Blog

Social Concerns Commission

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

Thursday, 8 Jan 2026

Minutes

Attendees: Lusica Hankins, Jim Hankins, Dick Freeman, Theresa Brown, Joan Woods, Don Woods, Patty McNally, Gayle Pleus

1. Opening Prayer and Reflection: – Dcn Jim led us in an opening prayer..      

2. Commitment to Mission prayer – All prayed together. 

3. Funeral Dinners, Compassion Meals & Kindness Meals: We have made and delivered 28 kindness meals since October and 3 compassion meals. Lusica also coordinated and made 9 spiritual bouquets for those that did not request a kindness/compassion meal.. This ministry additionally assisted with the food for the Women’s Welcome Event and the Meet and Greet for new parishioners. 

4. Ministry of Health and Spiritual Well Being – Visits to the homebound are still occurring on a regular basis and are appreciated. 

5. Advent Giving Tree:   Patty McNally reported that all went well with the gifts this year.  190 were given out with only 1 being returned to Hope House.  Patty is going to work with the volunteers filing out the forms for the families requesting support that includes ensuring asking verification of clothing/shoe sizes along with following up with questions with gifts that are open ended/vague.  Again, there will be no hover boards, skateboards, or bikes next year. 

6. Cookie Trays: Lusica coordinated the request for cookies where we were able to put 47 trays together that were provided to area Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Homebound, middle/high schools staff/teachers, police/sheriff offices, fire stations.  Appreciate the assistance and support of Our Lady of the Lake parishioners!

7. Blood Drive – Friday, 9 Jan 2026 in Bestgen Hall, 10am – 2pm. Jeanie Freeman, Lynne Green and Susan Ziegler have volunteered to assist.  

8. Budget: We have spent since July 1, 2025, $12,236 of our budget on community needs:rent, electric, car repairs, etc.  We continue to assist when/where needed.  We appreciate the support of Joan and Kelly in the front office who are the first line of compassion for those requesting support.

9. Trivia Night – Saturday, 7 Feb 2026 in Bestgen Hall, Doors Open at 6pm. Trivia Begins at 6:30PM.  Proceeds this year will benefit Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club – Jesters of Goodwill.  Contact Karen Blevins if you would like to volunteer to support.  They will also be requesting food support.  Again, contact Karen Blevins or check out Our Lady of the Lake bulletin for volunteer and food support.  

10. Pregnancy Help Center Chili Cook Off will be held on 5 March 2025 at 6PM at The Exchange Venue, Camdenton, MO. The cost of admission is $15. If you’d like to make chili then it’s $25 to pre-register or $30 at the door. Our Lady of the Lake again is assisting with being a $500 sponsor.

11. Virtus (safe environment) Training – Dcn Jim  (https://diojeffcity.org/safe-environment)

12. Next Meeting Date: Thursday, 12 March 2026 

13. Prayer Leader – Theresa Brown

14. Closing Pastoral Plan Prayer said all together.