The Community Life committee plans, promotes, and coordinates activities to bring SMM parishioners together. The primary focus of Community Life is to facilitate social activities, and engagement and cultivate a sense of community and belonging.
Summer 2023 Report: Community Life Committee - a year later
Community Life Committee Report
The Community Life Committee has been active in creating community gathering opportunities and working behind-the-scenes planning for growth. The eight-member committee, led by Arnie and Emily Ovalles, developed a charter and established their purpose of promoting social activities and engagement to foster relationships and encounter Jesus through interaction with the SMM community.
The team coordinated Welcome Weekend in August 2022 and the Pentecost Potluck Picnic in May 2023 along with the Supper Club, led by Sam Billig, throughout the year and the Running Toward Christ group for young dads. Subcommittees were established to activate others in the work and planning of community engagement. The Welcome Committee, led by Cathy DeWeese and Natalie Kamtz, were primary planners for the Welcome Weekend. This subcommittee continues to develop a welcome packet and new parishioner intake process as well as establish a “generations of welcome” team to connect newer parishioners with long-term members. Another subcommittee, the Athletic Committee, led by Rick Rawley and Meghan Schlattmann was re-established. This subcommittee created a charter and is working on revising the Athletic Handbook and determining procedures for the financial management of the athletic budget in consultation with the SMM Business Office.
SMM Parishioners Arnie and Emily Ovalles are currently working as the chair couple for the Community Life committee. Here is their short Q&A:
Where are you from? What brought you to Omaha and what brought you to SMM?
Arnie: "I’m from Venezuela. I came to the U.S. to play college baseball at Iowa Western. I finished undergraduate at Wayne State and then moved to Omaha ... I completed my Masters at UNO and began working with the investment team at Boys’ Town (now Prodigy). I joined the parish during that time. We were married here at SMM on St. Patrick’s Day in 2012 and have attended here ever since. We now live in the neighborhood, 2 of our kids attend SMM. We love the sense of connection amongst the members here; they are our neighbors, friends and become like family."
Emily: "I am from the Kansas City area and came to Omaha for Ob/Gyn residency at UNMC. I met Arnie on a blind date in 2010. I grew up in a Baptist church but have felt very welcomed here at SMM - I’ve enjoyed Thursday morning Bible studies, and being part of Circle 6. I’m going through RCIA classes this year."
What drew you into your committee? Why?
"We were part of one of the strategic planning committees over the summer of 2021. It was a good introduction to the planning process and seeing how intentional the parish leadership is in assessing our community’s needs. When Father O’Donnell approached us to lead the Community Life committee, we gladly got on board."
How many S.M.A.R.T. Goals does your committee have? What are you most excited about in your committee?
"We are excited for the Community Life Committee to be a starting place to meet the fellowship needs of the parish. We have 7 S.M.A.R.T. Goals to initially take on. We are looking forward to helping the parish be a more inclusive and vibrant fellowship experience for all who attend."
Where is the Community Life committee at in the overall master plan process? What are the next steps in the process?
"The committee is tasked with recruiting parishioners to fill, participate, and lead groups involved in the following areas of community life. We will help provide the appropriate training and support needed for fellowship events. We will be reaching out to those already involved in these groups to see in what ways we can further assist them. The areas include ... Athletics Committee, Welcoming Committee, Youth Group, Young adults, Middle-aged adults, Senior Citizens Social committee and Catholic Singles."