SACRED HEART PARISH
UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL HELD ON
Thursday, 9th March, 2006 in the Sacred Heart Presbytery
PRESENT
Members: Fr Gerard Mitchell (President), Aidan Christie (Chair), Louise Cooper, Antoinette Dali, Margaret Duffy, Len Hay, Tim Morris, Teresa Smith, Christopher Woodward.
Parish Team: Fr Michael Ashworth, Cristina Connolly, Fr John Fairhurst, Sr. Francis, S.S.A, Fr Lawrence Nam, James Potter,.
Apologies for absence had been received from Fr Kevin Donovan, Sr. Dorothy and Fernanda Miucci Casale.
1. Opening and Prayer
a. Aidan Christie opened the meeting by asking James Potter to start proceedings with a prayer.
b. The draft agenda was approved, it was agreed that it would not be possible to cover all the topics at this evening’s meeting. However Aidan asked that it be recorded that the e-mail from Jenny Cairns and a letter from Peter Ball had been acknowledged, they both related to issues on communication which would be the subject of further discussion.
c. We noted with regret the resignation from the Council of Veroniqué Furse.
d. Approval of Minutes of meeting on 19th January, 2006. These were taken as agreed.
2. Matters arising from Minutes
a. It was agreed that the Parish Day and Meeting had been very successful. It had been gratifying to see so many people there.
b. CaFE had been running for two weeks and there had been a very encouraging attendance. Father Ashworth, Louise Cooper, Tim Morris, Teresa Smith and Chris Woodward were all involved and it was hoped there would be a follow-on course ‘Knowing God Even Better’ in June; participants would also be offered the opportunity to join other course options in September. It was suggested that David Payne, the speaker in the video talks, could be invited to speak. James Potter offered to make an approach. Tim Morris asked about the formation of cell groups as a possible development from CaFE.
c. Appointment of Secretary. Christopher Woodward had agreed to take over the role from Len Hay, and was duly elected.
3. Youth Ministry
James Potter gave a comprehensive report to the meeting about his first six months in post. He had forged good relations with the five schools in the parish and also the uniform groups, altar servers and musicians and the ‘Generations Together Luncheon’ group. By standing outside church after weekend masses he had become a familiar face to many. He had a group of about 36 people (currently going through the Criminal Records Bureau checks) who were willing to help either regularly or on a ‘one-off’ basis as required. Training would be given to these volunteers.
He regularly visited the parish schools and at primary school focused on Year 6 in the hope that when these children went up to the high schools he would be a link for them at the change-over. He had met with confirmation catechists and groups and had organised a post-confirmation event for last year’s groups. He had attended prayer groups with the 6th formers.
The Youth Management Group was supporting James in his work and it was suggested that a good idea might be to produce a 6-monthly report in Edgeways on youth activities. James hoped to start up a youth journal, in which the young people could research and write articles on parish linked activities e.g. asylum seekers). He hoped to set up regular meetings with the 11-14 age group; more social get-togethers, such as a recent Jazz Night for the 15-17 age group, as well as youth SVP etc. He was hoping to organise more social events as well as days of reflection for the young adults.
Tim Morris commented that James seemed to have his strategic plan in place, but asked if he was building a structure which would be sustainable for when he eventually moves on to another post. James intended that the volunteers would form a group of leaders which he would co-ordinate in his role as Youth Minister. This would form the basis of continuity for the future.
Tim also asked about a Sunday Youth Mass, but James felt that the youth needed to be brought into the mass as part of parish life and not have a Sunday Mass specifically for them. Perhaps a ‘Youth Mass’ once a term (on another evening – maybe Friday) would be a better proposition. James mentioned an initiative from the local churches to organise after school activities linked to the YMCA in the centre of Wimbledon. Although he was happy to help with the initial set-up of this he felt that he would be fully occupied with similar events once the accommodation for the youth group was ready. Following a discussion on ‘Youth’ at a recent Deanery meeting, the Dean, Canon John Naughton of Christ the King Church in Wimbledon Park had expressed an interest in meeting James.
James met with Father Mitchell every two weeks and with the Youth Management Group once a month. He was attending a course at Durham University which would enable him to meet up with people in similar situations to himself.
The Council took the opportunity to congratulate James on the work he had done so far and to thank him for all his work.
4. Fundraising and building works
Margaret Duffy reported that once the annual accounts are finalised they will be made available to the parish; up to December 2005 expenditure (of £338,000) exceeded income (of £321,000).
Money for major projects such as the Youth Ministry accommodation and the organ restoration need to be raised, as well as increasing funds for the day-to-day running costs of the parish.
Hugh Johnston was writing an article for the newsletter outlining the plans for the Youth Ministry accommodation. The Finance Committee was looking at various ways of borrowing to fund the initial stages of this work. Hugh had approached the Historic Churches Commission about the possibility of funding for other works needed. The final claim for the Sacred Heart School improvements has now been agreed with the DfES and we can expect to receive a payment of £58,751.00.
Margaret outlined the strategy for raising money within the parish. Stage 1 of the appeal would be a planned giving campaign to raise the income through the weekly collections. The three weekends in the middle of May would be used for the appeal. During the first weekend Father Mitchell would speak to the parish; on the second weekend a number of parishioners would address the congregations at each mass. On the third weekend Tony Montfort had agreed to make an appeal when people would be asked to sign pledges. Jim McDonnell and Simon Noakes had both agreed to help with the strategy for the second phase of the appeal.
Chris Woodward suggested that we need to have a long-term (10-20 year) plan for the parish and its buildings. Father Mitchell pointed out there are inescapable immediate realities for the buildings which have to be attended to. Plans for the first phase of building work would be available shortly for the parish to view. Margaret asked for PPC members help to make the appeal at masses on the weekend of 13th/14th May. Members should contact her via e-mail to advise her of times of availability.
5. Dates for 2006-2007
a. Parish Tea – Sunday 19th November
b. Day of Prayer for PPC – 9th September – venue to be confirmed.
c. AGM 2007 – Sunday 4th February
Above dates to be confirmed at next meeting.
6. Major issues identified in Report to Parish (PPC 2006 Doc 1)
This matter was deferred to the next meeting to give adequate time for discussion.
7. Communications
As a result of the communications received from J. Cairns and P. Ball it was agreed that the minutes of the PPC should be displayed in the back of the church. Len Hay offered to organise a system for displaying the minutes on the website. Chris Woodward agreed to help.
8. Any other business
a. Welfare Report (PPC 2006 Doc 2). A report had been received from Sadie Smith on the work of a group she had convened at Father Mitchell’s request. The substance was such that it would require detailed consideration by the Council at a later meeting.
b. Communications with Parish. It was agreed to discuss this matter in detail at the next meeting when it was hoped Jim McDonnell would be available to advise us.
9. March 30 Meeting
(a) Prayer leader – Teresa Smith.
The meeting closed with a prayer.
Christopher Woodward
Secretary