St John the Baptist Parish Pastoral Council
Minutes of Meeting
Held on Wednesday 18 March 2015 at 7.00pm REF 2015/2
Attendees: Fr Victor Adigboluja, Fr Patrick Burke, Marie Ann Walker, David Topping, Brian Murray, Pam Weir, Dermott O’Gorman, Anne Howe
Apologies: Helen Rea, Elaine Robson, Tracey Boyle, Claire Hastie, Marie Allan, John Moore
1. Welcome
David welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Opening Reflection
David led the PPC joined together in a parish prayer.
3. Approval of previous minutes
Minutes were approved with no amendments.
4. Successful Fundraiser
All agreed that our recent March fundraiser was a successful evening, which included -
· Raffle
· Race Night
· Bar
· Live Music
· Sale of Easter chicks/eggs
· Sales of leftover alcohol
Total raised so far for Youth for Lourdes and Youth Club funds is over £1300.
Ideas for future events were discussed – pencilled in for November 2015
· Irish bingo
· Opera group
· Wine tasting
· Whisky tasting
5 Sanctuary reorganisation
Banners
David has tried to hoover the banners but the results were not were encouraging.
Dermott has enquired about dry cleaning, but was advised of high risk of colour run.
Radiators
Dermott has an initial quote of £2000 to box in radiators at back of altar – this seems relatively expensive.
Lothian Heating has investigated the heating system – the overall thermostat is OK but they have recommended a thermostat on each radiator, at a cost of £1000.
Sanctuary
Following an item in the newsletter, 3 letters were received with feedback on the proposals.
Many more conversational comments have been made to Fr Patrick and PPC.
These were all discussed but it was agreed that at this time, the focus on the parish should be on the current diocesan re-organisation consultation. So no major changes will be planned.
ACTIONS 4.1 Dermot to circulate radiator cover designs
4.2 Investigate a move for Our Lady’s statue to a new location to allow focus on the tabernacle in it’s current location
4.3 Carry forward sanctuary reorganisation to future agenda
6 Archbishop’s letter on diocesan re-organisation
The Archbishop will write to the diocese with an update on how the consultation process will proceed after Easter.
7 Eucharistic Ministers
Training of five Eucharistic Ministers has been completed and a rota for visiting sick is almost finalised.
ACTIONS 7.1 Father Victor to start including short ceremony for EMs visiting sick at end of Mass, before final blessing.
7.2 Father Victor to advertise service for EMs visiting sick
8 Easter Services
Palm Sunday – services will start in the hall
Easter Triduum services
Holy Thursday - 7.30pm – ending in oratory with night prayers there at 10pm
Good Friday - 3pm
Easter Vigil - 8.30pm – followed by refreshments in hall
Easter Sunday - 11am
9. Finance
Establishment of a Parish Finance Committee was discussed and it was agreed to carry this forward to a future PPC meeting (post June 2015).
10 Parish AGM
This is now overdue, and was deferred to allow for a settling in period. It was agreed that this would be pushed back again to allow focus on details of consultation process - this will involve parish meetings.
11 New Christmas Crib
David will consider design ideas for a replacement for our existing Christmas crib – hopefully incorporating the local/Corstorphine theme.
12 AOB
Work on the accessible toilet in the porch is due to start on 13 April.
The topic of using the central doors of the church was raised – this was tried in the recent past, but was not always successful when the weather was windy as members of the congregation could feel a draft. No plans to use these doors again in the near future.
13. The next meeting for the PPC will be Thursday 21 May at 7.00pm