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Education Commission Minutes

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

February 3, 2026

Education Commission Core Team: Michele Haggerty (Chair); 2. Linda Adams; 3. Linda Bukalski; 4. Karen Blevins; 5. Marilee Poulter (Secretary); 6. Barb Steinman; 7. Kelly Hamrin; 8. Deacon Paul Poulter (Co-Chair); 9. Brandy Hutzler

Present: Karen Blevins, Linda Bukalski, Michele Haggerty, Monsignor Greg Higley, Kelly Hamrin, Marilee Poulter, Deacon Paul Poulter, Barb Steinman

NOTE – Meetings needs to last one hour only due to OCIA starting at 6 pm on Thursdays.

Opening Prayer: Michele 

Adult Faith Formation: Barb

Scholarships: Seven applications were received, reviewed and approved and checks sent out. 

Formation:

Lenten Journey study group using Formed will be held on Mondays at 6:30 pm from Feb. 16 – March 23.  Final session on March 23 will be a showing of the movie, The Lord’s Passion. Deacon Paul, Barb and Marilee will lead the group.

Feb 14 and 15 we are planning to help after Sat. night and Sun. morning Masses to explain and help parishioners sign up for Formed and Hallow, an online application being offered free through our parish. Sunday the 15th is Donut Sunday

Divine Mercy – Barb proposed having a Divine Mercy service here on Divine Mercy Sunday, the week after Easter.  Monsignor approved and said he and/or Deacons would lead the service(s).  Discussion held. Barb will coordinate.  Possibly have two and also invite Eldon.  

Vocations: Discussion held on a vocations committee to promote prayers/programs supporting all vocations. Michele will discuss with some FFF parents.  Eldon parish is hosting a Vocations Night on Feb. 26 and we are invited. Vicki Irsik coordinating.

Family Life: ?    (Lynne has stepped down from this position.) 

Discussion held on duties and makeup of this ministry.  Monsignor would like a Wedding Facilitator to work with wedding groups for their ceremony. No marriage prep is involved by this person, just the service planning and execution. Infant Baptism Facilitator would be responsible for the parish’s welcome gifts for the newly baptized. A number of gift bags and letters are already on hand. No baptismal prep is involved by this person. Discussed possibly having  two coordinators/facilitators, one for marriages and one for baptisms. Group will send ideas for people to Michele to contact.  Note: Listing of responsibilities for Family Life will be adjusted.  See below.

Formed, Hallow and Library: Kelly – Our parish will be offering a free subscription to all parishioners for Hallow online program which includes 5 premium (paid) content items.  Announcement and Information will be publicized during Lent.

Renewal Movement: ? Discussion held on coordinator position to facilitate (not necessarily lead) programs under this category, including retreats and activities.  Suggestions to Michele please. 

Welcome: Linda A. absent. Update by Kelly. New women’s weekend team has formed and their first meeting is Monday, Feb. 9. Women’s Weekend will be in the spring,  April 10-11, 2027.

Women’s Ministry:  Karen – Karen, Barb and several ladies attended the last meeting with Barb Prasad. 

Advent by Candlelight (ABC): Karen – A meeting was held to review December’s event and suggestions for next year. 

Lent by Searchlight: Lent event for men to be held February 26, 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Chris Wolf will speak, followed by Stations of the Cross and a meal.

New Evangelization: Linda B. 

Servers: Altar server discussion was held. Linda B. is recruiting through FFF and helping several new servers. Monsignor will review a server training booklet she found online. Having Altar servers for Mass is a priority this year. 

Stewardship: Linda B. – Michele is meeting with Gay Ann and will report.

Parish Religious Education Director Report: Michele

OCIA and Catechesis: Michele – We have a new group of Hispanics that need all sacraments and will be brought into the church on Sunday, May 23 (Pentecost) at 6:00 Mass.  First meeting with them is 7 pm tonight 

Parish Council Report: Brandy – Brandy absent.  Elections to be held next weekend for 3 members.

Next Meeting Date: March 3, 5:00 pm in Library.  Deacon Paul and Marilee will be on vacation so need someone to please take brief NOTES. 

Final Questions and review of action items. March prayer leader: Karen

Closing Prayer

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 into the sacramental life of the Church. __Michele Haggerty_

2. Welcome 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. Wedding Facilitation Marriage Preparation, Baptism of Infants and Formation for Family Life:  The coordinator(s) for wedding ceremonies marriage preparation, infant baptism and formation for family life serves a foundational role in building up the domestic church in the home.  _?_

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.  _?_