Minutes of St. Wilfrid’s Leaven Group 13.12.11
MINUTES OF ST WILFRID’S CHURCH LEAVEN GROUP MEETING
HELD IN THE PARISH ROOM ON 13th DECEMBER 2011
HELD IN THE PARISH ROOM ON 13th DECEMBER 2011
Present: Fr Rory, Dorothy Blake, John Chatfield, Ann Fielder, David Hoad, Peter Robinson and Bob Waters.
1. Formation. The meeting started at 7pm with singing of ‘Rejoice’, followed by readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent. Fr Rory reminded the meeting that Bob had agreed to chair the Group until the end of the year and he would soon be appointing a new chair, probably for a fixed term. He had been asked to make a Report on Safeguarding to the Leaven Group and he would ask the Parish Secretary, Jackie Rutherford, to make this Report as she was now familiar with the procedures.
Fr. Rory had attended a Deanery Meeting that morning and mentioned several matters:
(a) The Bishop had asked for a “Parish Profile” by 12 January.
(b) 2 priests from the Ordinariate are now part of the Eastbourne Deanery.
(c) It was 40 years since the Council of Vatican II. This should be kept in focus. There was some discussion at the Deanery Meeting about this but time had been limited. There were opposing views amongst the clergy on some subjects. One paper
that had been produced was entitled “Fish on Fridays – The death of the Council”. Some clergy did not like the new Translation of the Roman Missal. There had not been time for discussion on these topics at the Deanery Meeting and they were not
discussed at the Leaven Group either.
(a) The Bishop had asked for a “Parish Profile” by 12 January.
(b) 2 priests from the Ordinariate are now part of the Eastbourne Deanery.
(c) It was 40 years since the Council of Vatican II. This should be kept in focus. There was some discussion at the Deanery Meeting about this but time had been limited. There were opposing views amongst the clergy on some subjects. One paper
that had been produced was entitled “Fish on Fridays – The death of the Council”. Some clergy did not like the new Translation of the Roman Missal. There had not been time for discussion on these topics at the Deanery Meeting and they were not
discussed at the Leaven Group either.
Fr Rory said he had a great responsibility but was trying to share this with the Parish. The Leaven Group must develop. He had made a decision to hold the Sacrament of Reconciliation in a different way on Sunday 18th December. This had been queried but it was just an option available to parishioners. Fr Rory would like to see the Sacrament developed in the Parish by focusing on two roles – one as Confessor and the other as Spiritual Director.
2. Apologies for absence were received from Mary van Breda, Jean Barham, Henry McCutchan, Bill O’Rourke, Geoff Stone, Anita Stone & Brian Winter.
3. The Minutes of the last meeting were approved, with the correction of the Dean’s name to Fr Barry Anderson.
4. Matters arising – none.
5. Parish Finance. Brian sent a Report showing that the balance in the Bank at the end of November 2011 was £120,373.09 and the ledger balance was £119,561. There had been no major expenses during the month.
Bob said that a number of associations and charities write to the Parish asking for permission to make Appeals. Fr Rory had been making the decision to allow or not allow a second collection but Bob thought that the Parish should do this. Some members thought the Finance Committee should decide – others thought that it should be the Leaven Group. One suggestion was that a percentage of the Offertory collection should be allocated to good causes, a type of Tithing, but some members
were not happy with this. Bob said that he simply wanted one Parish Group to organise the second collections and appeals. No decision was made and this topic would be discussed at the next meeting.
were not happy with this. Bob said that he simply wanted one Parish Group to organise the second collections and appeals. No decision was made and this topic would be discussed at the next meeting.
6. Reports from Co-ordinators.
LITURGY.
Peter gave a written report of the Liturgy Group meeting on 17 November. This covered the visit of the servers to the Cathedral, preparation of Advent Group booklets, Advent Candle Liturgy & announcements at Mass.
A proposal that Leaven Group members make themselves available to talk to fellow parishioners after 10.30 Sunday Mass, on a monthly basis, was approved by the Leaven Group.
R.C.I.A was now becoming known as A.B.C (Adults Becoming Catholics).
The Group were considering what to do for Lent 2012 and for the whole year.
Peter gave a written report of the Liturgy Group meeting on 17 November. This covered the visit of the servers to the Cathedral, preparation of Advent Group booklets, Advent Candle Liturgy & announcements at Mass.
A proposal that Leaven Group members make themselves available to talk to fellow parishioners after 10.30 Sunday Mass, on a monthly basis, was approved by the Leaven Group.
R.C.I.A was now becoming known as A.B.C (Adults Becoming Catholics).
The Group were considering what to do for Lent 2012 and for the whole year.
Ministry of Holy Communion.
David asked whether a house mass could be arranged for all such Ministers, followed by formation. Fr Rory agreed. A Deanery Meeting was to be held at Langney in February for all Ministers of the Eucharist.
Music.
John thanked Ann for preparing Orders of Service for the Christmas Eve 8pm Mass. The Carol Service had been well supported and John thanked all those involved. £120 had been raised for Crisis at Christmas.
John thanked Ann for preparing Orders of Service for the Christmas Eve 8pm Mass. The Carol Service had been well supported and John thanked all those involved. £120 had been raised for Crisis at Christmas.
Readers.
Ann reported that Parish Mass Books had eventually been ordered for those readers who did not possess a bible.
Ann reported that Parish Mass Books had eventually been ordered for those readers who did not possess a bible.
Welcoming.
Ann wanted better arrangements to be made and more Welcomers recruited for the weekend Masses. The increased volume of material issued each week meant that it was becoming impossible to welcome people properly.
Ann wanted better arrangements to be made and more Welcomers recruited for the weekend Masses. The increased volume of material issued each week meant that it was becoming impossible to welcome people properly.
OUTREACH.
Bereavement Support Group.
There was no Report from Loretta but Ann said that a Coffee meeting was being arranged for January for bereaved persons.
There was no Report from Loretta but Ann said that a Coffee meeting was being arranged for January for bereaved persons.
CAFOD.
Anita has sent a Report saying that £400 had been allocated to the Children’s Liturgy Group to choose Christmas Gifts from the World Gifts Catalogue. These would be part of the procession at the 5pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve.
Anita has sent a Report saying that £400 had been allocated to the Children’s Liturgy Group to choose Christmas Gifts from the World Gifts Catalogue. These would be part of the procession at the 5pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve.
Ecumenism.
Ann reported that confusion over the duplication of speakers for Women’s World Day of Prayer (on 2 March) had been resolved. Mass Times had been placed in The Link Coffee Shop.
Ann reported that confusion over the duplication of speakers for Women’s World Day of Prayer (on 2 March) had been resolved. Mass Times had been placed in The Link Coffee Shop.
Prayerline and Keeping in Touch.
Jean had sent 34 Christmas cards to persons on the KIT list.
Jean had sent 34 Christmas cards to persons on the KIT list.
ORGANISATION.
Fundraising/Social events.
Brian reported that the Race Night raised £625, Autumn Fayre £763 & sale of scrap gold £195 (this figure was queried by Dorothy – she thought it was £95). Funds are continued to be raised by the tea & coffee events. The Deanland Choir event was cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.
So far, £109,163 had been raised for the project of which £93,176 was still available.
Brian reported that the Race Night raised £625, Autumn Fayre £763 & sale of scrap gold £195 (this figure was queried by Dorothy – she thought it was £95). Funds are continued to be raised by the tea & coffee events. The Deanland Choir event was cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.
So far, £109,163 had been raised for the project of which £93,176 was still available.
Plansd for 2012 were:
Quiz Night - February.
Easter Draw - 8 April
Odd Night Out - May
Open Gardens - June/July
Garden Party/Concert - July
BBQ - 26 August
Race Night - Sept/Oct
Autumn Fayre - Nov/Dec (Dorothy had, so far, been unable to book the venue for this event)
Quiz Night - February.
Easter Draw - 8 April
Odd Night Out - May
Open Gardens - June/July
Garden Party/Concert - July
BBQ - 26 August
Race Night - Sept/Oct
Autumn Fayre - Nov/Dec (Dorothy had, so far, been unable to book the venue for this event)
Health & Safety.
Geoff reported that a team was being formed to place salt/grit outside the church in the event of snow. Nothing had yet been done about the lighting of the pathway or the levelling of the uneven flag stones. He recommended that a spare key to the side exit door to the hall be placed in a glass fronted box with a sign “In case of emergency break glass”.
Geoff reported that a team was being formed to place salt/grit outside the church in the event of snow. Nothing had yet been done about the lighting of the pathway or the levelling of the uneven flag stones. He recommended that a spare key to the side exit door to the hall be placed in a glass fronted box with a sign “In case of emergency break glass”.
Maintenance. Fr Rory had appointed a new Maintenance Committee to be chaired by Patrick McKeon. The first meeting would be held in January. The Finance Committee had allocated a small budget for this committee.
New Church Project.
Bob reported that Fr Rory, Bill and himself had met with the builder who had drawn up some plans. The Project Committee were meeting to look at these and at Bill’s model and would meet again in the New Year once any questions had been answered by the builder. It was hoped to put a presentation to the Parish soon after that.
Bob reported that Fr Rory, Bill and himself had met with the builder who had drawn up some plans. The Project Committee were meeting to look at these and at Bill’s model and would meet again in the New Year once any questions had been answered by the builder. It was hoped to put a presentation to the Parish soon after that.
Sacristan. The light fitting still needs fixing to the ceiling in the sacristy.
7. Any Other Business.
(a) Queens Diamond Jubilee. 4 June 2012. It was thought that the Parish should celebrate this in some way. This was to be referred to the Finance Committee.
(b) David asked if CRB checks needed to be renewed. The Parish Secretary would tell people when they needed to re-apply.
(c) Fr Rory though that AOB should be placed higher up on the Agenda for future meetings.
(a) Queens Diamond Jubilee. 4 June 2012. It was thought that the Parish should celebrate this in some way. This was to be referred to the Finance Committee.
(b) David asked if CRB checks needed to be renewed. The Parish Secretary would tell people when they needed to re-apply.
(c) Fr Rory though that AOB should be placed higher up on the Agenda for future meetings.
8. Minute Secretary for January meeting. It was thought that Bill would volunteer for this because he had been due to take minutes at the current meeting, but, if he could not do this, John offered to take the minutes.
9. Next meeting: 10th January 2012 at 7pm.
The meeting was closed with a carol and prayers at 8.40pm.