Notes of Parish Forum held on Sunday 6th October 2002 at 3.30pm in the Upper RoomCanon Michael welcomed all present and began the meeting with Scripture and prayer.
Canon Michael's Report Canon explained the purpose of the Forum as being a time for exchange of views and a listening to each other. It is not a decision making body but of course the views expressed would be taken into consideration when a decision is made.
Church Refurbishment: Phase one of the work has been satisfactorily completed and the six month check was to take place on Monday 14 October with the architect and builder. To date £153,000 has been raised towards our £300,000 debt.
The ramp to the side door of Church has been causing some concern for the Historic Churches Committee (HCC). It has not been completed according to the specifications approved by the HCC. This is now an urgent matter and has to be addressed as soon as possible. One estimate of £16,000 has been received but this was considered to be rather high and further estimates are being sought.
A suggestion was made that feastdays should be given more prominence in the newsletter - Canon pointed out that St Wilfrid's feastday was coming up next Saturday.
A short account of the recent Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi was given by Canon. Two hundred people journeyed together and celebrated Mass with Bishop John and eight priests in many of the ancient churches of Rome and Assisi. The next Diocesan pilgrimage may be to Fatima in two years time.
The Diocesan Catechists Course: will start in January 2003. Parishioners were encouraged to consider attending the course. It consists of four units. Each unit is of six weeks duration (one night per week).
Liturgy of the Word with Children: Canon asked Marie Ledgeway, who coordinates the teams, to give an account of how this ministry was going. She spoke of the positive comments they receive from the parents and congregation.
A Crib Service is planned for Christmas Eve again this year and Coffee Morning will be organised to raise some funds for resources etc.
House Groups: Monica and Carl Lawrence are hosting the next one on Friday next (11 October). Judith Smeaton informed us of the meetings that she had based on Vatican II videos and that these are available to anyone who would like to borrow them.
Book on St Margaret Clitherow: John Rayne Davis put us in the picture about his forthcoming book which is due for publication in December. It will sell at £7.50 and all profits will go towards the Church Refurbishment Fund.
LITURGY
Mass Times: The parishes in the Pastoral Area have been looking at their Sunday Mass times with a view to reducing the number of Masses and changing times so that two parishes can be served by one priest. At present, in the scheme proposed, St Wilfrid's would be linked with St Joseph's. At present there are 23 Sunday Masses in the York area and the plan forwarded to the Bishop's Council was not accepted as there was only a reduction of one Mass. This matter will be kept under review.
Music Group: More musicians are needed. They meet on Monday evening 6.30-7.30 in the Upper Room.
Organist: Due to the sudden death of Wilf Pennington St Wilfrid's is now without an organist. Wilf gave devoted service to the Church over many years. He is sadly missed.
It was suggested that we approach the Music Dept in the University. Canon stated that currently we are not in a position to pay for an organist. Judith Smeaton stated that her husband Bob would be willing to play occasionally if he were approached.
Liturgy Formation: The recent four talks for the Central Vicariate at St Margaret Clitherow's Church, Haxby on the Liturgy were very informative. It was suggested that more formation was required and that Mgr Boylan would be the ideal person to deliver it. Canon will ask the Dean, Canon Harney, to put it on the Agenda for the next Pastoral Area Meeting. Judith Smeaton and Angela Breffit offered theft help to Canon Harney in this venture.
Sacramental Preparation
RCIA - starts again in the parish on Tuesday 15 October. Marie Ledgeway had recently attended a day at Middlewich with Fr Michael Keogh and a few other people from the Diocese. Dick Norman had also attended a three day course at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, recently.
Baptism Preparation - course starting again at the end of October.
Communion Preparation - starting Wednesday 16 October with the Parents Meeting.
Gospel Challenge
Twenty people have booked in and Canon asked for prayers.
Day of Reflection
Sunday 1 December 2-6pm led by Sr Cecilia Goodman IBVM.
Young People
Meeting of 13+ with Bishop John on Thursday 24 October, 7 - 9pm at English Martyrs.
Ascent
Ascent is a movement for people aged 50+. It has taken root strongly in many parts of the country and especially in our own Diocese. The aims of the movement are - Spirituality, Apostolate and Friendship. An initial meeting is to take place on Wednesday 30 October in the Upper Room from 12.45-3.00pm. Notice was given of a forthcoming Day of Reflection - Tuesday 8 October at St Aelred's.
Collaborative Ministry
2P1P - Two Parishes, One Priest: Workshops on Collaborative Ministry at Ushaw College, Durham - 23/24 October, 3/4 February, 21/22 May.
Shared Meal
A proposal was put forward to have a shared meal as a means of building up the community spirit in the parish.
St Wilfrid's Church Website
The Parish website was launched on 1st January 2002. The costs and effort involved in running the site have been donated free of charge to St Wilfrid's Church.
The website has been advertised on the weekly Church bulletin, information cards placed in the porch and by linking to and from other websites.
During the last nine months the site has been visited by an average of 50 people each week. This includes a large number of overseas visitors.
The website is regularly updated with parish events and information. The most popular pages include the weekly bulletin, service times and history pages.
Plans for the website include daily updates with prayers, saints and feast days. Other future additions are planned for later in the year.
A detailed end of year report will be produced in January 2003. All parishioners and visitors are invited to use the site: www.stwilfridsyork.org.uk.
