Minutes

PPG Meeting 1 - 27.11.2011

MINUTES OF FIRST MEETING OF PARISH COUNCIL – 27 NOVEMBER 2011 – 7.30pm – Fisher-More Hall

Present: Fr Tim Buckley (PP), Donna Allanson, Margaret Torpey, Frances Sibert, Tricia Brophy, Cath McVey, Rose Whitfield, Philip Reeds, Peter Colvin, Dave Hart, Bob Cannon, Rosemary Poole, Deborah Poole, Rev John Keeley, Kate Ashley,Mark Bainbridge, Jenny Holden, Alison Chalmers, Ann Connor, Peter Moloney, Christopher Allmand, Margie Zilnyk, Ann Quirk

Apologies: Fr Barrie O’Toole, Kris Reeds, Sharon Pearson, Nick McLeod, Joanne Preston

Meeting began with a prayer.
PP gave out handout detailing the key posts as he sees it. Add One World Group, Friends of the Holy Land and door ministry.
Points to be considered: day to day jobs (eg new missals for sale); couples to be married next year; how can we encourage the parish to grow at all levels? Firstly, need to elect a Chairperson and consider the areas that interest individuals with a view to an optimum grouping of 6 members in each area.
The council broke into groups to discuss these areas and after the discussion Mrs Alison Chalmers was elected as Chairperson to be assisted by Ms Ann Connor.
Suggested Departmental groups and areas of interest expressed:

- Liturgy: Tricia Brophy; Mags Torpey; Philip Reeds; Peter Moloney; Christopher Allmand; Fran Sibert.
- Catechesis: Nick Mcleod; Rev John Keeley; Mark Bainbridge; Ann Quirk; Kate Ashley.
- Mission: Jenny Holden; Bob Cannon; Rose Whitfield; Rosemary Poole;
- Schools: Frances Sibert; Deborah Poole;
- Finance: Dave Hart; Frances Sibert; Donna Allanson; Peter Colvin.
- Fisher-More: Cath McVey
- Maintenance:John Byrne
- Hospitality:Cath McVey
- Administration:Kris Reeds; Margie Zilnyk
- Liaison St Mary’s: Rose Whitfield
- Youth Development: Mark Bainbridge; Philip Reeds

Peter M asked a question about insurance. Ann Q (solicitor) replied this was unnecessary as we are not public funded and are all volunteers.
Time period for membership of the council was agreed to be four years.
Alison (Chair) suggested that each group meets before the next meeting to discuss the items listed and who runs each element in the small group.
A contact list was requested – details to be made available to Kris – to be then sent out

Next meeting for the full council to be held on Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 7.30pm in the Hughes Meeting Room.

Following the Chairperson’s suggestion at the main meeting the following have agreed to be departmental heads/core group members for the council:

Liturgy	Tricia Brophy
Catechesis	Nick McLeod
Mission	Jenny Holden
Schools	Frances Sibert
Finance	Dave Hart
Hospitality/Fisher More	Cath McVey
Administration	Kris Reeds
Youth Development	Mark Bainbridge
Liaison with St Mary's	Rose Whitfield

Minutes for Inauguration Meeting 23.11.2011

MINUTES OF INAUGURATION MEETING OF PARISH COUNCIL – 23 NOVEMBER 2011 – 8.00pm – Fisher-More Hall

Present: see end + Fr Tim Buckley (PP)

Apologies: Rosemary Poole, Nick McLeod

Meeting began with PP thanking everyone for coming and started with a Reading to focus the meeting.
PP quoted Canon Law on the subject of a Parish Council which states it is not obligatory (though a Finance committee is). His vision of the council is to allow the church to flourish and to enable the gifts of the parish to come to the fore, and wants stronger links with the school.
PP asked if we were happy to accept the nominees or did people want elections. Everyone agreed to accept the nominees.
PP conscious of the work already being done and the council will not undermine this but instead will harness it and underline it, but without having endless meetings.
PP went on to highlight some of the key areas he sees the council dealing with:

1. Finance: this is well looked after but need to reconstitute the Finance Committee. Intend to publish collections in future.
2. Liturgy: how we celebrate and Services. Need to look at Sacristy; readers; Servers (maybe not start as young); Music; Welcomers and ushers – and possibly going out to visit.
3. Catechesis: we need to train more Catechists and bring in the school more to help with catechesis. Set up Marriage Prep, using Deacon John more.
4. Building Maintenance: team to deal with this.
5. Hire of Hall: use of
6. Mission: how best to deal with the Bereavement process; Churches Together; Bible Study groups maybe and Social groups.

Q. Do we have a Constitution? PP replied that we do not as yet. We need to decide what we want; we need a structure (like the example from Christ the King) and then for people to volunteer for a group.
Q. Who will be ex-officio? PP replied he would be, Fr Barrie and the parish secretary for instance. Possibly representatives from different groups eg Finance, CTMH etc.
PP would like the council to look into resolving problems brought by parishioners eg the question of whether Mass Intentions should be announced at each Mass – yes or no? His suggestion for this was is to continue with not announcing, but placing an A3 sheet with Mass Intentions on porch door each week. If the donor really wants an announcement the onus would be for them to type the details and take to the priest in the Sacristy before the Mass. Everyone present agreed this was a good compromise and would be put into effect immediately.
To get the process started the next meeting would be for Nominees to meet to elect a Chairperson and departmental groups.

Next meeting for the nominees of the parish council to be held on Sunday 27th November at 7.30pm in the Fisher-More Hall.

List of parishioners present at the meeting:

Ann Quirk Mark Bainbridge

Bob Cannon Sharon Pearson

Deborah Poole M Kieran

Philip Reeds H King

Alison Chalmers J Holden

Cath McVey Mr & Mrs Moloney

Pat Brophy Mr & Mrs Quirk

Margaret Torpey Christopher Allmand

Donna Allanson Margie Zilnyk

David Hart A & R Boardman