Education Committee changes name to "PSF Committee"
Serving as a consultative board, the parish PSF Committee meets monthly with the Director of Religious Education (DRE). Using a consensus-style of discussion, the committee helps to set policies, determine goals, plan programs and generally guide the education plans for children and families and for the good of the parish.
If you are a registered member of the parish and are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Kathy Nicklaus (at the parish office). Members of the PSF Committee: Cindy Sjolander, John Horman, Mike Hoffman, Kate Escher, Pat Carpenter, Steve Duffrin and Kathy Nicklaus
PSF Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
M I N U T E S
Present: Steve Duffrin, Cindy Sjolander, Pat Carpenter, Kathy Nicklaus
Absent: Kate Escher, Mike Hoffman, John Horman
The meeting opened with prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas
Last month’s minutes were approved
Children’s Soup and Sustenance Program – Kathy reported that the program had gotten off to a slow start. The first program was cancelled due to the fact that only one child was signed up. The second program had 14-18 children and the third program had six children.
“Questions of Faith” Jeopardy Game – There will be a class-to-class Jeopardy game between the 4th, 6th and 8th grade PSF classes on Sunday, March 21. Kathy reported that the participating classes are excited about the upcoming game. All participants will receive award ribbons and Topperstix to mark their participation. Because of the wide grade range, Kathy said she will put a plan in place to keep the game fair to all the students.
Confirmation plans – Kathy announced another recent change in the plans for the Confirmation celebration. Initially Fr. Mark was going to preside at the Liturgy, but as of this date, the celebration is scheduled for Sunday, May 2, at Newman with Bishop Harrington, the retired Winona diocesan bishop. It is unclear if St. Mary’s Coon Valley will join us or if they will celebrate on their own.
First Eucharist preparation – Kathy sent out a letter to 2nd grade parents this week asking for their Mass preference for the celebration. First Eucharist will be celebrated Sunday, April 25th at both of the morning Masses. In addition, two families will celebrate with their children at the 9 am Mass, May 16th. These two families will both be out of town in April. The workshop for the sacrament will be held on Saturday, March 27 from 9 am until Noon. Because of the early celebration of the sacrament (the sacrament celebration usually comes in May), the last 3 chapters of the curriculum have been squeezed into the remaining PSF time and will be reinforced at the workshop.
News on the Newman Library – The Newman Library, which was once housed in the extended gathering space in the northeast corner of the building, will have a new home soon. It has been determined that the library will be in the meeting space by the Pastor’s and Education offices. A parishioner is creating cabinets and shelves for the space. At the present, there is no time frame for the completion of this project. Presently, a portion of the library is available on the opposite side of the building in front of the Music and Campus Minister’s offices.
Ideas for next year – The group continued their discussion on plans for the next school year. Kathy opened with a further discussion on what are “Moments of Meaning” as discussed in the book, “Families and Faith”. A suggestion was made that as a parish we look at parish families who are sending students off to college for the first time. Because we are a Newman Center, perhaps we should be addressing these parents and helping them ease the transition for students and families. Sez “Families and Faith”, “ritual can ease the pain of transition.”
Other suggestions were made for next year which centered around feast days and service. Kathy cautioned that activities should be family-centered, more than class centered so as not to burden our volunteer catechists with more obligations.
Catholic Source Book – At the end of the meeting, Steve and Pat each took home a “Catholic Sourcebook”. They have been asked to randomly read the book and report back at our next meeting 2 to 4 things they found of interest. It is hoped that others will continue this process of reading the book for future meetings.
NEXT MEETING: Scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, at 6 pm in the former education office.