St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Epsom

Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Monday 20th September ‘03 9^th Meeting

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

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection from Alice Williams

2.Blinds. It has been pointed out by a parishioner that at sometimes in the Church the sunlight streaming through the windows can be somewhat blinding and limits the view of the sanctuary. It was recognised that this can be the case particularly at this time of year but although we don’t like to feel anyone is uncomfortable in the church, the sun moves fairly quickly so that the problem is short-lived. The alternative would be to have some kind of blinds in the windows.It was felt this would detract form the design and the beauty of the church.

3. The PPC after Mass rota. It view was expressed that one of the two PPC members , particularly at the masses with large attendance, should be in or around the office area as this is a point to which people come to seek help as well as to the Priest.

4.Golf Day The Golf day organised by John Ryan on behalf of the Parish was a tremendous success and it looks like it may become an annual event. John Ryan had done an amazing job. There were 84 golfers and in the region of 250 diners in the evening. It was an absolutely outstanding event, which has raised nearly £5000 for the relocation fund. Many thanks also to John Sharpe and Tony Prince have worked hard on behalf of the PPC to help make the event the success it was.

5. Parish Finances. The Parish Pastoral Council recognises the need for an appeal on behalf of the Finance committee to try and improve the current financial situation. On discussion it was felt that we are not ready to go to the Parish yet to ask for financial support but that we need to be clear exactly what our message and aim are and build up to them appropriately. It was felt that the emphasis must be on the needs of the main Parish fund not the Relocation fund and in particular focusing on the benefits of the Gift Aid Scheme. A rough draft was worked on for presentation at Mass but needs to be finalised and a team of four people (six at 9.30) will need to be available at each Mass over the appeal weekend.. It was also felt that in weeks before going to the Parish, financial information should be given out in form of a flyer on the newsletter and notices etc. Weeks following any appeal also need follow up, as not all parishioners will be present on any one weekend.

6. Parish Group Update. All people who completed a form should have been contacted by now and invited to take part in some way. A notice will be put in the newsletter to that effect and encouraging any one else who wishes to join in with Parish Activities. Each group was able to report via it’s representative, that some new help has been offered and that meetings are taking place over the next few weeks.

7.The progress of the PPC so-far. We looked at our original guidelines and considered whether we, as a group, are going in the right direction. A few issues were discussed: from the point of view of being a help to the Parish Priest and his team, Fr Bill felt that the invaluable work that is done by the Parish Office is still quite pressurized and continues to increase at this site and is a area we might try to do more; from the point of view of listening sensitively to the whole parish we hope that as a group of different individuals we have been approachable and suggestion box for the back of the church is still on the to do list; we hope that we have helped energise the Parish Groups and hope to encourage as many people as possible to take an active role in Parish life.; our wider community links are growing gradually and the site as a whole become well used and known. Finances seem to have been a big issue but perhaps this is due to our particular current situation. We are after all still in a learning process.

Next meeting: Wednesday 15^th October 03 at 7.30p.m. in the Fr Chatterton Room.

Closing Prayer.