SACRED HEART PARISH

ADULT RELIGIOUS FORMATION COMMISSION

October 1, 2013

 RESENT:  Sister Irene Hartman, Sister Rebecca Otter, Father Warren Stecklein, Diane Dodez, and Regis Lopata

            ABSENT:  Lynne Eck and Jamie Holopirek

 The minutes from the meeting of August 6, 2013 were reviewed and approved as written.

 The commission members decided to postpone purchasing of materials from Lighthouse Catholic Media at the present time.

 There was discussion about the recent training of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMEs).  We received very positive comments about the sessions, despite the three-hour time period that was scheduled for the training.  Thirty-four of the current fifty-five EMEs attended one of the sessions, which means that twenty-one have not yet attended.  A make-up session was scheduled for Saturday October 19^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Diane will call those EMEs who have not yet attended a training session.  A commissioning for EMEs will be held at Masses on the weekend of October 19^th and 20^th. 

 The commission members also reviewed the recent lector’s training sessions.  The sessions went very well and we again received positive comments about them.  Thirteen lectors attended the training, while fifteen of our current twenty-eight did not attend.  A make-up session was scheduled for Sunday, October 13^th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Sister Irene will contact those lectors who were unable to attend the previous sessions.  We will have a blessing for lectors at Masses on the weekend of October 26^th and 27^th. 

 The commission planned the topics for the “So Glad You Asked” column for the Sacred Heart Beat for the next few months.  Sister Rebecca will write about human trafficking for November and Sister Irene will have an article about etiquette in the House of God for the December edition.  For January, Regis will write about the statement “The Lord Be With You”; Sister Irene will write about St. Blaise and the blessing of throats for February; and Diane will have an article about counting the forty days of Lent for the March issue. 

 Plans were also made for topics for the monthly Adoration/Holy Hours.  The following were scheduled for the next few months with the individual responsible for the planning of the Holy Hour:

                         October – scriptural rosary (luminous mysteries) – Regis

November – a Marian hour of prayer with the Knights of Columbus or a memorial service for deceased loved ones by Sister Rebecca

                        December – no Holy Hour will be scheduled for this month

                        January – church unity – Sister Irene

                        February – vespers and quiet reflection

                        March -- scriptural rosary (sorrowful mysteries) – Sister Rebecca

 The commission members reviewed a number of Advent reflection booklets with consideration being given to buying a number of booklets for use by parishioners during that season.  The decision was made to purchase seventy-five copies each of “Waiting for Jesus” from Creative Communications and “The Joy of Waiting” from Twenty-Third Publications.  Some of the copies of both booklets will be given to parishioners in Belpre.

 There was some planning for the Advent wreath-making event scheduled for November 24^th at 2:00 p.m.

 The next meeting of the Adult Religious Formation Team will be on November 5^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Sisters’ house.  Additionally, another meeting was scheduled for February 4, 2014.

 ARF