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Present: Susan Line (Chairperson), Fr Kieron O'Brien, Fr Royston Pegley, Yvonne Bishop, Martin Downy ,
Mary Downy, Megan Hadden; Kay Howlett, Brian Pointer, Jane Burch (Minute Secretary)
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th October 2006 were approved with two corrections. Page 1. Youth Matters - At a meeting of Children's Liturgy Catechists, a decision had been made to launch a programme for a younger youth group, led by Becky Monteith and Beth Rogers.
Christmas Masses
Fr Kieron reported that based on the results from the straw poll of different Mass start times for midnight mass, he had made the decision that mass at St. Richard’s this year will start with carols at 10.30 p.m. followed by Mass at 11 p.m. and finishing at midnight. Advertising of this new time will be in the local press and on the parish answerphone.
Care of the Housebound
Kay reported that Miriam was still gathering feedback forms from the Eucharistic Ministers up until 26th November 2006.
Youth Matters
Susan reported that Marion Coombes-Shrub had expressed an interest to be involved with young people and will speak to Fr Kieron about this.
“With Hearts and Minds”
Susan reported that she would put together a resume of the feedback forms received in the Parish Office. A copy of this would be sent to Martin Foster to help him prepare for the Hearts and Minds Liturgy day in January 2007. The date for this event will be Saturday, 20th January 2007 at Bosham Church where there is plenty of room for parking. A shared lunch will also be part of the day.
Fr Kieron had felt that this course had been a positive experience based on the self sustainability of the material, the numbers that had attended and the flexibility of different venues. Julia’s hard work in sending out personal letters was also much appreciated. Yvonne commented on her groups response of “what are we going to do now?” A Mass to celebrate the conclusion of the course will take place on Monday 20th November at St Richard’s.
Ecumenical Matters
Megan reported that the Churches Together in Chichester (CTiC) was at present without a Chairperson, as Rachel Moriarty had stood down. Peter Bunker had been asked to resume the Chair, temporarily until May 2007.
The annual week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service will be held at Chichester Cathedral at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 21st January 2007. The co-ordinators for this would be Ken Benjamin, Baptist Minister, Phil Ritchie, Minister from St. Wilfrid’s and June Mc Bride, Executive Member from CTiC. The week of prayer would commence on Thursday 18th January and conclude on Thursday 25th January 2007 at St. Paul’s Church Service at 7.30 p.m. Christ Church would host a lunch-time service and St. Clements Chapel, in the Cathedral will be open for daily prayer. Details will be in the newsletter. Action: Megan
There will be no Fifth Sunday Service until the end of April 2007.
Advent Groups
Yvonne reported that Julia had ordered the books and confirmed that dates and where groups are to be held, would be put in the Newsletter with contact names and numbers. Action: Yvonne
Welcoming New Parishioners
Fr Kieron reported that the system we currently have in place, is that when new parishioners fill in a census form, this is received by Julia who would then match them up geographically, with one of the welcoming volunteers. The new parishioner would receive a phone call of welcome and offered a visit or parish directory. This system falls down when forms are not filled in, and the lack of capacity available in the parish office. Fr Kieron suggested that we look for someone who would fill the role of a New Parishioners Co-ordinator, prepared to sort the forms and delegate contacting people. To do this would involve an offer of time once a week or month. Susan suggested Liz McCoombe, Co-ordinator for Welcomers, be approached in the first instance. Action: Susan
St. Richard’s Development Project
Fr Kieron reported that a project update was going out with this weekend’s Newsletter (18/19th November 2006). Fr Royston pointed out the difficulties concerned now that the church was to be treated as a listed building. Fr Kieron confirmed that the benefits would be grants to help with finances and VAT exemption. The Listing is specifically to do with the windows and any changes that affect them.
Fr Kieron reported that John Frost had agreed to do some fund raising research and to co-ordinate a fund raising group.
1. Advent Liturgy for the Home – Travelling Nativity
Mary reminded us of this idea and reported that she had spoken to Rosie Beal, at St. Richard’s Nursery, and she is happy to speak to the parents to see if they would be interested in taking part in a travelling nativity with prayers for the family. A family will have the nativity characters of Joseph, Mary and a donkey for one night and then be responsible for passing them onto the next family. The nativity would begin the journey around the beginning of Advent and finish by arriving at the Children’s Christmas Eve service to be held at Bosham Church at 5 p.m. on Sunday, 24th December.
Rosie has kindly offered to purchase the nativity characters from the Cathedral Shop. Action: Mary/Rosie
2. Marriage and Family Life
In response to Fr Kieron’s question regarding any further progress, Martin confirmed that he had heard nothing more from the Diocese regarding course training dates for next Spring.
3. Article from the Tablet re Parish Structures:
Martin shared this article with us. It suggests that urban areas are too big and proposes forming smaller groups, i.e. neighbourhood groups that are self governing. This will create smaller Christian communities, say 20-30 people in size. Parish representatives could then have a wider role in the parish community.
Copies of this article are in the Parish Office. Your comments on how we could consider applying this in the Chichester area would be welcome. Action: All
4. Parking
Megan raised the problem of parking outside the church on behalf of parishioners. Cawley House is at present undergoing development resulting in two white vans and a BMW being parked outside the church including using the disabled bays. Fr Kieron is aware of this and has spoken to the owners of the vehicles.
5. The Boy with a Cart – the story of St. Cuthman
Megan reported that Churches Together in Chichester has sponsored the play “The Boy with a Cart” which will be part of the May 2007 Chichester Festivities programme. Three performances will take place at St. Paul’s Church concluding with an evening performance at the Minerva Theatre.
6. Selsey
Fr Kieron reported that there was no further news regarding the time scale of the retirement of Fr. Michael. To be reviewed. Action: Fr Kieron
This would take place on Tuesday, 12th December 2006 at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Rooms. The Chairperson for this meeting will be Megan Hadden.