Minutes of St Cuthbert's
Parish Pastoral Council Meeting

     
 
Present: Fr A.T. Currer, M. Laing (in the Chair), M. Doyle, C. Kear, S.Kear,  F. Newton, J. Urquhart, J. Marsland, D. Crookes,  M. Harvey, S. Milner, P. Lynnett, N. Brown, B. Faulkner, J. Rowlands, I. Doyle, J. McLean.

Apologies: A. Doyle

The meeting opened with prayer.

1. Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.

2. Matters arising: – None

3. Reports from sub-committees/groups:

Building: F. Newton reported that he had quite a snag list of defects on the building with no completion date yet for everything to be put right.  The glass for the well is on special delivery.  The overspend will be in the region of 20K with fees on top of that.  By June 2009 all the existing funds will be used up.  A detailed list of all the repairs needed was circulated by Fr. Tony and it was agreed that this would be given to parishioners at all the Sunday masses.  So far a grant of £900 has been received and some more grant applications are in the pipeline.  On the fundraising front Dr. Doyle spoke about the steeplechase in September and said that he would match £ for £ every church that was visited by parishioners.

M. Laing thanked Fr. Tony and the Building Committee for all their hard work in getting us to where we are now with the building.

4. Catholic Society: Jenny Rowlands gave the report.  It has been a really good year so far.  There have been some international meals and some national dishes.  The trip to Lourdes at Easter was successful with a good attendance.  The retreats have proved to be very popular with almost too many people involved.  Fr. Tony is very appreciative of all the good work being done by Cathsoc.

5. Churches Together: In the absence of A. Doyle the report was read by S. Milner.  Their next meeting which is the day after this meeting will be reviewing the Lenten sessions and undertaking early planning for next year.  As is traditional at these reports, we would beg that anyone who is interested in practical ecumenism within the Churches should come forward and be a part of the Elvet & Shincliffe group.  Currently just two lay members take part from St Cuthbert’s ( Sarah Milner and Andy Doyle) and if you would like to know more please contact either of them.

Margaret Harvey spoke about the three faiths meeting.  There is an issue surrounding the expansion of Good Friday celebrations (Why are Christians hidden in their churches on Good Friday?)

Music and Liturgy Committee:  J. McLean gave the report.  The choir continues to provide music of variety and quality and has recently introduced a new Gloria and a new Mass setting both of which appear to have been favourably received.  Over the Easter Tridium it also introduced several new pieces of music, most notably a piece entitled “Glory in the Cross” which provided a thematic link between the three days of the Tridium.  This had not been tried before but seemed to be a success with choir and congregation alike.  One new member has been retained but men are needed.

Diocesan Meetings: M. Doyle reported that these are in abeyance pending the appointment of a new Bishop.

5. Financial Report: There is currently 62K in the Building Fund which will disappear soon.  There is 76K in the General Fund all but 34K of which will go and there is 28K in the Current A/C.  The Current A/C has almost doubled in the last few months due in part to the red bucket collection, Rothly Trust and various donations.  By Spring all available funds will be used up.  The Accounts for 2007 were signed off by John Marsland.

6. Items from the Parish Priest:  A lot of discussion centered on the Parish Room and how we use it and administer it.  There have been enquiries from a needlework group and also someone wanting to teach the Alexander Technique. 

 
Who will open the Parish Room?  What about inviting former clergy and old students from the Chaplaincy?  A “Bishop Dunne Memorial Lecture”  to be hosted by the Parish was put forward as a suggestion.

The Bede Chair of Theology has been established at the University.

The Chaplaincy Library is ongoing.

Thought needs to be given to Confirmation.  Will we be doing anything for the Year of St. Paul?

The Ministers Day to be held in the Parish can now be arranged.

9. Any other business:  Fr Tony was thanked for all he does and for all he gets us to do.

10. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 15th October at 7.30pm. 

The meeting closed with prayer.