ST BENEDICT’S CHURCH PARISHPASTORAL COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st March2017
Present: Karen DerbyshireJoanne O’HaraNick LinleyCatherine Moxon
Fr GerardTrish Sandbach Jim GuthrieRena Paul
1.0Welcome
Chaired by Jim Guthrie
2.0Opening Prayer
Led by Joanne O’Hara
3.0Apologies for absence
Monica Walker, Susan Blackburn, Gerard Kearney
4.0Approve the minutes of the last meeting
Minutes were approved.
5.0Matters arising from the minutes – Notification of any other business
No matters arising. No other business.
6.0Review constitution
Already circulated. No changes needed.
7.0Liturgy and formation group – 20th anniversary of church opening
TS explained that the liturgy and formation group are putting plans in place for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the church. As well as celebrating socially, they are looking to prepare for the event by using it as an opportunity to reflect on the parish, who we are and what is our vision. TS asked for suggestions on how the liturgy group and the PPC could get to know each other better, for example having an open meeting with time to reflect.
TS shared her experience of a Justice and Peace day where they worked towards being ‘a listening church’. The day involved answering questions, then sharing answers to deeply reflect their thoughts and aspirations. Could something similar be used to help us communicate our hopes, dreams and fears?
TS suggested creating a brief for the event and asked when would be suitable for PPC members to meet. Evenings were felt to be better for some PPC members.
It was asked if the meeting could also connect with the constitution and our mission statement. It was explained that the mission statement and the constitution do not link together.
The aim of the get together would be to gather people’s thoughts and find out what the parish wants to be in the community and wider world and to check that the mission statement was still appropriate.
The world is a more complex place than is was when the mission statement was created 20 years ago and we need to support each other.
NL suggested that we could use the parish centre bar area for an informal meeting.
It was asked if there was money to facilitate the meeting.
Do we know people who could do it well?
Would the session be passive or will there be an activity?
It was suggested that we ask a couple of facilitators to put forward proposals and to choose which one would suit us best.
We need to support each other and to make sure that we are ‘A Place to Grow’.
If we set something up, then we must try to make sure that it does not run out of steam andthink of how to keep it going.
Holy Week – services will be publicised. It promises to be a wholesome experience – encourage all to attend for the whole spiritual experience.
Week of guided prayer – the liturgy and formation group are exploring the possibility of holding a parish retreat with prayer guides to assist. This may take place in the autumn 2017.
8.0Steering group for Parish Centre
We have had one parishioner who has expressed an interest in creating a Parish Centre steering group, following an advert in the bulletin. RT added that she would also be happy to offer her support and it was felt that SB (not present) would also be interested. RT said that the person interested currently works in facilities management and would have good experience of the legalities. Those interested have all used the parish centre and see its potential.
RT agreed to contact those interested to arrange a meeting.
9.0Youth provision
The Diocese has a new youth worker and would the PPC would like to invite her to visit St Benedict’s?
It was asked what a youth worker does. Does she have ideas for this parish? Who do we propose she speaks to?
RP felt there was a strong need for support for the youth, with the challenges they may be facing – family breakups, bereavement etc. There is currently a Friday evening youth group at the Methodist church, which is open to the community.
JG suggested that the youth worker talks at the end mass for five minutes, and invites the youth to speak to her afterwards.
Could the youth bring feedback to the PPC?
RT said that it helps the young attend mass if they have friends coming.
NL said that there might be a successful model already working in another parish and that we may not need to create something new.
It was noted that Garforth has a very different demographic and we will need to let the youth worker know what life is like here.
Can we get her involved in this year’s confirmation group which has over 25 attending?
Are there skills within the parish that we could use, or also make use of themany free counselling services available?
10.0Communication within the parish
a)NL had put a proposal together for a quarterly E-zine which was circulated. He explained that when anyone gets involved in an activity, from joining a group to sacramental preparation, that we collect their email address. This will be added to an ever growing list/database. An E-zine would then be created to talk about activities and distributed by email. The aim would be to prompt those receiving the E-zine to get involved/ do one more thing/ interact with one more event/ volunteer. It could be used to promote bar openings, messy church events, ‘free stuff’ for children, other church eventsetc. in a non-threatening or intrusive manner. There would be on option to opt out of emails.
NL explained that an E-zine is free software that enables you to fill information into a blank template. Some information will remain constant, and it is the same idea as school’s Friday post.
On a quarterly basis we would need an individual to produce it, someone to edit and proof read it and the parish priest to oversee for theoretical correctness.
It will need to be good from the word go.
Ideas for entries will be needed. NL suggested a list of 20 questions to answer and the answers to be edited into an article, or request an article of less than 500 words.
It could be used to promote school events (note from head teacher), celebrate successes and invite columns.
Could we involve a youth representative – link to future career, volunteering, artwork etc.
KD and NL agreed to talk to school and to look at their software.
b)Brief discussion on Facebook. The general consensus was that it would involve too much work to maintain.
11.0Next steps and action plan
More members PPC members are needed to meet quota.
A few names were put forward, including the possibility of having a youth representative.
12.0Date of next meeting, Chairperson, Prayers
Next meeting: Tuesday 6th June 2017 at 7.30pm
Catherine to chair.
Trish to bring a prayer.