Saint Edmund’s Parish Pastoral Council
Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd May 2010
Present: Father David, Clive Alabaster, John Cooke, Anne Marie Goddard, Christine Martin, Anne Morgan-Jones, Jane Murphy, Teresa Quinn, Emily Starosolsky, Maria Wykes, Paul Blake (Clerk).
Absent: Patricia Davies, Cari Depla.
The meeting opened with a prayer.
Membership and Terms of Reference.
It was noted that Hannah Cooke was unable to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council. Father David agreed to find a replacement member, representative of the younger parishioners.
It was agreed that the draft Terms of Reference should be amended in Paragraph 8 to read:
“The Parish Priest will be an ‘ex-officio’ member of the Parish Pastoral Council and serve as its Chairman. The Parish Pastoral Council shall elect a Vice Chairperson from amongst its members to chair meetings in the event of the absence of the Parish Priest.”
With this amendment in place the Terms of Reference were adopted.
Teresa Quinn was elected as the Vice Chairperson.
Diocesan Pastoral Guidelines.
It was noted that following the publication of the Diocesan Pastoral Guidelines, a new booklet, ‘Parishes in Communion for Mission’ will be published by the Diocese setting out the future organisation of parishes. This booklet will be launched at a special event at the Cathedral on Wednesday 23rd June 2010. Representative members of the Parish Pastoral Council are invited to attend this event with Father David.
The Papal Visit.
Father David gave further details regarding arrangements for the Papal Visit from 16th – 19th September 2010. Tickets to attend a specific event will be allocated to parishes via dioceses and these will be individual, non-transferable tickets. Joint transport arrangements to the event will be centrally organised. Although many details are not yet known it was agreed that it would be desirable to appoint a co-ordinator to oversee the practical arrangements. Anne Morgan-Jones accepted this role.
It was agreed that the parish should host a special vigil ‘Welcome Mass’ on the eve of the Papal Visit, the evening of Wednesday 15th September 2010. An invitation to attend this Mass will be extended to the other parishes in the deanery and to the Ministers of the other churches in the town.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, (RCIA) and adult formation and catechises.
After discussion it was agreed that that any programme for the RCIA should be distinct from other adult formation and catechises.
It was agreed that Father David would invite people who wish to become Catholics to come forward to join a RCIA programme. Teresa Quinn will enquire into the possibility of an entry in the ‘Town Crier’ magazine, and Father David will contact the school regarding publicity. An inaugural social event could be held to launch the programme, which would be tailored in response to the numbers expressing an interest.
The RCIA programme would use a series of leaflets produced by the Redemptorists, providing the main content. Father David will order these. The RCIA meetings would be in small groups in parishioners’ homes with a focus on prayer, discussion and reflection, rather than presentation of content. The schedule will be organised by Anne Morgan-Jones.
With respect to adult formation and catechises, Clive Alabaster agreed to organise a series of talks with various speakers for a four or five week period beginning in late September / early October. Father David would be willing to organise a series of meetings next Lent using a DVD from the BBC series ‘The Passion’.
Other Matters.
Maria Wykes asked that the Parish Pastoral Council consider whether sufficient priority is being placed on work with the youth of the parish. After a short discussion it was agreed that this area would be a main focus at the next meeting.
Glen Alabaster is willing to help with running of the parish web site. Father David will follow this up.
With respect to pastoral care of the sick and housebound it was agreed that it would be desirable to have a monthly updated list in the porch of parishioners who are unwell. Prayers could be offered at a weekday Mass for those named on this list. Father David will approach a parishioner to oversee such a list.
Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council will be held on Sunday 4th July 2010 at 11.30.a.m.
Items to be discussed will include: Youth ministry and hospitality ministry. Discussion will also take place on the arrangements for weekday Masses from September when Father David begins further studies; suggestions include the celebration of Morning Prayer and the celebration of one weekday Mass in an evening.
The meeting closed with a prayer at 12.50.
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