Blog

Education Commission Meeting,
November 5, 2020
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church,
Lake Ozark, Missouri 

Attending: Linda Adams, Karri Brauman, Linda Bukalski, Melodi Graessle, Kelly Hamrin, Vicki Irsik, Monsignor Makarewicz, Deacon Paul and Marilee Poulter

Commitment to Mission and Opening Prayer: Vicki Irsik

Vision and Inspiration: Vicki Irsik presented a PowerPoint from the Religious Education Office which was followed by PSR discussion (see below).

Education Commission Charter:  Committed core team: Linda Adams (Chair); Karen Blevins Melodi Graessle; Barb Steinman (Vice Chair); Marilee Poulter(Secretary); Linda Bukalski

Parish Religious Education Director Report:  Vicki Irsik

PSR update: In–person classes continue. Scheduling options can be re-evaluated if needed to move to total online learning. 

Currently there are 15 to 20 children per week attending PSR in person using textbooks and liturgical resources. This is roughly 20% of those normally attending other years. Some are teaching at home. Vicki is sending two emails per week to each family trying to maintain contact with everyone. Discussion held on where to focus.

PSR Recommendations – Monsignor Mak

1. Meeting of all the catechists. 

2. List made of all the PSR families and their participation response.

3. Review of data and plan development for PSR moving forward.

Policy/statement for K-1 grades update: Discussion held. Vicki is putting together education standardsfor K-1.  Then Monsignor and she will meet to create a policy for 2nd grade sacramental requirements.

High School program update: Vicki is setting up someone from each commission to talk to the high school class on November 15. They will explain their roles and how their commission functions in our parish. 

Pre-K website activities update: no report.

E-Learning Monday update: going well. Karen Blevins, Jenny Glendenning and Deacon Jim Hankins are helping.  Melodi is scheduling/organizing. Marilyn is providing meals. 

Hispanic Community/ESL

We need someone from the Hispanic community on our commission. Ethan gets the invite and Linda sends agenda/minutes to several people.  Vicki offered to talk after the Spanish Mass to enlist participation. Monsignor to set date. Nothing to report on ESL since Julie Herman has left.

Adult Faith Formation:  Vicki reported in Barb’s absence.

Catholicism 101: Meeting was held with Barb, Vicki, Deacon Paul and Marilee. Vicki and Barb have met twice since then but nothing final. Another meeting to be held Monday, November 9.

Business by the Good Book to start beginning of next year.

Family Life:   Karri 

Karri reported one upcoming baptism in November and a wedding on November 28.

Formed.org and Library:  Kelly

Kelly has several computer donations lined up from her son. Once Monsignor sets up a computer, the library will be ready to go. 

Renewal Movement:  Mel 

Report on Welcome Event: Welcome weekend was held on October 24-25 with 15 participants attending both days. It was a great, faith-filled time for all. Follow up meeting was held on October 29 and another one is scheduled for November 17. Plans are to hold another women’s Welcome weekend probably next fall.

Over and under 45 event: Mel lead a discussion on holding some type of event in the spring for a women’s over 45 group to create a special experience for younger women (under 45). No definite plans set yet.

Advent by candlelight 2021: Plan to hold this in 2021, Covid permitting.

Brainstorming and discussion held on another event, possibly a one-day conference. Nothing decided.

New Evangelization:  Linda B. 

No new books from Dynamic Catholic. Cursillo 2021 will be held. 

Discussion on doing something for Advent was held. The Diocese is not providing anything. Word Among Us books will be distributed at Christmas to parishioners along with Mother Theresa book of daily reflections.  Kelly and Linda B. will meet to look at what is on Formed and available for 4 sessions, 1 per week for groups to discuss. 

OCI and Catechesis:  Deacon Paul

OCI continuing weekly with 2 people. Next class will be a video on the Mass. Monthly class for last year‘s OCI members is ongoing. One person is ready for sacraments.

Pastoral Plan:  Msgr. Mak

Monsignor hopes to have the pastoral plan ready for distribution to the parish in November.

Next Meeting Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 6:00 PM 

Prayer leader – Kelly

Hospitality provider – Linda B.

Closing Prayer led by Vicki.

Respectfully submitted by Marilee Poulter, Secretary

Coordinators for Key Responsibility Areas:

1. Order of Christian Initiation:  The preparation for initiation into the Church for adults and children of catechetical age will be a special ministry of the commission, ensuring that there are catechists and sponsors to accompany the catechumens on the way to full initiation in to the sacramental life of the Church. __Deacon Paul Poulter_
2. Christ Renews His Parish and Renewal Movements:  The coordinator for renewal programs identifies, introduces and supervises the various renewal programs that are available to parishioners. _Melodi Graessle_
3. Marriage Preparation, Baptism of Infants and Formation for Family Life:  The coordinator for marriage preparation, infant baptism and formation for family life serves a foundational role in building up the domestic church in the home.  _Karri Brauman_
4. K-12 Religion Classes:  The coordinator for the religious education of the youth has one of the most essential roles to play in faith formation. _Vicki Irsik_
5. Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation:  The coordinator for sacramental preparation is a significant role along with the classroom catechists. The coordinator serves as an advisor, a facilitator and leader especially in ensuring that every person has access to sacramental catechesis at the appropriate time or remediating situations where a sacrament is lacking in the lives of the faithful. __________________________________
6. Adult Faith Formation: The Coordinator for adult faith formation initiates programs that Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life; promote and support active membership in the Christian community; and call and prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world.  _Barb Steinman_
7. The New Evangelization:  The coordinator for the new evangelization seeks out those who have not heard, or have forgotten, ignored or rejected the Christian message. _Linda Bukalski_
8. Parish Faith Formation Library:  The Church has been and will continue to be a people of The Book. Therefore it is essential that literary, spiritual and catechetical materials be made available for all parishioners of all ages. _Kelly Hamrin_
9. Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life:  The coordinator for vocations to the priestly and religious life informs, organizes and leads the parish in regard to ensuring that the Lord’s call to pray for more workers in the vineyard is heard by each parishioner.  _______________________