St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Epsom

Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Wednesday 14^th May ‘03 6^th Meeting

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

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection from John Turner

2.Any other business.

Womens’ World Day of Prayer Anne Baxter is now resigning from the Womens’ World Day of Prayer Committee and deserves our thanks for her contribution. Whether the Parish remains represented will be discussed by the Ecumenism Group and at the next Churches Together meeting.

The Parish Meeting The date for this has now been set for 7.30pm Thursday 3^rd July

Golf Day A Golf Day is being organised for Tuesday 9^th September by John Ryan on behalf of the Parish. Sponsors for holes, prizes, advertising, and helpers for the day are still needed. Two PPC members will look into finding more help for these.

3 Parish Groups Developments. We now have a timetable for action to inform and involve the whole Parish in development of our Parish Groups. Posters will be produced for visual impact and displayed from Saturday 31st and leaflet with details of all the different groups and their roles, which is under construction, will be available from Sat 7th. A script will also be finalised so that the “homily spot” will be used at each Mass on the weekend 14^th and 15^th and Group members and coordinators will be invited to be available to share information and perhaps get a few volunteers from the completed handouts. A childrens’ handout may also be available for their input.

4.Youth Mass Update. The first Youth Mass was very successful with a number of young people becoming involved and also coming in to the Hall afterwards to socialise. At the second Mass there were still a number of young people involved and present at the Mass, more than is usual for the 6pm, but only a couple came into the Hall afterwards. It was felt that there needs to be a focus for people to come into the Hall. The next Youth Mass on Sunday 25^th May will also have the meeting of young people interested in working with Mary Ransome on a Youth Page on the Parish Website. A note was put in the Parish Newsletter and there have already been two volunteers.

5, Parish Pastoral Council Representatives at Sunday Masses. This is slowly helping Fr Bill and we are gradually learning what we can actually do that is helpful. It was felt that a simple badge identifying PPC Reps might enable us to be of more use. A new rota is being sent out to cover the period from now until the summer.

6. Finance Review. Michael Brennan presented figures to show clearly just what the potential is for gains through increased use of Gift Aid. Last year the main Parish Fund benefited from a tax rebate of £14,183 and the Relocation Fund by £13,002. The finance Group has provided a possible forecast for the 5 years from which targets could be extrapolated. Whilst the finances are vital to the Parish it was generally felt that the development of the Parish Groups must, at present, remain our priority and so a direct appeal to the Parish, either to use Gift Aid Donation or to increase payments, should wait until after the summer. We also felt that it is important to remember other fundraising in the Parish for the Diocese, CAFOD, missionaries, Peter’s pence, famine and catastrophe relief etc.

Communications issues will move to our next meeting.

Next meeting: Monday 16^th June 03 at 7.30p.m. in the Fr Chatterton Room

Closing Prayer.