PARISH OF THE SACRED HEART – PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 29th January 2013
PRESENT: Father David, Terry McIlwee, Andrew Clark, Mary Edmonds, Hilary Bolger, Jenny Evans,
1. APOLOGIES: Aneta Dziedzik, Michael Hawley, Michael Haughton, Deacon Ron O’Toole, Jayne Randall and Teresa Butler. Aneta has tended her resignation from the PPC. Hilary will approach Agnieska Gabriel to be the Polish Community Representative.
Fr. David began the meeting with a reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans and we remembered the Parish Group who are visiting our twin Parish in Cambodia fostering our ties of friendship and support and also remember John Bolger who has just gone out there for 3 weeks. We also remembered recently deceased members of the Parish.
2. It was agreed to finish the meeting by 8.45 p.m.
3. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON 22nd NOVEMBER 2012 were agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Parish Website – John Bolger had sent the following report – ‘The Website has now been live for a few weeks. A number of pages are now in operation, including the weekly Mass Times and Newsletter. A Google enquiry will now usually find the new website. Sam Meyer is working to stop Google finding the old website. He will organise pictures of all three churches to the Home Page – at the time of writing only St. John’s Church figures – as well as a page with directions for getting to the three churches. We also need a background paragraph on the history of each church. Antonia Martinez, Clare Hardie and Katie Maidment have taken part in training sessions. Sam would have liked to attend this PPC to hear what people thought of the site so far but his exams have prevented this. Perhaps he could be invited to attend the next meeting’.
Not all members had been able to access the website but it was suggested they tried via the Diocesan website. Sam still needs photos of the churches and a short history of each church. Mary will obtain one for Hoveton, Andrew the one for St. John’s and Hilary for the Sacred Heart and send them to John Bolger. The Parish Directory also needs some sorting when John returns from Cambodia. Sam would also like photos from any Parish event; Terry will ask Celia for photos from Faith Food and Fun Days.
5. THE YEAR OF FAITH
Clare has booked a coach with Merrets Chariots for the Parish Trip to the ‘Life of Christ’ at Wintershall on Saturday 29th June 2013. She has also done a flyer for inclusion in the Newsletter, which will be distributed in a few weeks’ time, plus posters for each of the Churches. Costs will be £33 per head provided we can fill a 53-seater coach.
Celia Cooper has been approached by a member of the Walsingham Parish about a monthly day of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral. We have been asked to take responsibility for one Friday. It was agreed that we would try to agree a suitable date and Terry will liaise with Celia.
Clare will ring Clare Goddard at the Cathedral to sort out a date in Sept/Oct for our own Parish Visit to the Cathedral. Fr. David suggested this should be on a Saturday with Mass at 11 in our Deanery Chapel, followed by a Tour of the Cathedral and then lunch in the Narthex and then a visit to the Tower. Timings will be leaving the Parish at about 10 and returning at about 3 p.m.
St. John’s are opening the Church between 6-7 p.m. every Friday for Quiet Prayer and Meditation.
Fr. David thanked Andrew for the suggestion of saying the Angelus before Mass during Advent; he hoped to repeat the devotion in future years.
Deacon Ron’s Bible Study on Catholicism a Journey to the Heart of Faith is going well
Fr. David will arrange a Lenten Retreat Day but probably only on the Monday, as the Saturday is not well attended. He will incorporate the CaFE videos as these have relevant talks for the Year of Faith.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham in May will be based on the Year of Faith.
There won’t be a Parish Picnic this year as there is a Parish Fete instead on Sunday 23th June
Terry shared an idea from Hemel Hempstead Parish where parishioners had been asked to write a short piece for inclusion in the Parish newsletter about ‘What Faith means to you Personally”. It was thought that some people may like to do this and their pieces could be included in a flyer entitled ‘Our Faith Journeys’ for inclusion in the Newsletter. Fr. David thought this idea was being taken up nationally amongst the Youth.
The Diocese has recently appointed a Communications Officer – Dr. Dilys Wadman and she is producing a glossy brochure with a Profile of the Diocese which will include stories and pictures of Parish Life, Year of Faith activities, Walsingham Pilgrimages etc. and this will hopefully be ready for the end of the Year of Faith on the Feast of Christ the King. Dr. Wadman is at present setting up an Advisory Committee to help her with this large task.
6. PARISH OPEN MEETING
After consulting Fr. David’s very full diary it was decided to hold the meeting on the Monday 20th May. Clare will book the Hall and write to Dr. Dilys Wadman the Diocesan Communications Officer and ask if should would like to come a give a presentation about her role in the Diocese. Hoveton parishioners will be asked to provide the Main Course this year and Sacred Heart parishioners to provide the Deserts.
7. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILLORS REPORTS
Andrew reported that St. John’s was actively involved in Ecumenical Services at St. Michael’s Care Home in Aylsham. These were going well.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 11th April 2013 7.15 for 7.30 in the Presbytery
Fr. David then concluded the meeting with a prayer
