Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Thursday 16th January 03

 

Present: Fr William Davern, Michael Brennan., Richard Davieson, Jan Madden, Tony Prince, Margaret Rates, John Sharpe, Chris Sibthorp, Michael Tripp, John Turner, David Walsh, Apologies from Carlos De Souza, Selina Hough, Theresa Kenefick, Paul Killoughery, Alice Williams.

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection from David Walsh

 

2.Matters Arising. Thanks to John Turner for the poster for the back of the Church . A copy of this and of future Minutes to go onto the St Joseph’s Website

 

3.Review of dates for year ahead, Dates were agreed for monthly meetings that allowed for the maximum number of members to attend.  One change was made from Wed 19th Feb’ to Thurs 27th Feb’.

 

4.Youth Ministry at St Joseph’s-the future? Starting with the Preparing Together materials produced by the Small Group Co-ordinators, it was felt that provision for young people is an overriding concern in the Parish. It was expressed that there is a need to encourage and involve young people in our Parish both spiritually and socially as they are ultimately it’s future but also as an essential part of our Church Community. Thoughts put forward were that it is the 12+ age group that perhaps need to be focussed upon thus building on the links with the younger parishioners via toddler group, school, sacramental programmes etc. It was felt that there is a real need for someone with suitable skills to help with organisation, possibly to learn from parishes or link with the Diocesan Youth Service. Three members John T, Jan M, and David W will investigate and consider further and prepare a report on possible ways in which the PPC can act to facilitate an improvement in provision for Youth in our parish.

 

5.Financial Overview. Michael B gave a concise overview of the current financial state of the Parish. One issue that arose was that still relatively few parishioners have signed Gift Aid Forms for their weekly offerings to the Parish. It was pointed out that without the current claw back of Tax the Parish main fund would be in deficit. Therefore we need to encourage more people to sign up. It was also apparent that our site could be better utilised. Fr Bill informed us that that there should be some finance available towards a part time site manager.

 

Overview of administration and day to day running of Parish life . Fr Bill took us through the way Parish Life has been organised. It was noted what a waste range of commitments and activities were dealt with by the Parish Team and how it was difficult to fulfil all the roles previously undertaken by Sr.Fionnuala , Sr Brendan and Fr Stephen, for example in the regular visiting of the elderly or housebound. Fr Bill is very grateful for the help of Fr Rick from Ashstead and also is looking forward to Sr Roseanne coming to join Sr Margarite at the end of the month. We also considered possible areas the Parish Team would like the PPC to work on. It was generally thought that as a group we have a lot to learn in order to be useful to the Parish.

 

6.Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) Michael T gave an outline of the current situation. The PPC saw the SIG’s as a really good foundation for action within the Parish and that our role is to be supportive of them. It was recognised that they were not static unchanging groups but had to adapt to changing circumstances e.g. the Relocation SIG. It was felt that that the parish and particularly those new to St Joseph’s do not know about the work that they do or how they can be helped. Michael T and David W will contact SIG co-ordinators. Prior to the next meeting, to get an idea of how they see their roles. This will help us to begin work out how best the PPC can support their work.

 

7.Representation at Mass.  Having a PPC representative at each weekend Mass was discussed only briefly. Richard D will bring an outline of possible ways towards achieving this to the February meeting.

 

Next meeting: Thursday 27th February 2003 at 7.30p.m. in the Fr Chatterton Room

 

 Closing Prayer and Blessing.

 

 

 

 

Actionable Points From Minutes:

 

Action                                                                                    Responsibility

 

Final Dates to be booked with Howard Park                                                                 David Walsh

And added to website under “Parish Pastoral Council”

 

 

Make Contact with Mary Ransome and send copy of the                                              Chris Sibthorp

Minutes to go on the website. Also the Poster.                                                  John Turner

 

 

To meet and consider Youth issue ready for next meeting.                                             John Turner, Jan Madden, David Walsh

 

 

Contact SIG co-ordinators to get an idea of how they see their roles.                 Michael Tripp,

 David Walsh               

 

To further consider having PPC representative at weekend Masses,                              

And report back on a possible way forward.                                                                 Richard Davieson

 

 

Opening prayer and reflection for next meeting?