Fr Gregory Tobin(GT), Jim Harrington(JH)(Chair), Peter Walsh(PeterW),

Mary Elliott-Smith(MES), Phil Withers(PhilW), Mary Crosby(MC)(Secretary), Joyce Madden(JM),

Maria Gascoigne(MG), Cathy Clark(CC),

Maura Roche(MR), Marina Johnson(MJ), Ian Murray(IM), Paul Lyons(PL), Liz Bonner(LB),

Maria Simister(MS), Brian Smith(BS), Anne Turner-Harrod(ATH)

Accepted as a true record.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MAY 2008 MINUTES

MES has produced a large print copy of 229 hymns that are in most regular use, as a sample. This has been a mammoth task and she felt it needed proof reading. Fr. Greg congratulated her on her effort. He said he was happy for the one book to be used now, as a trial at Mass. Feedback from the greeters would see if more copies were needed.

Purpose of Education Group is: to provide an opportunity for parishioners to deepen their knowledge of their Catholic faith and their personal relationship with God and to promote a living faith in action.

MES, PW and 2 parishioners have been considering a number of options for an adult education programme. These are their findings: -

1. Help with RCIA for all interested parishioners as well as those enquiring about the Faith.
2. Consider setting up book clubs. This was Fr. Greg’s idea and he suggested e-mailing Fr Matthew re reading matter and book titles.
3. Contact points for the Parish: Margaret Gaten
4. Great concern expressed about young people leaving the Church.
   Suggestion of inviting parents & others interested in supporting children spiritually, to meet together. It was suggested that we initially target (but not exclusively) the current Yr 6 children’s parents, whose children will be moving up The Becket and invite them to meet.

Short term aim: to promote a prayer group to specifically pray for the young of the Parish.

Longer term aim: If possible, the people who attend the get together might form a core group to work on promoting the faith within families by having Bible study for adults and children occurring at the same time.
Children’s Bible study could be through art, drama, music etc.

MES felt the parish community ought to support the youth to help build on existing faith, and to pray for their spirituality especially within peer groups.

MG will support MES in her quest for this vision.

How can the youth be encouraged to attend Mass after confirmation?

CC felt Faith is a gift from God, freely given to some more than others. So God’s actions should not be questioned. We do not know what is in the hearts and minds of our young people. The Becket School works very hard to promote and support spiritual life of all our youth.

GT congratulated the school for its work in Religious Education and highlighted the need for the parish to act too.

Thanks to LB who organised marshals, a first aider, and a leader for the singing for the procession on 25 May. The numbers were less than last year because the procession took place at the start of Half Term week. The police were excellent and the neighbours were respectful (mostly). GT.

In future consider a brass band at the back to keep the singing together!

Remember to have someone left behind in church while the rest are walking.

It was noted that the procession in Cotgrave went well too.

4."The Gathering" – PW attended this between 30 May & 1 June. It was a National meeting of 200 delegates from Churches Together in Swanwick for Bible Study, Music, Prayer, Workshops and Services. Two areas were highlighted for concern – Youth and Media.

JH asked PW to consider how his information might help MES in her Education work.

5. Youth Worker - new furniture = desk, chair, shelves and filing cabinet have been prepared but no applicants for the job. Fr. Joe Wheat has identified the people who took the information packs about the job but did not apply and he has now drawn up a different agenda with training and extra money available to the right candidate. The job will be re advertised on 31 July and interviews are on 7 August – hopefully!

There will be no meetings in July or August.

The parish AGM is provisionally set for Sunday 5 October. Any PPC member changes will take place then and retiring members are urged to find a replacement.

Nothing to report.

a) JM asked to report on the Photo Marathon. It is not an exhibition as such but a competition on a given subject where entrants are asked to take a series of 9 digital pictures illustrating the subject taken on the competition day in a designated area of Bridgford.

The date for the competition is to be Saturday 27 September and contestants will meet at the Friary Church at 9.00am. The competition will take place from 10.00am to 2.00 pm. The images taken will then be downloaded for judging over the following 2 weeks. The competition will be open for up to 150 adults at a cost of £5 and up to 100 young people aged between 7 and 16 at a cost of £2. All we as a church will have to do is encourage people to take part and publicise the event.

b) MG asked if parking could be considered in future.

The meeting was closed with a prayer.

NEXT MEETING:

8pm on 10 September 2008 in the Social Centre