3. 3.5 Parish Mission and Move Forward - add Lawrence to 'Social and Communication'.
Catechesis Group - Mike has yet to set a date for the first meeting of the
CaFE - Mike reported that he has been very involved in the Diocesan course in Southampton. CaFE continues to be very strong in Wokingham and Mike attended their final session two weeks ago. Bracknell are considering starting a course as well. Sue confirmed that the £200 surplus funds from the last course were paid into the main parish account at the time the course finished.

4. Continuity and coverage during Father's absence on Sabbatical -
Father Adrian has agreed to celebrate Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Friday 8 December at 7.30pm. Gerry will organise refreshments afterwards.
Christmas - Sue to ensure that Mass times and venues for 23 and 24 December are clearly stated in the Newsletter well in advance (ie Vigil Mass will be at Holy Ghost and no morning Mass at Holy Ghost on Christmas Eve.)
First Holy Communion - CaFE have a course for parents of children undergoing First Holy Communion. Mike to speak with Maureen Boss about this.

5.5.3 (Any other business) Night of Light - Paul and Rebecca were thanked for organising and running this activity for the children.

5.5.4 (Any other business) Diaconate letters - Mike reported that Father Jim has this well in hand. Paul is concentrating on his studies and his progress will be reviewed with the PCC in due course.

9. Pastoral support for schools - Angela and Mike will endeavour to get more information about the youth leader who is being supported by Churches Together in Crowthorne.

11.10.4 Liturgical Calendars - are now in the office. They will be put out in the church porches after Christmas for each family to take one copy.

4. Larger Pastoral Area
Mike reported on his recent meeting with Fr. Jim Joyce, Digby Carter (Chairman of Wokingham PPC) and Brigid Hendy (Bracknell PPC). Discussions included : what difference does the LPA make to parishioners; what does each parish hope to gain from the LPA; can we share resources; can we have bigger Masses; can we interact more and run courses together (ie Baptism, Confirmation, CaFE); should we have a contingency plan within the LPA in case there are not enough priests available for the weekend Masses ; each parish office gets a copy of the others' Newsletters, but who reads them? - should we have a joint Newsletter ; who will prepare it?

As an example of what might be produced within our own LPA in the future, Mike showed a copy of the new joint Newsletter issued by the Chandlers Ford LPA, which gives news and mass details across six parishes. Martin has agreed to host the joint LPA website.
The next meeting for the LPA is on Tuesday 27 February.

5. Update on Christmas calendar
Advent - candles are all on order and flower stands and wreaths organised.
Ecumenical Christmas Service is at the Coffee Spot, Sandhurst on Sunday 10 December at 6.00pm and it is the turn of the Catholic Church to host. Mike will lead the service, supported by Margaret. Paul will prepare and read the sermon. Carols to be chosen and electronic keyboard to be borrowed.
Churches Together in Crowthorne Carol Service will be outside Somerfields on Saturday 16 December from 10.00 - 11.00am, followed by refreshments in the Baptist Church. Lots of people are needed to sing and PPC members are asked to encourage parishioners to attend.
Parish Penitential Service - Father Adrian will lead this service at the Holy Ghost Church on Thursday 14 December at 8.00pm.
LPA Penitential Services - Sue to determine dates of services in Wokingham, Bracknell and Yateley and publish in the Newsletter.
Christmas chocolates - Paul to buy chocolates for the 'Santa sack'. Bill Coleman has already bought all the selection boxes for the Altar Servers.

6. Parish Pilgrimage (8-14 October)
To date, 20 people are interested and there are 35 places available. Booking forms and deposits have been passed to Tony Cole, the organiser, who will be on the trip and is an excellent guide. A savings scheme within the parish may be set up. Closing date for applicants will be 2 months before departure date. Another meeting is planned for 6 or 13 January, possibly a cheese and wine evening after the Vigil Mass.

7. Lent
The Lent Groups will continue as usual in Crowthorne. If anybody wants to host or lead a group please speak with Angela. Stations of the Cross will be held at Holy Ghost Church every Friday during Lent, followed by Lenten lunch.

8. Fairtrade
Fairtrade fortnight will run from 26 February to 11 March and, as a Fairtrade Parish, we will participate. Gerry will organise stalls selling Fairtrade produce and making people aware, after Masses across both weekends. The Parish will provide funds in advance to enable produce to be purchased. The Social Committee may also run a Fairtrade event, possibly a coffee morning.

9. Baptismal Team
Lawrence reported that the Baptism Team has had two 'run-throughs' and is ready to go. Although not enough Baptisms have yet been booked to enable a course to run.

10. Justice and Peace
It was confirmed that Chidamoya is still the Parish charity and that the Burma Appeal will run concurrently. Gilly Withers has been approached by the Burma Committee and is happy to give them whatever advice she can.

11. Social Committee
The Quiz Night on 18 November had been successful with 42 people attending. The Committee is very active with several events planned ; John Kavanagh continues to run the fortnightly Bingo Club; the Pensioners' Christmas Lunch will be on 2 December; the Children's Party will be on 16 December; a Curry and Skittles Night is planned for late February; and a Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday 17 June at Our Lady's School, to welcome Father back to the Parish and also to celebrate his birthday. The next meeting of the Social Committee is on Tuesday 16 January at the Holy Ghost parish rooms. £100 has been earmarked for donation to HCPT and Sue was asked to check the date of the annual HCPT collection.

It was suggested that a Challenge Quiz Night for the wider LPA community might be arranged sometime in the future, or perhaps a social evening for the three PPCs.

It was reported that a parishioner has given the office 6 tickets to concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, which will take place over the Christmas weekend. An article will be put in the Newsletter inviting reasonable offers. Highest offer will be accepted with all proceeds going to Parish Charities. Closing date will be Monday 11 December.

12. Parish Census
Input onto the computer database is making slow progress due to workload in the office. It is hoped that quicker progress can be made during the quieter period of January. Mike offered to help by entering data at home.

13. Any Other Business

13.1 Developing Skills for Leadership - Mike reported back on the course he had attended and recommended it highly to PPC members. He added that the next course is in Reading in 2007 at a cost of £50, which could be met by the Parish. He showed the books that are used on the course, details of which are available online.

13.2 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - is from 18 - 25 January. There will be an ecumenical service at St. John's CE Church, Crowthorne on Sunday 21 January.

13.3 Social Evening for PCC members and partners - will be held on Saturday 10 February in Sandhurst parish centre, after the Vigil Mass. Father Adrian is to be invited. The Parish will provide drinks but PCC members are asked to each bring a plate of food to share.

13.4 Diocesan Appeal for Archivists - defer to next meeting.

14. Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 6 February at 7.30pm in the Sandhurst parish centre. Closing prayers to be led by Angela.

Meeting closed at 10.10pm

Distribution: Father Kevin Jones, Margaret Derlacki, Ann FitzPatrick, Lawrence Gaffney, Angela Greenwood, Shirley Hayden, Sheila Isted, John Kavanagh, Jim Nairn, Paul Page Tickell, Gerry Picozzi, Martin Stubbs, Mike Withers