St Josephs’ Catholic Church - Epsom

Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Monday 16th June ‘03                                7th Meeting

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

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection from Margaret Rates

2.Any other business.

Golf Day The Golf Day is being organised for Tuesday 9th September by John Ryan on behalf of the Parish. Tony and John have worked with him to decide exactly what is needed in the way of Sponsors for holes, prizes, advertising, and helpers for the day and are actively following up by contacting businesses and individuals and putting more publicity out over the coming weeks. Parish Pastoral Council Representatives at Sunday Masses.  Fr Bill is finding it a help and the badges identifying PPC Reps should enable us to be more visible. We will also put a note in the newsletter. We are still covering just the 9.30 am and the 6pm on Sunday. A new rota has been made for the period from now until the summer.

3 Parish Communications Groups John Sharpe presented clear and concise details of the Communications Group targets and objectives for 2003 referring also to the Parish Pastoral Council aims. There were a number of ongoing areas such as, maintaining the Road Stewards and liasing with the PPC, as well as lots of new initiatives including creating publicity for the other parish Groups, making up a permanent suggestion box  and working to enhance the use of the Website. It was noted that the new signs for the Church are nearly ready to go up and a it was also suggested that leaflets or cards might go out to local hotels, b&b’s etc to give times of Masses and the location of the Church.

4 Parish Premises Group Carlos De Souza outlined the workings of the Premises Group. They are still working with Gleesons to deal with the snagging list particularly on our complex heating system. The Group had come to the conclusion that a caretaker, although initially desirable, was not at present a viable option for our Church nor particularly advantageous. Our buildings are very new and require relatively minimal maintenance. The difficulty then is that the role of day-to-day problem solving tends to fall on the Office or the Parish Team. To deal with this the group have created a tasks list with a Premises Group member responsible for every task. To try to reduce the workload on the Parish Office they intend to have a maintenance book that will be checked weekly when other regular checks are made e.g. to the fire alarms. It was noted that the parking system for big events seems to be running smoothly and that the recent Action Day to clear around the site was very effective although more helpers were really needed. There are still snags, for example ensuring the Hall is always cleaned after use but the group is a strong dedicated team with good links both within the Parish and school and also the local Community. They welcome the offers of help given by Parishioners at last weekends Masses.

6. Parish Groups. Over 500 leaflets were taken and it is also on the website. Posters now moved to the back of the Church to become part of a display. Therefore, we have certainly made inroads on the sharing of information within the Parish. Over 130 responses were given in during the Masses and a box will be put at the back with blank forms for any other volunteers. It is absolutely vital that these are all followed up by the end of July. Therefore, once collated, a brief letter of thanks from the PPC to the respondent telling them to whom their details have been given. Details to go to the relevant Co-ordinator along with a covering letter. Each Parish Group has now been given a link with a parish pastoral Council member. This should provide for easy communication and allow every group to ask for help, e.g. with publicity or one off events, directly from the PPC .

7. The Parish Meeting on Thursday 3rd July. There will be an address by Fr Bill and a Finance Report, The PPC will give a synopsis of our work so far and questions for the Agenda will be sort from the whole Parish via the notices and newsletter. The Parish Office will provide refreshments.

Finance particularly talking with the Parish re-covenanting will be on the agenda for action in September.

Next meeting: Thursday17th  July 03 at 7.30p.m. in the Fr Chatterton Room

 

Closing Prayer.

 

 

 

 

Parish Group links with the Parish Pastoral Council

 

 

Communications Group                               John Sharpe

 

Community Care Group                               Michael Tripp

 

Faith Development group                             John Turner

(needs Co-ordinator)

Finance Group                                             Michael Brennan

 

Justice and Peace   Group                                      Jan Madden

 

Liturgy and Music                                        John Turner

 

Premises Group                                           Carlos De Souza/Paul Killoughery

 

Sacramental Preparation                               Chris Sibthorp

 

Social Group                                               Selina Hough/Alice Williams

 

Youth                                                          With PPC Richard Davieson