St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Epsom

Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting 13th November ‘03                          11th Meeting

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

 

1.Opening Prayer and Reflection

2.Road Stewards.  The Road Stewards have replied to a questionnaire regarding their role and 19 out of the 34 will be attending the meeting next week. We hope that the PPC can offer thanks and encouragement as well as any practical help towards the continuation of the system.  John Sharpe will link with them on behalf of the Communications Group.

3. National Youth Sunday. The Confirmandi and their catechists are organising the Youth Mass at 6pm on 23rd November, National Youth Sunday. Previous Confirmation Candidates and other young people will be invited by letter and in the notices at all the weekend masses . Extra help may be needed with the refreshments.

4. Parking at the Church. Our parking facilities at the Church are much better than in Heathcote Road but nevertheless on big occasions or where there are a number of functions going on at the same time problems can occur. The Premises Committee will Steward these events as long as they have dates in advance and the School continues to agree dates when we are able to use the playground. During school hours parents use the church car park to drop off and collect their children. There is a concern that there are times when additional parking may be required as a result of a private hire leaving parishioners without spaces due to a clash for example with the Saturday evening Mass. Representatives from the school, the Governors, the Premises Group and Finance will meet to iron out the issues of stewarding, security , finance and lighting.

5. PPC Representation at Mass. The PPC were shown exactly where to find forms etc that people may require after Mass. A new rota will be sent around by e-mail

6. Finances Group Update.  The Finance Committee now has three new members and as a result of their meeting last week, Michael Tripp was able to report the following: that the Parish will definitely be in deficit this year and that will carry forward to the next year, that the approach to the Parish still needs to be  more clearly focused and as we are beginning to approach the Christmas season it would be best left to the early part of next year when it will be co-ordinated by Paul Killoughery  Nevertheless we are making a steady inroad to the Parish Dept. It was also noted that bound up with the Parish Finances are possible financial responsibilities that the Parish may have towards our School now and in the future.

7. Advent Preparation. This year the Diocese has provided Gathering Together as a series of three sessions for people to learn more about Liturgy and the recent Pastoral Letter at all Masses asked people to join in and sign up. 9 people volunteered and so only two groups can be organised to take part along with three establishes prayer groups in the Parish who will be using the materials. It was disappointing so few wanted to take part. Many fewer than usual for the Advent house Groups as were.

8.Other Parish Group Updates.  The Social Group. Letters have been sent out to all volunteers and there will be a meeting in two weeks time. The Premises Group have contacted individually all those who signed The Autumn Clean two weeks ago had 15 people turning up to help with tools etc and very efficiently they got on and cleaned all the windows and glass, around the church and premises, emptied and refreshed the water surrounding St Francis, changed a number of bulbs and checked the electrics!!! A very successful day and very many thanks to all the helpers and organisers. The Communications Group.  4 out of the 8 volunteers to help organise communications came together for a meeting  and two of them hace undertaken to begin to organise a Parish Directory. Any other volunteers to help with Communications will be contacted shortly by letter.

9.Requests for help. Michael Tripp asked for volunteers to sell programmes over the next three weekends for ‘Contrast for Christmas’ PPC members signed up to a list. Mary Liska asked for help selling raffle tickets for two weekends at Mass in order to finance some of the functions for older people in the Parish. We can help and will also approach Confirmation Candidates for help.

Next meeting:  Monday  8th December at 7.30p.m. in the Chatterton Room

 

Closing Prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actionable Points From Minutes:

 

Action                                                                                    Responsibility

 

Opening prayer and reflection for next meeting                                                  John Sharpe

 

Notice to Parish Office re National Youth Sunday                                                        

And leaflets to back of Church for this weekend                                                            Chris Sibthorp

 

Parking on the playground liaison between groups                                                         Michael Tripp and

                                                                                                                                    Theresa Kenefick

 

New rota for PPC reps after Mass                                                                                John Sharpe

 

List of Communications volunteers for John Sharpe                                                       David Walsh