Blog

4 November 2022
Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake Church,

I wish to express my gratitude to those who have willingly accepted positions on our parish discernment team, entering the process with all the parishes in this diocese for future pastoral planning. We also find ourselves in the third cohort of the diocesan Stewardship model. Part of the charter of our current Administration Commission includes the coordination of a parish-wide stewardship program. As these processes move forward, you will be informed step by step either by diocesan or parish leadership. Since my arrival here, I expect very few noticeable changes in our living out of the stewardship model as our parish currently lives the stewardship commitment that Bishop McKnight desires of each of us.

It is necessary, as we form the Stewardship Council, to structure a Pastoral Council for this parish. The Pastoral Council, according to canon 536 of the Code of Canon Law is to aid and assist me in the pastoral activity of Our Lady of the Lake parish. This consultative body will give me counsel and guidance to foster the growth of the faithful. To form this council, I will be asking the membership of each of the parish committees to select a member for the council. The membership of the Finance Council is exempt from this process as they are a separate entity.

In addition, there will be an election for two council members at-large. This election will take place on a weekend in the very near future. Prior to the election, there needs to be a weekend for the collection of nominations. Those nominated for the Pastoral Council are to be active and practicing Roman Catholics and registered members of the parish, having received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). It is my desire to have this process completed by the first of the year. In the meantime, I ask for your prayers and personal discernment regarding service to the council or nominating one from the parish who would work for the growth and benefit of Our Lady of the Lake Church.

If you would be interested in serving on one of these important committees contact me at the Parish Office, for your assistance and expertise will be greatly appreciated.
Let us continue to keep each other in prayer.

Sincerely yours,
The Reverend Michael W. Penn, Pastor