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Education Commission Minutes

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Present were Linda Adams, Karen Blevins, Karri Brauman, Linda Bukalski, Karen Fritzjunker (visitor), Mel Graessle,  Michele Haggerty, Kelly Hamrin, Vicki Irsik, Deacon Paul Poulter, Marilee Poulter, Barb Steinman

Opening Prayer: Linda Adams shared a prayer from Jesus Calling and reflection on Purgatory.

Education Commission Charter:  Committed core team: Michele Haggerty (Chair); 2. Melodi Graessle (Vice Chair); 3. Linda Adams; 4. Linda Bukalski; 5. Karen Blevins; 6. Marilee Poulter (Secretary); 7. Barb Steinman

Stewardship Council: Vicki Irsik

Vicki explained the purpose of the Stewardship Commission in supporting the works of the other commissions. They are not involved with the financial aspect of Stewardship, just help for the Four Pillars used by all — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation and Service. The Catholic Stewardship Renewal publication has been delayed but will hopefully packets can  be sent out in January to  our entire parish. Commission is just getting started and could use more members.  Anyone interested, please let Gay Ann Christy know.  

Parish Religious Education Director Report:  Michele

Hispanic Sacramental Needs — Father Penn will be meeting with and leading sacramental preparation after the first of the year. 

Steubenville/NCYC — Steubenville on hold right now. NCYC is in 2 weeks with a parent meeting next week. All items are falling into place for a successful, Faith-filled trip.

Advent Adventure — After 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday Dec. 9, this activity will be held for children of the parish to provide an evening out for parents. Classrooms and Fellowship Hall will be used for a great evening of food, fun and a movie. 

Considering moving FFF to Sundays next year — Discussion was held on possibly changing FFF day.  Input from catechisms requested. 

Father’s letter to FFF parents — This went out last week in bulletin and social media as explanation of responsibilities and encouragement to parents.

Adult Faith Formation:  Barb

Parish Scholarship  — Annual application is available from office or on web  for any college student interested in applying. 

Grateful Living Groups Part 2 — Six session groups are meeting now. One is complete and others will be done by Dec. 1

Works of Mercy Group – Projects are being planned by those who completed the Hearts Afire study. Barb met with Father Penn and another meeting to discuss is scheduled.

Father Offutt Fund for Formation — Fr. Offutt created a foundation for grants for adult spiritual development and adult spirituality to the 8 parishes where he served. Projects are considered in Jan., May and Sept.   Parish has previously gotten funds for Formed and other items. Discussion held. Barb agreed to work on submission for Jan.  with help from others. 

Family Life:   Karri 

Oct. 21 wedding was successful. An infant Baptism is scheduled for Nov 12 and possibly a Hispanic Baptism in Dec.

Formed.org and Library:  Kelly

Discussion on re-organizing the library by topics. Barb will ask Works of Mercy group.  Michele needs help with organizing PSR items. Discussed having a work day asking people to come. 

Renewal Movement:  Mel 

Welcome Weekend – Will be held November 4 & 5 with 15 attendees and 11 team members. Everything is on track. Prayers requested. 

Welcome Weekend in Kirksville — Monsignor Mak has asked for a core team to help start this program in his parishes. A discernment meeting is being held Thurs., Nov. 9 for an April weekend.

Advent by Candlelight — All is going well for Tuesday, Dec 5 event. One table is still open. Karri checking on possible attendees. May need another option for borrowing round tables. Kelly following up. Discussion held on using an enclosed trailer to store couches and youth group items during this. Possibly borrow one from a parishioner or rent. Mel will put in bulletin.

New Evangelization:  Linda B.

Linda shared info on study sessions by Renewal International (formerly Crossroads) for future consideration. Beautiful Eucharist books by Dynamic Catholic will be put out as Christmas gifts. Kelly is ordering.

OCIA and Catechesis:  Deacon Paul

One candidate and sponsor attending classes. All going well.

Parish Council Report:  Linda A.

Linda shared info on upcoming items.Dec. 9 and 10, a visiting priest will present Parish Mission at Masses.  Mission will be Dec. 11-13 during a 7 pm Mass followed by light refreshments in Fellowship Hall. Commissions will provide food. Education doing this on Monday, Dec. 11. Christmas Mass schedule will be coming out. More complicated as Christmas Eve falls on 4th Sunday of Advent. Sunday Masses will be in morning and Christmas Eve Masses will be in evening (one English and one Spanish). Hispanic married couples will hold Grateful Living group sessions after the first of the year.  A display for deceased souls will be up Nov. 5.  On Sunday, Nov 26, a movie on Our Lady of Guadalupe will be shown in Fellowship Hall. Information will be in bulletin.  Sponsored by Social Concerns in coordination with Father Alber. 

Next Meeting Date: Thursday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. – Library. There is no December meeting!

Final Questions and review of action items. 

Next meeting Prayer leader — Kelly Hamrin     Hospitality provider — Karri  Brauman

Closing Prayer: Linda Adams led group in Hail Mary to close meeting.

Submitted by Marilee Poulter 

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. _Michele Haggerty_

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. Michele Haggerty

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.  _______________________