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Minutes of April 20th Meeting

The meeting commenced at 8pm following gathering prayers led by Father Peter.

Present: Mary Downy, Delia Floyd, Megan Hadden, Kay Howlett, Susan Line, Judy McGregor (chair), John Cummins (Secretary), Martin Downy, Fr. Peter Newsam, Fr. Kieron O’Brien (PP), Brian Pointer.

In attendance: John Frost

Apologies: Tom Aldred, Kevin Jamieson.

1. Minutes of Meeting 16th March accepted.
2. Matters arising:
   • Bosham:
     1. Tabernacle: central model preferred. Diocesan Liturgy advice to be sought. Fr K
     2. Regular weekday mass to be programmed in near future after tabernacle installed. Fr K
     3. Crucifix to be moved as agreed. S Phillips
     4. Vestments being ordered. Fr K
     5. Social event to be planned for summer. Susan & Kay de H

   • Seniors Club: Recent meeting well attended. The club is viable and building up. Next meeting: 20th May – Joan Le Morvan to talk about Experiences in the Holy Land.
   • Youth Group:
     • Delia reported that a new Prayer Group for age 16 – 35’s is being set up. First meeting to start on 10th May.
     • ‘My Faith Matters’ - Talks proved a great success with attendance of around 35 people.
     • A couple of young people from St. Richard’s are going to Lourdes this July. Talks with Father Benny O’Shea have taken place with regard to a Youth Worker appointment. Fr K, Ray Mooney

   • Pastoral Team Action Copies of minutes to John Frost John C
     Notice in newsletter re: Minutes at St. Richard’s & Bosham John C
     Names of team members to be put in newsletter on regular basis John C
     Photos of each member to be carried on website JF
     Delia reported a successful musical evening for Mercy House which raised £400.
     Other items of that meeting were noted and approved.
     
     Review of Holy Week Services Feedback has been encouraging. All services were well attended with all round high standards enhancing the liturgy. Some discussion regarding representative participation of all parts of the parish concluded that poor peripheral contributions particularly at the vigil Mass were due to lack of volunteers. A more direct approach may be necessary in future.

3. Review of Pastoral Team
   Fr. Kieron presented two papers for consideration:
   • Pastoral Team – statement of purpose. He asked members to think about five areas of activity, and add &/or subtract more for discussion at a later meeting. Fr K

   • Pastoral Planning Team overview of all seven areas of parish spiritual and social life. Review of this paper revealed many extra areas of activity. A new list will be published of these pastoral sub-groups.
     Discussion of the effectiveness of the team followed. To be consistently at the centre of activities it needs to be well organised with definite practical areas and good communication. Yet to be truly collaborative it needs to be flexible and avoid the rigidity of an hierarchical committee. While not yet realising its potential and necessary effectiveness, progress is being made in the above three areas. A permanent trained secretary to take minutes while being outside the discussion, is to be recruited. Suggestions please. An attempt to produce agenda well in advance of meetings and enabling members to add items will be made. The chair will continue to rotate on a meeting by meeting basis, though future change to a slower rotation may be beneficial. John C, Fr K & all members

4. CAFÉ Information and audio visual aids have been purchased. Discussion on best methods of presentation favoured simple TV monitor with good sound, initially. Geoff & Gina Poulter are being consulted. Start date in September. Fr. Kieron advised Judy that the Parish Rooms needed to be booked and advertising CAFÉ needs to start very soon.Judy

5. Any other business Concern about the welfare of two men who loiter in the church colonnade area provoked discussion, which revealed they were well known to all appropriate authorities. Many attempts had been made to help them but they refused to agree to any consistent line of help or rehabilitation.

Next meeting: 18th May 7.30pm starting with gathering prayers and then exclusively devoted to a talk by Barbara Wallace.

Next normal agenda meeting: 15th June 7.30pm.

‘Through God’s Power we are striving to be an active welcoming community which proclaims Christ through its worship and its spiritual and social life’