The meeting was attended by 14 parishioners, Fr. Pat and Jim O’Sullivan in the Chair.
Dick Wilson, Karen Rodgers, Mary Watkins, Geoff Cook, Stephen Warde.
These were agreed to be accurate.
This was widely promulgated in the Pilgrim and insert to the Bulletin. Only 8 responses were received covering a wide variety of opinions from very traditional to liberal. The question is now what to do with these as the period of consultation has finished. On the Catholic Bishops synod website there is a document outlining the discussions to be pursued at the Synod. Fr Pat commented that he always believed in these discussions that “grace builds on Nature”.
This is in the upstairs room and is up and ready to run with new bookshelves and a large number of books covering areas like: Spirituality , Theology, Bible Study, History, Biography and even a couple of fiction (though these are only of a religious theme - but good none the less!). It is proposed that a small display of books following a theme, or ones that were reviewed in the Pilgrim, is set out in the Parish Room about once a month to encourage people to borrow.
Nothing for this meeting
Lynda Macintyre, the Parish Treasurer, has been ill over the past year hence the late arrival if the Accounts. Although they were not complete on this day Fr Pat felt they should be presented to the meeting. Comparison figure with last financial year will be disseminated via the Bulletin. The accounts are available here. Last financial year the parish had an overspend of £25,000 but the reserves remain at £200,000.
The removable notice boards in the Parish Room proved to be too heavy and awkward to safety. A grip display bar is proposed to replace them. This would be fixed to the wall and temporary displays, flip chart paper etc can be put up during meetings etc.
There will be a picnic bring and share lunch on 10th August after the 11am Mass to Celebrate St. Laurence’s Day. All are very welcome. Please come and enjoy yourselves.
All is going ahead as usual.
The Confirmation was a lovely service and the Bishop talked with each candidate as he blessed them, asking about their chosen names etc.
Easy Chairs in upstairs room. To complete the refurbishment of this room it is necessary to buy 4 or 5 easy chairs to replace the old ones which are breaking. Virginia Bird showed various models which would be possible. The style of chair that is mostly on offer at present is a tub style chair. Commercial ones which would have a long enough life expectancy cost between £100 and £250 depending on the type of upholstery.
Balcony Rail. As this tends to block the view from the church balcony, Irial McGinley had presented plans to replace the rail with a glass screen. Costing still has to be done and quotations obtained.
Sound system in this area needs checking as it is hard to hear
Church Windows - one needs refurbishing. A new catch has been put on one that needed attention and seems to be doing what is needed.
Carpets need cleaning. An industrial carpet cleaner will be hired and the Church, Narthex and Parish Room will be done over.
Front door of the Church needs painting.
Car park exit and entrance. The Council feel there is no evidence of the need for white lines to be painted to warn cyclists of the entrances.
There are still no firm plans for the development of the Library next door.
Clare Clark has been appointed at the new head teacher. She is a practising Catholic and was appointed after a rigorous interview process. She has met with Jan Southgate for a handover process. As she cannot start until January 2015 Maria Miles will be acting head for the autumn term.
All items covered elsewhere.
It was proposed that Evangelii Gaudium be discussed in greater detail and proposals for action to follow be examined.
None.
8pm on 20th October, 2014