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Present: Megan Hadden (Chairperson), Fr Kieron O'Brien, Yvonne Bishop, Martin Downy, Mary Downy,
Kay Howlett, Susan Line, Brian Pointer, Jane Burch (Minute Secretary)
Apologies: Fr Royston Pegley
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 31st January 2007 were read and approved with one correction. Date of meeting in March should read Wednesday, 28th and not Tuesday.
Youth Matters
Fr Kieron reported that the Youth Group was thriving. However, due to the financial demands required for the interior of the church development, plans for a paid Youth Worker post would be postponed for the time being to be reviewed at a later date. Action: Fr Kieron.
St. Richard’s Church Development
Fr Kieron reported that we are still awaiting more detailed specifications.
Lent & Easter
Susan noted that there were no evening Lent Groups available. Yvonne acknowledged this comment which would be taken into consideration for next year’s planning.
Ecumenical Matters
Megan reported that the theme for the Monday Lenten talks was “Amazing Grace: The Abolition of the Slave Trade: 1807-2007” – 6.30 p.m. at Christ Church. Saturday, 3rd March, CTiC had organised a Prayer Workshop from 10–12.30 p.m. at 5 East Pallant.
The CTiC programme would continue until Easter, then cease for a few months. During this time greater understanding of a way forward for the Clergy and CTiC would be sought.
Fr Kieron expressed some concerns regarding a view reported to have been taken by the new Evangelical Grace Church towards Catholic Theology. Megan offered to look into the background of their membership of CTiC.
Action: Megan
Fr Kieron also reported that the Chichester University Chaplaincy was neglecting to include Catholic Churches and services in their leaflet. Also, he was not sure where the copies of the Catholic Newsletter sent to the University were displayed. Fr. Kieron would be raising his concerns at the next meeting of Chichester Clergy.
Action: Fr Kieron
Megan reported that the Protestant Episcopal Church in America has to agree on two issues by 30th September 2007 in order to retain their membership of the Anglican Church.
Fr Kieron raised this with a view to getting together a separate planning committee to organise this for the year 2008. It would not be possible to hold an event on the actual day which fell on Maundy Thursday, so perhaps a date in early May could be set. However, plans for this event would fall secondary to the completion of the interior work in St. Richard’s, as this was to be the focus point of the Jubilee Celebrations.
The team listed the areas of parish activity required to be part of such a group. A list of possible names was drawn up and this would be given to Julia. Fr Kieron would set a date for an initial meeting inviting those on the list and it was hoped that a committee and chairperson would be formed from those present.
Action: Fr Kieron
Areas to be covered:
Kay updated Fr Kieron on some pastoral care issues. Fr Kieron raised the names of some local parishioners that needed to be considered for a home visit.
Action: Kay
Fr Kieron reported that John Frost and a team were doing some very valuable ground work on this. It was hoped that we could raise the £400,000 needed through donation rather than by fundraising activities.
1. CRB's. Kay reported that she had received new forms from John Edwards although she already had a disclosure. Fr Kieron confirmed that current disclosures did not have a time limit and would be relevant until sometime next year when changes to the process would come into effect.
2. Safety for Children outside St. Richard’s School. Martin was currently investigating on behalf of one of the school governors the history of the ownership and status of the land outside the church currently designated for car- parking use. He believed that the County Council maintained the road up to the area marked out for car parking but wondered what the history was behind the church’s rights to designate this area as private parking and why there weren’t yellow lines on this side of Cawley Road. If any parishioner could throw more light on the historical background to this land, he would be very interested to hear from them.
3. RCIA. Brian reported on the Rite of Election Service held at Arundel Cathedral last Sunday. A total of 164 people took part from around the diocese. Christine Lim attended this service and will be received into the Church at Easter this year.
4. New Appointment to the Diocesan Pastoral Team. Jane commented on the A& B Article (March 07) regarding the introduction of the newly appointed Diocesan Adviser for Adult Formation, David Wills. Brian was hopeful to meet him on his rounds in the diocese.
5. Spiritual preparation for the Lent Penitential Service. Jane recommended advertising in the Newsletter the talk given by Fr Peter Newsam on 18th March 2004 on the subject “Rediscovering the Sacrament of Reconciliation”. Jane agreed to speak to Julia about adding this to the newsletter. The talk can be found on the parish website.
Action: Jane
6. Membership of the Pastoral Team. Fr Kieron mentioned extending membership of the group by inviting some younger members of the parish to take part, regardless of the wait concerning Selsey. The team welcomed this idea.
Action: Fr Kieron
7. Pastoral Team Minutes and their availability. Fr Kieron requested that the Minutes be published as soon after the meeting as possible in order to allow time for contributions to the Agenda. Jane apologised for the delay and confirmed that this would be done. A note would go in the newsletter reminding people of the various ways they could access the Minutes.
Action: Jane
8. Racial Justice Sunday – 9th September 2007. Fr Kieron reported that Ann Bone had agreed to co-ordinate the 10 a.m. Mass on this day bringing together a flavour of the different ethnic groups in the parish.
Action: Ann
9. Back copies of the Newsletter. Martin suggested that these are made available by using a display rack in the church porches. Fr Kieron confirmed that copies are always available from the Parish Office.
This would take place on Wednesday, 28th March 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Rooms. The Chairperson for this meeting will be Kay Howlett.
Please forward any points you would like raised to the Parish Office marked for the attention of Fr Kieron.