Prime Timers "Commencement"
...Earnie Larsen and Future Plans
Sunday, October 7th, 2001

A Wine and Cheese Party was held on Sunday, October 7th for all parishioners age 55 and over (or somewhere close!). Planned as a new beginning with a new name for a parish group which has heretofore only enjoyed three luncheons throughout the year, several initiatives were presented to increase opportunities for more active involvement.

Julie Madden, SJA staff member, has been discussing possibilities for added and alternative activity with interested parishioners since the spring of this year. For this event she had Mary Ahler serving as a very capable MC. Mary in turn introduced the featured speaker, Ernie Larsen, who spoke on "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Ernie outlined three general areas of activity as the opportunities for increased individual and group participation: Social, Service and Educational.

On the Social calendar are a continuation of luncheons following an 11:00 AM Mass in the church: the first one scheduled for Wednesday the 31st of this month; as well as on December 12th and March 15th. A follow-up Wine and Cheese Party is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, November 4th; and a Prom is being planned for the coming Spring!

Service activity to date includes a coming Paintathon, and assisting a woman at Elbethel Baptist Church on 4th Ave. South the who is single-handedly providing Tuesday Night dinners for persons in her community as well as

Ray Tanis is a farmer, masquerading as an engineer, with a passion for writing... Kids are grown, so concentrates on sunflowers and pumpkins. Ray loves writing poetry and music.

operating a neighborhood Free Store. Educational projects to date involve some sharing of 'old church' history by those in their prime with the Religious Ed. groups.

Call Julie Madden(612.823.8205) with questions, ideas, or your interest in being involved in planning or supporting planned events. Call one of the secretaries at the same number to register for the Prime Timers' Mass and Harvest Gathering at 11:00 on Wednesday, October 31st.