Minutes of the Twentieth Parish Pastoral Council

held on Monday 13 September 2004 at 7.30 pm

 

Present:  David Walsh – Chairman

               Fr William Davern

               Theresa Kenefick

               Jan Madden

               Richard Davieson

               Tony Prince

               Margaret Rates

               John Sharpe

               Chris Sibthrop

               John Turner

Apologies: 

       Selina Hough/Alice Williams

       Michael Tripp

       Carlos de Souza/Paul Killoughery

 

 

 

1.         Opening Prayer and Reflection - David Walsh.

 

2.         Any Other Business - It was announced that Margaret Rates would take over the role of taking the Minutes as Chris Sibthrop would be taking over responsibility of the youth.

 

3.         Apologies and Matters Arising

a,         Bidding Prayers - No further action had been taken.  Justice and Peace Group would be approached.

b.         Churches Together in Epsom - John Turner would be the representative at the next meeting.

c.         Faith Development Group - Colette Stowell has agreed to be co-ordinator for this group.   

d,         Link with another Parish - Contact had been made with Father Jarec who expressed an interest.   Father Bill suggested that the link should begin by communication. 

e.         A&B News - John Sharpe raised the point that a short write-up of an interesting event in the Parish should be submitted to the A&B News.  Agreed.

f.          Golf Day - Approximately £6,000 had been raised towards the Church Debt.  Over 250 people attended.  The Chairman proposed that a card of thanks should be sent to John Ryan in appreciation of all his work.  Agreed.

g.         Elections - The Chairman read out the guidelines laid down regarding the election and re-election of members of the Council.  Although December is not a good month preparations would go ahead during that month ready for a new Council to start in January.  The guidelines, it was agreed, should be changed to state that changes to the Council would take place in January rather than September.  January would be a more appropriate time for the change to take place to coincide with the first meeting of the Pastoral Parish Council.  Agreed.

 

3.         Parish Day - 25 September 2004 - There had been an excellent response. Parishioners should be allowed to turn up on the day without prior booking. Agreed.

 

4.         Parish Day - Primary/Youth Group - Discussion took place as to where exactly the primary group would be during the day. Also that when the group moved to the school there should be someone available to ensure that no child escapes.  Games for the youth would be organised either in the field or the playground depending on weather. 

 

5.         Parish Day - Liturgy - Theresa Kenefick suggested and it was agreed that the liturgy should be 'themed'.  The youth and adults would have a positive input into the liturgy to retain the Parish Day theme.  A positive message must be put over that the Mass is a shared Mass i.e. no emphasis particularly on either the youth or adults. 

 

6.         Parish Day - Adult Workshops - Tony Prince reported there had been a very good response.  It was finally agreed that the Workshops would take place in the Father Chatterton Room, the  Westlake Room and the Nursery area in the school.

 

7.         Parish Day - Communication Issues - It was agreed that signage should be used where appropriate e.g. on doors and on walls indicating where events would be taking place. There would also be a programme sheet.  It was concluded that in the hall there would be a PA system, a raised platform and a help desk.

 

8.         Parish Day - Refreshments/Shared Supper - It was agreed that cold drinks would be served on arrival at 1.45 p.m.  Tea and coffee would be available at the 'interval' at 3.15 pm.  At the Shared Supper parishioners would be asked to be seated then each table would be invited to help themselves to supper.

 

9.         Parish Day - Parking - It was agreed that the Premises Committee should be asked to be responsible for the parking in the church car park, the school and part of the school playground.

 

10.       Parish Life - Father Bill Davern reported that it had been observed by the Deanery that the Epsom Parish had a certain momentum with many different activities.  He indicated that he wanted to share the joy and good news and that this should be seen to give hope and encouragement from both inside the Parish and to those from outside the Parish.  It does indicate that the Parish is a lively and compliant community.

 

11.       Other Parish Groups - The only report from Parish Groups was that the next meeting of the Liturgy Group would take place in October.

 

12.       Opening Prayers - would be led by Margaret Rates

 

13.       Date of Next Meeting - Wednesday 13 October 2004 at 7.30 p.m.

 

14.       The meeting closed at 9.30 pm with prayers led by Father Bill Davern.