SACRED HEART PARISH
ADULT RELIGIOUS FORMATION COMMISSION
January 6, 2015
PRESENT: Sister Irene Hartman, Sister Rebecca Otter, Father Warren Stecklein, Diane Dodez, Lynne Eck, Mary Mitchell, and Regis Lopata
ABSENT:
The minutes from the meeting of October 7, 2014 were reviewed and approved as written.
It was reported that parishioners are apparently continuing to use the Book Nook in the foyer of the church
Sister Irene’s plans for the “What You Do To the Least” column for the Sacred Heart Beat includes the following:
January: homosexuality
February: when does life begin?
March: working class people
April: option for the poor and vulnerable
May: the right to life
June: human development
July: justice issues of a citizen
August: economic policy issues
It was suggested that Sister Irene might consider doing one of the future articles on the dangers of social media.
Topics for upcoming Adoration/Holy Hours include:
January: church unity – Sr. Irene
February: vespers and quiet reflection
March: St. Joseph – Regis
April: Diane will ask Sister Virginia Pearl about a reflection on St. Kateri
Tekakwitha
May: prayer for farmers/St. Isadore – Sister Rebecca
There was considerable discussion about training of new and continuing liturgical ministers, including lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs), Sacristans, and Greeters & Ushers. The names of those interested in beginning in a ministry is not yet known. The following dates, times, and trainers were set for these sessions:
Lectors: February 8th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Sister Irene and Regis
February 14th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
EMEs: February 7th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Sr. Rebecca and Diane
February 15th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Sacristans: January 31st from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Sr. Irene and Sr. Rebecca
Greeters and Ushers: February 22nd from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Lynne and Mary
February 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Training for these ministries will generally be based on short books we received about each of these important roles. There will also need to be a training for some new EMEs for the homebound, but this was not yet scheduled.
There was also considerable discussion about setting up some faith-sharing sessions for Lent. At this time, plans were made to have sessions regarding questions about marriage, as Pope Francis has asked for the Church’s input on this topic. There will be another extraordinary synod about marriage in Rome in October of this year.
The next meeting of the Adult Religious Formation Team will be on February 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Sisters’ house.
ARF
