Blog

Education Commission Minutes

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

Thursday, September 5, 2024

• Opening Prayer: Barb
• Present: Linda Adams, Karen Blevins, Linda Bukalski, Michele Haggerty, Marilee Poulter, Deacon Paul Poulter, Barb Steinman
• Education Commission Charter:  Committed core team: Michele Haggerty (Chair); 2. ?? (Vice Chair); 3. Linda Adams; 4. Linda Bukalski; 5. Karen Blevins; 6. Marilee Poulter (Secretary); 7. Barb Steinman; 8. Kelly Hamrin; 8. Deacon Paul Poulter; 9. Brandy Hutzler 

• Adult Faith Formation:  Barb
• Vocation Cross – Asking people to still sign up.  In the bulletin and on web.
• White House retreat  – Sept. 12-15. Ten ladies going.
• Women in the New Testament – Mondays starting Sept. 9
• Women’s Ministry Meeting, Monday Sept 23.
• Parish College Grant – Edits sent to Kelly, write-up for bulletin needed

• Family Life:  Lynne Green will be taking lead for Family Life.  Wedding being held Sat., Sept. 7 for out of town couple.  

• Formed.org and Library:  Kelly
  • We need to stabilize/intensify the Wi-Fi so that we can promote FORMED. Discussion held. Michele will pursue company coming in to redo. 
  • Look at how clean the library area is. OCIC will be meeting in the library on Wednesday nights during the school year. Kelly purchased 3 new books. Possibly have a “check out this month’s books” notice. Formed section is now on the home page with links to Formed Weekly and Browse Formed Website.  

• Renewal Movement: Still vacant
  • Saturday, October 19, Welcome Social – all ladies in parish invited. Need to recruit team for Fall 2025
  • Karen Blevins will be the lead for Advent by Candlelight, Dec. 10.  All on track.  Planning meeting Sept 12 at 5:30.
• New Evangelization:  Linda B. Have several interested in taking communion to nursing homes when trained and Virtus certified.
• Stewardship:  Linda B. Beatitudes book from Stewardship to be used for Fall meetings by as many groups as possible. Information wall  in Fellowship Hall to revamped soon. 
• Parish Religious Education Director Report:  Michele
  • BBQ meal and registration went smoothly last week. 
  • First Class for FFF will be on Wednesday, September 11. Youth Group’s first meeting will be Sunday, September 8. Due to Father’s current health, there may be times that we will not be having Mass. The rosary will be said in place of Mass. Stacy may take this time to teach the students music for Mass.
  • We will be serving more substantial food after Mass. Susan and Michaella Stipanitz will be preparing the bento boxes each Wednesday. The Works of Mercy ladies will be helping pass out the meals and watching out for those students that arrive during Mass. 
• OCIA and Catechesis:  Michele
  • We currently have a total of five adults wishing to join the church. We will be meeting on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:30 starting Sept. 19.
  • I already have 5 younger children that will be joining the church. Jenn Otto will be working with the younger children and Louise Williams will be working with the older children. If no older children, Louise will assist Jenn.
  • All will be meeting on alternate Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:00.
• Parish Council Report:  Linda A. Father was not at the meeting so short reports were given.  SW Deanery meeting was held Sept. 3.  Document about expectations on catechesis is being implemented. Standard guidance for classes. Phase 2 will be training development for catechists. 
• Other:  Michele has 2 books from Kelley to consider  for Christmas gifts—33 Days to Eucharistic Glory and The Ordinary Voices of God. Team discussed and picked The Ordinary Voices of God by Matthew Kelly.
• Next Meeting Date:  Michele will be teaching OCIA on Thursdays so asked if we could change meeting day.  After discussion it was decided to meet on the first Tuesday of each month 5:30-6:30 and to discontinue hospitality food.
• Next meeting October 1.
• October prayer leader: Michele                   
• Closing Prayer: Barb

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. _Michele Haggerty
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. _______
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.  _Lynne Green
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. _Michele Haggerty_
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. _Michele Haggerty
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.  _______________________