Minutes
of Annual Parish Meeting

25th
June, 2006

31 members of the Parish Community were present – list appended to
these minutes.

The meeting opened with a Prayer led by Father Joseph.

Agenda
for Meeting

1945    Opening
Prayer
- Father Joseph

2000    Parish
Priest Report
- Father Joseph

2010    Chairman
Report
- Introduced by Theresa Higgins

Constitution
- Andrew Johnson

Vision
Document
- Mark Lee

Parish
Website - Donald Clarke

2040    Church
Finances
- Vincent Jones

2055    Parish
Groups Reports

2100    Other
Business

2130    Concluding
Prayer
- 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 Parish 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 was
the day before my daughter’s wedding. Mark Lee was elected vice chairman.
Tony Bickersteth and Melissa Dove were also chosen as representatives.

At the Walsingham pilgrimage in June Monsignor David Manson announced to
me that he would be moving to Ingatestone and that the Parish would be getting
a new Parish priest in the autumn. At that time Mgr David had planned reforms
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 different
way. This was in effect carrying out some of the reforms that had been planned.
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 with
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 that
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 continue
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 minded
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 outlined
in the Constitution. The members are:-

Father Joseph Whisstock    - President

Theresa Higgins                    -
Chair

Mark Lee                                -
Vice Chair

Don Clarke                            -
Secretary

Andrew Johnson

Olive Newland

Isabel Silva

Tim Williamson

There are 3 vacancies which will be co-opted by Father Joseph.

New Parish Pastoral Council
Constitution – Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson summarised the main elements of the draft Parish Pastoral
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 Priory Street
Church lobby for people
to read. This document is draft, please send comments to me or any member of
the committee.

Parish Plan – Mark Lee

Mark Lee gave a detailed presentation of the Pastoral Plan which was
guided by the Diocese Vision Document “Putting out into the Deep”.

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 –
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.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

The objectives of the website are to enhance communications within and
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 Parish
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 content
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 Priory Street
Church building, repair
of railings and vandalism at Monkwick, and rewiring of the presbytery.

It was pointed out that there are no funds remaining for anything over
and above what is currently programmed. For example there is no money to
redecorate the presbytery, the Priory
Street Church
organ is in need of servicing, and a lightning conductor is required.

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 during
the year.

Parish Groups Reports

Because there are so many Parish Groups it is not practicable to present
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 meeting but
another Parish Meeting will be organised later in the year to allow more time 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 published
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 attend
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. Father
Joseph suggested that the Social Events Group could be the forum to encourage
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 the
Parish website.

Churches
Together

John Dolamore was concerned that there had been no Parish feedback or 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, convent
and presbytery are not suitable for those with disabilities.

Father Joseph confirmed that the Church Hall is free of charge for the
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 Priory Street are in a poor state and
have out of date information including Priest’s name.

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 responded
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 suggested
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 discussions
with any of the Parish Pastoral Council, and a closing prayer and Blessing from
Father Joseph.

< END >

Attendance list appended.

St James the Less and St Helen Catholic
Church

Attendance List - Annual meeting 2006.

1)
Father Joseph
Whisstock

2)
Theresa Higgins

3)
Mark Lee

4)
Don Clarke

5)
Andrew Johnson

6)
Pauline Gilmore

7)
Margaret Wheeler

8)
Margaret Griffin

9)
Ron Griffin

10)
Joan Herbert

11)
Isabel Silva

12)
Vincent Jones

13)
Ron Wheeler

14)
Peter Herbert

15)
Valerie
Quinlivan

16)
Patrick
Quinlivan

17)
Deirdre Fordham

18)
Hywel Edwards

19)
Simon Chaplin

20)
John Dolamore

21)
Myra Dolamore

22)
Tim Williamson

23)
Claire
Williamson

24)
Iris Jay

25)
Elspeth Johnson

26)
Anna Norfolk

27)
Stephanie Cardis

28)
Frank Coulter

29)
Barry O’liff

30)
Teresa Sales

31)
George Johnson