PRESENT: Fr Peter Raj, Clare Glenn (St John of the Cross; Acting Chair), Nick Elphinstone (St John of the Cross), Bruce McKenna (St Helen), Bob Gale (St Helen), Peter McKenna (Sacred Heart), Antonia Martinez (Parish Administrator), Catherine Watkins (Secretary)
1. APOLOGIES: Shinto Devassy (Sacred Heart), Fran Ludden (St John of the Cross), Margaret Burrows (Sacred Heart), Georgiana Rylands (St Helen)
Fr Peter opened the meeting with a prayer.
2. It was agreed to try and finish the meeting by 9.15pm.
3. Clare welcomed Francis Harmer, Chair of the Finance Committee who was to update the PPC on various Parish financial issues.
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING: on 3 September were agreed and signed.
5. MATTERS ARISING:
a. Friends of the Holy Land. Antonia said that the office regularly received email newsletters from this organisation. Fr Peter said he would be happy for the parish to invite a representative to give a presentation. Mid February was agreed to be a good time. 11 or 13 February in the Hall was suggested. Antonia to issue invitation.
Action – Antonia,
Cathy to check hall availability,
Clare to speak to Fr Peter
b. New church Lectionaries. These had arrived and had been blessed. The new Missals for parishioners had arrived and were ready for distribution. New lists had been placed at the backs of the churches for more requests.
c. Forums. St Helen’s and St John of the Cross hold these on a regular basis. Fr Peter suggested that parishioners at the Sacred Heart church decide on a date and ask Fr Peter to announce. An empty agenda would be placed at the back of the church for items to be added.
6. HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
Fire Drill. St John of the Cross had now held their fire drill.
First Aiders. St John of the Cross first aiders had now had their training. All first aiders would need annual refresher training. At the last meeting, Antonia had agreed to find out who were the first aiders at the Sacred Heart and Georgiana had agreed to do the same at St Helen’s. Clare suggested that they let Fran know the names of those needing refresher training.
There are now Health & Safety Advisers at the Diocesan office. The Sacred Heart church is on the list for an early visit and inspection. There was a reminder that contents of the first aid boxes be kept up to dated.
Action –Antonia, Georgiana
7. PARISH CENSUS
The forms are still being returned.
8. FINANCIAL EXPENDITURE MATTERS
Francis Harmer, Chair of the Finance Committee was asked to speak to the Council. He said that the role of the Committee was to advise and assist Fr Peter and members are appointed directly by Fr Peter. In addition to representatives from each of the churches, the posts are Chair (Francis Harmer), Legal and Property (Michael Downs), David Hoy (Treasurer) and James Farrell (Gift Aid Officer). The main issue in the parish is the state of the properties, their age and state of repair. A conservation surveyor (Nicholas Warnes) had been booked to carry out an inspection. Francis was thanked for his input.
9. PARISH SOCIAL COMMITTEE REPORT
The bazaar went well; it was suggested that next year it should be held in November, so as not to clash with others in the area. Up-coming events suggested were a quiz on 28 February, a cream tea on 13 July, a murder mystery evening on 20 September. Bob Gale volunteered that he could run a beetle drive. The committee next meets on 7 February.
10. PARISH PRIEST’S REPORT TO THE PPC
Father Peter expressed his thanks to the Council for the work they carried out on behalf of the parish, and to the Social and Parish Hall Committees for the contributions they make to Parish life. Bookings and licences were well organised. Kerry works well with the children and is organising the Christmas party and the Christmas Eve family Mass. Times of the Reconciliation service on 21 December and Christmas Masses would be published in the newsletter well in advance.
Fr was also pleased to report that he had been lent a replacement car! He would be away on holiday from 2 January and would be back at the beginning of February. Fr James would be filling in.
11. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
St Helen. Francis was investigating the possibility of purchasing an additional candle stand for votive candles. Mass numbers were decreasing in the wintry weather – many elderly parishioners do not like going out in the dark for the Mass on Saturday evenings.
Sacred Heart. Would arrange a Forum meeting before the next PPC meeting.
St John of the Cross. The new fence alongside the car park had been completed. Katie Maidment is working with the Town Council regarding action on the town cemetery. There was a security issue with the main church doors and the key safe number would need to be changed.
12. KEY REGISTER
There had been no progress on the recording of the returns. Fran had volunteered to help Antonia process the returns.
Action – Antonia, Fran
13. SAFEGUARDING
There had been no progress on this issue.
14. PARKING AT THE SACRED HEART CHURCH
Antonia had suggested producing a polite letter to place on the windscreens of regular parkers, asking that they keep the car park clear on Sundays. The meeting agreed to this course of action.
Action – Antonia
15. FIRE DRILLS
These had been carried out at St John of the Cross and Sacred Heart.
16. ADVENT SERVICES & CAROL SERVICES
A beautiful Taizé service was held at St John of the Cross. Carol services are organised – St Helen’s are to hold a carol service on 8 December, St John of the Cross on 19 December and Sacred Heart on 22 December.
17. BISHOP’S DISCUSSION PAPER
Bishop Peter had issued a document for general discussion in all parishes. The document sketched out the unsustainable reality that is being faced in the life of the Diocese of East Anglia. The document and questions posed would be published on the parish website.
Question 1 revolved around the issue of aging priests and falling congregations. It would be necessary for some parishes to be enlarged and others to be amalgamated. The Council noted that there was also an aging general population in East Anglia, a shortage of Catholic schools and other calls on young people’s time on Sundays.
Question 2 asked how we could foster and sustain a deeper personal relationship with Christ. The suggestion of local youth groups was made but would depend on being able to find suitable and committed group leaders. Action taken to follow un on World Youth Days. More visibility on Social Media. Bishop Barron would be visiting the UK in January, and his presentations were always most stirring. Fr Peter had been in Dublin for an important Goan feast which was attended by 500 young people. The Filipino people are also strong in their faith. However, among young people generally, Sunday is seen as a day for a lie-in and a day for hobbies. It was felt that the increase in inter-faith marriages had weakened observance of faith among Catholics.
Question 3 asked what concrete steps could be taken within our own Parish to address present and future needs. It was felt that once again, this required the parish to concentrate on the faith needs of the young people.
Action – John to post documents on website
Cathy – to prepare document of Parish response for submission to the diocese.
18. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no further business.
17. DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2025
Tuesday 4 March at the Sacred Heart, North Walsham
Tuesday 3 June at St Helen’s, Hoveton
Tuesday 9 September at St John of the Cross, Aylsham
Tuesday 9 December at the Sacred Heart, North Walsham
Fr Peter concluded the meeting with a prayer.
