Held on Tuesday 25.10.2011

The meeting opened with a prayer:

Present: Fr. D., A. Pickering, G. Kennedy, L. Scovell T. Harding and L. Hoggett

Apologies: A. Palmer, J. Dowson and P. McCarthy.

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

• The minutes of the last meeting were read, approved and signed.

Matters Arising:

• G. Kennedy as not as yet been able to see A. Palmer.
• The rear doors at St. Joseph’s still need looking at.
• A. Burns looked at the trolleys for the tables and chairs and he recommends that people make sure that the brakes and straps are in place as the poster suggests.  L. Hoggett to make larger notices for the trolleys.

Altar Servers / Youth

• J. Reilly is to arrange a practice.
• The Youth Group has reconvened after the summer and the new leader is Robert Burns.
• The group has two new younger members and all are working well together.
• They also have a parents rota set up.

Finance Committee:

• The Diocese has sent thank you letters to all people who Gift Aid in their Parishes.  This in turn has flagged up several discrepancies which will be dealt with.
• Gift Aid in our Parish is declining, Fr. D. hopes that new income from the halls may go in some way to offset this.

Adult Formation:

• We have had 3 out of the 4 sessions with Fr. Kieran Monahan which have been well received.
• Wass Abbey Reflection Day was well attended and everyone had a lovely day with a nice mix of people from the Parish.  T. Harding asked if another visit was planned and Fr. D. said maybe next year.

St. Vincent de Paul Society:

• S.V.P. are back after the summer break and are very busy as we have a few Parishioners who are sick and are visited on a regular basis.  G. Kennedy mentioned that Norman Calvert is in hospital.
• T. Harding asked if the conference had got any new members after the awareness month talk, Fr. D. said not as yet.
• The S.VP. Annual raffle tickets will be on sale from this weekend.

R.I. and Children’s Liturgy:

• Children’s Liturgy is every week at St. Joseph’s and every other week at St. Margaret’s.
• Fr. D. said that G. Reilly was taken ill one week so he announced that there would be no Children’s Liturgy that Sunday so Annmarie Pallent Home said she would do it at a moments notice.  Well done Annmarie.
• First Holy Communion preparation classes have recommenced with 13-14 children.  Usually these classes only occur every other year but we have have these classes every year for the last 3 years.
• Confirmation classes will start at the end of the year in preparation for Confirmations in June.
• A new scheme has been started in the Diocese.

Ministers of Holy Communion:

• G. Kennedy wants to hold a meeting of all Ministers of Holy Communion, possibly on a Tuesday evening after Mass at St. Margaret’s, letters to follow.
• A. Palmer should have all commissioning dates on his data base.

Minister of the Word and Welcome:

• All going well.

Parish Events and Planning Group:

• Meeting in the New Year..

Maintenance:

• In August some lead was stolen off St. Margaret’s roof and the thieves also attempted to steal the lead flashing off the porch, repairs cost £1000 the insurance covered £700.
• All gutters at both churches and halls have been cleaned.
• A free electrical inspection was carried out by our Insurers all work deemed necessary by this has been carried out.
• St. Margaret’s heating system has been changed and upgraded.
• G. Kennedy asked if we display the times of Masses outside of the church, Fr. D. said yes on the notice boards.