Blog

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
March 26, 2026 5:30pm

Members:
Pastor: Monsignor Greg Higley, Social Concerns: Jeanie Freeman 3/27, Hispanic Ministry: vacant,
Worship: Linda Ambrozi 6/27, At-Large Member: Lynne Greene 12/28, Deacon Jim, Education: Brandy Hutzler, Chair 12/26, Stewardship: Jay Bukalski 7/26, At-Large Member: Mike Scherer 12/28, At-Large Member: Patty McNally 12/28

Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Inspire us with your Spirit of wisdom. Plant seeds of your vision in our hearts and minds. Give us humility as we work with one another to help people come to know you. This we ask through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

5:30 – Welcome/Introduction for new members
*Welcome & Introduction for new members
*Review Pastoral Council Norms/Expectations from Monsignor Greg

5:45 – Confirm Council Term Dates & Assign “duties”
*Explanation of meeting routines & At-Large members’ purpose *Commission Representatives are appointed by the respective commission
chairs and serve staggered terms of 18 months. One additional consecutive term may be served.
*Assigned term dates are at the top of this agenda
*The positions of: Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary will be assigned during May 7th meeting.
*Vote on By-Law Change on May 7th
*Proposal: Change At-Large member elections from October to January every 3 years so those who have been inspired by our annual Catholic Stewardship Renewal will have had time to go through the nominating process.

5:55 – Social Concerns Report: Jeanie Freeman
*Trivia Night raised $5,814 for the Idiots Club
*In approximately 2 months: 33 Kindness Meals, 4 Compassion meals, 2 Funeral Dinners, and 2 spiritual bouquets have been provided and supported
*Pregnancy Health Center Chili Cook-Off: 2 tables were sponsored ($500), $465 donated from attendees, 4 desserts by Lynne Green raised over $1,000
*Blood Drive March 17th: 20 pints collected
*Baby Bottle Drive: May 10th-June 21st 100 bottles will be available for parishioners to take home and collect money for Pregnancy Help Center

6:00 – Stewardship Report: Jay Bukalski
*Leadership Conference – April 11th 9am-3:30pm
*Continental breakfast @ 8:15 & lunch is provided
*Have final names turned in by April 6th so nametags can be made
*Each of the following groups have been invited to host a table:
§ Social Concerns (Deacon Jim)
§ Worship Commission (Linda Ambrozi)
§ Education Commission (Michele Haggerty)
§ Youth Group (Joan Wolf)
§ Hispanic Community Leadership (Msgr. Higley)
§ Knights of Columbus (Larry Bayliss)
§ Ladies Auxiliary (Theresa Brown)
§ Welcome Team (Linda Adams)
§ Events Teams (Karen Blevins)

6:05 – Worship Report: Linda Ambrozi
*Still in need for more Ushers/Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, & Lectors *Contact Church office staff or Linda Ambrozi if interested
*Adoration takes place on Fridays after 8am Mass until 2pm *Contact Church office staff or Linda Ambrozi if interested
*Divine Mercy Service: April 12th @ 3:00pm
*Vocation Cross located in Fellowship Hall – need volunteers to sign up to take home and pray for the designated week with those in the home
*Art & Environment gathering bids for Church renovation
*Parish has (3) 1st Class Relics to be displayed w/future renovation
*Lots of compliments have been given on the new location for Our Lady of Fatima and the Children of Fatima statues

6:10 – Education Report: Brandy Hutzler
*Please welcome the following people that joined the Catholic Church and the Our Lady of the Lake family at this year’s Easter Vigil:
*Sarah Roque, Christy Shoemake, Brent Simpson, and William Smith Let’s rejoice in their Full Communion in the Church!
*Upcoming Events:
*April 15: Confirmation practice at St. Anthony’s from 6:00-6:30 *April 18: Confirmation at 5:00pm Mass at St. Anthony’s w/reception *April 29: End of year BBQ following 5:30 Mass
*May 3: First Communion and May Crowning at 10:00am Mass
6:15 – At Large Members
*First meeting expectations were discussed at the start of the meeting with Monsignor Greg & Deacon Jim’s Report

6:20 – Monsignor Higley & Deacon Jim Report
*Used their time at the start of the meeting to welcome members, discuss norms and expectations since adding 3 new At-Large Members to the Pastoral Council

6:30 – Discuss tentative 2026 Meeting Dates
*Meet every 2 months, 5:30-6:30pm, usually on the first Thursday of the month *Thursday, May 7th 5:30-6:30pm
*Thursday, July 9th 5:30-6:30pm??
*Thursday, September 3rd 5:30-6:30pm??
*Thursday, November 5th 5:30-6:30pm??

Closing Prayer:
Hail Mary

Current Pastoral Plan:
Priority #1 – Youth, Young Adults, Young Families

• Request that our Youth Group takes a more active role in planning and executing parish activities and liturgies.
• Continue to build and promote Family Faith Formation activities that engage the whole family (e.g., youth in PSR
  program and their parents).
• Promote a Young Adult (not necessarily families) ministry.
  Priority #2 – Hispanic Ministry
• Engage in greater consultation with existing Hispanic community to discern needs.
• Promote greater integration of Hispanic and Anglo communities within the parish.
  Priority #3 – Engaging Inactive Catholics
• Provide and promote resources to help parishioners invite inactive Catholics to return to a more active practice of their faith.
• Promote diocesan and parish ministries that address obstacles to returning to the Church (e.g., divorce ministry, grief ministry, etc.).