Holy Ghost Crowthorne and Immaculate Conception Sandhurst
- Parish Pastoral Council -
Minutes of the meeting of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 9 November 2004 in the Holy Ghost Parish Rooms
Prior to the start of the meeting, Father Kevin advised that Rita Paxton's niece, Catherine Chapman, had died earlier in the day and she was remembered in the opening prayer.
Opening prayer and reflection led by Father Kevin.
Present: Fr Kevin Jones, Brenda Baigrie, Margaret Derlacki, Ann Fitzpatrick,
Angela Greenwood, Shirley Hayden, John Kavanagh, Aoife McLean, Paul Page-Tickell,
Margaret Pearce, Martin Stubbs (and Sue Niblett to take Minutes).
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Gerry Picozzi who is suffering with severe back
pain and Mike Withers who is away on business.
2. Election of Chairperson
The two candidates for election to the post of Chairperson for one year were
John Kavanagh and Mike Withers. John was asked to leave the room whilst a
secret ballot was taken. By majority vote he was duly elected and appointed
as new Chairperson and he thanked the Council for their confidence in him.
It was then unanimously agreed that Mike Withers should be appointed as Vice
Chairperson, subject to his acceptance.
3. Minutes of previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 29 September were approved.
4. Matters arising from previous Minutes
7. Remembrance Service (Weds 10 November at IC) - the names of the deceased from both Churches over the past 2 years (not 3) would be especially remembered and invitations to the service had been sent to their next of kin. This had already been done before sight of the previous Minutes in the office. Father confirmed that everything was organised and ready for tomorrow night's service.8. Christmas Masses - there will be a Children's Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at the
IC Church commencing at 5.30pm. All Christmas Masses will be celebrated by Father Kevin, EXCEPT the 11.30pm Vigil/Midnight Mass at the IC, which will be celebrated by Father Kevin Delaney.
5. Parish census
Sue explained the restrictions and rules of the Data Protection Act after
taking some advice from the Diocese. It was agreed that the questionnaire
needed very careful thought to get it right first time and to keep within
the boundaries of the law. Sue will draft a questionnaire and send to each
PPC member so that a further discussion can take place at the next meeting
on 14 December. This will leave no time for the Census to be taken before
Christmas so it is postponed until January.
6. 'Growing Together in Christ'
A total of 44 people had attended the first two sessions and their response
forms were still coming in. Angela had run the first session (not yet used
the flipchart) and found people to be well motivated with some very interesting
comments to make, although some found it quite difficult to put into words
everything they wanted to say. She will continue to encourage people to fill
in the response sheets over the next two Thursday sessions. Ann has organised
the response forms for those people who do not attend the courses run at Sandhurst.
A lengthy discussion took place and Father felt that quite a lot of parishioners
do not understand the concept of what the Bishop is trying to do, because
they have not seen the blue book. Many older parishioners seem to be confused
by the whole exercise. In general, it was felt that people should not feel
obliged to make a response if they don't readily have one or don't understand.
People often respond better if less pressure is put upon them.
Martin will be attending the Diocesan Council Meeting in January when the GTIC programme will be discussed in preparation for the Assembly in July. He will report back to the PPC in due course.
7. First Holy Communion at Immaculate Conception Church
Father explained that Mary Greenwood, who has been the catechist at the IC
Church for several years, would probably not be continuing this year, although
this is still to be confirmed. Brenda has agreed to step in if Mary is unavailable,
possibly with the help of Katherine Fitzpatrick. Father Kevin said that there
will be just one course and celebration for 2005/2006 and a team of catechists
would need to be prepared for this.
8. Lector (evening Mass Friday 10 December)
Paul Page Tickell will receive the Ministry of Lector on Friday 10 December
(Mass of the Day) at 7.30pm at IC, in the presence of the Bishop. Linda Tranter
and her choristers and musicians will be providing the music. John Kavanagh
is to ask Kevin and Edith O'Brien if they would kindly organise the refreshment
in the Parish Centre afterwards.
9. Retreat Day
Dave Robinson and Father Kevin are trying to organise a Retreat Day, during
Lent, for all the Eucharistic Ministers and Readers. Father Peter Sprague
has a useful programme, which includes overheads, and it is hoped that this
material can be used. Dates and times will be advised as soon as possible.
It was agreed that there will also be a Retreat Day for the PPC during Lent and several options of venue were discussed. John will make enquiries about Hook; Angela will check out Kiln Green and Cold Ash; Sue will look into Oxford. Paul Townsend and Angela Wills might also be approached. Angela also said that she would be happy to organise some silent meditation.
10. Any other business
1. Child Protection - Father Kevin confirmed that there was now only one Child Protection Team for the Parish. Shirley said that she would like to show the video to the PPC at a future meeting.2. Portsmouth People - Ann had been asked if more copies could be available to collect after the 9.00am Mass as they were often all gone by then. Sue to try and increase order.
3. Charity giving - Ann asked if it was only at coffee mornings that the Parish raised funds for charities. John replied that the PPC nominates a Charity to support each year, currently CAFOD, and that money is raised at many other social events throughout the year.
4. Hospitality - Ann mentioned that she and her husband had recently stayed for coffee
after Mass at the HG and felt a little uncomfortable because nobody spoke to them. It was suggested that perhaps the people who are serving the refreshments might also be able to make introductions and help people to mix more easily.5. IC Lighting - Ann was concerned that the cable running down the outside of the building, for the new security lights, might be cut by vandals and suggested it would be better positioned inside with power taken from there. Father answered that the lights are operated by a timer that is located outside but agreed that, if the cable is damaged, he would look at the situation again.
6. Liturgical Calendar - Martin advised that the calendar will be available and will be printed by Abbey, at cost, after their Christmas rush. It should be ready by the first week of January.
7. Alma Woulfe's Medal - Father confirmed that Alma no longer did the count at the IC because insurance restrictions mean that all monies have to be kept in the safe and not taken away to count. The count is now done on a Monday morning in the HG parish rooms. Therefore Alma has now retired completely from all her parish work. As a means of thanking her and as a token of our gratitude, we plan to buy, in her name, something from the CAFOD World Gifts catalogue. A note of thanks will also appear in the Newsletter.
8. PCC name badges - can Sue have the badges back please so she can keep them together in the office. If you remember, please bring them to the next meeting.
11. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 14 December at 7.30pm in the HG parish
rooms. It was agreed that during the Winter months the meeting would be held
at HG and during the Summer they would be held at the IC.
Meeting closed at 9.05pm with prayers led by Father Kevin.
Distribution:
Father Kevin Jones Brenda Baigrie Margaret Derlacki
Ann FitzPatrick Angela Greenwood Shirley Hayden
John Kavanagh Aoife McLean Paul Page-Tickell
Margaret Pearce Gerry Picozzi Martin Stubbs
Mike Withers