Notes of Parish Forum held on Sunday 9th February 2003 at 3.30pm in the Upper RoomCanon Michael welcomed all present and the meeting began with Scripture and prayer.
Finance
Geoff Greetham handed out a copy of the Parish Finance Report for the year ending December 2002. He pointed out that the surplus of income over expenditure was a mere £2,111.09. This was mainly due to the fact that the Parish Assessment for the Diocese had increased from £9,808 to £19,818. Canon Michael thanked Geoff for the work he does throughout the year on the parish accounts.
India Project
Some months ago Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, Assam, India while visiting his nephew and his wife (Jemy and Sandia) celebrated the 9am Sunday Mass here at St Wilfrid's. Speaking with him after Mass he told us a little about his Diocese and their struggle to build much needed hospitals for the benefit of thousands of rural tribal people. After some discussion all felt that it would be a very worthy project for us to take on as a parish.
It was suggested that we make a start during the coming Lenten season by fasting one day a month, and the proceeds of that fasting, would go towards this project. Ernie Johnson will take responsibility of keeping us up to date with the project.
Parish Life
We shared in small groups and looked at parish life under three headings:
a) things that are going well
b) things that could be improved upon
c) possibilities for the future
Things going well
1. RCIA - Six adults are on their journey into full communion with the Catholic Church and five of these will be received at the Easter Vigil - a great joy for St Wilfrid's.
2. Catechists Course - Six parishioners from St Wilfrid's are currently taking the Diocesan Course.
3. Liturgy of the Word with Children - The people who do this ministry show great originality and creativity. Obviously the children enjoy it!
4. First Communion Preparation - 12 children and their parents are meeting regularly.
5. Ascent - this new initiative is up and running - meets on the last Wednesday of each month after the 12.10pm Mass in the Upper Room. Twenty people have taken on membership of this international movement. All over 50's are very welcome.
6. Gospel Challenge - the October weekend went very well.
7. Fundraising Events - these have helped to foster a community spirit.
8. Prayer Groups - Sr Margaret Leedal reported that there are four groups meeting weekly at St Bede's Pastoral Centre.
9. Other good things listed were: flower arranging, church music, excellent website, liturgy preparation group, ministers of Eucharist and Word meetings, finance, house group.
Room for improvement areas
1. Church Cleaning - the present teams do a wonderful job but extra hands are needed.
2. Piety Stall - again more helpers are needed.
3. Welcomers - again more people are needed and our presentation could be better.
4. Coffee Rota - for 9am Mass.
5. SVP - would welcome new members.
Possibilities for the future
1. A project to involve the children at Eastertime as they were at Christmas.
2. A second Gospel Challenge weekend.
3. A radical call to Gospel spirituality - prayer.
4. More singing practices to learn new hymns.
5. More musicians.
6. More cantors.
7. Second phase (sanctuary) of Church Refurbishment.
8. Carpeting of aisles and sanctuary.
9. Draft proof sanctuary.
Canon Michael thanked everyone for their participation at the meeting.
The meeting finished with prayer at 5pm.
Next Forum - Sunday 11 May, 3.30pm in Upper Room.
