Altar Linens

These ministers take home the pacificators and corporals used at every Mass and properly launder and iron them. The care of the altar linens, which embrace the Body and the Blood of Christ, is a very special ministry and we can always use additional volunteers. †

Contact:  Kathy Ponder ~ 417-294-0449

Altar Servers

Third grade and older boys and girls are invited into this ministry of assisting the presider at Sunday Masses and other celebrations. Training for those interested in serving is held periodically.

Contact: Father Rick Jones ~ 417-334-2928

Art & Environment

These ministers plan and decorate the worship space to reflect the seasons of the liturgical year. During Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter the committee enlists parishioners to help with decorating and provides leadership and direction for them. Volunteers with sewing or crafting skills and artists are needed to help provide items to enhance the environment. †

Contact: Father Rick Jones ~ 417-334-2928

Marty Waller ~ 417-334-3209

Heavenly Dusters

Heavenly Dusters are always needed to help in the cleaning of the church Worship Areas, Gathering Space, restrooms, office area and class rooms. If you have a few hours weekly, monthly or occasionally and would like to help vacuum, clean the glass, help with the restrooms, dust, and anything else that needs to be done, your time and talent would greatly be appreciated.

Contact: Dennis or Debbie Labanowski ~ Parish Custodial Services ~ 417-334-2928

Indoor Plant Care

As we are people of light and growth, we are pleased to have living plants in the Lord's House! If you love plants, are willing to talk with them, water and groom the plants in our church, chapel, and entryways, this may be the ministry for you! Our Gardening Ministry is a separate but related ministry that cares for the outdoor gardens.

Contact:  Julie Wolfe ~ 417-335-5031

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Lay leaders give children the experience of hearing and celebrating God’s Word in language they can understand at the 10:30 am Mass. Trained adult and teen volunteers accompany the children to the chapel where the leader proclaims the readings of the day, guides the children’s reflection on the readings, and leads them in intercessions. Training will be provided for those wishing to lead. Assisting ministers may help on a regular basis or whenever available. VIRTUS® Safe Environment training is required.

Contact: Lynn Melendez ~ 417-339-2825

The purpose of our e-mail prayer chain is to pray for those in need. Prayers are not limited to our parish, as we all need prayer. As Catholic Christians we understand the power of prayer.

How it works: open your e-mail and pray. Everyone receives the same information and there is nothing to pass on. The addresses are sent blind carbon copy and there are never any attachments. Our Lady of the Lake receives all the e-mails. Use this link to submit a Prayer Request. †

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers assist in distributing the Eucharist at all Masses. Anyone who has received Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation, having reached 16 years of age, is welcome to become a minister. Training is required. Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled on a monthly basis. VIRTUS® Safe Environment training is required.

Contact:  Marty Waller ~ 417-334-3209

Greeters / Ushers / Hospitality Ministers

Ministers of Hospitality welcome, assist and guide worshipers at our liturgies. They provide order during processions, handle emergencies, take the collection and distribute any take-home materials. Ministers of Hospitality serve on a team directed by a guide. Friendly adults, families and teens with the gift of hospitality who are willing to welcome our parish family and thousands of Parishioners-For-A-Day are appreciated in this ministry. Training is provided.

Contact: Stan Konstanz ~ 5:00 pm Mass ~ 417-619-1190

Joe Andrle ~ 8:00 am Mass ~ 417-336-3619

Ron Jungbauer ~ 10:30 am Mass ~ 417-335-2488

Lauds, Morning Prayer

Lauds, Morning Prayer, follows the 9:00 a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Eucharist on Wednesdays. Lauds is the morning prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and the prayer of the entire Church. The readings are drawn from Sacred Scripture. God's words in the psalms are sung or read in His presence with intercessions, prayers and hymns, steeped in the inspired language of the Scriptures. This sanctification of mankind is accomplished and worship is offered to God as an exchange or dialogue between God and human beings in which "God speaks to his people... and his people reply to him in song and prayer.

Contact: Joyce Arnold ~ 417-334-2928 ext 103

Lectors / Ministers of the Word

Ministers of the Word proclaim God’s Word to those gathered in celebration. Individuals who have a love of scripture and possess strong public reading skills are encouraged to join this ministry. Training is required. VIRTUS® Safe Environment training is required.

Contact: Patty Olson ~ 417-527-2910

Music Ministry

“Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy”… (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 39)

While EVERYONE is encouraged to sing at Mass, some members may feel called to a deeper sense of involvement. It is for this reason the Music Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake exists. Musical accompanying, cantor, music ensembles and seasonal choirs in liturgy all support the sung prayer of the Church.

Our Lady of the Lake is a unique and wonderful Catholic Community. Though we are a “small” parish, we have the privilege of joining with sometimes more than 2,500 visiting Catholics every weekend! We feel it is our calling to provide the best liturgical experience that we can. Because we do have so many who come to worship with us, we feel it is important not only to offer good liturgical music, but also to make sure that music is familiar and sing-able to each congregation.

We currently have four Masses each weekend (three in English, one in Spanish). Music is part of each one of these Masses. We use many different resources and sing different genres of music, from standard hymns to contemporary Christian songs. All voice parts are needed as well as musicians (guitarists, drummers, percussionists, etc.). The ability to read music is a plus, but it is not necessary; just a good ear, an ability to carry a tune and a willingness to learn!

Also a part of this ministry is the actual planning of the liturgical music. This is a collaborative effort of those involved in music ministry and other parishioners who are interested. These planning sessions meet every five to six weeks to pray and plan our music for Mass. This group also explores the future of Music Ministry and gives feedback to the pastoral leaders of the parish regarding our liturgies.

If you feel called to ministry through music, especially if you have previously been a choir member or instrumentalist, we invite you to become involved with our Music Ministry. VIRTUS® Safe Environment training is required.

Contact: Father Rick Jones ~ 417-334-2928

Grant Allen ~ 903-920-1145

Rosary Leaders

As we revere Mary as the Mother of Jesus, the first disciple, there are several times a year when stewards are needed to lead the rosary, especially before all the Masses during May and October. If you have a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and would like to be notified of the times when a rosary leader is needed please contact the parish office to add your name to a list to be called as needed. Also watch the bulletin as the need is usually announced before hand.

Contact:  Parish Office ~ 417-334-2928

Sacristans ~ Extraordinary Ministers

The Sacristans and Extraordinary Ministers are responsible for preparing the credence table and altar with the various items needed for the celebration of the Eucharist. The Sacristans oversee the Extraordinary Ministers at each Mass. After Mass the Sacristans remove and care for the vessels, making sure they are ready for the next celebration. Training is required. VIRTUS® Safe Environment training is required.

Contact: John & Sandra Ahrens ~ 417-336-2632

Pastoral Care:

Eucharistic Adoration

"A full uninterrupted hour of just you and God. It’s a precious thing. How long has it been since you were able to spend a full hour of your time with absolutely no interruptions? A person doesn’t have to speak out loud to have a conversation. It’s amazing what you and God can talk about without a word being spoken out loud." Parishioner Neil Murphy

Divisional Leaders will work to encourage all from our parish community to grow in relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ through the Blessed Eucharistic Adoration.

Adoration hours begin each Wednesday in the Blessed Mother Teresa Chapel following the 9:00 a.m. Mass and close at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. The goal is to increase the dedication of our parish's participation in the prayer life of the Church and our growth in holiness through love and devotion to Jesus.

You may participate whenever you have the opportunity but are particularly encouraged to make a commitment to spend at least one hour in Adoration each week. †

For more information on how you can get involved with Adoration, please feel free to contact the Divisional Leaders below:

Wednesday morning (9:30 am to 11:59 am) – Sharon Andrle - 417-336-3619

Wednesday afternoon (Noon to 5:59 pm) – Margaret Konzen - 417-335-5332

Wednesday night (6:00 pm to 11:59 pm) – Ruth Ostwinkle - 417-336-4234

Thursday early morning (Midnight to 5:59 am) – Mary Heiss - 417-334-4702

Thursday morning (6:00 am to 11:59 am) – Sandra Ahrens - 417-336-2632

Thurs afternoon (Noon to 6:00 pm) – Sister Francine Koehler, SSND - 417-334-2928, ext 105

Hispanic Coordinator – Sister Francine Koehler, SSND - 417-334-2928, ext 105

Caring Ministry to Homebound

Compassionate people are invited to bring Communion, love, and concern to the homebound, nursing home residents, and the hospitalized. They also visit the elderly, infirm, and handicapped — anyone who cannot be with us for Sunday Mass. 

Training is provided and required; semi-annual meetings for continuing development and spiritual growth are part of this ministry.  †

 

Contact: Annette Smith ~ 417-336-6645

Prayer Leaders for Communion Service

Our prayer service team leaders will be responsible for assisting the celebrant priest at Mass by setting up for Mass and serving as lector. As well, leading Communion services every Monday during which a Mass will not be celebrated in the Blessed Mother Teresa chapel is required. The goal of this ministry is to train competent communion service leaders and encourage others to join the ministry to provide assistance before, during, and after Mass. Assistance in setting up and leading Communion services is required. The prayer service leaders will serve for Mass no more than once a week on regularly scheduled weekdays and for Communion services once a month as needed. Training of new prayer service leaders will occur on an on-going basis throughout the year and refresher workshops will be presented as needed.

Contact:  Sister Francine Koehler, SSND - 417-334-2928, ext 105

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Many times when someone receives a Prayer Shawl they are not quite sure why they are receiving such a gift. As Catholic Christians we are all called to pray for one another. This ministry is an expression of that call...an expression of love...Divine Love of God and neighbor. Many times there are special needs of a parishioner, but there also times when a Prayer Shawl is given to someone as an expression that they are loved and appreciated in their service to our community. If you have not experienced our Prayer Shawl Blessing at the First Friday Mass, we invite you to join us. Fellowship follows.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry reaches out to those in need of comfort during times of loss or stress or in joy to celebrate births, marriages, ordinations and birthdays. This ministry dates back centuries and is symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God. A prayer shawl may be machine or hand knitted, crocheted, quilted or woven. The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. These prayers continue throughout the creation of the shawl and culminate in a final blessing before it is given.

In today’s hectic world would it not be a comfort, a thrill, and a holy thing to wrap yourself in your prayer shawl? This could be a physical manifestation of your tent meeting, your prayer closet and your marriage canopy. Thank Yahweh when you put on your prayer shawl… maybe with the traditional blessing: “Blessed are You, O Lord, my God, King of the Universe, who has given me my prayer shawl in which to meet you.”

If you have the calling to join this group, even if you do not knit or crochet (we are happy to help you learn), please join in the blessing of the prayer shawls - usually after the First Friday Mass.

Contact: Doris Tyndall ~ 417-334-1686

Women’s Prayer Breakfast

Please come join us… every Thursday morning, 7:30 to 8:40 or just whenever you can. Stay the entire time or a few minutes as your schedule allows. We pray together at Panera Bread, 207 Green Mountain Drive, in the back near the soda fountain. Join us in prayer and faith sharing. Everyone is welcome. †

 Contact: Dorothy Chapman ~ 417-593-3356