The LOTWEM “Core Team” made up of  volunteers met for a day of prayer, visioning and camaraderie on July 11, 2009 at St. Thomas Parish, Crystal Lake, IL to help steer the path of LOTWEM this coming year (July 2009- June 2010).

Committed volunteers from seven different LOTWEM parishes joined the LOTWEM staff and LOTWEM Board representatives at St. Thomas Catholic Church to help chart the course for LOTWEM in this upcoming year.

The day began with a meditation by Msgr. Aaron Brodeski, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock Illinois, on discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit  and was guided throughout by regular prayer (including Mass celebrated by Msgr. Hermes).  A variety of topics were discussed, including “Ministry Outreach” (spreading the LOTW Process to new parishes), “Retreat Recruiting” (getting parishioners to attend the retreat), “Keeping Interest” in LOTW (long after the retreat, especially through the support of Small Faith Communities) and our second LOTWEM National Conference to be held in July of 2010.

The Visioning Day was a huge success, with volunteers ogffering many new ideas and practical solutions to ongoing challenges.  Thanks to all involved!