Minutes of St Laurence’s Parish Forum : 19 January 2012

The meeting began at 8pm with Jim O'Sullivan in the chair and 25+ parishioners present.

Fr. Pat Cleary opened the meeting with prayer.

Apologies

Apologies were received from Dick Wilson, Sr. Pat Robb, Diana Timmons.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes were displayed on the Narthex boards and on the Website.

Matters arising

All as items on agenda.

Parish Year

The Advent programme had been very successful.

Plans are well advanced for a Lent programme. The Facilitation Group met last week and have the following ideas:

Fr. Pat asked that someone would co-ordinate the Lent programme and produce a leaflet etc. Stephen Warde will do this.

For later in the Parish Year

Comments

Paul Simmons thanked those involved in the Advent and Lent planning but felt most people do not appear to know there is a Parish Year. Those who attend activities tend to be “usual suspects” and asked how we get the wider congregation to get involved. He felt we are still not “setting the parish alight”. He asked that the Parish Day should be seen as a day to round up the parish year and be the start of the Year of Parish renewal.

Liturgy

Finance

The books will be done for the end of the financial year. On 3rd Sunday of Lent Fr. Pat will have figures put into the bulletin and will talk to them at each mass as well as a homily as he feels strongly that this should not take the place of the homily. He said this is the only time in the year he talks about money. Last year due to a generous legacy much has been done to the building: car park, solar panels and presbytery roof, parish office, sacristy, cycle racks.

There was a request that a Mass be said annually for the donor.

Social Life

Catechesis

Buildings and grounds

Lots has been done this year. The outside board still needs attention and has too much information on it as people use the board on the wall for details

Paul Simmons said that Cupboards and Notice Boards need regular attention as they can be a tatty mess. Fr Pat said he would like notices to be laminated and using 4 pins. They need removing when they are out of date.

The Petition board needs attention on occasion though Mary MacGinley keeps an eye on it.

Graffiti on the pews is an increasing problem.

School

Fr Pat told the meeting that Ethan Gomez aged 5 died this week. He said that he was very impressed with how the teacher told the children. Because Ethan was under 7 years we do not pray for his soul as the Church teaches that a little child is free from sin. Please pray for his parents, family and friends.

Diocesan Plan

While there is no bishop this is somewhat in limbo. However, the Adult education study plan continues.

The Council of Laiety also continues and Jim O’Sullivan asked for a volunteer to attend the meeting on 19th May as he is unable to go. Fr. Pat said that mileage should be claimed.

Parish Groups

Facilitation Group

Meets prior to Forum meeting and shortly afterwards to see that plans/proposals are activated. All actions minuted elsewhere.

AOB

Future Meetings