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Growing Together As a Community
Here at Our Lady of Lourdes, you are encouraged to participate in the many opportunities we have to grow as Community:
Community 55
This is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners 55 years and older to gather together for the Eucharist, prayer, fellowship, and enrichment. The group meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Enrichment Center. Mass begins at 11:30 a.m. in St. Anne's Chapel, followed by a Pot Luck Luncheon, a scheduled speaker, a program or entertainment. Everyone over 55 is welcome! Bus trips are planned at certain times for those interested.
Council of Catholic Women
The goal of this Council is to afford women of the parish fellowship in a comfortable and social setting, while benefitting the parish as a whole. Activities include educational seminars, organized bus trips, fashion shows, luncheons, and craft workshops. All women of the Parish are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Family Fest, Summer Festival
The Family Fest is an annual event that is filled with family fun and entertainment for our parish and for all who attend.
Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council acts in the capacity of advisor to the Pastor regarding matters of a financial nature. The Council actively participates in the preparation of the annual parish budget and conducts reviews of the quarterly and annual reports. Members of the Council are appointed by the Pastor to three-year terms. The two parish trustees and the Parish Finance and Plant Manager are ex-officio members. Meetings are held on a monthly basis from September to June. Meetings with the Finance Council can be arranged through contact with the Finance and Plant Manager at the Parish Office.
Pastoral Council
This Council is the planning organization of the Church, which is advisory to the Pastor. Its main function is to identify the needs of the Parish, study needs, and recommend workable, informed and effective solutions. The Pastoral Council consists of 15 church members (who each serve a three-year term) and various Ad Hoc members. Five new members are selected each spring trough nominations and by the draw. In order to be an effective Pastoral Council we
need the input of our Parishioners. If you feel there is a need that the parish needs to fulfill, please convey it to a Council Member or feel free to attend a Council meeting. Names and pictures of current Pastoral Council members appear on the bulletin board just west of the Church’s main entrance. The Council meetings will be held the 4th Thursday of each month.
Scouting
The Cub Scout Program is open to all boys in Grades 1-5. The purpose of Cub Scouting - with the guidance of parents and leaders - is to help boys develop skills in outdoor activities, academics, sports, and citizenship. As a Scout learns skills, he advances in rank from Tiger Cub, to Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and finally, Arrow of Light. When the Scout earns his Arrow of Light award he is ready to bridge over to the Boy Scouts. Cub Scouts can also earn several special awards such as religious awards, belt loops, and pins. The two religious awards that Cub Scouts can earn are the Light of Christ and the Parvuli Dei medals which are typically presented to Scouts at the Scout Sunday Mass. Belt loops are awarded when the Scout completes the requirements for certain activities such as sports and academics. Pins are awarded as more difficult requirements are completed for each belt loop.
The Cub Scout Pack typically meets on last Monday of the month in the Our Lady of Lourdes School Gym from 7:00 to 8:30 pm during the school year. Pack meetings focus on award presentations and family oriented activities. The Pack is divided into a number of Dens which are composed of Scouts in the same school grade. These Dens meet twice a month and their program typically involves making a craft or learning a skill. The highpoints of the Pack year include the pinewood derby car construction and race and the Lincoln Pilgrimage Hike. In the summer, the Dens can participate in day or overnight activities (with parent) such as Day Camp, Webelos Woods campout, and Parent and Pal Day campout at the Rhodes France Scout Reservation near Pana, IL. For more information on joining the Pack, contact Nevin Alwardt at 876-1041.
The Boy Scout Program is open to all boys in Grades 6-12. The purpose of Boy Scouting is to help boys develop character, spiritual growth, outdoor skills, citizenship, and personal preparedness. As a Scout learns skills, he advances in rank from Scout to Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. Troop members can also participate in Catholic religious awards program and earn the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII awards which are presented to the Scout at a special ceremony at the Cathedral.
The Troop meets on Monday evenings in the Our Lady of Lourdes School Gym from 7:00 to 8:30 pm during the school year. Troop meetings typically focus on building skills and planning activities. The annual Troop program features one outdoor activity, such as camping or hiking, each month. In the summer, the Troop attends a one-week summer camp at the Rhodes France Scout Reservation near Pana, IL. Summer Camp features a waterfront for canoeing and rowing, a pool for swimming and lifesaving, ranges for rifle and shotgun shooting and archery, a Nature area for the study of plants and animals, and a pioneering area for woodcrafts. Scouts select the activities they want to work on and have free time to explore or relax.
The Troop also goes on a four-day high-adventure trip during the summer which usually involves canoeing, cycling, or horseback riding. Older members of the Troop have participated in the National Scout Jamboree in Virginia and backpacking treks for two weeks at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. For more information on joining the troop, contact Steve Hamilton at 362-0127, or Dale Holtzscher at 412-3787.
The Girl Scout Program is open to all girls ages 5-18. They’re divided by age into troops of Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors. Most troops meet twice monthly after school in a classroom. A Girl Scout promises to serve God and her country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law. The girls sell cookies in January and the OLOL troops have an annual lock-in in March for Girl Scout week. For more information on joining a troop, contact Julie Lakshmanan at 872-8906.
Scrip
Scrip are gift certificates for stores. The Scrip can be used to purchase a variety of items and services. The Scrip/Gift Certificates are purchased at a discount of 2% to 25% and sold at the full face value so Our Lady of Lourdes School’s profit is anywhere from 2% to 25% of the purchase price. Half of that profit can be directed back to an Our Lady of Lourdes student’s tuition. The Scrip/Gift Certificates can be purchased in the Church Office and after the weekend Masses. Your participation in this program is very much appreciated.
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