First Reconciliation (Penance): Preparation for this sacrament for second graders is in the fall. Two parent sessions precede the children’s sessions in PSR class and at home. First Reconciliation is usually celebrated in late fall.

First Eucharist: Preparation for this sacrament for second graders (in the spring) is a cooperative effort between the parents and the PSR class. There are two sessions for the parents prior to the children’s sessions in the Sunday morning Parish School of Religion (PSR) class. First Eucharist is usually celebrated in May.

Children Beyond Second Grade: Preparation for the sacraments is arranged on a one-by-one basis.

Confirmation: The celebration of Confirmation with the Bishop is held each year in the spring at one of the parishes in the Tri-Lakes Area Cluster. Eleventh and twelfth graders are invited to participate in the preparation and follow up programs.

E-mail Pat or call the office at 334-2928 for additional information on any of the above SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS.

Marriage: Lead couples provide information, support and share experiences of marriage with engaged couples. Five or six sessions are held to discuss topics, such as finances, communication, sexuality, spirituality, etc. The engaged couple also completes a marriage inventory called FOCCUS. Contact the pastor at least six months prior to your wedding date. There is training for lead couples.

Baptism Preparation: Parents, expectant parents and godparents attend an informative and reflective session about the Sacrament of Baptism of infants, children and family spirituality. The baptism preparation sessions are held approximately four times a year.

Adult Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist: Preparation for one or more of these sacraments takes place through the R.C.I.A. process.

E-mail LADYLAKEBRANSON or call the office at 334-2928 for additional information on any of the above SACRAMENTAL PREPARATIONS.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & FORMATION MINISTRIES

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): This is a process for adults who are interested in learning more about and/or joining the Catholic Church. Parishioners can minister in a variety of ways:

• 1) as RCIA team members who plan and facilitate the process;
• 2) as sponsors willing to accompany someone on his or her faith journey;
• 3) as hospitality ministers or song leaders;
• 4) as ministers willing to share their faith experiences and/or willing to pray for inquiring adults.

E-mail LADYLAKEBRANSON for additional information about RCIA. Or call the office 334-2928.

PSR, Parish School of Religion is during the regular school year and open to students kindergarten school through senior high. Classes are held on Sunday 9:00 am to 10:15 am and Wednesday evenings in the newly dedicated Formation Center of the lower level of the church.

Catechists answer the call to teach as Jesus taught; to share the gifts of their faith and to nurture the seeds of faith development in the children. Catechists are provided with up-to-date materials and resources as well as training and in-service times which provide affirmation and support. To be a Catechists is to accept the challenge to share one’s faith. The rewards are many, not the least of which is personal faith growth.

E-mail Pat for additional information. Or call the office 334-2928.

FELLOWSHIP & SERVICE MINISTRIES

Church Building Committee focuses on the future building plans and needs of the parish.

D.D.F. Leaders oversee the yearly fund drive for the Diocesan Development Fund.

Finance Committee looks at the overall financial situation of the parish and gives recommendations concerning these matters.

Funerals & Funeral Brunches or Lunches: Please call the office to make arrangements as we can provide a funeral brunch or lunch for the family of the deceased. Also call the office if you can volunteer to help.

Money Counters help count the offertory collection after the weekend masses.

Parish Office Volunteers help each week on Friday to assemble and fold the parish bulletin. Other volunteers help once each quarter to assemble and label the parish newsletter. From time to time volunteers help in other ways.

E-mail Parish Office or call the office at 334-2928 for additional information on any of the above.

Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, family, fraternal service organization. All Catholic men 18 years and older are eligible to join. The Branson Council is involved in many charitable activities such as the religious information bureau, pro-life, vocations and mental retardation. For additional information contact Joe.

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Caring Ministry is devoted to visiting the sick and homebound. Communion is taken to those who are unable to attend Mass. This is a wonderful ministry and greatly rewarding. If you called to this ministry please contact Our Lady of the Lake.

Prayer E-Mail Ministry entails a willingness to regularly pray for the sick and deceased members of the parish and their families and friends in your own home. Members are placed on a BBC email and all you do is open your email and pray. The is nothing to past on and everyone receives the same information.
To join the E-mail Prayer Ministry send your e-mail address.

E-mail your prayer requests to Prayer Requests or call the church office at 334-2928.

Prayer Service of Healing meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Blessed Mother Teresa Chapel. The group is lead by Dr. Marion Stewart. Everyone is welcome.

• We pray for peace, peace within ourselves, in our families, in the community and throughout the world.
• Dear Lord, we ask that you continue to bless Our Lady of the Lake and her needs. We ask that You watch over our Parish. We ask that You watch over our visitors in their travels. Lord, we pray for the financial needs of our new House of Prayer.
• Dear Heavenly Father, we give You thanks and praise for Your many blessings!

Christian Action Ministries (C.A.M.) is a Christian community project that strives to meet the needs of those in emergency situations. Our parish supports this organization with donations and volunteers who help with the C.A.M. Food Pantry. Food may be brought to the church or taken directly to C.A.M.

Baptism Preparation Ministry consists of parishioners who facilitate an informative and reflective session about the Sacrament of Baptism of infants, children and about family spirituality. Sessions are held approximately four times a year. For more information about helping with this ministry e-mail LADYLAKEBRANSON or call the office at 334-2928.

Marriage Preparation Ministry: Lead couples provide information, support and share experiences of marriage with engaged couples in the lead couple’s home. Six sessions are held to discuss a variety of topics. If you are called to this ministry, please contact LADYLAKEBRANSON or the office 334-2928 for information on the training that is available.