OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH, WAIKANAE. MINUTES OF MEETING 9 TH February, 2012

Transcription

1 OUR LADY OF FATIMA PARISH, WAIKANAE MINUTES OF MEETING 9 TH February, 2012 Present Fr Michael McCabe, Iride McCoy, Bob Houston, Sue McGlone, Kathy Campbell, Sr Helen O Sullivan and Michael Dodson Apologies: Glen McCullough The meeting began with a prayer by Helen The Minutes of the meeting on the last meeting on11th December, 2011, were approved. The following activities were reported upon: 1. New Parishioners Kathy: One new parishioner. 2. Liturgy See separate Liturgy Minutes for both Parishes. Fr Michael elaborated on what is happening with Liturgy this year more involvement of both Parishes (and hence their Liturgy Committees) in all aspects of liturgy for the coming few months. The programme up till Easter has been set, and involves services at both parishes, some of which will see only one service for the whole Kapiti Pastoral Area in one Parish or the other. After Easter, the probability is that the two Committees would work together as one Pastoral Liturgy Committee. This is true also of most other joint Committees. There seems to be little point in each parish meeting to plan events or occasions separately. As a consequence the two Parish Councils will begin to work together (or representatives of them will do so) the Newsletters will be produced by the current Parish Secretaries in a jointly agreed format, and the Finance Committees will be encouraged to meet together to plan on a pastoral basis. The role of the Parish Councils and of the Kapiti Pastoral Area Council will come under the microscope and the views of each will be sought to seek some joint plan for a way forward for all of them, after Easter. The Ministry of Celebration of the Word with Holy Communion will commence education on this topic on the 28 th February with an introduction by Joe green (who is one of the two Kapiti postulants enrolled in the Archdiocesan Launch Out programme). Everyone is welcome at this introduction which will take the form of a Cafe- like evening, and will be followed by another such evening later in Lent. Afterwards a discernment will be made of those judged to be suitable to join the Ministry for Liturgy of the Word WHC. Emphasis will be placed upon the principles applicable to all Ministries Renew, Refresh Retire. Of these, Retirement is the most difficult for parishioners to understand. Those who have difficulty climbing the steps to read the Word should not be reading, those who have voices that people find hard to hear should also not be reading. How this message is conveyed to parishioners who are still anxious to do their bit, is another problem. 1

2 Valentines Day, and Stations of the Cross, and other such services are referred to in the Liturgy Minutes attached, and will be further given prominence each week in the newsletters. 3. Sacramental Fr Michael reported that a recent evening for aspirants for First Holy Communion was attended by 40 odd parents and grandparents as well as children, and the numbers are sufficient to encourage a re- think of the proposal that we do not have Confirmation this year. It seems the numbers may warrant asking the Archbishop to appoint an agent to conduct the ceremony if he is unable to do so himself. Helen Goodman and her team have been busy with Baptism preparation for three new parishioners. Helen s Report attached hereto was referred to. 4. Youth Sr Helen advised that she has left Waikanae and has moved back into Wellington to pursue a new role with her Congregation. She is still keen to finish the job she commenced with Youth Ministry and the production of a Business Plan for the Kapiti Pastoral Area, and she wondered whether the Constitution allowed her to stay on the Parish Council for a little while longer at least. The Chair pointed out that the year for the PPC expires in June when new elections will be held, and that the Council has the power to appoint any person to assist it at any time. Her request was gratefully accepted so that a proper handover could be accomplished in three or four months time. Helen advised that a time for gathering and sharing the wisdom of the coordinators for the childrens liturgy programme would be held in the coming weeks to enable the business plan to be prepared and presented to the parish councils. 5. Passionist Family Group The Chairman indicated that quarterly reports would be adequate. Mark and Jenny McGlone to be advised. 6. KPAC The KPAC has not yet met this year. The Chair will discuss a date with Fr Michael and Richard Ward and notify members. 7. Website Glen has been asked to establish a Website for Paraparaumu and The KPAC linked to Waikanae s website. He has been in touch with David Mullin and will report further on this next meeting. 8. Faith Exploration - Sue, and Kathy The Faith Exploration Team is due to meet this week. Sue/ Kathy reported that at present there is no agreed understanding as to the purpose of the Faith Exploration Team. Formalised Adult Faith Formation would appear to be generated and provided by the Liturgy/Sacramental Team while Informal Adult Faith Learning experiences are provided by a number of other Parish Groups. e.g. Men's and Women's groups, Bible Study and Prayer groups, Charismatic Groups, Social Justice, Youth Groups etc. As well as this, Parishioners have easy access to programmes offered by The Catholic Education Centre In Wellington. As the operations of the two Parishes are now starting to merge together it is timely for the Council to take a fresh look at organizational and operational plans to identify the purpose, 2

3 focus and responsibilities of each committee/group, to establish clear lines of communication and accountability and to ensure transparency. 9. Communications The Pastoral Pages Committee The next issue is due next month and contributions are to be in by 25th February. 10. Social Committee; Bob expressed a willingness to organise a parish picnic for both parishes. Fr Michael advised however that one of the Passionist Family Groups is planning a Parish Picnic later this month which would embrace both parishes details to appear in the Newsletter. This was considered to be sufficient. Correspondence: Letter from Paul Bayliss re Insurance. The insurance premiums for the Archdiocese have doubled in cost this year. This increase will be met by the Archdiocese for the coming year only. This is being done to give each parish time to consider the impact future insurance premiums will have on its finances. Or whether some buildings should be closed, renovated or simply not insured at all. A Roadshow during February March will explore the possibilities in more depth. General Business: The Chair summed up the evening by saying that this Parish seems to be looking to co- ordinate activities, functions, liturgies and events more closely with Paraparaumu than ever before, and that this might best be achieved by the Parish Councils (or representatives from them) meeting together in future rather than separately. Representatives of the two parishes meet together now, of course, in the form of the Kapiti Pastoral Area Council. There is however a difference between the role that the KPAC has and the roles of the Parish Councils. Fr Michael suggested that there are activities which are pertinent to one Parish only, and will remain so, and that there are other areas which require joint planning and joint discussion. But there is little need for duplication of meetings to discuss the same issues and activities. The meeting concluded that the views of each Parish Council and of the KPAC was needed before progressing this further. The question was quite rightly asked Are we moving too quickly? That question should also be put to the Parish Councils and the KPAC. Next Meeting: Tentatively set for Sunday 4 th March at 10.30am Prayer to be prepared by Bob Reports attached: Liturgy Minutes Baptismal Report, 3

4 Christian Meditation Report Report on Buildings from P Bayliss Minutes of Liturgy meeting 2 February 2012 Present: Sr. Barbara (chair), Fr. Michael McCabe, Margaret Grant, Wullie Grant, Hanley Hoffmann, Doreen Hoffmann, Sandra Bater, Michael Dodson, Judith Wheeler Sr. Barbara opened the meeting with a prayer and a reflection The Ministry of the Liturgy team. Matters Arising: Christmas Evaluation: Christmas Eve was good with special mention of the carol service with the commentary. Judith was to be congratulated and thanked for her part. Christmas morning was also very good with the children s liturgy group finishing their build up of the Jesse tree. Again a large congregation. Advent 2 nd Rite of Reconciliation was very beautiful and moving. Agenda Items: Fr. Michael outlined the focus for this new pastoral year was the Pastoral Area which will be strengthened this year by co-operation and collaboration. Anointing Mass: Four are planned for this year starting on 8 th February, 2pm at St. Patrick s Paraparaumu ; 13 th May and 7 th August,2pm at Our Lady of Fatima Waikanae ; 4 th December 2pm at St. Patrick s Paraparaumu. The local committees to be responsible for the organising and hosting. Valentine s Day Mass: 7pm Tuesday 14 th February. The Hoffmann family group will share the organisation of this with St. Patrick s. This is a good example along with Easter of what we can do together. Fr. Michael hoped that there would ultimately be one liturgy committee for both parishes. Liturgy of the Word Training: Joe Green and Heather Sangster-Smith are our two Launch Out candidates. Each has to undertake a project as part of the course. Joe Green s project is to develop Leaders for Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion, through a series of education workshops, followed by a discernment process to select the leaders. Following the training and selection of leaders (after Easter) we will need to review the weekday Mass and later the weekend Mass schedules. A small group will meet with Joe Green to review his proposed workshop material before training begins. Caritas Lenten Programme: Wullie reported that he would organise the sign up for the Caritas Lenten Programme as usual. Barbara would speak at the Masses on the 25 th /26 th February in Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Stations of the Cross: Glen McCulloch has organised this for the morning of Good Friday at 10am as in the past. Janet Weber has asked if he children can hold the Station of the Cross. She would contact Jenny McGlone from the children s liturgy team. It was agreed that anyone could hold Station of the Cross at any suitable time during Lent if they are prepared to lead it. The Great Amen: Sr. Barbara raised the question of standing for this proclamation. This was agreed and a notice is to be put on the power point. Sr. Barbara would also place a notice in the newsletter. New Lectern: Sr. Barbara raised the question of a new lectern. She has written to the finance committee but this was declined. Decided to leave for the moment. 4

5 PALS weekend: Wullie explained what PALS (Pastoral Area Liturgical Support) was and that he had attended the first introductory part but was unable to continue. Fr. Michael said 3 people from St. Patricks were due to finish this course this year. Fr. John Greally was holding a workshop on Saturday 11 th February in the Catholic centre for members of liturgy committees around Holy Week liturgies. Sandra volunteered to go. Divine Mercy Sunday 15 April: Life in the Spirit Seminars: matter of courtesy. Sandra was advised that she was welcome to organise this celebration. These can be organised at any time. Fr Michael should be informed as a Training for Readers Greeters and Commentators: Barbara will organise this soon. Margaret Thrupp volunteered to share in this as well as Mary Dorrington. It was noted that the folder for the commentator needed to have a solid back as it was floppy. Children s Sacramental Programme: Reconciliation begins this week. Being led by Fiona Green and Debbie Matheson. Preparation for Lent/ Easter timetable: The focus is to prepare together for this most important Easter Triduum. Ash Wednesday: There will be the usual mass times in both parishes. We need 4 people distributing the ashes. Palm Sunday: Mass in both parishes as per normal weekend timetable. 2 nd Rite of Reconciliation at St. Patrick s for both parishes. Holy Thursday: One Mass at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Fatima members of both liturgy committees to work together to plan this liturgy. Good Friday: Stations of the Cross 10am Our Lady of Fatima. St. Patricks community pray The Way of the Cross up to Mary s statue. The Passion of Our Lord at 3pm in both parishes. Easter Vigil: 7.30pm at St. Patrick s, Paraparaumu. Both liturgy teams to work together on planning this. Combined Parish Newsletter: The three secretaries to work this out together. Hopefully this will commence on the 1 st Sunday of Lent. Fr. Michael explained communication was the way he intended to lead this year. The Miha timetable is set for the 3 rd weekend of each month at St. Patrick s Paraparaumu. Next meeting To be advised as this will be a combined meeting. Baptismal Report By the time of your next Parish Council meeting, Mary and I will have completed 3 baptisms. The latest two were Jodie & James Gray s daughter, Charlotte and Jenna and Timothy Flynn s son, Blake. I have one more under instruction at the moment and that one is Juanita Cleary s son Brooke and that is scheduled for 25 th February. Thanks a lot 5

6 Helen Goodman CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP It has been said in recent times that the Church of the future will be contemplative This makes sense, for we are overfed with electronically communicated information. The cell phone never stops nor the texting thumbs, not to mention TV and the internet. Meditation is keeping up with the times, not just picking up where the early Christians left off We need to communicate with God too. It is good to turn off all this technology and be ourselves once or twice a day, turn off our thoughts and our overactive egos and let God take over, let go and let God. Allow the stillness within become one with the stillness with which the Spirit dwells within us. It benefits mind, body and soul Meditators meet Tuesdays at 4PM, in the meeting room, for support and growth. Christ is present were people gather in His name. The weekly togetherness is uplifting. Any one, of any age and any Christian denomination is welcome. I am willing to start an evening group for those who find Tuesday afternoon not suitable Carla Tollenaar, Phone