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Changes in the Nursery

Lisa Schwanke with Grace

There are some changes being made in the nursery, no pun intended. Our nursery coordinator, Lisa Schwanke is saying goodbye. Lisa, her husband Lee and her three children (Megan, Michael and Conner) are actually going to be able to attend mass together.

Lisa and Lee Schwanke were married here at St. Joan of Arc, and all three of their children have been participants in the nursery program. That is how Lisa first became involved in this ministry, as a regular volunteer.

When the Nursery Coordinator left the position, Lisa took over. That was over 12 years ago. There were approximately 50 children in the program back then. Today there are 257 children. Back then, the children were in Hospitality Hall in small cubicles. Today, the Nursery is in the New Parish Center in three very comfortable rooms.

There are 21 lead volunteers and at least 400 Nursery Volunteers made up of parents whose children are participants in the Nursery Program.

St. Joan of Arc has a Nursery Advisory Committee responsible for sending out questionnaires concerning the Nursery Program, as well as picking out the toys the children play with, the rooms involved and the breakdown of age groups-birth to 14 months, 14 months to 26 months, and toddler to 3 years.

Lisa strongly believes in Collaborative Ministry and wants her children to appreciate the feeling of belonging to this Community. Her daughter Megan, 15, is involved in a Youth Group here at St. Joan’s and Lisa will have an active role now in this part of her family’s life.

Steve Friedrichs

Lisa is also involved in a career as a Healthcare consultant, so her life is very full and giving. We wish her all the best and thank her for all the years of service as the Nursery Coordinator.

Our new Nursery Coordinator is Steve Friedrichs. Steve and his wife Amy have 2 children, Nolan and Greta. Steve has been involved in this program as a volunteer in the past and was selected through an application and interview process as the new Nursery Coordinator.

Steve is focusing on maintaining the spirit and enthusiasm that Lisa has developed in this program. He also feels that ministry is important. This is his contribution. We all wish Steve the best in his new role.

and

Molly Ryan is a full-blooded Mexican married to a full-blooded Irishman. They have 2 grown children, Kelly and Shannon. Molly has been attending SJA since 1994 and has taught Sunday School in addition to other volunteering.

As Pope John said at World Youth Day 2000, “The youth are the future church.” We at St. Joan of Arc are ministering to the young.