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 14 December 2004 in the Holy Ghost Parish Rooms
Present: Fr Kevin Jones, Brenda Baigrie, Margaret Derlacki, Ann Fitzpatrick, Angela Greenwood, Shirley Hayden, John Kavanagh, Paul Page-Tickell, Margaret Pearce, Mike Withers (and Sue Niblett to take Minutes).
Opening prayer led by Paul
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Gerry Picozzi and Aoife Mclean who were both
sick and Martin Stubbs who was on holiday.
2. Minutes of previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 9 November 2004 were approved.
3. Matters arising from previous Minutes
Item 2. Election of Vice Chairman - Mike Withers accepted this role for the coming year.Item 8. Lector - congratulations were offered to Paul Page-Tickell for receiving his Ministry of Lector and members of the PPC were asked to give him every support when he finally becomes a Deacon.
4. 'Growing Together in Christ'
Ann, Angela and Paul were thanked for leading the groups. It was reported
that between 10-15 people had been at most sessions, although there were fewer
at the last sessions and it was disappointing that some PPC members had not
attended.
In all, 26 responses were received following Session 1; 20 each following Sessions 2 and 3; and 5 following Session 4; plus 2 general responses.
Session 4 focused on "what you want in your Parish" and to receive only 5 responses was disappointing although the overall response rate of 73 was considered a success. All the responses have now been sent off to the Diocese and an initial assessment of the results will take around three months. The Diocese will then have a better picture of what the main issues are as we continue into this new Millennium.
The Bishop was very impressed with our poster when he saw it during his recent visit.
5. First Holy Communion at Immaculate Conception Church
It was confirmed that Brenda Baigrie will be leading this, helped by Margaret
Derlacki, Katherine FitzPatrick and Rebecca Page-Tickell. A full timetable
has been agreed and these dates will be notified to the families before Christmas.
The first session will be on Saturday 15 January.
6. Catechetical Co-ordinator
Father said that the Parish needs a person to do this job, which would be
paid employment and probably worked on a part time basis. A pay scale and
job description would need to be agreed upon but the main duties would include
organising and administering Parish courses and programmes such as the children's
liturgy, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Journey in Faith, and also
to co-ordinate and help train catechists and helpers. Northampton Diocese
currently has a full time person in this role but he is shared across the
Deanery. Sue will contact Paul Townsend for a job description and some guidance
on rates of pay.
7. Census
The draft census form was considered and minor amendments agreed. The census
will be taken during the Masses on the weekend of 15/16 January, when the
congregation will be asked to fill in one form per family. The following weekend,
22/23 January, census forms will be handed out to those people who were absent
the previous week.
8. Retreat Days 2005
A Parish Retreat Day - to be at the Sandhurst Parish Centre
a Saturday during Lent, was agreed to be a good idea. Dates suggested were
26 February and 12 March. Father to liaise with Dave Robinson.
The PPC Retreat Day - will be held outside of Lent. Cold Ash is available on 21 May from 9.30am - 4.00pm, but Kiln Green, Hook and Wonersh still to be checked. Sue to contact Paul King (Oxford) to see when he would be available to lead the Retreat.
9. Parish Charities for 2005
Chidamoyo Trust - Gilly Withers needs to report back and update the parish,
both in church and in Our Lady's School. There was some discussion regarding
Zimbabwe's current fragile political climate and whether this would prevent
outside aid being permitted in the future. Mike Withers said that the new
government is likely to set up a register, so that once a charity has been
registered and licensed, it would probably be able to continue as before.
In any event, he felt that because Chidamoyo is an independent hospital it
is unlikely to be affected by new legislation anyway. The Bishop has already
been asked to supply the trustees with a formal covering letter. It was agreed
that the parish would continue to support Chidamoyo in 2005.
Father Prem Bala Joseph - has had to buy a car to enable him to do his work in Thailand. His Diocese gives him money towards this but it is then deducted from his pay. As his local parish collection is usually only around £3 a week, it was suggested that we might pay his wages for the year. It was agreed that the parish would pay the wages of Father Prem Balal Joseph, c/o St. Joseph's Parish, Thailand during 2005.
HCPT - it was reported that in 2004, £1,000 had been raised for this charity at Parish social events and also the recent annual appeal had raised another £560 from the congregation and £70 from Our Lady's School. It was agreed that the Parish would continue to support this charity via the annual appeal and that Katherine FitzPatrick might be invited to the next appeal to give a concert.
David Rhodes and Gilly Withers will both be invited to the next PCC meeting. David to talk about CAFOD and Gilly to report on Chidamoyo.
10. CaFE
Discussion on this is deferred until later in the spring, once the Census
results have been studied.
11. Role of Mass Stewards
It was agreed that the rota system at the Immaculate Conception Church generally
works quite well and a similar set-up would be helpful at the Holy Ghost Church.
The role of the Mass Steward will be clearly defined and a recruitment drive
held, after the Census.
12. Diocesan courses and literature
It was agreed that Sue would send to the members of the PPC, if relevant,
copy details of any courses and literature that come through the office.
13. Any other business
1. Photos of PPC members - Father suggested that photos should be taken of all PCC members and displayed in both church porches.2. PPC Minutes - it was confirmed to Sue that she should post copies of the approved minutes of all PCC Meetings on the church noticeboards.
3. PPC Get-together - a provisional date of Saturday 8 January was set for a get-together
with members of the PPC and their partners. The Parish would supply the wine and everybody could bring a plate of nibbles. If held, it will be in Sandhurst Parish Centre from 7.15pm.4. Pensioners' Christmas Party - the Social Committee was thanked for the wonderful party it held for our more senior parishioners. Several of the guests said that it was the best event they had been to for a long time.
5. Pilgrimage - Rupert Page is trying to organise a Parish Pilgrimage but he needs at least 20 people to make it a viable proposition. A notice has already appeared in the Newsletter to try and gauge the level of interest.
14. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 2 February at 7.30pm in The Holy Ghost
Parish rooms. The next provisional date after that is Wednesday 16 March.
Meeting closed at 9.30pm with prayers led by Paul
Prayers at next meeting to be led by Mike
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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
Agenda for next meeting:
To be announced