow it up with a potluck with plenty of food for hearty appetites.

Grounds Crew

A dedicated group committed to keeping the grounds tidy and accessible no matter what the season, clearing downed limbs and debris, weeding, trimming, shoveling, hauling, directing parking and setting up for occasional outdoor events.

Chapel Crew

From altar linen laundering to window washing to pew polishing, our Chapel Crew makes sure our pretty little place of worship is always ready for Mass. Some tasks, such as wax removal from brass candlesticks and tabernacle polishing are often part of Annual Spring Clean Up. Others, like

Offsite Show Crew

A large part of our sales revenue comes from vending our religious articles at area parishes and conferences. Our staff relies on the assistance of a pool of volunteers who help to pack up our merchandise, haul them to show sites, set up displays and even assist with sales. After the show, they pack us up and help haul our items back to the center to restock. These shows are wonderful opportunities to connect with our broader Catholic community and let them know all about OLC.

Eagle Scout Projects

Many looming, seemingly costly improvements have been wonderfully accomplished by ambitious young men looking to earn Eagle Scout. The projects that have earned them this recognition include a new shed to replace the one lost in the flood, new laminate flooring, a nice picnic area, shoring up the hill behind our outdoor grotto, and a lovely Stations of the Cross that follows the meandering stream. We are always looking forward to providing another Eagle Scout project opportunity.

Board Of Directors

  • Jack Kissane

    President

    Born in Laredo, Texas while Dad was in the Army Air Corps. Raised by Catholic parents in Pittsburgh, PA. Catholic schooling, CYO President in high school. Also played and lettered in 3 sports. Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, BS in Textile Management and Marketing. Graduated May, 1967 then married one month later to Grace, now 54 years ago, U. S. Marine Corps officer training next. Military specialty in Communications and Electronics. Stayed in 15 years rising to the rank of Major. Most was Reserve time. Have two children, David ( the voice of OLC) and Lisa. Both are married over 20 years. Four grandchildren are through Lisa and husband Dave. 

    After 10 years in sales to large retailers with a large clothing company, I began to manufacture shirts and other knitwear. We sold to decorators who printed or embroidered on them. In 1988 my family and I went on our first trip to Medjugorje. It moved my family and I to become more active in our faith. We became regulars at OLC and 2 years later I was invited to join the Board of Directors. Many challenges later including a fire that took the building to the ground in 2001 resulted in a need to expand the board for more involvement. Moving from Vice President to President in 2011, I have looked for continual help from Our Lady in her Center and she has given it abundantly. Finding Theresa, a young, exceptionally able lady in Atlanta was the beginning of a new chapter for OLC. She was here for 5 years when mothering duties called her away. Now we have Christine, who is leading us in an exceptional way and we hope will continue to do so into the future. Our board is now 10 people and the services offered here are growing along with the number of people attending. If you have a desire to grow with us and help with our mission of peace in a troubled world, let us know and begin to smile more.

  • Fr. Ambrose Onwuegbuchulem

    Spiritual Director

    Fr Ambrose Onwuegbuchulem is a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Fr Ambrose was ordained a Catholic Priest on 3rd December 2011 and had his seminary formation at St Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He holds a licentiate in Clinical Psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University Rome and is currently working for the Archdiocese of Baltimore as the Priest-Chaplain at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Downtown Campus, Baltimore. Fr Ambrose is the first child of five children and speaks Igbo, English and Italian fluently. He is a teacher, formator and spiritual director and takes delight in faith formation and the ministry of the word. Part of his ministry is the spiritual welfare of the Our Lady’s Center where he celebrates Masses and the sacrament of reconciliation. Fr Ambrose is part of the Board Members of Our Lady’s Center and holds the position of the Spiritual Director of the group.

  • Carolyn Niebauer

    Treasurer

    Originally from the Philadelphia area, Carolyn earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Cabrini College, in Radnor, Pennsylvania. Following graduation, she worked as a microanalytical chemist at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and after marriage and the births of her children, Carolyn raised a family for almost twenty years while volunteering at school, her Parish, and in the community. In 1975, Carolyn’s family moved to Maryland where she eventually took a position with the Federal government in 1989 as an investigator (and then a Branch Chief) involved with the manufacturing compliance of medical devices. During that time, a friend introduced her to Our Lady’s Center where Carolyn began attending Friday evening masses, adoration and other devotions when her schedule allowed.

    More recently, as the new chapel was being completed in 2007, Carolyn decided to retire from the federal government, and one week later joined the staff at Our Lady’s Center. Her duties were varied but began with many still undone details needed for the dedication of the new chapel. Shortly afterward, Carolyn was asked to join the Board of Directors as the secretary/treasurer in a volunteer capacity. In her current role, she is responsible for paying the vendors, writing the priests’ stipends, and weighing in on spiritual and financial decision at the Center. Additionally, Carolyn facilitates the Friday evening devotions, and manages the blanket-making sessions along with a variety of more immediate needs. Currently, Carolyn is involved in a two-year program studying for induction into the Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy.“I love Our Lady’s Center for many reasons,” Carolyn says. “I have been serving here for 14 years, and feel that our patrons, volunteers, financial supporters, and devoted staff have become a family… a community.” 

  • Carl Kleinschmidt

    Mild-mannered government contract employee with the SSA by day, Carl instantly becomes OLC’s awesome Mr. Fix-it at the first sign of trouble. Whether an issue with facility maintenance and repair, new project implementation, or computer and security systems management, he will take care of it. Originally from Yonkers, NY, Carl earned a degree in Visual Communications from the U of DE and moved to this area when he married his bride Christy. He became involved with OLC in 2004 through assisting in the rebuilding efforts following the fire, and this is his fifteenth year serving on the Board. Carl enjoys biking, photography, woodworking, and of course being dad to lovely Madeline. Thank you, Carl, for always picking up the phone when we call.

  • Ada Lorraine Vergne-Marini

    Originally from Puerto Rico with Italian, French, and Spanish family backgrounds. Education consists of Bachelor in Science with Major in Home Economics from the University of Puerto Rico; Masters in Science and Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland; and “on the job training” in Computer Software Support and Programming. Retired from the Federal Government in the Health Care Financing Administration inBaltimore, Maryland. Wanted to be a Nun when I was in High School, but the many turns of life eventually led me to marry Bob Krumhansl and mothered his 3 children – Bobby Jr, Kenny, and Karena who are like my own. After caring for my parents and their passing, I became more active in Church volunteering both at the Shrine of Saint Anthony and Our Lady’s Center.In 2013, I was led to an encounter with the “Holy Face of Our Lord” at the Philadelphia Carmelite Monastery (66th Avenue and Broad Street), and of “His Real Presence in the Eucharist” which made a great impact in my life. In 2017 I was led to a National Conference of the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Philadelphia, came back “on fire,” and within a year, I had the late Anthony Mullen, FOL National Director, give apresentation at Our Lady’s Center out of which 3 Flame of Love Cenacles started and continue to this date. As I look back, after many vicissitudes throughout my life, it is unbelievable that that shy, sad, and insecure girl was I! Only through the power of the Holy Spirit, Our Lord, and Our Lady I am who I am today – full of joy and totally devoted to their service and request: “Help me Save Souls!” And Our Lady’s Center has had a big role bringing me to where I am!

  • Nicholas Nucci

    Nicholas Nucci has been on the OLC Board of Directors since December of 2015. Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Nick moved here after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University in 1987 with an engineering degree in Architectural Engineering. Nick resides in Western Howard County with his wife Stephanie, has two children who live locally in Carroll County, and two grandchildren. Professionally Nick has thirty-four years of experience in mechanical and electrical consulting engineering specializing in Healthcare construction, and is registered as a Professional Engineer in four states. As an engineer, Nick brings invaluable skills and knowledge to the Center, particularly in the continuing assessment of any building and grounds maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the center in satisfactory working order. Nick also is activity chairperson of two Eagle scout projects at the center. Nick and wife Stephanie have been married for 18 years, and Nick is the proud father of two sons. Thank you, Nick, for your service to OLC.

  • Jean Ayoub

    Jean Y. Ayoub is a native of Lebanon. He traveled to Boston in 1983 to complete his BSEE and MSEE. After spending 13 years in MA and then three in MI, Jean and family relocated to Ellicott City. In 2017, Jean joined the adjunct faculty in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Morgan State University. He is currently teaching a course titled “Elements of Power Systems Analysis”. After a long career of 18 years with General Electric as a Senior Electrical Engineer, Jean started in 2018 his own engineering business under Power Studies Group, LLC. Jean has been serving on the Parish Council of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Washington, DC since 2003, and also taught Sunday School. Jean and wife Eliana have been married 28 years and have two sons and one daughter. It was Eliana who first discovered OLC. Soon after, she and Jean began attending our Friday Mass regularly and becoming more involved. Their daughter Maria completed her Girl Scout Golden Award at OLC, beautifying our outdoor shrine by landscaping and planting shrubs. Their son Robert completed his Eagle Scouts project by building the tables and the picturesque picnic area which is enjoyed by so many patrons. Eliana donated to OLC the beautiful icon of St. Charbel of Lebanon which we have displayed at the Center. We are so grateful to Jean and his beautiful family for all they have done for OLC.

  • Diane Andrews

    Diane Andrews, a native of Detroit, Michigan, moved to Howard County with her husband in 1984. She founded Backstage Dance Studio located in Columbia, MD in 1987, and although not teaching dance at this time, she continues her work as studio director and CEO. Her current volunteer work includes Cooking for Our Daily Bread, Committee Member for The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Ball Baltimore Chapter, Teaching tap dance to seniors at the Florence Bain Senior Center, The Linus Project at OLC (fabric cutter) and serving as a board member for Our Lady’s Center.

    Diane and her husband Dennis have been married 37 years, they are parishioners at Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City, and have three sons, one grandson and another on the way soon. In her spare time, Diane enjoys walking, reading, crafting, spending time in Florida and traveling. She feels privileged and honored to have served as a board member at Our Lady’s Center since 2018.

  • Claudia Chamberlain Zohorsky

    Claudia completed her BA at Mount Holyoke College. After raising a large family, she returned to graduate school to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. Currently, Claudia is a private practice therapist specializing in the integration of faith and psychology. She and her husband, Paul, have been married 40 years and are the proud grandparents of 13. After having been a devoted friend of Our Lady’s Center for over 3 decades, Claudia was invited on the board in 2019, and remains committed to Our Lady’s Center’s original charism and devotion to the Blessed Mother.

  • Nicholas Pirone

    Nicholas M. Pirone is current board member of Our Lady’s Center. Nicholas is the president of Robyn Properties, Inc. which is a commercial real estate management, development, leasing corporation located in Ellicott City, MD. Our Lady’s Center is a wonderful place to worship and Nicholas is helping continue the legacy of Our Lady’s Center.

Gallery