MINUTES OF THE PPC MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY IN THE PARISH SOCIAL CENTRE

MINUTES OF THE PPC MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 2006 IN THE PARISH SOCIAL CENTRE

PRESENT

Fr Gregory Tobin(GT), Chris Hoban(CH) Chair, Maura Roche(MR) Secretary, Bernadette Turner(BT), Anne Turton(AT), Veronica Lawrence(VL), Peter Walsh(PW), Peter Fooks(PF), Anne Murray(AM), Maria Dabrowska(MD), Peter Molyneux(PM), John Edwards(JE),

Liz Bonner(LB)

The meeting was opened with a prayer.

APOLOGIES

Ian Murray, Fr Peter Vellacott, Jim Harrington, Vicky Acklam, Maria Simister, Paul Lyons, Mary Crosby, Jon Higham, Cathy Clark

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING (14 DEC 2005)

Operation Christmas Card

Generally felt to have been a smooth and worthwhile exercise with a good take up of cards by parishioners. JE congratulated VL and Sean Lawrence for their slick preparations for card distribution. Interest was expressed in trying again to be part of an ecumenical card in the future. Discussion was held about producing an Easter card. GT is to raise the possibility of an ecumenical Easter card at the local ministers meeting on 12 January. Action GT

Parish Pastoral Plan

The plan is currently with a parishioner who is refining the working document. It is hoped that the revised document will be ready for the February PPC meeting, when we can engage in a fuller discussion about how to present it to the parish and implement it.

No longer children course

42 people attended the first session, which was well received. The remaining sessions will take place in the Youth Centre unless numbers become too large.

4. Youth Leader

VL and GT have been making enquiries but have not yet been successful.

Training for PPC members

The Diocesan Education Service are running a 6 week course in the cathedral hall. Dates are 21 & 28 March, 4 & 25 April and 2 & 9 May 2006. The course will draw on discussions from the Diocesan Assembly and will look at scripture, church history, pastoral plans and diocesan activities etc. If you are interested in the course please contact Sister Bernadette at St Augustine’s on 9506693.

(Update……refer to my recent e-mail about a special 1 day training course at Mackworth on 25 February……let me know by 1 Feb if you wish to go)

Health & Safety Issues re Church & Social Centre

MD has received the H & S pack and will aim to do a risk assessment for the church & social centre with CH before the next PPC meeting. Action MD & CH

6 .Mother & Toddler Group

The "Celebration of Baptism" service was well received and thanks go to Laila Dudhill, who worked very hard to stimulate interest in the Mother & Toddler group. Laila and VA will aim to restart the group. Action VA

Decided to list contact details in the newsletter for the Mother & Toddler group & all regular parish groups. Action MR

Decided also to produce a regular column in the newsletter to communicate upcoming PPC meetings & news. Action LB

EVALUATION OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES

GT noted a good attendance at all masses and was appreciative of the music provided and help given.

Problems highlighted:

too few people helped out before & after mass and a lot of rubbish & papers were left behind after each mass
confusion over different words in hymn books compared with Christmas Carols sheets
6.30pm mass on Christmas Eve was too crowded

Solutions were discussed and it was decided that a full planning meeting for Christmas 2006 will be held at the October PPC meeting.

LEADERSHIP OF PPC

No further nominations for Chair or Vice-Chair have been received and therefore CH is confirmed as Chair for 2 years and PM as Vice-Chair for 1 year. CH thanked IM for his hard work as Chair over the last few years. CH will put his proposed constitution to the PPC at the February meeting. Action CH

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT 3 MONTHS

Catechesis for First Holy Communion and Confirmation start very shortly and Baptism catechesis continues throughout the year
Prayer Walk – part of Christian Unity week – will come to the Holy Spirit church for evening prayer of the church, which will be held after 7.30pm mass on Mon 23 January - need article for newsletter. Action VL

GT will be attending a meeting on 23 January with catholic clergy from nearby parishes south of the river to explore ways in which the parishes can work more collaboratively.
Homelessness Sunday – we’re hosting a service for people who work with the homeless in our area at 6.30pm on Sun 29 January. MD is drawing up the liturgy together with Brenda Lowes & Robin Lund. MD is aiming to organize a display about homeless charities.

Light refreshments will be available after the service in the social centre. All welcome.

Lent approaches & has been a time of ecumenical discussion over the past few years…hope to continue this Action VL & PW

Holy Week & Easter – GT will organize a liturgy planning meeting

Action GT

Reconciliation Service for First Holy Communion candidates will be held on Monday 13 March at 6pm. AM offered to organize music and will liaise with Barbara Drake. Action AM

St Patrick’s Day (17 March) evening entertainment Action BT

Parish adult retreat day at Rearsby (10am – 4pm 8 April) – GT has invited Fr. John Joe Maloney from the Blessed Sacrament parish in Leicester to lead the retreat. The theme will be Celtic spirituality linked with the Eucharist. The day will include talks, contemplation time and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Parish weekend at the Briars (16-18 June) – GT is hoping to get assistance from other priests to help at this weekend Action GT

Lourdes pilgramage (17-23 July) – 15 names already received

The meeting ended with a prayer

NEXT MEETING

8pm Wednesday 8 February 2006 in the parish social centre