Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
Social Centre
7.30pm Thursday 11th October 2018
1.Opening prayer
5. Dennis Hargreaves RIP acknowledgement: it was agreed that small brass plaques should be fitted to those items of church furniture that Dennis had made, as a permanent reminder of his contribution to the parish. Terry offered to get these made. Exact wording to be agreed.
6. Parish Retreat 2019: the parish retreat in June this year was greatly appreciated by the twelve parishioners who attended and it was agreed that Peter would contact Fr Ted Mullen at the Rosmini Centre about possible dates for next year.
7. Clutter: there is much clutter in the loft above the storage cupboard, presenting a possible fire risk. It was agreed that on the Friday before the Christmas Fayre, when there would be many helpers present, a drastic triage operation would be undertaken. In addition, Bron and Monica would assess the working order of the many vacuum cleaners and get rid of those that are useless. Terry to liaise with Wilf over the clutter in the “candle and vases” cupboard in the School Room. There was further discussion about the rubbish in the “yard” beside the garage. If a skip is required, Jon Jarkulicz is best placed to get a good deal. It may be possible for the dirty, rusty chairs to be removed piecemeal by parishioners and taken to the tip. If publicised via social media, some local resident might be happy to take the old bricks. The future of the garage: it was thought best that the roof be replaced, a lockable door fitted (it was suggested that the Friends might be willing to pay for this) and that the garage could then be rented out as a useful source of additional income. The rubbish that had previously been stored in it would be got rid of.
8. Mass attendance – November strategy: using the address list employed for the distribution of raffle tickets, parishioners (and especially those who are not regular attendees at Sunday Mass) will be invited to fill in a card giving the names of their deceased friends and relatives, this card to be placed in a basket and brought to the altar at a special Mass for the Dead on Sunday 18thNovember. All who receive a card will be invited, of course, to attend Mass on that day. Fr John mentioned the tradition in some parishes of the blessing of the graves of the deceased. The council was delighted to hear that there will be a First Holy Communion group starting this year, led by Rebecca. It is hoped that through this group more young families can be encouraged to join in our weekly worship. Rearsby Convent is due to close at the end of November. There was some discussion regarding how best to attract those members of our parish who currently attend Mass at the convent and who will need to find an alternative Mass centre from December.
9. Parishioners in need: this item took up the greatest share of the evening’s discussion. How can we help parishioners who are in need? Perhaps they need physical help with cleaning their surroundings. Should we be directly and actively involved in acting as advocates with the medical and social services in cases where they are perhaps unable to do so themselves? Would it be possible to arrange for Sunday Mass to be streamed via the parish website? Kathryn and Peter had previously investigated this option and the commercial systems were much too expensive to consider. Perhaps there is a cheaper version available. (Peter to investigate) There was some discussion concerning our duty as Christians, practical implications and precedent.
10. Social Centre report: Bron reported a fairly quiet period. There had been a new booking by an exercise class. The shutter on the serving hatch had been repaired. £1,800 had recently been banked. The council expressed their sincere thanks to Bron and Monica for their efforts in organising and maintaining the centre.
11. Finance Committee report: Paul expressed his concern over the current financial situation. Without the income from the house and the Social Centre we would not survive as a parish. The church and the house were old buildings and require constant expenditure. The Social Centre needs redecorating. Over the last five months we had a running deficit of £71.44. Clearly this cannot continue. We need an annual surplus of around £5k for the parish to run smoothly. We need more income, more fund-raising events. Jon Jarkulicz had some suggestions and these will be followed up: sponsored walk, quiz. The newsletter blanks cost around £180 per year. Some parishioners are very keen that this format (rather than using plain paper) should be retained. We were reminded of the potential conflict between “would like” and “can afford”. We currently receive 75 blanks per week whereas 50 would be sufficient. Peter to enquire about reducing our order – we have another six weeks supply in stock, so the delivery of the next batch will be imminent. We currently enjoy preferential rates for the hire of the Bishop Beveridge Club in Barrow for Wednesday Mass. However, we are charged for three hours hire. Kathryn to enquire whether this can be reduced to one hour with additional time being paid for when there are meetings of Churches Together in Barrow, three times a year. Paul reported that twenty families now make their weekly offering via standing order. After his appeal after Mass some weeks ago, three parishioners joined the scheme though one has left.
12. AOB:
14. Closing prayer lead by Fr John
Meeting closed at 9.30pm.
Social Centre
7.30pm Thursday 11th October 2018
1.Opening prayer
- Apologies: apologies received from Amy and Pam. Present: Fr John, Terry Breed, Veronica Brown, Paul Carroll, Bron Coleman, Stephen Giacchino (x2), Cath Jackson, Rebecca Jinks, Kathryn Timmons, Peter Fryer. A warm welcome was extended to Fr John and Stephen who were attending their first PPC meeting.
- Matters arising from last meeting:
- Safe: this cannot be repaired. There is a possibility of it being scrapped at no cost to the parish. A lockable metal cabinet is needed. Fr John to enquire whether someone in Syston might be able to supply a replacement.
- Eucharistic Ministers: there is a shortage of Eucharistic Ministers. Fr John to give thought to commissioning additional ministers. Suggestion that Holy Communion could be distributed by Fr John by himself at the front while two Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Precious Blood at the back of church. This would help avoid congestion in the aisle. Kathryn to supply Fr John with a list of current Ministers and parishioners who at present receive visits from them.
- Notice Board light: given the length of the agenda, this was mentioned but not discussed.
- Register of Deaths: Kathryn has proofread the computerised list. Peter to produce printed version for next meeting.
5. Dennis Hargreaves RIP acknowledgement: it was agreed that small brass plaques should be fitted to those items of church furniture that Dennis had made, as a permanent reminder of his contribution to the parish. Terry offered to get these made. Exact wording to be agreed.
6. Parish Retreat 2019: the parish retreat in June this year was greatly appreciated by the twelve parishioners who attended and it was agreed that Peter would contact Fr Ted Mullen at the Rosmini Centre about possible dates for next year.
7. Clutter: there is much clutter in the loft above the storage cupboard, presenting a possible fire risk. It was agreed that on the Friday before the Christmas Fayre, when there would be many helpers present, a drastic triage operation would be undertaken. In addition, Bron and Monica would assess the working order of the many vacuum cleaners and get rid of those that are useless. Terry to liaise with Wilf over the clutter in the “candle and vases” cupboard in the School Room. There was further discussion about the rubbish in the “yard” beside the garage. If a skip is required, Jon Jarkulicz is best placed to get a good deal. It may be possible for the dirty, rusty chairs to be removed piecemeal by parishioners and taken to the tip. If publicised via social media, some local resident might be happy to take the old bricks. The future of the garage: it was thought best that the roof be replaced, a lockable door fitted (it was suggested that the Friends might be willing to pay for this) and that the garage could then be rented out as a useful source of additional income. The rubbish that had previously been stored in it would be got rid of.
8. Mass attendance – November strategy: using the address list employed for the distribution of raffle tickets, parishioners (and especially those who are not regular attendees at Sunday Mass) will be invited to fill in a card giving the names of their deceased friends and relatives, this card to be placed in a basket and brought to the altar at a special Mass for the Dead on Sunday 18thNovember. All who receive a card will be invited, of course, to attend Mass on that day. Fr John mentioned the tradition in some parishes of the blessing of the graves of the deceased. The council was delighted to hear that there will be a First Holy Communion group starting this year, led by Rebecca. It is hoped that through this group more young families can be encouraged to join in our weekly worship. Rearsby Convent is due to close at the end of November. There was some discussion regarding how best to attract those members of our parish who currently attend Mass at the convent and who will need to find an alternative Mass centre from December.
9. Parishioners in need: this item took up the greatest share of the evening’s discussion. How can we help parishioners who are in need? Perhaps they need physical help with cleaning their surroundings. Should we be directly and actively involved in acting as advocates with the medical and social services in cases where they are perhaps unable to do so themselves? Would it be possible to arrange for Sunday Mass to be streamed via the parish website? Kathryn and Peter had previously investigated this option and the commercial systems were much too expensive to consider. Perhaps there is a cheaper version available. (Peter to investigate) There was some discussion concerning our duty as Christians, practical implications and precedent.
10. Social Centre report: Bron reported a fairly quiet period. There had been a new booking by an exercise class. The shutter on the serving hatch had been repaired. £1,800 had recently been banked. The council expressed their sincere thanks to Bron and Monica for their efforts in organising and maintaining the centre.
11. Finance Committee report: Paul expressed his concern over the current financial situation. Without the income from the house and the Social Centre we would not survive as a parish. The church and the house were old buildings and require constant expenditure. The Social Centre needs redecorating. Over the last five months we had a running deficit of £71.44. Clearly this cannot continue. We need an annual surplus of around £5k for the parish to run smoothly. We need more income, more fund-raising events. Jon Jarkulicz had some suggestions and these will be followed up: sponsored walk, quiz. The newsletter blanks cost around £180 per year. Some parishioners are very keen that this format (rather than using plain paper) should be retained. We were reminded of the potential conflict between “would like” and “can afford”. We currently receive 75 blanks per week whereas 50 would be sufficient. Peter to enquire about reducing our order – we have another six weeks supply in stock, so the delivery of the next batch will be imminent. We currently enjoy preferential rates for the hire of the Bishop Beveridge Club in Barrow for Wednesday Mass. However, we are charged for three hours hire. Kathryn to enquire whether this can be reduced to one hour with additional time being paid for when there are meetings of Churches Together in Barrow, three times a year. Paul reported that twenty families now make their weekly offering via standing order. After his appeal after Mass some weeks ago, three parishioners joined the scheme though one has left.
12. AOB:
- Church Heating – this needs to be switched on well before Sunday Mass when the weather turns cold.
- Welcome and prayer before Mass to be read by the reader on duty for that week.
- Fr John suggested that he write the Bidding Prayers instead of using the formulaic version in the book. This proposal was well received.
- Rebecca to invite Dr Pye, the new Head of De Lisle College, to Mass on Youth Sunday, 25thNovember.
- Bishops’ letter re child abuse. There was grave concern about the tone and content of the letter read out at Mass on 24thSeptember. It was propsed that a letter expressing our concern be sent in response. Paul offered to draft a letter.
- Fr John had been at a Deanery meeting earlier in the day. GDPR regulations seem to have produced some puzzling requirements regarding what cannot be published on parish websites and in Baptismal records.
- Paul communicated the thanks of the Finance Committee for Peter’s work in the aftermath of Fr Clement’s departure.
14. Closing prayer lead by Fr John
Meeting closed at 9.30pm.
