5 minute read
Getting to Know the Members of Our Area Catholic Community Council
This month, we speak with Tom Overman, Scott Henderson, Andrew Bromenshenkel, Jim Bottelberghe and Sheila Jaeger about their involvement on the ACC Council and in our faith community.
TOM OVERMAN
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TOM OVERMAN
1. How are you involved in your parish?
I am involved in many different things at our parish, taking my turn mowing the church lawn, ushering at Mass, involved in our Spring Cash Raffle planning, and volunteer my help at our annual Fall Turkey Dinner.
2. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team?
I originally was involved on our parish council at St. Donatus — when we were establishing the ACC leadership team at the meeting at the Padua Pub, the group added my name to the list of possible people. My first reaction was I really did not want to be involved in this council. Over the next few days, I really felt a tug from God that kept pulling me to be on the council. So I accepted, and very glad that I did
3. What is the best part about being on the team?
We as a team mesh very well — I have made new friends and really feel like I am a part of making decisions that steer the future of our ACC.
4. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC?
My hope is that in the future, we as an ACC will all feel as one group, and work closely and diligently together to become closer to God
5. Tell us more about the mission of the ACC.
Our mission is to establish a prayerful and holy ACC with a focus on all members feeling a part of something special. While still maintaining the roots and personality of each individual parish along the way. We as a team are taking steps to utilize our strengths at each individual parish to do greater good for the ACC.
SCOTT HENDERSON
1. How are you involved in your parish?
Our family belongs to St. Paul’s Church and I did sign up to be an usher in 2020, but with the pandemic, I haven’t had the opportunity to serve in that capacity. I currently sit on the HFS School Board
2. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team?
As a member of the HFS Board, it was important to have representation of the Board on the ACC. Fr. Greg asked if I would be the liaison between the Board and the ACC.
3. What is the best part about being on the Leadership Team?
Personally, besides getting to know all the great individual people serving on the leadership team, I would say learning about the nuances of each parish, especially the southern parishes, and getting to understand more about what makes each parish tick was the best part.
4. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC?
I hope to increase the connection between all of the parishes to HFS. I think by adding the southern parishes to the line of communication, it will increase the stewardship of the community to the school.
ANDREW BROMENSHENKEL
ANDREW BROMENSHENKEL
1. How are you involved in your parish?
In addition to being involved in the Parishes on the Prairie Leadership Team, I am an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
2. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team?
Fr. David Grundman approached me about it, saying he thought I’d be a good fit since I grew up attending St Paul’s in Sauk Centre and now am a member of St. Francis de Sales. I wanted to be more involved in our parishes, so I agreed.
3. What is the best part about being on the Leadership Team?
We’re the first group of parishioners to set the foundation for the Parishes on the Prairie for years to come.
4. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC?
My hope for the Parishes on the Prairie Leadership team is to help bring these six parishes closer together and to find ways for each individual parish to benefit from the larger group.
5. What goals are the Leadership Team working towards? Please tell me why these goals are important.
Our upcoming goals include continuing to learn about stewardship, supporting faith formation, developing communications and community outreach, like interacting with the elderly and involving the youth.
6. Which goal are you most interested in and why? What concrete things need to happen to achieve that goal?
Stewardship. The southern parishes just completed our first Stewardship Commitment, and I think that’s an excellent start.
JIM BOTTELBERGHE
JIM BOTTELBERGHE
1. How are you involved in your parish?
Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, greeter, money counter, Treasurer for St. Joseph Society, Homebound Ministry, on the Maintenance Committee, on the Sausage Supper Committee, assist and sing in the choir. I have been on the Finance Council, Parish Council, and have served as a Trustee. In the past, I taught religion classes for the youth.
2. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team?
Fr. Greg asked me if I would be willing to serve our parish in this capacity.
3. What is the best part about being on the team?
Meeting other people from all the different parishes, and working together with them on different projects and goals.
4. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC?
To continue to develop and grow community bonds between the six parishes in our ACC while maintaining each parishes’ individual identity.
SHEILA JAEGER
SHEILA JAEGER
1. How are you involved in your parish?
Right now I am a lector, Eucharistic Minister, religion teacher, and on the ACC at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Elrosa.
2. How did you get involved on the Leadership Team?
I became a member of the Leadership Team after serving on the Parish Council and being asked to become part of the ACC.
3. What is the best part about being on the Leadership Team?
The best part of being on the Leadership Team is being able to work with others to get ideas about how our parishes can stay vibrant and inviting to all.
4. Being on the Leadership Team, what is your hope for the ACC?
My hope for the ACC is to continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit to work together to foster growth and stewardship in our parishes.
