PPC MINUTES 2017

PPC Minutes - December 2017

22/3/2019

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Thursday 7th December 2017
St. Gregory’s Social Centre
7.30pm

1. Opening prayer
2. Present: Father Clement, Amy Jarkulisz, Veronica Brown, Bron Coleman, Rebecca Jinks, Kathryn Timmons, Peter Fryer. Apologies were received from Marlene, Terry, Cath and Pam.
3. Matter Arising from last meeting:

Parish retreat: there was discussion on how best to involve the young people of the parish. Rebecca would take this up with others involved in the Children’s Liturgy Group. It was thought that there should be a chance for discussion after the talks. Rebecca to make enquiry regarding the amount paid on similar occasions. The theme of “Prayer” was accepted as a good one. The date (Saturday 9th June) would be publicised from the beginning of 2018 and regular reference in newsletters made during the time leading up to the day.
Book of Remembrance: Peter had made a start and showed an example of what was possible. This was thought to be on the right lines and so he would continue in like vein.
Children’s Mass: the success of the Children’s/Youth Mass on the feast of Christ the King was noted. The welcome used on that occasion would be established as the formula to be used on each first Sunday of the month. A gentle increase in participation by the children would be discussed further after Christmas.
Mass preparation routine checklist: as Emma was unable to be present, this item would be discussed at the next meeting.

4. Parish sponsored walk / picnic: this was thought to be a good idea and Jon Jarkulisz was to be encouraged to take the role of “leader” of the project. There was some discussion on the best location: Watermeads, Rutland Water, Carsington Water and Bradgate Park were all mentioned without a final decision being made. A date needs to be fixed early in the New Year. The aim would be to raise funds to sponsor a seminarian in a poor country. Syston Parish would be invited to join us.
5. Social Centre report: Bron reported that income in October (£919) and November (£606) was better than last year. Bookings from the Brownies and Zumba had been added. The Adult Learning Group enquiry had necessitated a lot of paperwork. The hire cost had been increased to £15 per hour with an additional £5 for parties using a Bouncy Castle (extra cleaning and electricity implications). Bron asked that an increased bond for damage be raised to £100 for late-night parties as they had resulted in significant additional cleaning and repairs. The Council wished to record formally the parish’s thanks to Monica Hearn for her 5* work in looking after the centre for us.
6. Finance Committee report: Eric De Melo was the new bookkeeper in training and Father was hopeful that he would soon be fully in charge. Father reported that the parish is £1,000 better off this year than last. A twice-yearly Standing Order for £17 had been discovered and stopped. Kathryn offered to pass on her copy of the Tablet to Father when she had finished reading it, which would result in another small saving. Work on the fascias of the Social Centre and the house would need to be completed at a cost of around £6,000.
7. Arrangements for Christmas Services: we were delighted and relieved to learn that Jean will be able to be at the Christmas Eve service to oversee the music.
8. AOB

Walsingham Pilgrimage: parishioners in Syston had expressed the desire to go to Walsingham again in 2018. Since we had decided that in 2018 a Parish Retreat would be our focus, they would organise the trip and parishioners from Sileby who also wished to go could join them, it was hoped. The date would be publicised as soon as it had been fixed.
Welcome of new parishioners: there was discussion of how best to welcome new parishioners. This was prompted by Father who told us of two new parishioners who had identified themselves to him recently. It was agreed that members of the PPC were ideally positioned to introduce themselves and, for example, invite them for tea/coffee after Mass.
Sponsorship of Mass Books: this had been mentioned at the last meeting but nothing done as yet. Father reported that two people had already sponsored a set of books. We could use the wording in the books used in Syston – Father would bring across an example for us to work from. The books could be dedicated to the memory of a deceased friend/relative, to a family or individual in the parish.
Churches Together in Barrow: Kathryn reported that the traditional evening prayer on the third Sunday of the Month was being suspended until the arrival of a new vicar. Churches Together in Barrow had decided on “The Carpenter’s Arms” as their charity for 2018. They had had an Advent service and the next major event would be the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Kathryn would post full details of this when they became available. The meeting thanked Kathryn for her continued ecumenical efforts and her work in producing yet another imaginative Christmas tree as part of the Barrow Christmas Tree Festival in Holy Trinity Church. There was a picture in the parish website and in the Loughborough Echo.

9. Date of meetings in 2018: Thursday 15th March, Thursday 5th July, Thursday 11th October, Thursday 6th December. These may have to start at 7.40 as a new regular booking had been accepted for Thursday evening and the hall will already be warm.
10. Closing prayer: the meeting closed with a prayer at 8.57

0 Comments

PPC Minutes - October 2017

22/3/2019

0 Comments

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Thursday 12th October 2017
St. Gregory’s Social Centre
7.30pm
Present: Father Clement, Emma Bowley, Amy Jarkulisz, Pam Looi, Veronica Brown, Terry Breed, Bron Coleman, Cath Jackson, Rebecca Jinks (Minutes), Kathryn Timmons, Peter Fryer

Opening prayer was led by Rebecca.
Apologies: Marlene
Matter Arising from last meeting

Easter Holy Water: the small plastic bottle retails at 0.95p and was felt to be too expensive. A cheaper version might be available from St. Joseph’s, Leicester, the Mount Saint Bernard shop or Militia Immaculatae in Leicester. Perhaps parishioners might be asked to bring their own bottle. Further investigation required.
Communion Antiphon: it was agreed to allow a longer pause after the announcement of the Antiphon to allow the congregation to find the words on the newsletter sheet and join in.
Walsingham / Parish retreat: it was strongly felt that the Rosmini Centre was the preferred venue for a parish retreat and worth exploring as an alternative to the Walsingham pilgrimage every other year. The contact is Fr. Mullen at the Rosmini Centre. A possibility might be a Saturday near the feast of St. Gregory (Sept.3) or St. Alban (June 22), but this would depend upon the availability of the centre. Peter offered to contact Fr. Mullen and Kathryn offered to accompany him.
Security of church building / lock on safe: Terry informed us that John B. has the lock for the church door and this will be fitted any day now. The locksmith will be inspecting the safe lock in the near future.
Damp in Church / fabric of church: Terry reported that a down-pipe had been fitted and that we now have to wait for the wall to dry out. The folding door into the classroom is also due to be fixed, but was quite a complicated job.
In Memoriam: thanks were expressed to Kathryn’s sister for the beautiful lettering on the cover. There was discussion over the possibility of having a record of all deceased parishioners. A computer-generated list could be more easily updated than a hand-written version and the task of typing up the records could be divided between several people. Monica Walling to be contacted to see if there is a record that can be used as a data source.
Children’s Mass: the first Sunday of the month. Young people to do / share the reading / offertory procession. One “problem” is that so many of the youngsters are serving on the altar. We already have a Youth Mass on the feast of Christ the King, usually have a Stations of the Cross and the ever-popular Christmas Mass. Whatever is decided upon needs to be easy to achieve due to the difficulty of arranging any form of practice. Should we be trying to increase the number of families who come? Closer liaison with Primary Schools? Rebecca reported on the successful involvement of the children at a Mass in another parish where musical instruments/percussion had been involved. Could there be toys/books for families with young children?

Arrangements for Christmas Services: Father had been delayed, but arrived at this juncture and was able to confirm arrangements:

Sunday 24th December: 4th Sunday of Advent 9.00am Mass as usual.
Sunday 24th December: Christmas Vigil Mass at 6.00pm in the Social Centre with the children’s traditional Nativity. Carols from 5.30pm.
Monday 25th December: Christmas Day Mass at 9.00am
Father Clement will need all his vitamin pills with one Mass on 23rd Dec, three masses on 24th Dec and two Masses on 25th December in the two parishes.
The Carol Service on 17th December is due to be held in Syston this year.
Veronica to check that Jean is available to play at the Christmas Vigil Mass.

Mass preparation routine checklist: we need to have an organisational check-list. Emma to produce a visual guide in consultation with Wilf.
Vestments / Sacristan: we do not officially have a sacristan. It is thought that Marie-Hélène might take on the role of coordinating this and will draw up a list of what we have/need. Part of our monstrance is missing, but Terry mysteriously announced that there was good news on this matter that would be revealed the following morning! (Please see the end of these minutes for an update on this topic)
Candle lighting Prayer: Peter shared a translation of a French prayer that was being used in St. Mary’s, Loughborough. It was agreed that two laminated sheets would be available (Kathryn) with the possibility of a framed version next to the votive candle stand.
AOB

New shelf for the Sacred Heart Statue was under construction and Terry announced that this should be installed before Christmas.
Eucharistic Ministers: the dearth of Eucharistic Ministers was again raised. Could a rota be arranged? Father could distribute hosts while two Eucharistic Ministers would be responsible for the Precious Blood. This would reduce the number of Ministers needed at each Sunday Mass. Fr. Clement ask the PPC to pray for this special intention as well as a calling for a parish deacon.
Cath spoke about “Mary’s Meals”, an organisation that provides a meal each day to deprived children in schools around the world. Could this be an Advent Charity in the first instance? Cath had sent off for details, but projects included a “Backpack Project” whereby backpacks were filled with school items. Could the schools be involved? De Lisle? A presentation could be made at the end of Mass to encourage parishioners’ contributions. There is now a link on the parish website to this organisation’s website – it is well worth a visit.
Finance Committee & Social Centre reports: these had been missed off the agenda but would be included at future meetings. Father is still looking for someone to do the parish accounts.
Mass Books: these cost just under £2 each. Each year there were three books and therefore for the three years (A, B & C) the cost of sponsoring a set of books was £18 (9 x £2). It was suggested that there would be a sticker inside the books giving details of the sponsor who might request prayers in memory of someone. Alternatively, the relevant amount might simply be donated. It was proposed that the young members of the PPC should try and find a formula of words that would be appropriate and help with the production of the stickers. Special thanks to Emma and the Youth Group who accepted to help us on this. (Please see the end of these minutes for an update on this topic)
November Flowers: Father suggested that parishioners might like to make a donation of flowers in memory of a particular person. It was pointed out that usually the person(s) responsible for Church cleaning provided flowers. There was a fund that could be called upon, but rarely was – most people seeing the provision of flowers as part of their cleaning duty.
Father reported that he had received details of a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi from 3-8 June. The cost of £638 caused a sharp intake of breath as this did not include meals other than breakfast. A poster could be put up at the back of church and reference made in the newsletter.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 7th December
Closing prayer: the meeting closed at 9.07pm with a prayer from the “Mary’s Meals” website

Circulation: Father Clement, Marlene Corrall, Emma Bowley, Amy Jarkulisz, Pam Looi, Veronica Brown, Terry Breed, Bron Coleman, Cath Jackson, Rebecca Jinks, Kathryn Timmons, Peter Fryer

Hot off the press!
Monstrance: On Friday morning, as promised by Terry, Father was delighted to find a beautiful monstrance donated by the Convent at Rearsby.
Mass books: there are two books per year and so there are six in the three-year cycle. These cost £2.11 per book once p&p are included. For example, if each parishioner were to sponsor 10 books this would amount to £21.10. Over the three years we shall have received 600 books. More details later.

0 Comments

PPC Minutes - July 2017

22/3/2019

0 Comments

MINUTES OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY JULY 6TH 2017
ST GREGORY’S SOCIAL CENTRE
AT 7.30 PM
PRESENT: Fr Clement, Terry Breed, Veronica Brown, Bron Coleman, Peter Fryer, Amy Jarkulisz, Rebecca Jinks, Pam Looi, Kathryn Timmons
1. OPENING PRAYER
2. APOLOGIES: Emma Bowley, Cath Jackson
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING
a. A card had been sent to Haris Roberts; he had replied with thanks.
b. Mass for vocations: Fr Clement will publish a list of dates.
c. Children’s Mass. This is on the first Sunday of the month in Syston. It would be simpler if it were on the same day in Sileby. To avoid placing too heavy a burden on the children’s liturgy group:

perhaps the young people could do a simple introduction to the Mass
we could use one of the children’s hymns they know from school; Pam has a list of these which she will forward to Jean
the young people could read, as several of them do already
if none of the above were possible we could pray particularly for the needs of the young people.

d. Safe: Terry is in touch with the locksmith who is on holiday at the moment, but is due to return soon.
e. St Gregory’s statue: This needs further discussion.
f. Second Collections: there is a list at the back of the church. Perhaps a few words of explanation are necessary if it is a less well-known cause.
g. A card has been sent to Tricia Ward to thank her for her work in preparing the bulletin.
h. Bishop’s visit: this has been a great success. The young people were well prepared, the congregation participated well in the singing and responses, the food was excellent, and the clearing up was shared by many.
i.Book of Remembrance: this is a fitting memorial to the deceased members of the parish. A title cover would be a useful addition. Kathryn’s sister to be asked to do this; the wording to be “In Memoriam”.
4. EASTER HOLY WATER.
A parishioner had attended Easter Sunday Mass in another parish and had received a small bottle of Holy Water to take and use at home.
We will try this next Easter as an experiment: Peter to research the cost of the small bottles.
5. COMMUNION ANTIPHON
In some parishes this is said by the congregation. Though this is not a compulsory requirement we will try it next Sunday.
6. WALSINGHAM
Despite efforts at fund raising, the recent pilgrimage to Walsingham had not broken even financially. Several possibilities were discussed:

Share a coach with Syston
Organise a parish retreat instead
Alternate Walsingham and a parish retreat
Various venues for retreats were discussed: Launde Abbey, Ratcliffe House of Prayer, Mount St Bernard’s Abbey, The Diocesan youth centre at Crich
Some thought needs to be given to catering for the young people
This should be discussed with the whole parish

7. SECURITY
There is no way of securing the church door if the lock should fail. Terry suggested that we put a bracket on each side of the door which would hold a wooden bar and so make the door secure.
The lock is quite fragile; Terry will discuss this with the locksmith and get his advice.
8. DAMP IN CHURCH
This continues to be a problem. Fr Clement will raise this with the finance committee.
9. AOB
a. Bishop’s visit.
The Bishop had written to Fr Clement and was very happy with the visit.
He had raised some points:

He would prefer it if the candidates that had prepared together were confirmed together. This is a problem as Rebecca prepares the candidates for Syston as well as Sileby. The young people felt very strongly that they wanted to be confirmed in their own parish.
He hoped that there could be more sharing between the two parishes.
He had enquired about the reasons for the Mass being said in Barrow.

b. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

Our numbers are quite depleted. Fr Clement to reflect and pray about this.

10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
12th October 2017
The meeting closed with prayer at 9pm

0 Comments

PPC Minutes - March 2017

22/3/2019

0 Comments

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Thursday 30th March 2017
St. Gregory’s Social Centre
7.30pm
Present:Father Clement, Marlene Corrall, Emma Bowley, Amy Jarkulisz, Pam Looi, Veronica Brown, Terry Breed, Bron Coleman, Peter Fryer

Opening prayer
Apologies received from Cath Jackson, Kathryn Timmons and Rebecca Jinks.
Haris Roberts: It was agreed that a card be sent to him signed by as many parishioners as possible. A Mass would be offered for him and prayers for vocations also offered. (Peter to arrange card)
A Mass for Vocations: The Bishop has asked for a Mass to be offered once a month. Currently the Saturday morning mass on the third Saturday of the month is dedicated to this purpose, though attendance has been poor. There was some discussion about why a Saturday morning is problematic for many parishioners. Could the Friday Mass, which is better attended, be dedicated to this end? Suggestions also included: a 48 hour prayer period spread across the deanery, though this would need to be organized at deanery level; a monthly Sunday afternoon prayer meeting with timing similar to Stations of the Cross. Father preferred the retention of the traditional “third Saturday of the month” model with 9.30 Adoration and 10.00 Mass. A list of the dates would be posted at the back of church and parishioners encouraged to sign up for the date(s) that they could make, similar to the current practice of signing up to watch at the altar of repose on Maundy Thursday. (Father Clement to publish list of dates)
Monthly Mass with help from Children and Youth: It was suggested that Mass on the last Sunday of the month be designated as a Children’s / Young People’s Mass. It was felt crucial that this new proposal should not cause a burden on those already fulfilling a vital role with the Children’s Liturgy Group. Therefore, involvement of the young people should require minimal preparation and could consist of: both the readings and responsorial psalm (some are already experienced in this respect), bidding prayers (from the prayer book currently used or, if they felt able, of their own composition), offertory procession and, maybe, one hymn which they already know from singing at school. (Pam to contact Rebecca for a list of hymns regularly sung at schools)
The safe: the large safe in the School Room is not safe! It will not reliably lock. Marriage certificates have to be kept securely locked away. (Terry to contact a locksmith to have an assessment of the possibility and cost of a repair)
The statue of St. Gregory has been “relegated” to the top of the cupboard in the School Room. Should it be more prominently on display? Much discussion about possible relocation. Concerns about possible damage / disrespect by groups using the Social Centre. No firm decision taken. (Father to liaise with other priests about placement of statues)
The frequency of second collections. Father explained that these were usually once a month. The choice of charities was dictated by the Bishop, though some were optional (e.g. special collections for flowers). (Father to post a list at the back of church with details of the second collections dictated by the Bishop)
The Bishop’s visit. This is only three months away! Friends of St. Gregory’s to meet with the young mothers/fathers to plan food after the Mass on Saturday 1st July. It is anticipated that the meal would be from about 7.30/7.45 – 9.30. Organisation needed to set up the hall and clear away afterwards. Photos of the Confirmation ceremony could be taken. Father Anthony has been invited. A special display of flowers needed in keeping with the celebration. As well as the confirmation ceremony, the Bishop would be asked to bless our church. The service would be held in the church and not in the hall. Hopefully, the church would be packed! (Bron to liaise with young mothers / fathers)
Official thank-you to Tricia Ward for all her work in producing the newsletter. A card to be signed by as many parishioners as possible and prayers offered for her intentions on a Sunday after the card has been sent. (Peter to organize card)
AOB
1. Thanks to the Friends for providing the beautiful folder for the death notices at the back of church. Some discussion regarding the desirability / feasibility of a more detailed Book of Remembrance such as exists in Syston.
2. Launde Abbey sponsored walk. Father reiterated his thanks for the wonderful response. Suggestion that this could become an annual event involving both parishes, possibly in a more family-friendly location. BBQ? Watermeads Park was suggested. (Father to sound out Syston parishioners to gauge their reaction to this suggestion)
Date of next meeting: July 6th. Emma and Amy will be unable to attend due to long-standing commitments.
Closing prayer

Meeting finished at 8.40pm

0 Comments