Blog

Social Concerns Commission

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

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Minutes

Attendees: Kari Braumann, Glenda Hinrichs, Theresa Brown, Lusica Hankins, Dcn. Jim Hankins, Katie Thorman, Msgr. Makarewicz, David Gregg

• Opening Prayer and Reflection:  Kerri Braumann gave a beautiful, thoughtful reflection on our vocation. What are we called to do on earth to fulfill God’s will? We each need to exam our hearts to figure out what we are called to do to commit to our church and to this committee. You are meant to be a light to the world. Get involved and let your light shine bright to others.

• Commitment to Mission prayer – All prayed together.

• Salva vida Outreach – Dcn Jim continues to take gentleman to the Hope House and to Wal-Mart on a regular basis. Dr. Laura Nelson had talked about a mother and son needing assistance a few months ago. Dcn. Jim reached out to the mother and scheduled a meeting with her son, who is an 8^th grader. He is needing a mentor where Dcn Jim will assist and support as needed.   

• Update Parish Rosters:  Msgr Makarewicz said that there are 3 still out.

• Networking for employment support:  Dcn Jim stated that there are job openings throughout the area for those seeking employment.

• Spiritual:  Msgr Makarewicz mentioned the Solemnity of the Blessed Heart of Jesus will be celebrated on Friday 11 June while the Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was moved from Saturday 12 June to Sunday 13 June 2021 by Bishop McKnight.

• Funeral Dinners and Compassion Meals: Lusica Hankins talked about the need for additional teams to be formed for providing Kindness and Welcome Meals. A starting point for this would be to contact those on the funeral dinner committee for assistance.

Note: Msgr. will get with Mary Scarlett to make sure that communion is being provided to our parish members at the nursing facilities in the area. Most are now open to the public.

Pregnancy Care Center: Glenda Hinrichs reminded everyone that the baby bottles are due back at church by next Father’s Day Weekend, June 19-20^th.

Race Relations/Equal Opportunity – Actionable Steps Assisting Catholics with reflecting and responding in Faith to discrimination.  Glenda Henrichs suggested that we have a weekly study program developed to assist the parish in becoming more educated on these issues. We discussed a possible pilgrimage in the future that included Venerable Servant of God Augustus Tolton and Lady of Guadalupe.   Msgr. stated that we currently have 53 Hispanic youth between the ages of 5-18.  It was suggested that we might reach out to Linda Bulkawski and/or Barb Steinman with providing some possible suggestions. .  Glenda Henrichs suggested that we have a weekly study program developed to assist the parish in becoming more educated on these issues. We discussed a possible pilgrimage in the future that included Venerable Servant of God Augustus Tolton and Lady of Guadalupe.   Msgr. stated that we currently have 53 Hispanic youth between the ages of 5-18.  It was suggested that we might reach out to Linda Bulkawski and/or Barb Steinman with providing some possible suggestions.

Divorce Outreach:  Linda Bulkawski headed the first meeting. Those that participated were interested in the annulment process versus the 13-week healing process program.  Flyers are being developed to hand out after Mass in order to increase awareness of the Divorce Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake. The next meeting is scheduled for July 6th at 6pm at Bestgen Hall.

Neighbor’s In Need Meeting, 25 May 2021:  Dcn Jim continues to participate in their meetings that started in February 2020.  There goal is to reach out to the other Churches in the local area to support their on going efforts to include their food pantry, homelessness concerns, development of a homeless shelter and their Front Porch Village effort.  Front Porch Village is a homeless effort to build and provide a community center along with the building of tiny homes off Route 5 near Camdenton. The houses are: 400 sq. ft. one bedroom, 500 sq. ft. 2 bedrooms, and 600 sq. ft, 2 bedroom with loft. They are currently looking for sponsorships for them. Their next meeting is: June 29^th at 6pm.

Virtus (safe environment) Training:  Dcn. Jim gave us the website: https://diojeffcity.org/safe-environment for the safe environment training. We need to go into this website and take the course. Once completed, email Dcn. Jim.Dcn.

• Sunday Donuts support:  The Knights of Columbus have sponsored the donuts after the Sunday masses for years. However, this becomes an ongoing effort with finding dedicated volunteers to support. As such, it has been suggested that the Education, Worship, Administration and Social Concerns Commission assist them in this. We discussed that perhaps each commission could take a weekend each month. Dcn. Jim is getting with the other commission leaders to discuss this further. We need to find out how many donuts have been bought in the past and then appoint someone from each commission to make sure that volunteers are at each mass to assist with picking up the donuts, distribution after the 8:00 and 10:00 AM Masses, and clean-up. Theresa Brown has volunteered to be the point of contact for the Social Concerns Commission.   

• Seven Key Ministries and coordinators: 

• Ministry to Families – Deacon Jim and Lusica Hankins
  • Ministry to the Poor – Deacon Jim and Lusica Hankins
  • Ministry for Protecting Life – Glenda Hinrichs and Theresa Brown
  • Ministry to the Community – Stephanie Koch
  • Ministry of Hospitality and Fellowship – Theresa Brown
  • Ministry to the Oppressed – Vacant
  • Ministry of Health and Well-Being – Jan Metz and Diane Richardson.

Note: Msgr. will get with Mary Scarlett to make sure that communion is being provided to our parish members at the nursing facilities in the area. Most are now open to the public.

Next Meeting Date:  Our next committee meeting will be held on July 8, at 6pm in Bestgen Hall unless otherwise announced. Dcn. Jim is checking with Kelly to make sure the hall is available.

Prayer and Reflection leader Theresa Brown will be the prayer and reflection leader for July.

Closing Pastoral Plan Prayer