PPC 2006 Mtg 04 Min

SACRED HEART PARISH

UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH PASTORAL

COUNCIL HELD ON

Thursday, 4 th May, 2006 in the Sacred Heart Presbytery

PRESENT

Members : Fr Gerard Mitchell (President), Aidan Christie (Chair), Sr Dorothy, Louise Cooper, Antoinette Dali, Margaret Duffy, Len Hay, Tim Morris, Teresa Smith, Christopher Woodward.

Parish Team : Fr Michael Ashworth, Fr Kevin Donovan, Fr John Fairhurst, Sr Francis, SSA, Cristina Connolly, James Potter.

• Apologies for absence : Fr Lawrence Nam.
• Father Michael Ashworth led the group with a prepared reading and prayer.
• The minutes of the previous meeting on 30 th March, 2006 were approved.
• Venue for Day of Prayer on 9 th September not yet confirmed.
• Vacancies on the Council : Since there had been no nominations we agreed to approach people willing to stand and submit their names to the Parish Priest; the Council would then fill the vacancies at the next meeting in accordance with para. 9 of the Handbook.
• Welfare Report by Sadie Smith : review of report postponed until September.
• Communication: A draft Communications Strategy was received together with further comments from Jim McDonnell. We agreed that:
• a further draft be prepared incorporating Jim’s comments;
• that members of the Council who were prepared to, make themselves known to the congregations after Masses(with or without badges);
• photographs of the Council be displayed on the notice board in the Church porch rather than at the back of the church.
• from time to time a PPC member invite parishioners at the end of the 9.45 a.m. Mass for tea and coffee into the hall.
• Planned Giving and Appeal Update : Margaret Duffy reported on the Finance Committee meeting held on 3 rd May, 2006.
• outgoings exceeded income for the first quarter of 2006 but a substantial one-off receipt from the DoES was due;
• audited accounts for 2005 would be available soon;
• the treasurer and two other representatives would be meeting with the auditors to prepare a simplified presentation of the accounts for the future;
• the committee wished to appoint two more members, one preferably with financial training;
• the planned giving campaign arrangements were in place; volunteers were needed to help at all the Masses on the third weekend to help collect pledge cards and to assist any parishioners would might need help;
• the capital appeal was still being planned by a strategy group and an appeal committee. The Council was keen to ensure that parishioners are kept fully informed on what projects would be covered by the capital appeal.

• Introduction of a diaconate in the Parish: We received a paper prepared by Chris Woodward which set out our present thinking on the introduction of the diaconate. Two representations from parishioners had been received opposing the idea. After a lengthy discussion we agreed that:
• the proposal should be considered within the context of our vision of the full ministry for the Parish over the next ten years or so;
• the process of consultation should enable views to be expressed freely;
• a ‘Living Theology’ seminar on the parish’s ministries be organised over a Friday evening/Saturday morning in the autumn as a means of addressing the issues;
• the Adult Faith Development Group convene to make the arrangements.
• Review and Update of Pastoral Plan: postponed due to lack of time.
• Prayer Leader for next meeting Christina Connolly agreed to lead.
• The date of the next meeting would be on Thursday, 16 th June, 2006 and NOT 9 th June as previously planned.