Minutes for Parish Pastoral Council

Meeting Monday 19th July ‘04                                 19th Meeting

Present:, Richard Davieson, Carlos De Souza (Paul Killoughery), Jan Madden, Margaret Rates, John Sharpe, Chris Sibthorp, John Turner, David Walsh, Alice Williams (Selina Hough).

Apologies: Fr William Davern, Michael Brennan, Theresa Kenefick, Tony Prince, Michael Tripp.

 

1. Opening Prayer and Reflection from David Walsh

2. Bidding Prayers. Following the suggestion from the Liturgy Group that the Parish Groups might like to have an input into the Bidding Prayers for the weekend Masses it was discussed how best to move forward. At present there is a box at the back of the church, which is rarely used, otherwise Christine Turner types up all the bidding prayers using books, the Internet and her own thoughts. It was pointed out that this is one area where the laity has a real opportunity to input into the Parish Liturgy and so, ideally, many more people should be involved. However, to give that role to the Parish Groups might mean an additional pressure on the very people who are already working hard for the parish. It was decided to put a note in the newsletter regarding the Bidding Prayer box in the Narthex and to repeat this at intervals during the year. To create a format sheet for guidance for anyone who is not sure how to go about writing prayers and the topics that they usually cover at the weekend and also to send a letter to the Parish Group co-ordinators so that they are encouraged to take part along with anyone in their group but that it should not be onerous. The prayers will still go to the Parish Office to be typed and they need to be there on the Thursday Evening/Friday morning before the weekend.

3.Dioccesan Support for the Parish. There is a new directory of speakers/ advisors etc being compiled and in the current there is a speaker who will come and give sessions on the Rite of Welcome. We will try to book her

4.Being Inclusive. The Justice and Peace Group wrote to the Communications Group concerned regarding access to Parish information for those who are fluent in other languages than English. This is an area that we are looking to address and although producing the weekly newsletter in a variety of languages is not currently possible we will investigate making information more inclusive early in the autumn.

5. Parish Open Meeting. The meeting went well and was better attended than in the past few years. We might like a PowerPoint presentation next year rather than overheads.

6.Churches Together. The Churches together meeting this year is on Tuesday 21st September at our Church. In the past the format has been that the host church gives a presentation about its work etc. We may be able to use some of the work prepared for the Parish Open Meeting.

7.The Parish Day. The Parish Day is on 25th September. The Communications Group have prepared a timetable for publicity that began with the notices at the Masses last weekend inviting all parishioners to take part. Invitations will also go to parishioners via the Parish Group Co-ordinators and to some of the different cultural groups via their representatives and we hope to put up a notice in St Joseph’s School and send out a flyer via the children nearer the date.

8.Parish Groups Update: Sacramental Preparation Group and The Youth Group In Touch for 12yrs+ will have it’s first meeting on 21st September. Ray Mooney, from the Dioceses, has agreed to help lead some sessions and Fr Bill has asked a number of people to help along with those who have begun to set it up. Faith Development Group are still very much in need of a co-ordinator.

9. Elections We will need to think about elections for the PPC as some members may wish to resign now they are at the end of their 2 year term.

Next meeting:  Monday 13th September at 7.30p.m. in the Father Chatterton Room

Closing Prayer.

Meeting followed by Strawberries and Wine to celebrate the Summer Break Thank you David!

 

 

 

Actionable Points From Minutes:

 

Action                                                                 Responsibility

 

To organise date and also some one for opening prayer

 and reflection for next meeting                                                  David Walsh

 

 

Format for bidding prayers/ letter to co-ordinators

Notice to newsletter                                                                              John Turner

 

 

 

 

Invitations to Parish Day to Parish Group Co-ordinators and

cultural groups. Notice in St Joseph’s School and flyer nearer

the date.                                                                                               John Sharpe

 

 

Co-ordinator needed for Faith Development Group.

Have Mr and Mrs Mc Kinish? Been asked by Fr Bill?               Chris S to check