Parish of Our Lady and the English Martyrs

Minutes of the Parish Forum, 7th June 2007, Parish Hall

 

Present: 55 Parishioners including Frs. Tony, Dick and Rafael; Deacon Andrew Neate (chair) and Joe Caprani (minutes). Groups represented included: Mums & Toddlers, Justice & Peace, CrossTalk, Everyman Players, Luncheon Club, 5Alive Music Group and the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP). Churches represented included: Sawston, Cambourne, Bottisham & OLEM.

 

(1) Parish Accounts

 

This was a late addition to the published agenda. Rosemary Parker, the Parish Administrator was present to address any points or queries raised. There were no points or queries raised.

 

(2) Updates from the minutes of the previous Forum (March ’07)

 

(a)   Training for Ministries in the Parish. Previously, a date had been proposed for this to take place in June ’07. Unfortunately, this was not met due to unforeseen circumstances; namely –

(b)   (i) incapacitation of the main organiser of the event (Antoinette Askin), (ii) diversion of Parish resources to the unexpected early merger with Sawston Parish. It is now proposed that this training will take place in the early part of the next academic year (Autumn ’07)

(c)   Refurbishment of the Parish Hall. Phil Hardy advised us that plans are in place to modernise & enlarge the kitchen in the main hall, including the fitting of double doors (to meet current regulations). This would be facilitated by the relocation of the ladies toilets from the main hall to the meeting room (thus reducing the size of the existing meeting room). There is also a requirement to provide toilet facilities for the disabled – this could be located where the janitor’s room presently exists. Plumbing costs are expected to be c.£3,000 + VAT – this quote does not include equipment costs. There is no set timetable for the refurbishment at present.

(d)   Church Sound System. Fr. Tony advised that there is a meeting scheduled with the Historic Churches Committee during the coming week and shortly after that a meeting with the Diocesan Finance Board. It is expected that the estimated cost of £40,000 will be mainly covered by a recent legacy to the Parish.

(e)   Replacement of the plane tree. There are 2 new trees in place now.

 

(3) The merger challenge for OLEM and Sawston Parishes.

 

Fr. Raf reported that there was still some confusion despite careful dissemination of the rationale behind the merger. For the sake of clarity, Fr. Raf reiterated that the merger was already a part of the existing future pastoral plan but that unavoidable circumstances had meant the event was being brought forward. By adding in the regular Masses in Sawston Parish, the existing contingency plans at OLEM for a minimum of 2 priests to cover all regular weekly Masses were now insufficient. Some of the regular Masses from both parishes have therefore been discontinued, namely: Saturday vigil Mass at Sawston, Masses at Shelford, Hauxton, Comberton, Bottisham and Hope House. Norman Beaton (Sawston) shared with us how Sawston is a mature, dynamic, strong and close-knit parish that has embraced the recent changes. Ronald Haynes (OLEM) suggested that groups with common interests from both parishes should meet as part of the two parishes starting to get to know each other. Fr Raf pointed out that both parishes currently exist with many parallel functions & groups, but we should try to avoid any future duplication. The point was made that some existing groups such as the Knights of St. Columba and the Catenians do already cross parish boundaries. A social event between the two parishes was suggested. Also suggested was a full listing of the groups in both parishes to be published. The annual Procession of Witness in Sawston with other Churches in the village was highlighted as an important event. Fr. Tony stressed it is important for us all to remember that this is a merger of two parishes not a takeover of one by the other. Regarding significant dates in the Church calendar such as the Easter Triduum and Christmas, Fr. Tony stated that services in both parishes would most likely continue separately, mainly of necessity (numbers). 

 

(4) Ministry of Welcome

 

Sawston have an existing successful welcome ministry. There is also a welcome ministry at the 8 O’clock Sunday Mass at OLEM. There was a welcome ministry at the 5 O’clock, which started after the Parish Mission in the mid ‘90s, but it petered out after about a year. It was stated that this ministry is vocational and one of the roles of the laity in the Parish. The development of this ministry is being passed back to the Steering Committee for further discussion.

 

(5) Pastoral care of residential homes in the Parish.

 

The parishioner who asked for this item to be discussed at the Forum was not in attendance. Fr. Tony advised that some homes are visited regularly if the need is known but that residential homes have to adhere to the same data protection regulations as hospitals. Gill Elers, representing SVP, stated that SVP members regularly visit residents in Coronation St.

 

Date of next Parish Forum: 11th October 2007