St Pius Pastoral Council - Minutes of Meeting 10th July 2018

ST PIUS PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, July 10th 2018
 
Present: Mervyn Burby (Chair), Fr Tony, Laura Anderson, Tony Clark, Colette Melly, Peter Strode (Secretary).
 
Apologies
Peter Turvey and Teresa Burby
 
Minutes of the last meeting
These were approved without amendment.
 
Matters arising from the last meeting.
At the last meeting Peter Turvey had volunteered to withdraw his suggestion that the round window in the church might be replaced by another one to commemorate his late wife.  In the light of discussions which had taken place with members of the parish it was decided not to proceed with the replacement.  It might be possible to commemorate Louise Turvey in some other way.
 
Prayer, Outreach, Formation
Prayer, Outreach and Formation were the three areas Bishop Richard had highlighted for the Diocese – and matched the Pastoral Priorities which the Parish Council had agreed for Guildford.  Father Tony reported that ‘think tanks’ on Formation and Mission were being headed up by Chris Richardson and Pat Jones respectively, and the clergy were working on Prayer and Liturgy.  Following his consultations in the Spring the Bishop was now planning to hold meetings across the Diocese to present his Plans.  He will be meeting with the people of our Deanery on November 19th – all will be invited.
 
Mervyn commented that people were asking about finances, and it was unclear at present as to how the parish was doing.  Father Tony said that the Finance Committee were going to report shortly, the 2017 accounts having been recently approved by the Diocese.
 
Liturgy
Laura said she was unhappy that nobody from St Pius had volunteered to be involved with the First Holy Communion programme this year, and that we had been asked to provide someone to help organise two Masses when the day came.  She was grateful to Angela Sharpe who had helped her to do this.  In the past there had been a ‘going forth’ Mass (usually the following weekend) followed by a celebratory lunch or barbeque and it is hoped that this can be offered by the community next year.  It is important that one or two ‘catechists’ from St Pius should be involved at the outset of the new programme, which starts in September and there is an item in the Newsletter.
 
Laura reported that our children’s liturgy seemed in need of attention and it was not clear to her whether there was a rota or not.  We really need a Coordinator at St Pius to work alongside the CYF Team.  Laura would try to find out more about the existing arrangements.  There was no children’s liturgy at the Saturday evening Masses.

There is a shortage of altar servers, and fewer children seemed to be coming to Mass at present.

There had been no Liturgy group meeting for four months.  Laura would try again to get one set up, using the ‘yellow forms’ provided to fix a date.

The young organist from Effingham might still be interested in coming to St Pius; Gillian Elsom had his contact details.

Peter Turvey had commented that some Readers at Mass needed further training.  Laura said that she could not take any action regarding those who were already exercising this ministry, but would try to give more coaching to new readers.  Father Tony said that there had been a regular Diocesan training day for readers, which might still be available.
 
Social
The recent ‘shared lunch’ had gone well, and had attracted three or four families from amongst the First Communion group, as well as some newcomers to the parish.  It was hoped to hold a ‘Big 0’ party in November, possibly for the whole Guildford parish, and including ‘thirties’ and ‘forties’ participants.

A Quiz Night was being organised by Michael Steele and Philip Mitchell on Saturday September 22nd.
 
Premises and health and safety
Tony Clark had prepared a report for the Finance Committee a copy of which is attached to these minutes.  In answer to a question he noted that it was not possible to extend the air conditioning system in the hall to the church.  He was still trying to find a suitable picture of Mother Teresa.
 
Other business
It was reported that no secretary had so far been recruited to replace Mercedes as this is part of a possible re-shaping of priorities.

A comment was made that in the past ‘completely open’ parish meetings had been held at which any question could be discussed.  Possibly this was something the Communications Group could consider?
 
The next meeting will be at 17.30 on Tuesday September 11th  at St Pius X. (NB NOTE NEW STARTING TIMES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS).

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St Pius Community Committee

Tues 10th July 18

Maintenance Report

New Turfed Area:  Landscape contractor inspected new turf recently and advised watering is necessary in this hot weather, to avoid having to replace, hence the hose pipe and sprinkler still in place. A volunteer is to provide a post and rope boundary to this area.

Legionella:  I have attended a short training course for personnel undertaking monthly monitoring of our water distribution systems.  I am now apparently accredited and should receive a certificate of some sort.  The Finance and Property Committee have authorised purchase of the necessary digital thermometer and probe. Overall cost will be £143.48 including VAT.

Fire Equipment etc: In the absence of any instructions from the Electrical Contractors with regard to additional alarm ‘sounders’ and ‘red boxes’, F & P committee have agreed what exists is sufficient.  We are still having problems obtaining the correct keys for the red boxes.  Keys supplied recently by Tim O’Dwyer did not fit.

Fire Assembly Point Sign. The F & P committee have approved re sighting in corner of pastoral center car park.

Some additional fire signage is on order for fire exit doors.

Rainwater Heads: This item is now closed. An invoice for work done, quoted at £2,193.00 including VAT has now been received. This is £373 less than anticipated.

​T.C.  9/7/18