PPC MINUTES
8PM 10 JANUARY 2007 HOLY SPIRIT SOCIAL CENTRE
The meeting was opened with a prayer.
PRESENT
Fr. Gregory Tobin (GT), Chris Hoban (CH) (Chair), Maura Roche (MR) (Secretary),
Mary Crosby (MC), Maria Dabrowska (MD), Peter Walsh (PeterW), Liz Bonner (LB), Veronica Lawrence(VL), Maria Gascoigne (MG), Phil Withers (PhilW) Paul Lyons(PL), Cathy Clark(CC),
APOLOGIES
Fr. Peter Vellacott(PV), Ian Murray(IM), Anne Murray(AM), Anne Turton(AT),
Jim Harrington (JH), Peter Molyneux (PM), Peter Fooks (PF), Maria Simister (MS)
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2006 MEETING
Approved
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE DECEMBER 2006 MINUTES
a) Christmas Mass Arrangements debrief
The church was packed at the 4.30pm Mass on Christmas Eve : other Masses were well attended but not overcrowded. MC commented that movements at Masses were co-ordinated in an orderly fashion with the help of MCs and greeters. Some parishioners found the carol sheets difficult to read. CC raised a concern about the potential fire risk caused by the Advent Wreath candles to vestments and long hair. The siting of the wreath will be carefully considered next Advent.
b) Fellowship groups & the PPP
VL distributed 2 documents about "The Review of Parish Pastoral Plan Actions" by e mail prior to the meeting. Discussion about these documents is to be deferred to next meeting to give members a chance to study the documents.
c) Welcome Ministry
MC welcomed the improved communication to greeters. The next greeters meeting is scheduled for Thursday 11 January.
PhilW, MG & MD met recently to discuss this. MG will write up notes from the meeting & distribute them. Action MG
They hope to use the ideas of parish catechists in devising a programme and they hope to identify parishioners’ needs.
GT has ordered Church of England Lenten booklets for all adults and children in the parish and he suggested these are used as the basis for a "Lenten Course". These booklets are to be used by all the churches in the area. MD will book a suitable slot(s) in the Social Centre diary & MR will let MD know when the booklets arrive. Action MD & MR
Parish Library
MG will arrange a meeting of the library group Action MG
CH is waiting for a quote from another contractor. Three of the spaces will be designated as "Restricted" areas for the use of less able parishioners. There was discussion about the need for MCs/Greeters to be as proactive as possible in managing this initiative and it was felt that the wearing of sashes helps raise the profile and authority of MCs and Greeters – needed particularly at the 10.30am Sunday Mass. It was suggested that we should put more cycle hoops in place before the Summer. Action CH
LB is working on this. Action LB
CH has had a discussion with Katie Moran about how we can raise the shop’s profile. Katie is to consider the matter. A suggestion was made about putting goods for sale on tables outside the shop or in the hall during morning coffee – particularly useful when important parish events are coming up, eg. First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
MG is working on this. MG was impressed with the parish welcome pack and parish directory but commented that parishioners are unaware of their presence. She will give consideration to how we can raise the profile of information and booklets on display in the church porch.
Action MG
It was noted that quite a lot of packs of Christmas cards were not delivered this year and a discussion was held about whether to repeat the operation next year. The general feeling was that the operation is worthwhile. It was suggested that we prepare in plenty of time for next year – put the planning onto the July agenda and form a small to sub group to plan it. It was noted that there are plans to produce an ecumenical Easter card.
2. CAFOD INITIATIVE
MC distributed leaflets highlighting Cafod’s "Live Simply" campaign, further details of which can be accessed via the Cafod or "Live Simply" websites. MC suggested the need to raise Cafod’s profile and encourage more people to join the Cafod group. She also suggested, as a relatively well off parish, that we should be making higher financial contributions to the charity. Various suggestions were made, including that of setting up an information table with the sale of fair trade goods during Lent. CC offered to set up a power point presentation to show poverty in Bangladesh.
GT congratulated the Cafod group on its important work and pointed out that the campaign reinforces the whole Christian ethos of loving our neighbour. He supports this drive and will confer with PV about how to bring the initiative into their homilies. He suggested that information about the initiative is placed in the newsletter and on the parish website and that Cafod meetings are advertised in the newsletter. Action MC
3. DISTRIBUTION OF DIOCESAN DOCUMENTS
MR distributed diocesan information documents from Margaret Smidowicz
4. WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
There is to be a prayer walk between local churches on the evening of 18 January 2007. VL & PeterW agreed to lead Evening Prayer when the walkers reach our church at approx 7.30pm.
On Sunday 21 January there will be a Unity service at the Methodist church. VL & PeterW agreed to represent our church. Action VL & PeterW
GT will advertise the service in the newsletter and encourage more people to attend. Action GT
GT highlighted the forthcoming Parish Mission (Sun 25 Feb – Fri 2 March). The mission will be based at Our Lady of Grace, Cotgrave but is an opportunity for the whole parish (from West Bridgford and Cotgrave) to come together. GT asked that the Mission Prayer be used at the start of all parish meetings to raise awareness of the Mission. Prayer cards are to be printed. MD suggested we have a joint meeting between Cotgrave & West Bridgford PPCs to share ideas. CH will speak to Anne Ferguson in Cotgrave. Action CH
5. REVIEW OF THE YEAR
CH fed back comments from parishioners and visitors about how welcoming and helpful the church is. He thanked members of the PPC, MR for her role as PPC Secretary but especially GT & PV for their hard work in the parish during the year.
6. FEEDBACK FROM NEWSLETTER PPC COLUMN
Nothing received through this medium but GT pointed out that a member of the parish has requested that the hymn numbers be made easier to see. GT will discuss possibilities with CC. Action GT & CC
The meeting was closed with a prayer.
NEXT MEETING : 8pm Wednesday 14 February 2007 in the Social Centre