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Sacred Heart Parish-in-Council

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4th September 2008

Present: Michael Floyd, Maureen Smith, Veronica York, Sue Valentine, John Howes, Diane
Davies, Margaret Reid, Geraldine Reid, Ann Hunter, Brian Davies, Frank Ollerenshaw, Fr
Ted, David Warburton; Kathleen MacKenzie, Pat Scannell, Rosaleen Curley, Sheila
Male, Maria Carr and Norma Elliott.
Apologies: Deacon John, Margaret Cassin, Margaret Butler, Greg Floyd, Mary Hope, Alan Langham, Joan Medley, Richard Potter, Laurence Ryan.

1. Fr Ted opened the meeting with a prayer.

2. The minutes of the meeting of 22nd May were approved.

3. Matters arising:
a) Pat Scannell has kindly agreed to be Parish Treasurer.
b) Fr Ted explained that Graham was again occupying the shelter and things were working well.

4. Pastoral Plan
John Howes introduced the outline plan which had been circulated. The Pastoral Plan Group (John, Fr. Ted, Diane, Michael Floyd & Sue V) had met a number of times and had produced a number of proposals under 6 main headings. We need to consider what is good for the future of the parish over the coming years. It was generally agreed that at this stage all themes represented important dimensions in the life of the parish but at a later stage we may need to decide on priorities.

Various suggestions were made under each theme (see attached update of plan). To take things forward we need wider parish involvement so that we have a small group working on each theme. (The task would be impossible if everything was to be done by the same people). It was proposed that (1) the themes be displayed in the hall; (2) volunteers to be invited to join the group dealing with their chosen theme; (3) Fr Ted address the themes in turn in homilies over the coming months; (4) groups consider how, by whom and with what timescale suggestions are to be implemented and report on progress at the next council meeting in December. Inevitably groups will proceed at different rates and the council will eventually need to decide on priorities.

5. Environmental Concerns
The 4 Eco-congregation study groups (on Worship, Bible Study, Finance and Green Choices) reported on what they had to share with the rest of the parish. After some discussion these were passed on to the group that will take Environmental Concerns forward as part of the Pastoral Plan.

6. Brief Reports
a) Liturgy (John): ‘A Celebration of Creation’ will take place on Sunday 5th October at 3pm
b) Social (John): A parish picnic will take place on Sunday 7th September after Matt at 10.30am.
c) Bilton Churches Together (Michael): The meeting on 12th July, attended by 5 members of Sacred Heart, was a prayerful gathering. There was a consensus that BCT should continue.
d) Homeless Project (Geraldine): The soup kitchen at St Andrew’s now had charitable status.
e) Maintenance (Fr Ted): Outside security lights were in process of being sorted. The toilets area would be tackled next. Regarding new trees, Richard Taylor might be able to help.
f) Finance (Pat): There was as yet no budget or 5-year plan.
Current cash in hand (Sept) is £11,500. Balance in Jan this year was £37,000 but £26,000 has been spent on the church and the house. We are expecting a tax refund of £5000.
Offertory collections are down £3,000 which was a matter of some concern.
g) UCM (Rosaleen): On Thursday 11th Sept there will be a cake evening in aid of hall
refurbishment.
UCM nationally had warned about likely increased water-drainage charges which will have a heavy impact on churches. Severn-Trent need to be pressured on this both by parishioners and by the Diocesan Treasurer.
h) Monday Club (Frank): is still functioning.
i) Catchetics (Diane): There are 5 children who will make their First Communion in 2009.
Bishop William will confer Confirmation on 14th June.
Children’s liturgy/satellites resume this coming weekend after the summer break.
The idea of a creche during Mass for ‘under 4s’ (in the crying room) was being explored by Kate Browning.
j) Prayer Group (Laurence Ryan): evangelisation in the parish is being supported by the prayer group.

7. Events
Living Faith Talks: Only limited demand for tickets so far. (Talks begin on 25th Sept).
Diocesan Justice & Peace Assembly:“There are no Strangers” Sat 11th Oct at St Peter’s School Solihull.
Interfaith Discussions:
Thurs 11th Sept Orthodoxy & Western Christianity (at Orthodox Church)
Mon 13th Oct Consciousness (at Hindu Temple)
Tues 11th Nov A Muslim response to Atonement (venue to be decided)
Wed 10th Dec Forgiveness (venue to be decided)
Blagovest Concert: Although there were few members of Sacred Heart at the concert last April it was very well attended and it was felt we should seek to have the choir
return next year.
According to Bishop William’s office the Deanery Visitation will not take place till 2010.

8. The meeting ended by saying The Grace together

Future meetings: Thursday Dec. 4th, Thursday March 9th 2009 (AGM).