SCRANTON – When Camilla Edwards moved to northeastern Pennsylvania from Michigan a little more than four months ago, she knew that she wanted to find a faith community she could call home.
“I’ve been trying different churches here and there,” she said. “My huge goal has been to get involved in a faith community and just start building a network of like-minded, Catholic people to surround myself with.”
That search led her, on a cold January afternoon, to the slopes of Montage Mountain – and to an event aptly named “Faith Moves Mountains.”
On Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, young adults from across the Diocese of Scranton were invited to come together at Montage Mountain for a ski-in, ski-out Bible study and fellowship experience organized by the Diocesan Office for Parish Life.
For Edwards, the event offered something she had been hoping for since her move.
“How do we find like-minded people? How do we start those connections?” she asked. “You don’t wear a badge on your forehead that says ‘Catholic.’ This is the perfect opportunity – I just know that everyone here is on the same page as me and it was a fun activity. I’m really glad I came.”
The winter meet-up was coordinated by Bridget Maille, Program Coordinator for Family Life in the Diocesan Office for Parish Life. Maille said the event was designed to take faith beyond church walls and into everyday life.
“Last year, our winter meet-up was a New Year’s retreat. But this year, we decided to take our faith out into the world,” Maille explained.
The theme, “Faith Moves Mountains,” was inspired by Christ’s teaching that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.
“As young adults, it gives us a chance to realize that we’re not alone in our faith and that faith doesn’t just happen on Sundays,” Maille added. “By establishing relationships, we build community and deepen our faith.”
Throughout the afternoon, participants prayed the Rosary, took part in a Bible study, and shared togetherness in an informal, welcoming way over a warm fire pit.
Deacon Michaelangelo Colaneri, who serves the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Immaculate Conception Parish in Scranton, took part in the gathering and said it embodied the Church’s call to bring Christ into the world.
“It gives us a chance to bring Christ outside of our Cathedrals and churches,” he said. “Christ doesn’t belong just in the church– we are the Church. As we come out and are with one another and enjoy each other’s fellowship, you start to see the true idea that Christ had for His Church start to blossom and flourish.”
He noted the simplicity of the afternoon is what made it enjoyable.
“We all sat around a fire. It is something so basic, so easy, so simple, but the experiences and sharing that came from it, you could feel Christ in our midst,” Deacon Colaneri added.
After collecting phone numbers for all the people in attendance, with the plan to start a group text message to continue sharing their interests and faith, Edwards said the Scranton area is starting to feel a little more like home.
“I’m very grateful for the experience and I’m looking forward to the next event,” she said.