Parish and Family Life

     The Parish and Family Life committee members have been "busy bees" during the month of April.  We hosted cake and punch for the new members from RCIA, furnished a finger food reception for the Confirmation candidates, provided lunch for the children going through their First Reconciliation, and provided cake and punch for the First Holy Communion candidates. 

     A special thank you goes out to Angelo Botta, Amanda Norris, Loretta DeRuvo, Sandra Smith, Elaine Janaskie, Susan Collins, Margaret Ayers, Susan Jones, Father John, and others who just pitched in to help.

     We have some very dedicated and loyal members who always help in any way possible when asked.  Please search in your hearts to also find a place to help this committee.  We are here to serve our Church and to serve each other as God would want us to do.  Feel free to give me a call at 638-9093 to find out more about the Parish and Family Life committee.

Music Director 

     A big thank you is extended to all who helped with the music for the Easter season.  Your gifts of time and talent are so appreciated and surely the Lord blessed your efforts.  We would like to welcome a brand new cantor and choir member, Pat Johnson.  He is a great addition, and we are glad he joined us.  If there are other interested individuals out there, please don't be bashful.  You will be welcomed with open arms.  A VERY special “Thank You” goes to Art and Ellie Lapoint for their generous gift of the organ to the music department and to the Church. 

     Preparations for the Madrigal are already in the works! Please prayerfully consider joining us.  We had a wonderful, if hectic, time and were richly blessed.  If you would like to participate, please let Fred, Wanda, or Susan Collins know. 

     There will be no Wednesday choir rehearsals on May 28 or June 4.  Summer rehearsals will be on Sunday mornings before Mass.  Music for each Sunday will be selected on that specific Sunday.  These rehearsals will begin on June 8 at 10:00 a.m.  COME JOIN US!!!!!!

Education and Formation

     As our religious education classes wind down for the 2007 – 2008 year, I would like to thank all of those who assisted with teaching. We have been truly blessed to have such dedicated catechists who go that extra mile to teach the Catholic faith. This past year, five of our high school students assisted: Paul Loewenkamp, Sarah Longworth, Victoria Longworth, Rachele Fenter, and Ashleigh Ayers. They set a great example for us all.

     Our adult opportunities included implementing the Renew: Why Catholic?program, coordinated by Lisa Loewenkamp, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, coordinated by Judy Collins Renew will continue for six weeks during Fall 2008 and six weeks during Spring 2009. The next RCIA class will begin in September. Both of these programs are excellent ways to learn more about or to strengthen your Catholic faith.

     We were able to host three educational workshops during the past year. One was by Rich Armstrong on catechesis, another by Deacon Sean Smith on end of life issues, and the third by Ruth Queen Smith on the Acts of the Apostles. The attendance alone showed our thirst for knowledge.

     Our high school program included classes for the preparation of the Sacrament of Confirmation under the direction of Wes and Lauren Lott. Thirteen young people sealed their faith in the Catholic Church this spring. When classes start in the fall, a new class will have to be developed for the high school students who have recently received the sacrament of Confirmation, thus bringing our program to three levels. 

     Our elementary program included an intermediate sacramental preparation class for students in the third through eighth grades who had not received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Ana Johnson willingly accepted this challenge and was instrumental in assisting Sandy Alter, Trisha Ginder, and me in preparing sixteen students to receive these sacraments. 

     We are always in need additional catechists, substitutes, and aides. I ask you to pray for the formation here at Notre Dame; and, if you feel God is calling you to this ministry, come and talk to me. I can be reached at 639-9382.