ST PATRICK’S CHURCH PARISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL (PCC) MEETING
MINUTES OF MEETING, TUESDAY 21ST APRIL, 2009, 8PM Present: Fr. Digby Samuels (Parish Priest) Fr. David Reilly (Assistant Priest) Lance Lawler-Smith (Acting Chairperson) Joe Riley Catherine Bryan Robin Kelly-Weekes Ellen Carroll Angela Kindell Apologies Seán O’Ceallaigh (Chairperson) Freda McMahon Linda Bayles Hamilton Forrest Cathy Walsh
1. Approval of minutes of previous meeting (All) All were happy with the minutes of the March meeting, following feedback agreed by email. 2. Feedback from Easter (Fr. Digby) Fr. Digby said that we are enjoying a fantastic Easter season at St Patrick’s, that Easter goes on until Pentecost, and asked for general feedback on the Easter celebrations. Lance commented that Easter can be overwhelming, being in the middle of such an intense event, and putting a great deal of time and energy into it. Robin said that his Easter experience at a parish in Birmingham felt lacking in comparison to previous experiences at St. Patrick’s. Lance had received some feedback on the reduction in the number of readings at the Easter Vigil, questioning the change. Ellen received some feedback that the amount of time on the vigil was fine for some older parishioners. Catherine said that the duration of this year’s vigil was similar to that of previous years. Catherine noted that Maundy Thursday night was not so well attended, but Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday were well attended. It was noted that the hot cross buns and sharing after Good Friday was well received, as were the refreshments after the Easter Vigil. Action: Liturgy planning group to review the Easter Triduum from a liturgical perspective.
3. Evangelisation Teams (Fr. Digby) Fr. Digby said that in Home Mission Sunday, in October, all Catholics are reminded that being a missionary is an essential part of our calling. Continuing this theme, on Saturday 25th April, Fr. Digby will take a group to Westminster Cathedral for a workshop to explore how we can take evangelisation forward, including how to set up a parish evangelisation team (or teams). The event is organised by CASE (Catholic Agency to Support Evangelisation), in partnership with Catholic Evangelisation Services. Robin suggested we could prepare a strategy for evangelisation events and initiatives, looking a year ahead, to plan our use of energy and resources. Action: One of the group to report back to the PCC on the output of the workshop. Action: Robin to lead a 30 minute slot at the next PCC meeting to consider our evangelisation plan for the next month. 4. Quiz Night on Friday 24th April at 8pm (Fr. Digby) This will be in the school hall. All are invited to the event, which will also include wine tasting. Sign up is via flip chart at the back of church. Around 20 people are expected. 5. Concert May 8th 2009 (Joe Riley) Joe said there will be a concert featuring Nadine Story and other parishioners on 8th May at 8pm. He added that only two tickets had been sold, but several weeks of publicity remain. 6. Eastertide/Pentecost meditation leaflets & Pentecost celebrations (Fr Digby) Fr. Digby said that traditionally we have had beautiful days on Pentecost, to celebrate the church’s birthday. Because it is such a special time, the parish has been giving away Pentecost booklets for free (usual cost £1). Pentecost will be on May 31st this year. All agreed that drinks after Mass and a Parish Pentecost Picnic would be a good idea. Fr. Digby said that it’s important to remind all parishioners that they are welcome. Angie agreed to arrange drinks after Mass. This will be advertised in the newsletter. Action: Angie to arrange drinks after Mass for Pentecost. 7. St Paul Icon 23-29th May (Fr Digby) Fr. Digby said that the Icon will visit the parish during Half Term week. There are recommended devotions supplied with the icon. The Icon will be welcomed at Mass over the weekend when it arrives. The detail will be planned at the next liturgy planning meeting. Action: Liturgy planning group to work out how to celebrate the icon’s visit. 8. St Therese Relics, Westminster Cathedral 12-15th October (Fr Digby) Fr. Digby said that where St Therese’s relics have been taken in the world, there have been amazing results as Catholics have benefited from experiencing a relationship with this very holy, loving saint who died aged twenty-four in a Carmelite convent. Many Catholics have been inspired to receive the sacrament of Confession after visiting the relics. St Therese’s relics are visiting a number of locations in the UK in 2009, and will visit our cathedral from 12-15 October. Fr. Digby asked all to keep this in mind. Catherine said she is involved in the music planning for a group from Southwark to Aylesford. Fr. Digby asked Catherine to find out the number of the group travelling to Aylesford, to help with
choosing whether St Patrick’s should go to Aylesford or Westminster. Ellen said she felt the parish should go to Westminster, to support our own diocese. 9. Forward planning for new PCC Members (Fr Digby) Fr. Digby said that Ellen and Freda’s membership of the council is due to expire in June. There was a discussion as to whether members should be asked to extend their membership. Action: Seán to check the PCC Constitution re. this point 10. AOB Fr. Digby suggested the creation of a contact list including the name of Mike Fernee for planned giving/offertory procession enquiries. There was a discussion as to whether this could be a wider welcome pack, which concluded with the compromise that the PCC poster, for which work is underway, would be sufficient. Ellen asked whether there was a reason for some parishioners not receiving a planned giving box. Fr. David said he was aware there were some issues, and advised anyone who had ended up with a new number to let the planned giving team know. Fr Digby asked whether there is a St Patrick’s Banner that we could use to march with in support of Migrants in Trafalgar Square on 4th May. Lance suggested that we ask the new Archbishop elect to come and talk to us at St Patrick’s. Fr. Digby suggested St Patrick’s Day 2010. Lance gave Fr. Digby positive feedback for his recent leadership on receiving Holy Communion reverently. Lance said that the next public appearance of the Shroud of Turin of is being brought forward from 2025 to 2010, and suggested a potential pilgrimage. Robin commented that there is a lot of rubbish outside the school hall, and suggested a trip to the recycling centre on the Isle of Dogs. Robin will be off work for around a month in May, and would appreciate help from volunteers to load a van and make the trip in the middle of May. A message will need to be issued via the newsletter requesting that people claim any useful property in the building in advance. Action: Fr. Digby to ask Lucy to include Mike Fernee’s name on the newsletter re. planned giving. Action: Fr. Digby to invite the Archbishop elect to visit the parish on St. Patrick’s Day 2010.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 19th May 2009, 8pm.