Parish council minutes

Here are the minutes of Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council, held on Thursday 22nd May 2008

Present: – Michael Floyd, Maureen Smith, Veronica York, Sue Valentine, John Howes, Diane Davies, Margaret Reid, Geraldine Reid, Alan Langham, Ann Hunter, Brian Davies, Chris Browning, Laurence Ryan, Frank Ollerenshaw, Paul Francis, Fr Ted, David Warburton;
Apologies: Margaret Cassin & Theresa Mortimer.
The meeting was opened by Fr Ted with a prayer and a reading from Proverbs 2:1-8.

Election of officers for the coming year:
Chair: Brian Davies (proposed by Michael Floyd, seconded by Theresa Mortimer)
Vice-Chair: Michael Floyd (proposed by John Howes, seconded by Diane Davies)
Treasurer: still being sought.
Joan Medley has agreed to be Minutes Secretary.
The minutes of the meeting of 13th March were agreed with a couple of minor corrections.
Matters arising: there were no matters arising.

5. Parish Survey.
John Howes presented the results of the survey. The Pastoral Plan Group (John, Fr. Ted, Diane & Sue V) were thanked for their work and Michael volunteered to join the group. More ideas would be welcome. It is hoped that a plan will be ready for the next meeting.

6. Information Sharing
Homeless Project (Geraldine): plans to relocate the Soup Kitchen have been shelved as being too expensive.
Woodland Walk on June 1st.
RIFF Peace Walk also on June 1st. (The clash of dates is unfortunate).
The next RIFF discussion on 10th June will be on the Human fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
Fr Ted feels it is part of our Mission to help those "on the margins" of society and our sheltered accommodation is again in demand. The May Day Trust has referred a woman occupant recently. While she is there Graham is living in the parish room upstairs. Michael drew attention to the safety concerns about the use of the shelter expressed by the PPC some time ago. The future use of this accommodation will be kept under review.
Living Faith Series: Brian circulated the programme of talks proposed for the Autumn:
Thurs. Sept.25th "Jesus as Jewish Prophet"; by David McLoughlin.
Thurs. Oct. 2nd "Paul- Prophet of Jesus Christ"; by David Sanders OP
Thurs. Oct 9th "Work for the Homeless- witness or sticking plaster?" by Alison Gelder
Thurs. Oct 16th "Migrants in British Society – a matter of justice?" by Don Flynn

7. Environmental Audit
The group (Fr Ted, Geraldine, Margaret Cassin & Brian) met on April 1st and decided we should focus on four of the Ecocongregation Modules:
Mod. 2 – Celebrating Creation! (being pursued by the Liturgy Group)
Mod. 6 – Exploring God’s Green Word (Fr. Ted, Diane, Frank and Ann volunteered)
Mod. 8 – Greening the Purse Strings (being pursued by the Finance Group)
Mod.10 – Green Choices (David, Veronica, Alan, Margaret and Brian volunteered)
The Liturgy Group is already proposing that October 4th be observed as "Green Sunday", celebrating Harvest and perhaps incorporating a Flower Festival.
Michael reported that St. Marie’s Junior School has been awarded "Silver" among "Eco-Schools".

8. Bilton Churches Together
Some members have proposed that BCT should meet again on July 7th and deal with the matters that have been so successfully shared together over the years. Revive matters will be left entirely to the clergy.

9. Constitution
It was agreed that we adopt as circulated the Parish-in-Council Constitution for the coming year and decide at our next AGM whether it be made permanent. John H proposed that each Parish Group should nominate a representative to report to the Parish Council. David proposed that a quorum be constituted by a half +1 of such representation. These amendments were accepted.

10. Maintenance
Fr. Ted discussed the felling of the trees on the Church land perimeter. It was decided to consult John Wells on who best among Rugby Council staff should advise.
Lighting in the car park had been vandalised and needs to be made good.
The inadequacy of the toilet provision was mentioned again.
Where possible we should use energy-efficient light bulbs.

11. AOB
Paul Francis made an urgent appeal for Catholics to be recruited into the Rugby Scout Group, which is struggling to maintain a viable number.
There will be a parish collection for CAFOD’s emergency appeal for China and Burma.
12. Future meetings: Sept. 9th, Dec. 4th, March 9th 2009 (AGM). All on Thursdays.

The meeting closed with the "Live Simply" prayer said together.