Our Lady and the English Martyrs, Cambridge and Our Lady of Lourdes, Sawston: Parish Forum

In the Parish Hall, Thursday 21st May, 2009

 

Andrew Neate in the chair, Fathers Tony, Dick and Rafael attending with parishioners from OLEM, OLOL, Cambourne.  Apologies: Antoinette Askin, Nonie Hawke, Mo Tsentides

 

Andrew Neate opened the meeting with a prayer and welcomed everyone.

 

Minutes of 12th February: corrections –

1)       matters arising had been moved to the end of the agenda and the meeting ran out of time to discuss them.

2)       ISA should read ISACN and stands for International Social Affairs Christian Network.

3)       Julia Dale had reported for the J&P group.

4)       COL: Ron Haynes had reported on the previous meeting which addressed Prayer and Spirituality in Parishes, and the planned May meeting which would consider the Diocesan Pastoral Plan Review. The Diocesan Yearbook contains more information about policies related to the DPP.

5)   DPP the final paragraph should add that Ron would consult further and organise consultation in time for the response deadline of Palm Sunday.

 

Matters Arising: Roberta had brought copies of the paper on possible improved support for 20/30 young people which she and Antoinette had sent to Frs Tony and Dick.

 

The J&P group Care for Creation Day in April was well received by the few who attended – it had deserved wider support.

 

Diocesan Pastoral Plan;

David Livesey gave a personal perspective on the DPP. The plan speaks of the gifts within the Catholic community and encouraging all to offer their skills but it has or implies a “top down” approach and our parish communities also need a “self-empowering communitarian approach”. He asked how we can use the diversity of our congregations to build up the church and make sure that when we take the initiative (for instance at Mass on Sunday), we draw others in. It was decided that all parishioners should have the opportunity to read David’s ideas.

Points:

*We need to be good listeners and attentive to others

*We can make sure others’ gifts are known

*The importance of taking personal responsibility

*More opportunities for welcome

*Importance of welcome ministry

*More and more accessible notice boards at the back of the church to celebrate the diversity of activity in the parish communities

* OLEM can be compared to a collage of networks, or a montage of experiences

*People are different and have different needs when they come to the church

Evening Prayer: there had been a proposal for community EP in the church in Advent, and then in Lent but it had not been discussed in February.

When Morning Prayer was attempted, a faithful few attended and numbers dwindled.

*MP is quite popular in Sawston.

* There is EP one Sunday a month in Bottisham, preceded by a glass of wine. Would this work?

*Are there too many daily Masses at OLEM? Some congregations are very small   

*EP does not have to be led by a priest.

*It’s not part of our experience – but communal MP and EP common in Milan where it is rooted in the tradition.

*Andrew asked for those wiling to try EP experimentally to see him after the meeting.

Parish Hall: Plans were on view. Andrew reported on progress. The work is necessary for pastoral outreach. Fund raising will be necessary. We have a grant for the disabled toilet. Fr Tony expressed the parish’s gratitude to Andrew and Philip Barnes for all their work to get us so far.

Points:

*A screen

* Access problems: using the door onto Union Road? A gate from the car park at No 2 Hills Road?

*Damp in the small meeting room

 

Council of the Laity:  Ron Haynes reported that there was discussion of the DPP Review. This will continue in November. There had been a hybrid approach to the consultation with small meetings at OLEM and OLOL and a few online responses (results so far are available at:http://www.secretnote.com/olem-olol/ The questionnaire is 28 pages which is rather daunting, but all are encouraged to provide additional feedback, and there will be additional opportunities to do so.

Parish Communities:

Cambourne: Mel’s report describes the growth of the Catholic community at Cambourne and how everyone has learned to use gifts they did not know they had! There is a real buzz in being part of growing a new Catholic community. Cambourne needs the prayers and support of the whole parish.

Sawston: parishioners are working on making the old church into a good meeting hall. Car parking is improved. Now that the merger has been achieved, Sawston has a community pastoral council instead of a parish council, and a fabric committee instead of a finance committee. Thought needs to be given to structures for autonomous communities within the parish.

Fen Ditton: remains a strong and faithful community.

 

We still need to create one parish consisting of our diverse communities.

 

AOB: the finance statement did not show the reserves.

 

The meeting closed with a prayer

The next meeting of the Forum will be on Thursday 15th October at 7.30pm.

 

Our Lady and the English Martyrs Parish Forum Meeting held in the Parish Hall on Thursday 12th February 2009

 

 

Present: Frs. Tony, Dick, Raf, Andrew Neate and parishioners

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th September were circulated.  There were no matters arising which were not covered by the agenda.

 

Pastoral Plan

 

Andrew Neate reported first on the Pastoral Plan and observed that there was no policy relating to interfaith groups or to other churches.  This was thought to be regrettable and he observed that OLEM and its outlying parishes had considerable involvement with other church groups.

 

Chris Burton asked how the Pastoral Plan related to other groups in our society and pointed out the need for training for all roles where parishioners undertook work such as that of the SVP.

 

·        Comments from the floor were as follows:

·        The J & P group have joined ISA which is rewarding

·        Some work which happens in the Parish does not get effectively communicated

·        Central Churches together is not a very effective group in Cambridge

·        OLEM should aim for one initiative per year

·        Working with other local churches could be a very effective way of meeting a variety of social needs

·        ‘Chaplaincies for people at work’ is being set up locally

·        Each Mass can be its own community

·        The parishes in the early stages of setting up a group for the 20s- 30s (Roberta Canning and Antoinette Askin)

·        Consider a Mass for volunteers

·        There is a wealth of talent in the parish, but opportunities are not that well communicated

·        The bulletin needs to have more information

 

Diocesan Theme

RH reported for the J&P group on Stewardship. Their work has recently focussed on, among other things, connecting environmental issues with the life of the Church and linking with CAFOD, carbon footprint interfaith group with practical advice on reducing this and general social issues.  They are planning events in Lent related to care and creation.

 

Diocesan Council of Laity

 

Ron Haynes reported on this and drew attention to the Diocesan Yearbook  which contains more information.

The discussion focussed on the questionnaire provided by the Bishop, the best way to get feedback from parishioners and how to co-ordinate it.  The questionnaire was passed round and many comments related to its length and the need to be very clear about what it was hoping to achieve.

 

Options on how to manage this process were suggested as follows:

 

·        Make the questionnaire available on line on the parish website for people to answer

·        Have a special meeting to discuss a parish response

·        Have it available at the back of church for people to fill in

 

It was not clear how these anticipated responses would be coordinated and analysed.

 

Parish Hall

 

Andrew Neate reported that professionals have been brought on board to manage the process which it is hoped will start on site in July/August of this year.  The costings will be available in March and the funds in hand are currently £90,000. Fund raising will be necessary.  The plans will be available at the back of Church once approval has been given.  No new building will take place – the improvements will make use of existing spaces.

 

The question of changing space for disabled adults was raised and Andrew agreed to look into this.

 

Diocesan Learning Disability Initiative

 

Fr Tony reported that this initiative had started with considerable enthusiasm and a well attended Mass. It was hoped that those interested would then take the lead and move it forward, but this had not happened.  It was noted that carers in this situation had very little spare time to undertake  the organising.   It was suggested  that a speaker from a disabled inclusion conference be invited to come and address members of the parish, which would help to revive this group.

 

A discussion took place on the need to have support groups for carers and in particular, the problems arising for carers when their young people reached the age of 21 and no longer fitted into the education and care services in the same way as when younger.

 

 

Dates of Next Meetings

 

21 May and 15 October 2009

 

Our Lady and the English Martyrs Church, Cambridge Parish Forum

Record of Meeting, Thursday 25th September 2008 at 7.30 in the Parish Hall.

 

Present were Frs. Tony, Dick and Raf, Robert Joyce and Andrew Neate and parishioners, including members of most parish groups.

 

There were 3 information sheets: a note from Fr Tony about the parish hall and the sound system, a report from the latest meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Laity and a paper on the diocesan theme for the coming year.

The forum opened with a prayer.

 

Diocesan Council of the Laity had discussed how the diocese can support marriage and family life. Bishop Michael mentioned the Bishops’ Conference Celebrating Family  intiative,  Everybody’s Welcome on welcoming and inclusive parishes, and Home is a Holy Place on seeing knowing and responding to God’s presence at home in our family life. Much is being done but there is a need for parishes to implement this fully.

Points: Marriage Preparation: couples will usually see one of the priests three times and attend a Marriage Care day in Newmarket, which they appreciate. Couples married in the previous year could be invited to a Mass of celebration followed by a social event. Family Ministry includes many ways of supporting family life – including the Mother and Toddler Group.

 

Prayer and Spirituality is the next theme for the Council of the Laity. Parish representatives will recount their parish experience. Parishioners commented that prayer was part of all groups and that a division would be artificial but for clarity groups whose primary function is prayer will be listed separately and then other parish groups.

 

Prayer Groups: Monday prayer group, rosary group, Eucharistic adoration, Soul Food

 

Parish Groups: SVP, ABC, 7Up, J&P, 5Alive, Flowers, CAFOD, Jesus and the Gospels, Cross Talk, Mother and Toddler.

 

Merger of Sawston ad OLEM: Fr Raf was to speak at all Masses in OLEM on Sunday 25th September and would appeal for money for new chairs for the new church at Sawston.  Sawston lost two Sunday Masses as a result of losing their resident priest. The church was therefore too small and the parishioners had worked very hard to transform the hall into a beautiful church. The merger on January 1st 2009 will create a new entity – it is not a takeover. All of us need to understand the implications of the declining number of clergy.

Suggestions: go to Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. A “come and see” event.

 

Parish Hall: Fr Tony spoke briefly to the paper circulated. It was necessary to do a more thorough renovation of the hall. He is grateful to Andrew Neate for his offer to project-manage the work. The specification is being modified for the more far-reaching renovation.

The Hall is a valuable pastoral resource and will be more valuable once renovated.

 

Sound System: There are still hopes that this can be replaced by Christmas. The go-ahead has been given and we are awaiting the manufacture of the speakers in China.

 

Update on School Development: the chair of St Alban’s governors explained the secure extension the school playground. It is a legal requirement that a full class foundation year children (30 children) have a secure all-weather outside play area. The new play area will have an awning for wet and very hot weather. There was only one suitable place. It has been confirmed that emergency service access is fine and has not been compromised in any way.

Comments: The play area is delightful. The school is part of the parish community. It had not been judged a significant matter to bring to the forum.

 

Diocesan Theme from Advent 2008 to Christ the King 2009:

 

Stewards of God in Caring for Creation

A paper was circulated listing the aim and the projects for the year, and a list of key scripture texts on Creation.

The J&P group planned a vigil for September 30th and an event at St Philip Howard later in the year.

Diocesan Study days are planned. Talks in the parish on Christian understanding of creation were proposed.

Recyclables can’t be collected from the hall so users need to be encouraged to take their recyclables home.

 

Date of Future Meetings: to facilitate adequate preparation for Forum meetings it was proposed and agreed that meetings take place well into term time – thus: mid-February, mid-May and mid-October.

 

Date of the Next Meeting: Thursday 12th February 2009 at 7.30

 

OLEM Parish Forum:

Record of the meeting on Thursday 26th June 2008

 

Present:           Frs Tony, Dick and Raf, representatives of parish groups and other

parishioners. Andrew Neate in the chair.

 

Andrew explained the structure of the parish forum.

 

Financial report: this had been distributed to parishioners in printed form and spoken to at all Masses. There were no questions.

 

OLEM/Sawston merger: Fr Raf reported on progress and showed photos of the new church. The merger has meant the loss of 4 Sunday Masses. Sawston now has just 2 Sunday Masses and no Mass centre. As the Hall was a third larger than the old church, it has been refurbished and converted into the church. Heating, wiring and windows were replaced by firms but the rest of the work was done by parishioners. New chairs are needed. It has been agreed that OLEM will contribute half the cost remaining after an appeal for the chairs in the autumn. So far work has been completed well within the budget. The old church now needs to be made into a parish centre. It has an asbestos roof but it is still likely than renovating the old building is the most practical course. All these changes have been necessary so that Sawston can continue to thrive as a community within the parish. Parishioners have raised £50.000. Bishop Michael’s report on visitation at Sawston would be available on Sunday 29th June.

 

There is a memorandum of co-operation between the finance committees of the two parishes to meet the anxieties of both bodies. Accounts will be merged on 1 St January 2009. Different communities within the parish support each other; for instance Sawston had collected for Cambourne.

 

OLEM sound system: Fr Tony reported that the Historic Churches Commission have approved a particular design for the speakers; the delay has been caused by the fact that these are no longer manufactured, but a firm to make them has been found and they should be installed in October.

 

Parish Hall: the finance committee are seeking estimates for the work. It involves the kitchen, toilets and fire safety improvements and needs to be completed as one job.

 

Schedule of services: It is likely that in 5-6 years there will only be two priests in the parish and the number of Sunday and weekday Masses will have to reflect this. Priests should not be saying more than one Mass on a weekday. Bishop Michael had noted that Sawston may have to move to one Mass on a Sunday. Points raised:

 

We parishioners have a duty of care for our clergy.

 

Some rationalisation is inevitable. The city has over 20 Sunday Masses while Norwich has 8 or 9. On some weekdays, OLEM can only have one Mass. Mass on Saturday at 10 o’clock is best attended, but on weekdays, 8am has a higher attendance than

Mass during the day.

 

Parishioners raised the question of services of Word and Communion, led by deacons or lay people, when there could not be Mass on weekdays. Fr Tony said that this is not sound theologically, as the Eucharist (Mass) is primarily an action — a celebration not a product and the Church flourishes when it is the central celebration.

 

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church would be a more appropriate way forward for communal prayer when there cannot be Mass. The forum discussed possible timings and suggested that Advent could be a good time to introduce one or other, after preparing the ground. These would be scheduled services led by lay people.

 

Cambourne: Fr Tony said that Mass began there in December 2002 with a few people in a portacabin. All other churches were together and we risked appearing standoffish. There are now 65-70 at Mass on Saturdays at 5pm reflecting at least 100 practising Catholics in Cambourne. They have a first Communion group and an active congregation. It now looks as if the scheme for an ecumenical church building will be able to go ahead and it is important that Catholics are part of this. Cambourne Catholics collect for this at every Mass when there is not a second collection. OLEM collected close to £3.000. It is important that we support them. The Cambourne and around section in the bulletin reflects a lively community.

 

Cycle parking: there is now an enlarged cycle parking area in the courtyard, just beyond the gate to the parish centre.

 

Cars: The possibility of restricting parking in the Lensfield Road car park to cars for disabled and elderly parishioners was raised. This is not practicable.

 

A visitor who came to coffee after Mass, has donated some teaspoons!

The steering group will come to the next meeting with dates for the coming year.

 

Next Meeting: Thursday 25th September at 7.30