PPC MINUTES 2016

PPC Minutes - December 2016

22/3/2019

ST GREGORY’S SILEBY PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 8TH 2016 AT 7.30 PM
IN THE PARISH SOCIAL CENTRE

PRESENT: Fr Clement Orango, Peter Fryer, Terry Breed, Emma Bowley, Veronica Brown, Cath Jackson, Amy Jarkulisz, Rebecca Jinks, Pam Looi, Kathryn Timmons

1. THE OPENING PRAYER was led by Terry Breed
2. APOLOGIES: Bron Coleman, Marlene Corrall.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING

Website. There was some discussion about the inclusion of the names of children who have been baptised in the parish on the website. Are there safeguarding issues? This will be checked (by Rebecca) with John Ollivere who is responsible for the Diocesan website. Also, do we need permission from couples who marry and the families of those who die to include their names on the website?
Notice Board: this has been cleared and the Orders of Service for those who have died will be stored in a suitable album which will be bought by the Friends. There was discussion about a possible memorial book, as exists in Syston, to permanently record the names of the dead.
The loudspeaker system has been up graded and is working successfully. However, the cables need to be protected.
The sanctuary lights have been repaired.

4. FORMAL THANKS TO PARISHIONERS
It was suggested and agreed that the many people who contribute to the smooth running of the parish should be thanked. Fr Clement suggested that this should be done in a Mass of Thanksgiving. The list is long: cleaners of the church and the Social Centre, flower arrangers, readers, special ministers, Friends, altar servers and Wilf, money counters and bankers, musicians, Children’s liturgy, Youth group, RCIA, J & P group, Finance Committee, Pastoral Council, Christmas fair organisers, various collection boxes ( Faith in families, Mission boxes, Smarties,) Offertory procession, Readers, Walsingham pilgrimage, preparation for the sacraments, refreshments after Mass and, of course, the Parish Priest. All are a great strength in the parish.
5. CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
Fr Clement would like to make some changes to the Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve. However the Children’s liturgy group has already started the preparation for this year’s Mass as the only time they have is during Sunday Mass. It was agreed that there would be a conversation about this in good time before next year’s Mass.
6. WELCOME, SICK LIST, PRAYER BEFORE MASS
The new format had been tried several times and had been welcomed by the congregation. It was finally agreed that the welcome, with a prayer would continue and that on the first Sunday of the month the anniversaries and names of the sick would be read as part of the Bidding prayers. On the other Sundays Fr Clement will take responsibility for praying for the sick.
7. SPECIAL MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
Emma has been commissioned and is able to help on Sundays. Should she not serve on the altar on the days when she as acts as a Special Minister? We are sometimes quite short of Special Ministers since Jim has died, Terry is not well, Robert has left the church and Molly, Liam and Harris are away. Fr Clement will pray for guidance. We agreed that there would be an annual meeting for Special Ministers.
8. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Fr Clement circulated a copy of the accounts. There is someone who is learning to help with the accounts. When they have learned the process and are happy with the task, their identity will be announced.
Could we defray the cost of the new Mass books by sponsoring them in memory of parishioners who have died?
There is a need for new volunteers to count and bank the collection. The Finance Committee needs to discuss best practice in the light of Diocesan requirements and make a decision on how we are to proceed.
9. SOCIAL CENTRE REPORT
Bron had sent a written report.

All electrical equipment had been PAT tested.
Quotes are to be sought for redecoration and new fascia boards.
Central heating problems have been resolved.
The income since the last meeting was: October £974; November £683
Parking remains a problem. It was suggested that it should be made clear on the booking form that there is limited parking available.

10. ERRORS IN YEAR BOOK
The newly published Diocesan Year Book has the same errors in the parish entry as last year. Peter had contacted the editor to correct these and he will try again. The parish statistics are completely wrong.
11. AOB
There was eloquent praise of the wonderful job that Wilf does to train the altar servers; the fantastic feedback we have had from visitors, parishioners, schools and other parishes was equally noted.
12. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
March 30th, July 6th, October 12th, December 7th. These dates to be confirmed by Fr Clement after consulting his diary.
The meeting closed with prayer at 9.30

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PPC Minutes - October 2016

22/3/2019

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF ST GREGORY'S PPC
THURSDAY OCTOBER 21ST 2016 AT 7.30PM
PARISH SOCIAL CENTRE

PRESENT: Father Clement Orango, Peter Fryer (Chairman) Emma Bowley, Terry Breed, Bron Coleman, Kath Jackson, Pam Looi, Kathryn Timmons
1. OPENING PRAYER: Prayer from Pax Christi
2. APOLOGIES; Veronica Brown, Marlene Carroll, Rebecca Jinks, Amy Jarkulisz.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING
a) BIDDING PRAYERS
After a long discussion about the inclusion every week of the list of the sick in the parish it was agreed, as a compromise, that the reader would, before the start of the Mass, welcome the congregation and any visitors to the parish and read the list of the sick so that they would be with us in spirit. This should help to establish a quiet prayerful atmosphere before the beginning of the Mass. We could also leave a list of the sick on the altar to ensure that they were not forgotten. This will be tried for the next two weeks (Peter Fryer and Emma Bowley).
b. PARKING
This continues to be a problem both for Sunday Mass and for events at the social centre at weekends. Fr Clement will write a letter reminding the people who park that it is a private car park. Bron has a list of constant ‘offenders’ and will leave a copy of the letter on their vehicles. If necessary a post will be installed to prevent access. Bron will discuss the practical ramifications of this with Jon Jarkulisz.
c. MASS IN BARROW AT THE BISHOP BEVERIDGE CLUB.
We should put this on a more formal footing as a Mass Centre. Kathryn will prepare a document explaining the history and need for this Mass. Fr Clement is happy for there to be a service of Word and Communion if he is not available to say Mass on a Wednesday evening.
4. YEAR OF MERCY
The year ends on the Feast of Christ the King on November 20th. We looked again at the prayer and selected words or phrases that had struck us particularly. We were reminded to look for the deeper meaning of the words, e.g. the phrase ‘restore sight to the blind’ could refer not only to physical blindness but also to our blindness in not seeing the power of God’s love.
It was agreed that following the normal tradition the Mass on the Feast of Christ the King would be a youth Mass. This will be prepared at the next Youth Group meeting in November.
The Holy Father has asked us as we come to the end of the Year of Mercy to think particularly of those who have died. It was agreed that there would be a special Mass for the Dead on November 5th at 11am in Sileby.
Thanks were recorded to Eleanor O’Kelley for decorating the church door for the Year of Mercy. It has been respected by everyone and there has been no damage.
5. WEBSITE
It was agreed to add a page to the website with a list of Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Marriages and Deaths. For Child Protection regulations, only the Christian names of children would be given.
6. NOTICE BOARD
In order to make more space on the Notice Board at the back of church it was agreed that the Orders of Service for those who have died would be put into a Book of Remembrance. The Friends have agreed to buy a suitable album and Fr Clement will explain to the parish why this is happening.
7. LOUDSPEAKER
The loop is not working. Would it be better for the celebrant to have a small microphone attached to his vestments? Fr Clement has already started to investigate improvement to the loudspeaker system and would report back in due course.
8. SANCTUARY LIGHTS
There are several bulbs which need to be replaced/checked. Because of rules about safety this must be done by a qualified electrician. Emma will ask her father for advice on this matter.
9. FINANCE COMMITTEE
There is still a vacancy to replace Andrew Hardy-Smith as book-keeper to keep a record of income /outgoings. Father Clement is actively seeking a replacement. There would normally have been a financial statement to the parish by now.
10. SOCIAL CENTRE
Bron reported that:
a) no regular clients have been lost.
b) £2500 has been paid into the account since the last meeting and there is a further £1000 to be paid in.
c) Anita is not willing to use her email address for bookings.
d) Anyone booking a Bouncy Castle for a children’s party must ensure that the floor is covered by a mat or tarpaulin.
11. AOB
The involvement of the children when they return from the Children’s Liturgy is very much appreciated. Could they say a different prayer as the Hail Mary has been said during the Bidding Prayers, or could one of the other prayers to Our Lady be used for the Bidding Payers? Father to give the matter some thought.
12. NEXT MEETING
As already agreed on December 8th at 7.30 pm
13. The meeting closed with prayer at 9.20

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PPC Minutes - May 2016

22/3/2019

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ST GREGORY’S PPC
THURSDAY MAY 26TH AT 7.30PM IN THE SOCIAL CENTRE

PRESENT: Terry Breed, Bron Coleman, Veronica Brown, Peter Fryer, Kathryn Timmons, Amy Jarkulisz, Rebecca Jinks, Pam Looi

1. OPENING PRAYER

2. APOLOGIES: Cath Jackson, Marlene Corrall, Emma Bowley, Fr Clement

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING

Participation of young people in the Mass. This had been achieved very happily on several occasions (Good Friday, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday) and young people had been invited to share in the readings, along with those on the rota.

It was agreed that it was best to leave this as an informal arrangement and for the readers on the rota to make individual arrangements
Fr. Clem’s Views: I would like to meet up with the person who prepares the readers’ rota and work out something about this!

Crucifix in the Sanctuary. An enlarged cross is now in place in the sanctuary and the statue of Jesus sending us out has been placed near to the door of the church. The statue of the Good Shepherd is to be placed over the door leading to the social centre.
A decoration of the entrance door for the Year of Mercy door has been put in place and has, so far, not been damaged.
Special Ministers. The renewal day is on the feast of Corpus Christi, Wilf has reminded ministers.

Discussion about the commissioning of new ministers needs Fr Clement’s presence.

4. BIDDING PRAYERS
Fr Clement’s thoughts on this were read in full. A full discussion followed stressing very strongly the strong community feeling in St Gregory’s parish.
It was considered important to read the names of the sick each week so that they are not forgotten and are still a significant part of the parish. A mention in the bulletin does not have the same impact.
Fr. Clem’s remarks: I can guarantee a list of regular extra bidding prayers to be said on the first Sunday of the month but not every Sunday. It will be helpful to me that this list is printed and placed on the altar for me to read silently during the Mass on Sundays and weekday Masses. All regular/extra bidding prayers do not have to be vocalised every Sunday – for God knows all our prayers and petitions even before we utter them. I would like people to know that I (or the presiding priest) am aware of the content of all bidding prayers for the given Sunday Mass. In so doing, the bidding prayers become part of the offering/gifts of bread and wine that is transformed by the Spirit in the Mass. From a liturgical standpoint, all our being and all our prayers find fulfilment in the action of the Mass wherein Christ is the only High Priest capable to present our prayers to the Father. Strictly speaking the action of the Mass incorporates everyone and everything. In essence no bidding prayer is actually being excluded!
It was suggested that:

the anniversaries be read at the beginning of each month, as is the practice now
that the prayers for Madeleine Mc Cann and children at risk be read once a month
the prayers for the other local Christian churches be read once a month.

Fr. Clem’s remarks: This is a good practice. By vocalising these prayers once a month, it does not mean that the priest is not aware of them every Sunday/Mass.
There was a strong feeling that parishioners should be given the opportunity to ask for prayers for their personal needs. It is a valuable opportunity for the parish to share in the special concerns of a member of the congregation and to pray with them.
Fr. Clem’s remarks: I will be pleasantly surprised if people can do this. I have not seen this happen in a Sunday Mass!

5. CONFESSIONAL
There was discussion about where this could be placed to ensure privacy. No solution could be found.
It was suggested that the only private place for individual confession is the sacristy, with a notice on the door to ensure privacy.
If parishioners prefer the anonymity of a confessional box there are local churches where this is available.
Fr. Clem’s views: Confessional – I hope no one says this is old fashioned! Pope Francis goes in a Confessional and confesses his sins to a priest – remember when he was elected he said he is a sinner in need of our prayers and in need of redemption. Pope Saint John Paul II used to go to a confessional once a week. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit to go to Confession. I am very touched someone has asked for a confessional. It is obviously a good sign during this year of Mercy. The problem is how and where given our little space! We have a confessional in Syston and it is not really being used. Some parishioners do use a confessional while others prefer to speak face to face with a priest.

6. PARKING
This is an ongoing problem and there is no easy solution as the notice asking people not to park is ignored.
Short term visits to the doctors’ are not a problem.
It was suggested that if the registration numbers of persistent offenders could be noted Fr Clement could write to them more formally.
On Sunday mornings the spaces at the doctors can be used. Sheila will check this with the practice.
Parishioners to be reminded that this possibility exists.

7. SERVICE OF THE WORD AND COMMUINON
When Fr Clement was away on retreat the normal Wednesday evening mass in Barrow was replaced by a Mass in Sileby at 9.30 am. The priest travelled from Leicester and there were only two people present.
The practice in the past has been for one of the Special ministers to take a service of the Word and Communion in Barrow at the usual time. Given the history of the Barrow parish it is important for the Barrow Catholics to have this opportunity to gather in the village once a week and to maintain a sense of community.
Fr. Clem’s views: The parish church, where Mass is celebrated on Sunday and where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, is to be seen as the central place where parishioners gather to give worship to God via the action of the Mass. This is the place where the people of the parish are expected to gather to celebrate the Sunday Mass including Holyday of Obligation as well as other times (feasts) in accordance to the needs of the Church and the needs of the parish. The parish priest may celebrate Mass in other places within the parish as the pastoral needs may demand. It is really a pity Barrow lost a parish Church since the area is really growing - many houses are being built! We can have a discussion in future why we need to carry on celebrating Mass in Barrow so that I may understand the issues. At the moment we are paying £65 per month to celebrate Mass once a week in Bishop Beveridge hall.

8. CONFIRMATION
The service at the Cathedral was beautiful and inspiring. It was however led by the young people from the cathedral and our young people had no active part in it.
Should we think about asking the Bishop to come to the parish (jointly with Syston) so that Confirmation can be a parish celebration with our young people as they become adult members of the community?
To mark the occasion could the parish present the young people with the Youth Catechism, which is much more accessible than the full version?
Fr. Clem’s views: I do not know what to say about this. I think if we need Bishop Patrick to visit us (for any reason including Confirmation), I will ensure that I get a date booked in his diary.

9. SACRED HEART STATUE
Repair of the hand of statue would cost £280+ Vat
A complete repaint would cost £550 +Vat
The statue is in a very fragile state and would perhaps not survive the journey.
Fr. Clem’s views: God willing, a complete repaint and repair, will be done soon. However, we will use the image of Jesus as it is during the Month of June, the month of the Sacred Heart. I will appreciate if I get some gracious donors for this project.
As the Rearsby Convent is due to close some enquiries have been made about the possibility of our inheriting some of their statues.
Would it be appropriate for Fr. Clement to write to the sisters and formally ask if this is possible?
Fr. Clem’s views: Yes, a letter can be written if we are sure what we need.

10. REPORT FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE
None was available. It was reported that Fr Clement now chairs the Finance Committee and that a new book keeper will be needed on the retirement of Andy Hardy-Smith

11. SOCIAL CENTRE REPORT
Thanks were recorded to Shirley for her many years of service to the Social Centre: from the application for the lottery grant, its planning and building and its continuing everyday care.
Bron reported that the separate Social centre account was closed on 13th April 2016 and was transferred to the parish account. The funds will continue to be entered separately and the Social Centre has its own cheque book.
It continues to be well used by several groups, though Zumba has gone. Holmefield College use it for their training days and it is booked for parties and events. It will be used twice for voting this year.
Anita is responsible for banking the income from the Social centre and is responsible for bookings. There was concern expressed about the unavailability of an email address to make bookings.
There are repairs needed to the fascias and to the seal on the fire door.
Fr. Clem’s views: The Social centre is in reality our Parish Hall. As a parish, we are in charge of the Hall affairs. The income that passes through the Hall belongs to the parish.

12. AOB
The entry in the Diocesan year book lists Ratcliffe college as the school for the parish. This should be corrected. It also shows the Syston web site as the parish web site. This also should be corrected.
Peter to contact the Diocesan Yearbook editor.

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday September 8th at 7.30 at the Social Centre
Emma, Amy and Rebecca will lead the opening prayer.
The meeting closed at 9pm with the prayer for the Jubilee of Mercy.

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PPC Minutes - February 2016

22/3/2019

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MINUTES OF THE PPC MEETING
Meeting held in St Gregory’s Catholic Church, Sileby
Thursday 25th February 2016 at 7.30pm

Present at meeting:
Father Clement, Peter Fryer, Cath Jackson, Rebecca Jinks, Kathryn Timmons, Marlene Corrall, Emma Bowley, Amy Jarkulisz, Pam Looi, Veronica Brown

Apologies received from:
All attended. Fr. Clement said two members will be joining the next meeting

Action to be taken indicated in red.

1.
No minutes from previous meeting as this was our first PPC meeting.

2.
Opening prayer: The prayer of the Jubilee of Mercy was said. Fr. Clement reminded members that our meeting is a pastoral meeting. In order to avoid a business-style meeting, members were encouraged to prepare a reading or prayer to share in future meetings.
Members to share a reading or prayer

3.
Welcome Note: Fr. Clem thanked everyone for offering to support the Church via the PPC. He gave members a document outlining the Role of the PPC. This document is on our website: www.saintgregorysileby.org
After discussion, it was agreed that the PPC members will be commissioned on Pentecost Sunday (15th May). Would all members please take note and attend this Mass.
Members to read this document

4.
Participation of our young children/youth in the Mass
It was felt that the young people could be involved on a regular, programmed basis: helping with the Readings; the Offertory procession and Welcoming. Father has a list of eight young parishioners (including Emma) who are prepared to read. There are ten experienced readers (not including Emma) who could be paired up on a regular basis. Sheila Breed is a stalwart “welcomer”, but there is nobody manning the entrance through the School Room. A combination of younger and older parishioners could fill this gap. The Children’s Liturgy Group and the Youth Group are already involved once a month on the Offertory Procession rota. A Youth Mass takes a lot of preparation and it was felt that four such masses per year, or maybe one per term should be the target. A monthly Youth Mass was too onerous for those helping to prepare the youngsters.
Fr Clem to speak to Sheila, meet up with youth to draw up calendar for annual youth Masses

5.
Youth-led service of the Passion on Good Friday
The traditional Good Friday Passion service at Holy Trinity in Barrow cannot take place this year as we do not have a Deacon to lead the service. Father is keen that the parish has a Good Friday service in our church and Father Binu from the Rosmini Centre is prepared to come and lead the service for us. It was felt that the younger parishioners could help with the readings, though as these are rather long, they would need some help from the more experienced readers on the rota. It was agreed that a meeting after Mass on Palm Sunday would be a suitable time to sort out the details.
Fr. Clem and Peter invite Fr. Binu re meeting to prepare for this Solemn Service

6.
Crucifix in the Sanctuary
There was some discussion over the desirability of replacing the statue at the back of the sanctuary with the crucifix that currently hangs on the side-wall of the sanctuary. Different views were aired, some in favour of the change while others expressed no strong view. The crucifix is always mounted at the back of the sanctuary during Holy Week. It was thought that perhaps this might be a good time to canvass people’s opinions about the permanent siting of the crucifix in this location. The current crucifix does seem a little small, however. The statue could be mounted at the back of the church with Christ bidding us to go forth and spread the gospel. Aware of all the views, Fr. Clement will speak to parishioners about this matter.
Fr. Clem to talk to people of the parish

7.
Holy Door of Mercy
We do not have a single door that can be decorated and it was felt that any external decoration would not survive. Fr. Clement asked everyone to suggest ways and things we can do as a parish during the Year of Mercy.
In line with the ideas produced by the Justice and Peace Group, it was felt that one Sunday might be designated as the day on which parishioners could bring in clothes and other items that could prove useful to those charities which provide for the homeless or refugees. Cath Jackson has a contact for one such organisation.
All PPC members to help and suggests things we can do

8.
Eucharistic Ministers
There is a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers with some having to double up with other duties at Sunday Mass. Father said that he would call a short meeting of the current Eucharistic Ministers to discuss the best way forward.
Fr. C to Meet EMs before feast of Corpus Christi

9.
Father told us that it is his prayer that this missing element in our parish life might be filled. We must join him in this. Father had met our retired deacons and listened to their experiences and views about our parish. Fr. Clement will make an appeal at an appropriate time.
Everyone to pray for this intention

10.
AOB-1. Fr. Clement mentioned that he had received a letter from the Board of Trustees of our Nottingham Catholic diocese asking him to close the NatWest account for our Hall and transfer all the funds to the main parish account. At this stage, Fr. Clement wanted to make the PPC aware of this matter. Fr. Clement is currently in dialogue with all the concerned. Fr. Clement asked for prayers.
AOB-2 Confessional box to be included in the Agenda in the next PPC meeting.
AOB-3 It was requested that the final Bidding Prayer, which asked the congregation if any of them had an intention for which they wished us to pray, be re-instated as it seemed to have disappeared of late. Fr. Clement responded by saying he will examine carefully the structure of our bidding prayers.
Fr. Clem and Peter

11.
The Future PPC meetings this year as agreed will be as follows:
Thursday 26th May
Thursday 8th September
Thursday 8th December
TIME- 7.30, and PLACE - in the Social Centre
Peter to send reminders

12
The meeting closed at 9.00pm with a final prayer. Future meetings should include a prayer lead by one of the PPC members (see item 7 on the Role of the PPC sheet distributed by Father at the beginning of the meeting)
Peter re meeting to end 9pm

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