Blog
Education Commission Meeting, Sept. 2, 2021
Minutes, Education Commission
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
Lake Ozark, Missouri
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021
Roll Call and Introductions: Present were Linda Adams, Karen Blevins, Mel Graessle, Kelly Hamrin, Father Medina, Abby Mullins, Deacon Paul and Marilee Poulter, Barb Steinman
Commitment to Mission and Opening Prayer: Linda Adams
Education Commission Charter: Committed core team: 1. Linda Adams (Chair); 2. Melodi Graessle; 3. Barb Steinman (Vice Chair); 4. Linda Bukalski; 5. Karen Blevins; 6. Marilee Poulter (Secretary)
Commission Positions, Misc: Linda A.
Young Mothers Group: Abby Mullins
Vicki introduced Abby Mullins, who is interested in starting up a young mothers group using a program called Well Read Moms. Abby explained this book club reads classical literature and meets once a month to discuss how to apply it to your life. Cost is $45 per year for each person and includes book, audio, and a reading companion. She has found a group in Jefferson City and is currently part of that but would like to start something at Our Lady of the Lake. Discussion was held and decided to proceed and include women of all ages. Announcements and personal invitations will determine who is interested and Abby will give us an update next month.
Osage Fest Report: Linda A./Karen B.
Linda reported it was a great night and well worth are going. Karen shared details about the night where a lot of information was passed out. Discussion held and decision made to attend again next year.
Parish Scholarship Applications: Linda A./Kelly
Announcements about the scholarship will be in the bulletin so applications can be sent out in October and will be due in November. Committee to assess applications will include Mel, Father and several other people (to be determined).
Parish Religious Education Director Report: Vicki
Vicki reported they were not as many parents at the registration last Sunday as they had hoped. She had determined there were 161 possible children for PSR and kindergarten should be the largest list with about 17. Vicki has emailed or called/left messages with all of those. PSR starts next week. There is one family who will be doing home learning. Karen is teaching confirmation and Beth Wright will be providing high school leadership. Vicki will let Mel know if any more Bibles are needed for the fourth graders but she thinks they have enough.
Hispanic Community/ESL: Vicki
Father reported the area churches are still coordinating weekend Spanish services which could possibly be Mass once a month and communion service the other weekends.
Adult Faith Formation: Barb
Business by the Good Book will finish Sept 13. Future plans were discussed and included an Advent Study Group like we had last year (weekly Sunday scripture readings) and Consoling the Heart of Jesus study group in the January. White House retreat is next weekend and six ladies will be going.
Family Life: Karri unable to attend
Kelly said no baptisms or weddings on the calendar except possibly a wedding in May.
Formed.org and Library: Kelly
Library computer is back but not set up yet.
Renewal Movement: Mel
The Welcome Weekend will be Oct 23 – 24. Five ladies registered so far.
Advent by Candlelight set on December 7 with a planning meeting Sept 7 at 9 am. Millie Aulbers will be the speaker.
Evening of reflection on Angels is scheduled for March 31, 2022 at 6:30; speaker is Lee Ann Korsmeyer.
New Evangelization: Linda B. Unable to attend
Marilee asked for Linda if decision has been made on Dynamic Catholic books to be given to families at Christmas. After discussion, decision was made to purchase 250 books, The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen. Kelly will order.
OCI and Catechesis: Deacon Paul
Deacon said classes will be held via Zoom again this year due to spike in COVID cases. Nothing else new to report.
Commission Core Team and Chair Position: Linda A.
Info from our Charter (link on our web page): The Core Team has six members. Each serve a three-year term, renewable for a second consecutive term and beginning on Sept 1. “The Executive Committee serves from October to October after discernment in the first meeting after new commission members are present.” Executive Committee Officers are Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. “The chair serves for a one-year term after having been chosen through a consensus deliberation of the commission. The chair may serve only for two consecutive years.” Other offices have no term limits.
Linda A. , Mel and Barb’s terms on the Core Team end August 31. They can renew for another three-year term. Linda Adams’ Chair ends Sept 30 after her serving two consecutive one-year terms.
Membership discussion was held and all three Core Team members will renew for another three-year term. Barb Steinman has agreed to be Chair beginning October 1. Mel Graessle will take over Vice-Chair position.
Linda A. researched and put together list of names with dates:
Current Core team:
- Linda Adams (2nd term beginning 9/1/21);
- Melodi Graessle (2nd term beginning 9/1/21);
- Barb Steinman (2nd term beginning 9/1/21);
- Linda Bukalski (1st term beginning 2/2019);
- Karen Blevins (1st term beginning 10/2020);
- Marilee Poulter (1st term beginning 1/2021)
Officers:
Chair — Barb Steinman (1st term beginning 10/1/2021),
Vice-Chair — Mel Graessle (beginning 10/1/2021),
Secretary — Marilee Poulter (beginning 1/1/2021)
Next Meeting Date: Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Marilee will be out of state for next meeting. Linda A will take minutes.
Prayer for Pastoral Plan – Vicki
Hospitality – Linda A.
Submitted by Marilee Poulter, Secretary
Coordinators for Key Responsibility Areas:
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_
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_
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
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
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. __________________________________
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
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
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
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. _______________________