Elma, IA

Immaculate Conception Church in Elma is one of five Catholic churches in the Holy Rosary Cluster to be included in the first ever Cluster Pictorial Directory. The directory is currently being formed with member portraits, activity pages, parish histories and membership rosters for each Cluster parish as well as history pages from the St. Stephen’s Oratory in Chester. The effort has been coordinated through the Holy Rosary Cluster offices in Elma, with volunteers from each of the five parishes in Elma, Alta Vista, Lourdes, New Haven, Riceville and the Oratory in Chester assisting with the photography sessions and layout. Initial layout design of the directory is anticipated to completed by late March with the proof book returned for finalization in April. If all goes as planned, the Holy Rosary Cluster pictorial directory will be available to it’s members by late April to mid-May.

A new committee formed in January to strengthen the link between families , the community and the Elma Charter School. “Parent-Teacher Partnership,” (PTP) is led by teacher Tara Madsen and currently involves 13 parents/parent families. Projects being discussed include the organization of fundraisers, family mini-breakfasts, a community rummage/bake sale, a playground map, a school/community bike-a-thon, and school/community game nights. The committee meets once monthly as needed to plan events and will soon establish officers to direct various elements such as leadership, finances and communication.