Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Branson, MO

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. I Cor 12:5-6

These Ministries encompass the temporal needs of our Parish and Ministers of Administration who serve in many different areas of parish daily life. They assist with the collection, counting and distribution of parish resources. Thus, they are involved in fundraising, social action, clerical assistance, financial planning and oversight to include the $20,000 monthly obligation of our mortgage payment and the upkeep of the physical assets of the parish community. ÿ

The donations of the assembly at each Mass must be counted so the parish can use its resources responsibly to support parish ministries, help those in need, and meet our operating expenses. Parishioners are selected and trained to serve on a team to count the Sunday collection.

The DDF Committee promotes, coordinates and records the collection of our Parish's annual financial commitment to the Diocese. †

This team helps the pastor with the budget and financial reports. The pastor, with the committee’s combined efforts, looks at the ongoing financial needs of the parish, ministries and maintenance of the buildings. †

Throughout the year there are many needs that arise which are not normally in our annual parish budget. This is especially true due to the fact that we are not a large parish community (approximately 600 households), but host several thousand visitors over the course of the year. Our parish family has the opportunity to be creative in finding ways to meet these financial needs while at the same time reaching out to the parish and to the larger community.

These events are only successful with the support of the entire parish family. In return for our hard work, the “Vision for the Future” fund to help retire our mortgage debt receives on average $20,000 annually from our two largest fundraisers--the Spaghetti Dinner and Autumn Family Feast. We welcome fundraising ideas and thoughts, please share them with us! Click here for more information on Annual Events.

To get involved in these fundraisers, please watch the Sunday Bulletin and contact the individuals listed as coordinators. Hope to see you there!

I. Spaghetti Dinner

Our Spaghetti Lunch & Dinner is generally held on the second Tuesday in March. The first Spaghetti Dinner, sponsored by the women of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, was held in March 1962. It was deemed a great success as the women served approximately 400 people. This yearly tradition soon became the "spring event" for the community. In March 2001, hours were extended to include lunch and we served 1,100 meals.

The Spaghetti Dinner not only provides a significant amount of financial benefit for our parish but also serves to bring our individual "Mass Families" together as one. It is an outstanding community outreach, providing an opportunity to open our doors in welcome to, not only our own members, but to the community at large.

Team Leaders for this event are asked to make a two-year commitment. This design allows previous leaders to go off each year while experienced people remain for the following year. If you have interest in being a Team Leader or would like additional information, please let us know by mid-January. You will be invited to the planning meeting and receive the game plan before making your final decision.

To share the fun, fellowship, and the work, about 150-170 volunteers are needed from beginning to end to help in planning, advertising, set up, serving, and clean up. Sign-up sheets for these volunteers will be available in the Gathering Space about three weekends prior to the event.

Sponsorships are open to anyone who would like to contribute to this fundraiser. Benefactors for all or part of the expenses involved are also welcomed. Click here for more information and photos of the Spaghetti Dinner.

Contact: Joyce Arnold ~ 334-2928 ext 103

II. Autumn Family Feast

The Autumn Family Feast has been held the second Tuesday in November or in conjunction with the Branson Veterans Celebration since 1994. The original goal was to bring the three weekend Mass groups together. Today, we meet the original goal by joining the four weekend "Mass Families " plus honoring our Veterans as they celebrate in Branson.

The Team Leadership and volunteer arrangements for the Autumn Family Feast are similar to those for the Spaghetti Dinner. If you are interested in becoming a Team Leader or would like additional information, please let us know by mid-September so that you may be invited to the planning meeting and receive the game plan before making your final decision! Other volunteers should watch for sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space three weekends before the event.

Sponsorships and Corporate Sponsorships are open to anyone who would like to contribute to our fall "Vision for the Future" fund raiser. Benefactors for all or part of the expenses involved are also welcomed. Click here for more information and photos of the Fall Feast.

Contact: Joyce Arnold ~ 334-2928 ext 103

III. Arts & Crafts Festival

The Annual Arts &Crafts Festival is an opportunity for artists and crafters to come together and display their God given talents for a three day show in the Parish Center. The Festival is held the second weekend in October. Planning usually takes place in the spring. If you are interested in joining the festival as an artist or crafter, or would like to help with the planning and/or the event, your participation it appreciated. Click here for more information about the Festival.

Contact: Janet Bostnick ~ 417-336-3213

IV. Gift Shop

Members of the Gift Shop Ministry staff the Gift Shop so it can be open after all Masses. Parishioners and visitors are invited to shop for rosaries, bibles, crucifixes, and other religious articles as well as CD's from Branson entertainers in our parish.

Our Parish and visitors are blessed to have this group of dedicated women and men who share their time, talent and energy. Proceeds from the Gift Shop are donated to “Vision for the Future” to help retire our mortgage debt.

Contact: Joan Donovan ~ 417-339-2976

The Office Ministry was established to assist in a cooperative effort to accomplish the parish office objectives. Office Ministers work with office staff members and the pastor to accomplish a variety of tasks. With such a variety of activities within the Parish Office and so many ongoing activities within the Parish Community, there is invariably something that needs to be done.

The Office Ministry is looking for ministers who are capable of accomplishing various tasks and objectives. Parishioners with computer skills, expertise in typing, answering the phone, or greeting people might consider this ministry. There is copying, folding pamphlets and brochures, preparing Welcome Packets for new parishioners, shredding papers, filing, checking mailing lists, making phone calls and taking messages. Your assistance and service are always needed and are greatly appreciated.

For the most part, there is not a rigid timetable for volunteering. The Parish Office is normally open from 8:00 am to Noon and 1:00 to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. You may schedule one hour or more on a particular day or when you find yourself with some extra time, call to see if there is something to be done. Become a minister by placing your name on a call list to be notified when there is a special project like our bulletin, newsletter, or another major task to be done.

This individual coordinates reservations and arrangements for events held in the Parish Center. These include private events such as conferences, seminars, family reunions, anniversary parties, and wedding receptions, parish activities such as the annual Spaghetti Dinner, Autumn Family Feast, and Ministry Appreciation luncheon, and community outreach activities such as the Loaves and Fishes dinners.

The Event Coordinator works with parish staff, Event Monitors and Muscle Movers ministries. Information about use of the Parish Center, including pricing and reservation arrangements, can be made through the Parish Center Event Coordinator. Click here for more information about the Parish Center.

The Parish Center needs some strong individuals to help set up tables and chairs for various scheduled events. To be a part of our Muscle Team you must be at least 18 years of age, able to lift and carry items such as heavy tables, move at a reasonable pace, and work with other Muscle Team members. Ladies, you can also sign up for this! We always need floors swept and chairs set up and taken down. Virtus training is required.

Muscle Team members are paid for their services. If you have muscles and want to make some extra money from time to time, please call and ask to be put on the "Parish Center Muscle Team" list. Click here for more information about the Parish Center.

Event monitors are scheduled when the Parish Center is being used for an event. Registrants must be at least 21 years old, responsible, and physically able to perform tasks during an event. Monitors must be comfortable handling possible emergencies such as medical, illness, accident, weather, etc. Occasionally emergency clean up may be required. Comprehensive training will be provided. Virtus training is required.

Parish Center Event Monitors are paid for their services. If you are interested in more information about being an Event Monitor, call the parish office or contact Lorry Davis. Click here for more information about the Parish Center.

This ministry has a very important mission to achieve as our parish does not employ a maintenance person and maintenance contractors come at a high financial cost. Our main church, parish center, rectory buildings, and related facilities, (i.e. parking, lighting, walkways, etc.) require a tremendous amount of maintenance tasks which are essential to the proper operation of our parish facilities.

Parishioners who participate in this ministry will be asked to use their gifts and skills for mechanical tasks, building trades, electrical, general maintenance, etc. This ministry can save our parish many thousands of dollars in labor costs and help parishioners develop a sense of ownership.

Our Lady of the Lake Parish Council is active in the life and governance of our parish. The Council is comprised of ministers who discern their calling to serve on the Council. After an evening of reflection and prayer, new members are appointed by the pastor to serve three-year terms. The Council meets regularly and is advised by a small steering committee. The Steering Committee researches needs, provides individualized support for ministries that might be struggling, meets with the pastor as required and brings a consensus back to the main body. †

The Stewardship Committee is a group of parish leaders (separate from the Parish Council and Finance Committee) who desire to encourage all parishioners to use their personal gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure. The art of being a good steward forms each individual into the perfect pattern of Discipleship. This work of being a Disciple flows from the U.S. Bishops' pastoral letter on Stewardship. In using this document as a guide, the Stewardship Committee at Our Lady of the Lake encourages all parishioners to grow spiritually, Biblically (conversion of heart) and in a lifestyle of service. For more information on how you can be involved in “Stewardship as a Way of Life”, please contact one of the individuals below. Click here for more information on the Stewardship Vision at Our Lady of the Lake, †