The Faith Formation & Education Committee creates vibrant opportunities for forming and educating St. Margaret Mary parishioners of all ages.
Summer 2023 - Faith Formation & Education Committee Report
Faith Formation and Education - One Year Later
The Faith Formation and Education Committee has been working diligently on completing our SMART Goals, with a particular emphasis on developing the Little Kids Ministry and Adult Faith Opportunities. Our team results are evident through the offerings for Faith Formation, and through our collaborative efforts, in line with our call to be missionary disciples.
Development began early last summer, as Vacation Bible School restarted with renewed efforts from the committee after an extended hiatus due to COVID-19. Our Religious Education Program and 5-day School program followed shortly after in August, and both continue to draw students in formation as we bridge opportunities for all students.
Highlights around developing a Little Kids Ministry include Our Lady of Peace Children’s Library, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As the Journey of Faith has progressed, areas of collaboration became apparent between not only the Standing Committees but also through our partnership with St. Cecilia’s Cathedral. Successful collaboration between the two parishes occurred through the Live Lent Together experience, Grief Group, and the weekly watching of The Chosen series through Lent. The
Catholic Quiz (in the bulletin) and various Bible Studies also continue to grow and flourish.
As we look to the next year, we are grateful for the extra support of our parishioners, who have stepped up as lay leaders in ministry. This fall, we look forward to piloting an Alpha Program for adults and increasing our collaborative efforts around young adult and youth teen ministry programming.
SMM Parishioner Sue Seline is currently working as the chair for the Faith Formation & Education Committee. Here is her Q&A:
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO OMAHA? WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO SMM?
"I grew up in Evanston and Naperville, Illinois. Bishop Robert Barron was a year ahead of me in high school. Unfortunately, we never had a class together. He was busy studying Latin while I went for band. After high school, my Dad took a job in California so I went to college there for a couple years, then transferred to Creighton, one of my best decisions ever, next to marrying my husband, Steve. I earned a degree in journalism and have worked in radio and television on and off ever since. My involvement at St. Margaret Mary’s really started when Fr. Mel Merwald asked me to join the parish council in 1994. Later, I started teaching Religious Ed when my four kids were in the program. Eighteen years later, I am still here on Wednesday nights. I love helping fourth graders and their families build a relationship with God."
WHAT DREW YOU INTO YOUR COMMITTEE? WHY?
"If you are reading this, you probably got this bulletin after mass. But so many of our friends have stopped going. So many are not just skipping church, their faith life is fading away. They have questions. We want to help them find answers. We want to move all needles for all ages and help everyone better understand our faith, develop a better prayer life and help them build a real relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
HOW MANY S.M.A.R.T. GOALS DOES YOUR COMMITTEE HAVE? WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN YOUR COMMITTEE?
"We have 10 goals that cover a lot of ground. They range from bringing back Sunday School for our littlest parishioners (and Vacation Bible School!!) to ramping up youth engagement, young adult engagement, lifting up our parishioners dealing with loss, and building opportunities for adult faith development and friendship to intersect. If you want a great golf swing, you practice it. If you want to play an instrument, that requires effort. Why not do that for our faith? We don’t stop learning once we are confirmed. This is a life game and we want to create welcoming opportunities to engage people, help people, and explain why we do what we do."
WHERE DOES THE FAITH FORMATION & EDUCATION COMMITTEE STAND IN THE OVERALL MASTER PLAN PROCESS? WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS?
"We have hit the ground running. We offered Lenten thought starters on how to “finish strong.” We provided the kids’ bulletin for the 9AM and 11AM Easter services. We posted banners to push Vacation Bible School. (Sign up, if you haven’t!) We will be testing your knowledge of Catholic trivia in the bulletin. We are beginning plans for a Sunday School program. Other projects include priest videos to explain various church topics. The first will likely be an explanation of Novenas to coincide with St. Margaret Mary’s Novena in June. Did you know the “cry room” is officially called Our Lady of Peace Chapel? A little people’s library of catholic books is being discussed for that space. We are exploring programs for those who have lost loved ones. No matter how old you are, whether you know a little about Catholicism or a lot, our committee is working on ways that St. Margaret Mary’s Church might engage you and energize you on your faith journey."