Roman Catholic Parish of Crowthorne and Sandhurst
- Parish Pastoral Council -

Minutes of the PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL Meeting
held on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at 7.30pm in the Sandhurst Parish Centre

Present: Father Kevin, Margaret Derlacki, David Fuller, Lawrence Gaffney (Chairman), Jim Nairn, Rita Paxton, (and Sue Niblett)

    Opening Prayers led by Father Kevin

1. Apologies for absence
    Received from George.

2. Agree Previous Minutes
    The Minutes of the meeting of 22 September were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

3. Actions

4.c. (9-9-08) Youth - Margaret thinks this is good to involve Confirmation Group to do some sort of activity. Maybe a community project. Margaret still to speak to Peter White. Fr. Kevin spoke to Fr. Chris. Will discuss again tomorrow re Confirmation. Wanted the Confirmation sessions on Saturday so people would go straight into church. Catechists do not want to work Saturdays. Carried forward.
(Action Margaret, Fr. Kevin).

8.b. (23/6/09) Banisters - Fr Kevin has still to speak to Paul Bird regarding the installation of some kind of handrail or banister to assist more senior readers climbing the steps to the lectern in the Immaculate Conception Church. In the meantime, we must ensure that somebody is there to help them up. However, it is recognised that the need to be assisted sometimes embarrasses people. Carried forward.
(Action Fr Kevin).

4.c. Youth (22/9/09) - the Wokingham Parish Youth Club continues to meet twice-monthly after Vigil Mass. It was agreed that this should be publicised in the newsletter again, making it clear that transport can also now be provided. Carried forward.
(Action Fr Kevin).

Newsletter notice and application forms for Wokingham Youth Services Conference on 7th November. Deadline missed.
Closed

4.f . Catechesis (22/9/09) - Margaret is helping Laura with the First Holy Communion classes and will be 'on duty' this Saturday morning. Closed.

George will contact Peter White to offer help with the Confirmation programme. Carried forward.
(Action George).

4.g. Pastoral Area (22/9/09) - Father Kevin has spoken to Fr Chris about access to St Joseph's car park for our parishioners and will be getting a key to the gate.
Closed

7.b. Catechetical Coordinator (22/9/09) - Include as agenda item to continue discussion for next meeting. Done.
Closed.

7.c. Mass for Baptism (22/9/09) - Fr Chris has supplied Fr Kevin with details of the "Welcoming" and "Anointing" parts of the ceremony which will be performed during Mass.
Closed

4. Parish Pastoral Update

a. Liturgy - the parish Penitential Service will be on Sunday 20 December at 3.00pm at the Immaculate Conception Church. The parish Christmas Masses will be in the same format and at the same churches as last year. A detailed list will be made available to everybody, to include Mass times across the whole Pastoral Area. As St. Stephen's Day falls on a Saturday this year, it was decided that there will be no morning Mass for the Altar Servers but that this would be celebrated at the Vigil Mass instead.

b. Justice and Peace - some students from Sandhurst School recently gave a talk, at all
weekend Masses, about the situation in Rwanda and told of their plans to visit the country in February. Their teacher was very pleased with the welcome that the students received and the interest shown by parishioners. On behalf of the school, she had thanked Father Kevin for allowing the presentation to be given and for the generosity of the parishioners who gave so generously to the retiring collection.
No news from Burma on the latest donation to them.
No "Safeguarding" update yet from the Diocese.

c. Youth - nothing to report.

d. Social & Communication - the car treasure hunt in October was a great success. However, it had been pointed out to the organisers that people should double-check their car insurance cover to make sure it gives cover for such an activity in the future. There will be two Christmas parties in December - one for seniors parishioners and one for the children. Dates to be confirmed. 'Boys' Voices' will be giving a concert in the Holy Ghost Church on 18 December. The Filipino church community will be hosting a Christmas party at Our Lady's School on 19 December. There will be a Social Committee get-together on 22 January and a St.Patrick's Day dance in March.
In answer to the question raised - Our Lady's School charges £15 per hour for private hire of the school hall and £25 per hour if the kitchen is used as well.

e. Outreach - Non-Catholic visitors - it was noted that non-Catholic visitors sometimes attend Mass with friends and family. In order to include them more, it was suggested that the Welcomers could hand out specially prepared service sheets to them. (Action Fr Kevin).

f. Catechesis - First Holy Communion day will be on Saturday 12 June 2010.
Confirmation day will be on Thursday 24 June 2010 at 7.00pm at Wellington College and it is anticipated that classes will start in the New Year.
Baptisms - the Baptism Preparation Course was well attended in October by four families. There will be two families at the next course on 5 December. Father Kevin will baptise 3 children this weekend.
Weddings - there are two outstanding wedding for 2009, on 12 and 31 December.

g. Pastoral Area - the most recent meeting of the Leadership Team was on 14 October. It was not known if a buildings inspector from Rivet Meads had visited the churches premises, but no contact had been made with the parish office.

h. Christian Unity
Churches Together in Sandhurst - on Sunday 13 December there will be a Carol Service, to the accompaniment of the Sandhurst Brass Band, in the Sandhurst Community Centre, led by the Methodist community. 600 invitations have been printed and each church will be given 100 to distribute amongst their congregations.
With regard to the Bus-stop Poster Campaign for Christmas (in Sandhurst) - the poster is being put up during week commencing 9 December, on the bus shelter adjacent to the Sandhurst Day Centre.

5. Pastoral Initiatives Update:

a. Parish Pilgrimage 2011 (Fr Kevin) - nothing to report at this stage except that Father Kevin would like someone to come forward to take responsibility for leading it. Possible destinations considered were the Holy Land or Rome, Florence or Assisi.

b. Mass of Anointing (Fr Kevin) - Father Kevin said that he would like this to start in the New Year, on the last Friday morning of the month at the Immaculate Conception Church. Father will identify and invite relevant parishioners to the Mass. Transport and refreshments will be provided. Once details are finalised, Father will make an announcement at Mass and also publicise in the Newsletter.

6. New Pastoral Initiatives -

a. Mass for Baptism (Fr Kevin) - Fr Kevin intends to begin the Rite of Baptism with the "Welcoming" and "Anointing" being performed during a Mass prior to the rest of the ceremony. (See also above item 3.7.c. Mass for Baptism (22/9/09))

7. Issues for this meeting

a. 'Living Our Faith' - a joint meeting of the PPC and Finance Committee was held on 7 October and Father Kevin had received all responses and comments back. Father Kevin, together with the Chairpersons of each committee, will meet with the Diocesan delegation in the New Year. Date not yet notified

b. Catechetical Coordinator - Fr Kevin is to contact the Diocese to advise that we wish to employ a part-time Catechetical Coordinator in this parish. The Diocese will give guidelines and advice regarding job description and employment terms, etc.

c. Repository - it was confirmed that the Immaculate Conception church Repository is opened by Pat Page after 6.00pm Vigil Mass and by Emma-Lisa Carter-Segui after 9.00am Mass. The Repository at the Holy Ghost church continues to be run by Maria D'Allenger.

8. Any Other Busines

a. Report from Mike Withers (DPC Representative)
- Mike and Gilly Withers offered to run a "Believe" course during Lent. This period was already "full" due to various events but it was hoped that the offer could be taken up later in the year.
- "Next Steps" plans for the Pastoral Area? This heading could not be identified specifically on the Diocesan web site; however, the Parish Priests and PPC chairmen have already met with the Bishop to update him with the various areas where the constituent parishes were cooperating.
- formation of a "Stewardship" Group . The PPC promotes lay involvement in the parish but has no plans for a separate committee.
Mike's update also noted that an ecumenical service was proposed at the Holy Ghost church on 21st March 2010. Fr Kevin has no recollection of this.
A reply to Mike is required.
(Action Lawrence).

b. Immaculate Conception 50th anniversary - is believed to be during December 2010 but office will double-check.
(Action Sue)
There will be a Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday 8 December at 9.30am.

c. Minutes of Diocesan Council meeting - copies of the minutes had not yet been received in the office, nor any further information regarding Diocesan discussions on 'Living Your Faith'. This needs to be pursued.
(Action Lawrence).

d. Sister Janet - is coming to visit Father Kevin on 9 December. She will be giving a talk about the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph's of the Apparition in Father's house on the evening of 10 December, with a prayer meeting. She will also speak at each Mass.

e. Swine Flu - the current precautions will remain in operation throughout the winter months. The situation will be reviewed again after Lent.

f. Joint social evening for PPC and Finance Committee - Father Kevin would like to invite all members of both committees, and their spouse/partner, to a social get-together at his house on Friday evening 15 January. He will provide the drinks if everyone could please bring a plate of nibbles.

9. Date and time of next meeting.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 9 February 2010 at 7.30pm in Sandhurst.

Closing Prayers led by Father Kevin

Meeting closed at 9.45pm

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Distribution: Father Kevin,    Lawrence Gaffney,    Jim Nairn
                   Margaret Derlacki, David Fuller, Rita Paxton
                   George Fanning, Cyn Hopkins