Flocknote

5-23-2018

Greetings to all,

My term as chairperson is coming to an end. I have enjoyed leading Boomers and Beyond and getting to know so many of you. You provided a wonderful experience for me. Effective June 1 will bid adieu to all of you. I’d like to introduce our new chairperson, Dennis Johnston. I am sure he will be a very effective leader. Thank you and may God bless all of you.

Anne Kieser
Outgoing Chairperson

My name is Dennis Johnston and I will be taking over from Anne Kieser as chairperson of the Boomers and Beyond ministry. While I am relatively new to retirement and the Boomers and Beyond, I am aware that the best way to learn how to transition from employment to retirement is to get together with people who have experience in both areas and learn from them.

I also know that each person in the Boomers and Beyond has something to share with each other and contribute to the parish and community at large. Age and the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual problems of getting older should not be barriers to fully participating in life, but challenges to be addressed in an open and honest manner.

We are the generation of the 60s and 70s. We grew up fighting and protesting a war, challenged educational institutions, marched for civil rights, and influenced the elections of 1968 and 1972. We have gotten married, raised families, and found jobs to support our families. Some of us have taken care of our parents while raising our children. We remember the Baltimore catechism and the changes of the Vatican Council.

We are not neophytes to challenges or finding solutions. We know the value of doing our best and working together. So, I encourage all parishioners 55 and older to join me and the other Boomers and Beyond in building meaningful relationships and experience a variety of ways to improve our spiritual, mental, social, and physical lives.

Dennis Johnston
Chairperson

Boomers and Beyond Retreat – 5/8/2018

According to feedback from participants, our retreat this year held at St. Edwards was a great success!

Boomers and Beyond is a ministry that seeks to create a supportive and welcoming community for parishioners (singles and couples 55 and over) through varied activities of a spiritual, social, educational, and service-oriented nature. This retreat fulfilled them all!

SPIRITUAL: We began the morning with Mass in which parishioners from both parishes participated by bringing up the gifts to the altar.

SOCIAL: After Mass we socialized while enjoying a continental breakfast and getting to know others at our table. As the morning progressed into the speaker portion, we enjoyed learning even more about each other.

EDUCATIONAL: Beryl Schewe, our speaker and the Director of Pastoral Care at our Lady of Grace, educated us on how to let go of worry with positive thoughts with our breathing and concentration. Her daughter Sarah, who is a wilderness guide, taught us how to do chair yoga which helped us to learn how to “get up and move” as a break from sitting! Together they led us out of the wilderness to tangible, practical, and fun resilience building in our everyday lives.

SERVICE ORIENTATED: There were many ways we helped each other that morning. All of those who set up the room, organized the food, and prepared the space so that all could come, relax and enjoy, certainly reflected service. We all worked together as a team at each table to write a prayer with guidance from Beryl. It was amazing how in 10 minutes time each table came up with a beautiful prayer that we all had a part of and read for everyone.

It definitely was a great day to be a part of Boomers and Beyond. A special thank you to Donna Murphy for chairing this event.

Mary Loew
Communication Chair

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

Friday, June 1, beginning with Mass at 8:30am

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Come and join other parishioners for Mass in the chapel at 8:30am, followed by coffee and pastries in Dorothy Day Hall.

We hope you can join us! This will be the last First Friday event for the summer. We will resume again in September.

FIRST FRIDAY SPECIAL
SERVICE PROJECT
Good Samaritan YouthLink Baskets
Boomers and Beyond welcomes the opportunity to work with Pax Christi’s summer Vacation Bible Camp to collect items for their Good Samaritan YouthLink Baskets. The goal of this project is to help young adults, just starting out, obtain household items as they begin their first independent living situation. The Boomers welcome your participation in helping them fill the baskets. Please bring new items for kitchens and bathrooms, miscellaneous cleaning supplies, or more to First Friday Socials on June 1. You may also drop them off in the main office. More information can be obtained by contacting Dennis Johnston at djohnstonlisw@yahoo.com.

Calling all GRAND-parents and Senior Friends –
YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE …

BIBLE CAMP: DISCIPLES ON A MISSION!

July 23-27, 9:00–12:00noon

REGISTRATION REQUIRED - NO FEE:
You are invited to share your faith and talents at this year’s Pax Christi Bible Camp: Disciples on a Mission. Children ages three through fifth grade gather each morning for music, incredible Bible stories, games, and fun activities. Senior volunteers are needed to help with snacks, morning hospitality, crafts, or serve as crew leaders. A crew leader takes the campers to the various activities throughout the morning. All materials are provided. Training will take place in July. Also, watch for flyers about our special grandchild registration rate during First Friday Coffee and Conversations in April and May.

Volunteering at Pax Christi does require that you complete a background check and attend a three-hour VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children session before working with children. Registration for VIRTUS is done at www.virtus.org. We welcome you! Questions? Contact Renee Dignan, rdignan@paxchristi.com, or 952-405-7212.

CLICK HERE to register online as a volunteer. Renee Dignan will contact you directly about training.