The meeting opened with a prayer: Present: Fr. D., A. Palmer, G. Kennedy, T. Power, S. Merckx, J. Dowson, P. McCarthy, S. Carey and L. Hoggett

Apologies: L. Scovell, A. Pickering, E. Driver, T. Harding and F. Burns

Minutes of the Last Meeting: The minutes of the last meeting were read, approved and signed.

Matters Arising: There were no matters arising.

Altar Servers / Youth

On 28th January a training and recruitment session is planned. The Youth Group have recommenced after the Summer and the new leader is Robert Burns. They have a coffee morning planned. They also have a parents rota in place.

Finance Committee:

The discrepancies in Gift Aid where not as many as was first thought. The numbers of people who Gift Aid are increasing. Adult Formation: Is at a hiatus at the moment. Activities from January to July are in the planning stages.

St. Vincent de Paul Society:

The S.V.P. Raffle raised £330, 20% of which was kept for Conference funds. The Buffalo Project has been completed. Parish work continues. S.V.P. will recess until January and them recommence on Wednesday mornings after Mass.

R.I. and Children’s Liturgy:

14 children are preparing for their First Holy Communion.  This is the third consecutive year for First Holy Communions. First Reconciliations will be held on Tuesday 31st January. Because of a shortage of Leaders we cannot offer classes for other age groups at this time. Children’s Liturgy is held every Sunday in St. Joseph’s and every other Sunday in St. Margaret’s. Two of the Leaders at St. Margaret’s are having to take time off for personal reasons so more volunteers would be greatly appreciated in both St. Margaret’s and St Joseph’s.

Ministers of Holy Communion:

A meeting was held in St. Margaret’s.  More minister’s are needed especially in St. Margaret’s. A. Palmer tries to ensure that there are no clashes were minister’s have more than one ministry. 16-17year olds who have been Commissioned while away at school may practice their ministry while at home during the holidays.

Minister of the Word and Welcome:

A. Palmer has a database of over 100 people.  He has rewritten the software to include the Ministers to the Sick. Copies of the rotas to go to L. Hoggett and G. Kennedy to check over. Rotas are arranged so that all Ministers get equal turns. Fr. D. offered thanks to A. Palmer for all his hard work on the rotas.

Parish Events and Planning Group:

Nothing arranged as yet.

Maintenance:

The heating in St. Margaret’s has been fixed with the use of a single thermostat.

Safeguarding:

2 people are in the process of completing their C.R.B. forms. A new representative is required for Great Ayton. Renewals are not required as yet.