PRESENT: Fr Peter Raj, Clare Glenn (St John of the Cross; Acting Chair), Nick Elphinstone (St John of the Cross), Bruce McKenna (St Helen), Bob Gale (St Helen), Peter McKenna (Sacred Heart), Margaret Burrows (Sacred Heart), Antonia Martinez (Parish Administrator), Catherine Watkins (Secretary)
1. APOLOGIES: Fran Ludden (St John of the Cross), Georgiana Rylands (St Helen)
It was recorded that John Bolger had resigned from the role of Pastoral Assistant and would therefore no longer attend PPC meetings in that role. It was further recorded that Shinto Devassy had moved out of the Parish and would therefore no longer be a Sacred Heart church representative.
Fr Peter opened the meeting with a prayer.
2. It was agreed to try and finish the meeting by 9.00pm.
Clare welcomed Francis Harmer, Chair of the Finance Committee who would update the PPC on various Parish financial issues.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING: on 10 December were agreed and signed.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
There were no new Matters Arising.
5. HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Defibrillator Training. John Holden, a parishioner at the Sacred Heart, had offered to carry out CPR and Defibrillator Training on 20 March in the Parish Hall. Training sessions would be limited to 12 trainees, and sessions would be 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Antonia to place lists for volunteers at the backs of the churches. If there were too many names, further sessions could be arranged.
First Aiders. All first aiders would need annual refresher training. Antonia had undertaken to find out who were the first aiders at the Sacred Heart and Georgiana had emailed Cathy to say that the St Helen’s first aiders were Mary Edmonds, Jeannie Mardon, Elaine Haughton and Richard McGreevy.
There are now Health & Safety Advisers at the Diocesan office. the Diocese had appointed a company called Worknest to carry out inspections. The Sacred Heart church is on the list for an early visit and inspection. On the Parish Finance Committee Michael Downes is the Health & Safety lead.
Action – Antonia
6. FINANCIAL INCOME & EXPENDITURE MATTERS
Francis Harmer, Chair of the Finance Committee reported that the Finance Committee had met last Friday, 28 February. David Hoy, the Parish Treasurer, along with Peter Brander and Ken Watkins had produced the annual report, showing a net loss of £7,777.63. This was in line with what had been expected. On the income side, there had been a slight increase in standing orders and plate collections as well as an increase in parishioners opting to use Gift Aid. Legacies were down. There had been an insurance payment of £36,000 received following the earlier water damage in the Parish Hall. On the expenditure side, repairs and maintenance had come to £74,485 as well as damage not covered by insurance of £63,000. Utilities had come to £16,900 and the Diocesan Levy last year was £25,000. At the Sacred Heart church, a survey of the roof and drainage was required which would be carried out by Nick Warnes. At St John of the Cross a crack had developed which looked like settlement in one corner of the building. At St Helen’s the glazing in the narthex was due review. And the parish would be obtaining a card reader machine. Francis was thanked for his input.
7. PARISH SOCIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Up-coming events were a quiz and raffle on 22 March, an International Bring and Share meal on 6 July, a Murder Mystery evening on 27 September and the Christmas Bazaar on 29 November (earlier than last year so as to avoid clashing with other local events). Bob Gale had volunteered to run a beetle drive, the date to be announced later. The committee next meets on 11 April.
8. PARISH PRIEST’S REPORT TO THE PPC
Father Peter expressed his thanks to the Council for the support they gave him as Parish Priest. He said that during this Holy Year, we are encouraged to spend more time in prayer and the Diocese has suggested that each Parish spend 24 hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. The Cathedral’s 24 hours will be on 28 March. Following discussion it was agreed that our churches would be open for 12 hours of adoration at the Sacred Heart on Thursday 27 March, 6 hours at St Helen’s on Wednesday 26 March and 6 hours at St John of the Cross on Friday 28 March, eachstarting with Mass and finishing with Benediction. Details would be published in the newsletter and on-line and Fr Peter would announce from the pulpit after Mass. So that the Blessed Sacrament was not left unattended, lists would be provided at each of the churches for parishioners to cover half-hour or one-hour slots.
Lent Stations of the Cross would be held in each of the churches, details in the newsletter.
A Reconciliation service with extra priests would be held on 12 April.
The Chrism Mass at the Cathedral this year will be on 15 April at 11.30am.
The Deanery Station Mass this year will be on 3 April and Station Masses would be held in each of our churches, details to follow.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham this year will be on bank holiday Monday 5 May.
Action – Antonia
9. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
St Helen. It had been decided not to hold further forums until the evenings were lighter.
Sacred Heart. Held a forum to discuss the Bishop’s questions on the future of parishes in the Diocese. It was well attended and further forums would be arranged.
St John of the Cross. Sadly, the difficult decision had been made to disband the choir. This was down to dwindling numbers and a reluctance among members to come out at night. Singing at Mass would now be congregation-led, but pop-up choirs would sing on occasion. The St Vincent de Paul Society which meets in the parish would be making an appeal at the other two churches for more members. Funeral directors had asked for an order of service which they could use at Catholic funerals.
10. SAFEGUARDING
There had been no progress on this issue, with Fran continuing to organise the completion of DBS forms for all three churches in the Parish.
Responsibility for processing safeguarding forms had now been passed to the offices at Poringland.
11. PARKING AT THE SACRED HEART CHURCH
At our last meeting, the Council members agreed to Antonia producing a polite letter to place on the windscreens of regular parkers, asking that they keep the car park clear on Sundays, if they can. Father Peter said that he was happy with this course of action.
Action – Antonia
12. ADVENT SERVICES FEEDBACK
There had been no feedback.
13. FRIENDS OF THE HOLY LAND
Fr Peter said that he agreed to a representative coming to talk at each of the churches after Sunday Masses. Antonia to organise. Fr Peter to decide on a suitable weekend.
The Parish continues to be twinned with the Parish of St Francis Xavier in Cambodia, supporting the Parish with our prayers. Pauline Andrews is the local contact.
Action – Fr Peter, Antonia
14. BISHOP’S DISCUSSION PAPER
Fr Peter reported that the Parish feedback had been forwarded to the Diocese.
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a. Annual Parish Meeting. Dates suggested were 26 June, 17 July or 24 July. It would be the turn of St John of the Cross to provide the main course, the Sacred Heart Church the desserts and St Helen’s to do teas & coffees and washing up. Cathy to check Parish Hall availability. (Hall is now booked for 17 July). Reports will come from the Chair (Fran) and the Chair of the Finance Committee, with time for questions from the Floor.
Action – Cathy
b. Replacement representative for the Sacred Heart Church. As Shinto Devassy had moved to Norwich, a replacement had been needed to cover the remainder of his Term of Office. Fr Peter had been keen that a member of the Indian Community be found to fill the role and Praveen James had been nominated and seconded, and was accepted as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council. Unfortunately he had been unable to attend this meeting due to work commitments.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 27 May at St Helen’s Church, Hoveton. The date was changed from that agreed at our last meeting, so that Fran, our Chair, could attend.
Fr Peter concluded the meeting with a prayer.
