PPC Minutes - September 2019

Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council Meeting
7.40pm Wednesday 25th September 2019
Barrow (Bishop Beveridge Club)
 
Present: Fr John, Terry Breed, Veronica Brown, Pam Looi, Bron Coleman, Cath Jackson, Rebecca Jinks, Kathryn Timmons, David Cafferky, Peter Fryer. 

1. Opening prayer led by Fr John
2. Apologies: none received
3. Matter arising from last meeting:

• Parishioners in need: council members were urged to be alert for possible cases and to refer these to Fr John. 
• Cassocks: it was agreed that action be taken as a matter of urgency. They will remain the property of the church and not of individual servers. A range of available sizes is needed. Colour of new cassocks must match that of existing stock.
• Church Notice: the Council supported the idea mooted by the Friends of St Gregory’s that a more impressive notice outside the church should be commissioned. Terry will get a quote from the carpenter who made the new shelf for the Sacred Heart statue. The crucifix in the alcove above the door also needs replacing as it is in a very poor condition.
• Wooden statue of Christ sending us on our way: the arm needs to be re-attached to the statue. 

1. Family/Parish events:

• The Garden Party had been a great occasion in a wonderful venue for which Roberta and Stephen were thanked.
• The Pizza evening for the young parishioners was much appreciated and enjoyed by those present. More activities would be desirable (possibly one before Christmas) but it was acknowledged that a lot of organisation was necessary to make such events a success.

1. Confirmation and First Holy Communion:

• The Bishop and his private secretary, Fr Jonathan, had been hugely impressed by the occasion: the confidence of the young candidates (thanks to Rebecca and Roberta), the number and the standard of the altar servers (Wilf), the music (Jean and Veronica) and the real sense of community that they could sense among the congregation. Rebecca commented on the self-evident friendship among the First Holy Communicants and how wonderful it would be if they were all to be confirmed together in the future.

1. Prayer and devotion together (Rosary, Divine Mercy & Sacred Heart):

• David Cafferky proposed the introduction of devotional sessions on three occasions per week at different times of the day. He offered to take responsibility for producing material as well as a timetable of the different sessions. It was agreed that he would speak to the parish at the end of Mass on 29th September and that the new scheme would take effect from 3rd October. This initiative was strongly supported by the PPC members – encouragement of the spiritual development of our parish community is at the very root of the reason for the PPC’s existence.

1. November Mass for the Dead (17thNovember): 

• It was agreed that the Sunday after Remembrance Sunday would be designated as the day when we remembered in particular the deceased family and friends of our parish. Mass cards would be distributed to parishioners on which they could indicate the names of those they wished to be remembered at Mass. These cards would be placed in a basket and brought up to the altar at the Offertory. It was strongly felt that these cards should notbe circulated to parishioners at the same time as the Christmas Fayre raffle tickets. The best time to issue them was thought to be at half-term, 12th– 20th October.
• Father John suggested that we might initiate a “Grave Blessing” tradition. He proposed that he would attend each of the four cemeteries in the two parishes (Barrow, Sileby, Loughborough and Syston) at 2.00pm on each of the Sundays in November. Parishioners with family/friends interred at these cemeteries would accompany him to the relevant graves where he would issue a blessing. This is a tradition in other parts of the country and the suggestion was wholeheartedly supported by the meeting. Details would be circulated at the same time as the Mass cards. The suggested rota would be: Barrow 3rdNovember; Sileby 10thNovember; Loughborough 17thNovember; Syston 24thNovember.
• On another subject, it was pointed out that we can have our homes blessed. This might not be widely known and so it was suggested that mention should be made on the parish website.

1. Christmas Vigil Mass:

• It was agreed that the altar should be on the stage as the focal point of the service.
• Chairs would be arranged facing the altar, as in church.
• A smallish area would be preserved below the stage for the re-enactment of the Nativity by the children.
• Parents will be tactfully reminded that the School Room is available should young children become too restless.
• Lighting would be adjusted with emphasis on the altar.

1. Social Centre report:

• Bron reported that all was well and was happy to note that a regular booking had been received from Homefield College.
• Father John had visited the Doctors’ Surgery and firmly requested that they do not use the car park at the back of the church as this is needed by those who hire the Social Centre.

 

1. Finance Committee report:(submitted by Paul Carroll)

• Audited accounts had been submitted to the Diocese. The new financial year has got off to a satisfactory start with no significant issues arising. The surplus of income over expenditure is in line with the same period last year. Congratulations were expressed to Bron and her team for the £1,000 surplus generated by the Social Centre. The main aim is to build up reserves to ensure that the three building for which we are responsible (Church, House and Social Centre) are kept in good condition and to fund faith-based activities and any spiritual initiatives.
• The Parish Pastoral Council is as always indebted to the Finance Committee for their efficient managing of the parish’s resources.

1. AOB 

• School Room: it was felt that a complete reassessment of the layout of the School Room was needed, including seating arrangements and the best way of accommodating the Repository. Barbara should be involved in recognition of her sterling work in this area.
• Young parishioners’ involvement in the PPC. It was felt that we should canvas the young people so that their wishes/ideas could be brought to the forum of the PPC.
• CAFOD Harvest Festival envelopes would be distributed on Sunday 29thfor collection the following week. Harvest Festival Sunday will be October 6thand parishioners would be encouraged to bring offerings which would be sold (by donation) after Mass on that day.
• Kathryn has a large set of rosary beads given to her and which she wishes to pass on to a suitable recipient.
• Michelle Corkery will appeal for the shoebox scheme at mass (6th October) before the final blessing. She will put up a poster in the notice board that contains all relevant details. She also has fliers to hand out to people if they are interested.The completed shoeboxes need to be returned to Michelle no later than the 16.11.2019.
• Bidding Prayers: Fr John agreed to include the traditional Sileby prayers (sick list; children at risk; any other intentions) into his Bidding Prayers to reduce the number of sheets that the Reader has to juggle on a Sunday. 
• Advent Charity: it was suggested that this year we support a local cause “Loughborough Town of Sanctuary” as our parish Advent charity. More details will be provided in due course. 

1. Dates of next meeting: December 4th
2. Closing prayer

 
 
 
The meeting closed at 9.10pm
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