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Minutes
of Annual Parish Meeting
25th
June, 2006
31 members of the Parish Community were present – list appende=
d to
these minutes.
The meeting opened with a Prayer led by Father Joseph.
Agenda
for Meeting
1945 O= pening Prayer &= nbsp; - Father Joseph
2000 P= arish Priest Report = - Father Joseph
2010 C= hairman Report &= nbsp; - Introduced by Theresa Higgins
<= /span>Constitution &= nbsp; - Andrew Johnson
<= /span>Vision Document  = ; - Mark Lee
<= /span>Parish Website - Donald Clarke
2040 C= hurch Finances  = ; - Vincent Jones
2055 P= arish Groups Reports
2100 O= ther Business
2130 C= oncluding Prayer &= nbsp; - Father Joseph
Parish
Priest’s Report
Father Joseph summarised the major events this past year, including =
the
refurbishment of the Church and the ongoing work to rewire the Presbytery. =
He
then gave some feedback from Bishop Thomas following his visit to the Paris=
h on
June 7th.
Parish Pastoral Council=
- Chairman’s
Report
Theresa Higgins gave the following report as Chair of the Parish
Pastoral Council.
Last year I was elected Chairman in absentia as the Annual meeting w=
as
the day before my daughter’s wedding. Mark Lee was elected vice chair=
man.
Tony Bickersteth and Melissa Dove were also chosen as representatives.
At the Walsingham pilgrimage in June Monsignor David Manson announce=
d to
me that he would be moving to Ingatestone and that the Parish would be gett=
ing
a new Parish priest in the autumn. At that time Mgr David had planned refor=
ms
for the parish council but these were put on hold.
Father Joseph Whisstock arrived in October and met the then members =
of
the PPC. Father Joseph wanted the PPC to meet and be conducted in a differe=
nt
way. This was in effect carrying out some of the reforms that had been plan=
ned.
Two more members were co-opted, Donald Clarke and Andrew Johnston.
As you can see the rewiring and redecoration of the church took place
and the rewiring of the presbytery is nearing completion.
As the small PPC we have been meeting monthly to put in place the
changes, which we are presenting to you tonight. This included a meeting wi=
th
the Bishop who was impressed by our work.
We have co-opted some new members who will serve until elections next
year. We will be meeting monthly and the minutes will be published on the
website. A hard copy will be placed in the porch.
Please feel free to approach any member of the PPC on any issue and =
we
will discuss it at the next convenient meeting.
Notice
of Thanks
My thanks go to Tony Bickersteth and Melissa Dove who have served the
Parish well, but who have decided not to continue.
I also thank Mark Lee, Don Clarke and Andrew Johnson who have done
sterling work over the last few weeks, and to all the other parishioners th=
at
have helped me over the last year, parts of which were difficult as a valued
member of our Parish, Pam Eaves died in May.
Finally
I feel that we are a Parish with renewed energy that can only contin=
ue
to expand and grow in faith. So can I ask you all to continue supporting our
priests as they guide us in Faith to love and serve our Lord and to be mind=
ed
of our responsible stewardship.
Theresa Higgins
Members of the Parish
Pastoral Council
Theresa Higgins introduced the members of the newly convened Parish
Pastoral Council which have been co-opted by Father Joseph.
Next year, elections will take place according to the process outlin=
ed
in the Constitution. The members are:-
Father Joseph Whisstock=
- President
Theresa Higgins &=
nbsp; -
Chair
Mark Lee &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; -
Vice Chair
Don Clarke &=
nbsp; &nbs=
p; -
Secretary
Andrew Johnson
Olive Newland
Isabel Silva
Tim Williamson
There are 3 vacancies which will be co-opted by Father Joseph.
New Parish Pastoral Cou=
ncil
Constitution – Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson summarised the main elements of the draft Parish Past=
oral
Council Constitution. This document outlines the terms of reference for the
Council in support of our Priest in his ministry.
We had an old constitution based on the previous Parish Council which
with the advent of new parish priest is automatically up for a rethink.
Firstly we needed to define the functions of the council in line with
canon law and Diocesan norms. Section-C of Article-III does allow for the
parish groups to feed in ideas in a more efficient manner.
Father Joseph said he thought a council of 10 members was adequate. =
There
would be 5 co-opted and 5 elected members. All members need to be Criminal
Records Bureau Checked (CRB), and appointed in line with Article-IV.
Article-VI Section-A lays down the timetable for elections and
composition of the council until that point.
A copy of the document is posted in the
Parish Plan – Mar=
k Lee
Mark Lee gave a detailed presentation of the Pastoral Plan which was
guided by the Diocese Vision Document “Putting out into the Deep̶=
1;.
The Pastoral Plan is available on the Parish website, and we welcome
comments sent to Mark or any member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
New Church Website R=
11;
Don Clarke
Don Clarke presented the new church website which is now published at
the following address which will appear on the front of the Newsletter:-
www.stjamesthel=
essandsthelen.org
The objectives of the website are to enhance communications within a=
nd
beyond our Parish Community. And we will endeavour to keep this website up =
to
date with weekly uploads of the Parish Newsletter and events posted by Pari=
sh
Groups and others.
A feedback form will shortly be included to encourage feedback from
those who do not have access to email.
Parish Groups are especially encouraged to provide descriptive conte=
nt
and regular updates on their activities, including times and venues.
Please send comments on website structure and content via the links =
on
the website.
Financial Report –
Vincent Jones
As a member of the Parish Finance Committee, Vincent Jones presented=
the
report which had previously been given out with the Parish Newsletter. This
will also be available on the Website.
The accounts have now moved into deficit which requires more income =
to
be generated in coming years.
Key items of expenditure included refurbishment of the
It was pointed out that there are no funds remaining for anything ov=
er
and above what is currently programmed. For example there is no money to
redecorate the presbytery, the
Questions to Vincent’s report included a request to breakdown =
the
financial report to bring out the amount raised by Parish fundraising
activities. This will enable credit to be given for the hard work of
individuals and groups, and also enable us to see which types of activities=
are
most effective in raising money.
Action : Vincent=
to
provide a breakdown to show the amount raised by fund raising activities du=
ring
the year.
Parish Groups Reports
Because there are so many Parish Groups it is not practicable to pre=
sent
each at this meeting. Reports will be posted on the website as well as
available on paper in the Church lobby.
Action
: Group coordinators to provide reports to Don Clarke for posting on the
website.
Other Business
Theresa explained that time for discussion is limited at this meetin=
g but
another Parish Meeting will be organised later in the year to allow more ti=
me for
discussion of topical issues. Topics must be tabled in advance and adequate
notice will be given in the Parish Newsletter.
Parishioners raised the following issues at this meeting:-
Notice
of the Meeting
Margaret Griffin was concerned that although the meeting was publish=
ed
in advance, the agenda was not known in advance. Theresa apologised and said
this would be addressed for the next meeting.
Comments were also made that more people need to be encouraged to at=
tend
the AGM, perhaps by the Priest’s emphasising at Mass the importance of
attending.
Fundraising
Sub-group
George Johnson suggested that a fund-raising sub-group be formed. Fa=
ther
Joseph suggested that the Social Events Group could be the forum to encoura=
ge
and record fundraising activities. The issue will also be discussed at a
meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Communications
Sub-group
Barry O’Liff suggested that a communications sub-group should =
be
formed. It was pointed out that the new Parish website will help fill this =
gap.
Web
Discussion Forum
George Johnson was interested in a web discussion forum as part of t=
he
Parish website.
Churches
Together
John Dolamore was concerned that there had been no Parish feedback o=
r support
to activities of the Churches Together Group. Father Joseph responded that
there are reports to the Clergy meetings, and suggested that the Churches
Together Group approach individuals to get involved in the activities, and
nominate items for inclusion in the Newsletter.
Availability
of Meeting Rooms for Disabilities
Deirdre Fordham asked for meeting rooms accessible to those with
disabilities to be more readily available. Pointing out that the crypt, con=
vent
and presbytery are not suitable for those with disabilities.
Father Joseph confirmed that the Church Hall is free of charge for t=
he
use of Parish Groups - when available.
Parish
Newsletter Issues
Margaret Griffin requested more copies of the large print versions of
the newsletter to be available.
A request was also made for newly appointed Eucharistic Ministers to=
be
listed in the newsletter.
Notice
Boards
Joan Herbert pointed out that the notice boards at
Mass
Times
Joan Herbert requested there to be a 12.15 Mass at least one day each
week as many could not get to the 9.15 Mass due to traffic. Father Joseph r=
esponded
that only two comments had been received on this but he will reconsider if =
more
comments are received.
Other
Issues
A comment was made that=
the carpet
in the Sanctuary and Blessed Sacrament Chapel needs replacement.
Clair Williamson sugges=
ted
more should be done to both involve young people in Parish activities, and =
encourage
them to attend the AGM.
Close
The AGM closed at 9.45pm with the invitation for individual discussi=
ons
with any of the Parish Pastoral Council, and a closing prayer and Blessing =
from
Father Joseph.
< END >
Attendance list appende=
d.
St James the Less and St Helen Ca=
tholic
Church
Attendance List - Annual meeting =
2006.
1) =
Father Jos=
eph
Whisstock
2) =
Theresa Hi=
ggins
3) =
Mark Lee
4) =
Don Clarke=
5) =
Andrew Joh=
nson
6) =
Pauline Gi=
lmore
7) =
Margaret W=
heeler
8) =
Margaret G=
riffin
9) =
Ron Griffi=
n
10) =
Joan Herbe=
rt
11) =
Isabel Sil=
va
12) =
Vincent Jo=
nes
13) =
Ron Wheele=
r
14) =
Peter Herb=
ert
15) =
Valerie
Quinlivan
16) =
Patrick
Quinlivan
17) =
Deirdre Fo=
rdham
18) =
Hywel Edwa=
rds
19) =
Simon Chap=
lin
20) =
John Dolam=
ore
21) =
22) =
23) =
Claire
Williamson
24) =
Iris Jay
25) =
Elspeth Jo=
hnson
26) =
Anna Norfo=
lk
27) =
Stephanie =
Cardis
28) =
Frank Coul=
ter
29) =
Barry O=
217;liff
30) =
Teresa Sal=
es
31) =
George Joh=
nson
St. James the Less and St. Helen Catholic Church