Present:
Jennifer Bosch (Chair), Fr Geoff Broad (PP), Judy Shone, Ray Thomson, Elaine
Thomson, Gerard Hoskins, Gerald Davis, David Ryrie, John Shone, Simon Shone,
Barbara Hoskins, Eileen Muollo.
Apologies: Sr Mary Scanlon, Gill Ryrie, Patrick Holden, John Mollo,
Linda de Gregorio, Denise Kerr, Jim McLaughlin, Geoff O’Malley, Louise
Hunter.
Welcome &
Opening Prayer:
Jennifer
welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited them to pray together the
Parish Vision prayer.
Confirmation
of 2008 Minutes:
The minutes
of the 2008 AGM were circulated, and confirmed as a true and accurate
record.
Moved: Fr
Geoff/David Ryrie.
Matters
Arising from 2008 minutes:
-
Pastoral Area
Council – Catherine Nota had replaced Clare Owen as the Parish member
-
Parish
Directory - David Ryrie advised that this was underway; the actual
format (whether to be a single information sheet or more detailed booklet)
to be decided but would be placed on the parish website. Copies would be
available in the foyer and be sent out to all new parishioners as they
became known. The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) would discuss this further
at its next meeting in July.
(Parish
Pastoral Council to action)
-
Parish Funding
Projects – The PPC had discussed a number of special projects over the
year – African school classroom building assistance, UNICEF child support
in conjunction with our parish school – but it was a local parish family’s
urgent need for financial assistance early in 2009 that became the focus
project. A great success raising over $4000. New ideas always welcome.
Parish
Annual Pastoral Report:
Jennifer
Bosch tabled and spoke to the annual report which had been made available
for
parishioners
to peruse prior to the AGM. Special thanks were extended to all those
parishioners who gave of their time in all our ministries. Fr Geoff
expressed specific thanks to Liz Berry for successfully and competently
running the Sacramental Programme again.
Discussion
points raised:
-
Sacrament of the Sick (Anointing Mass) availability – Barbara Hoskins
asked that consideration be given to having this 2-monthly 9am parish Mass
moved to a time of day more suitable to the sick and elderly who normally
attended, but who found it difficult to be there so early in the day. Fr
Geoff advised that there was the alternative of the 2-monthly 2pm Mass at
the Home of Compassion Chapel, followed by afternoon tea which may prove
more suitable to some people. A notice to be placed in the Parish
newsletter offering the alternatives.
(Parish
Secretary to action)
-
WYD08
– Simon Shone expressed his thanks to the parish on behalf of himself and
Patrick Holden as parish representatives at Sydney’s WYD08 last year. The
next WYD was in 2011 in Spain, and with the PPC he would be putting
funding preparations in place later this year.
-
Parish-wide newsletter – John Shone asked why there had not been any
since Easter last year (February 2008) as this was an important social
outreach to the wider and often non-church going parish community. The
Chair responded that this was primarily due to her extended period
overseas and new work commitments on her return. Other PPC members would
be asked to assist in this role.
(Parish
Pastoral Council to action)
-
Ministry (Sign-Up) Sunday – it was suggested that this be done on a
more frequent basis (annually) as many of the current rosters were
depleted in their helpers. The school parish parents also to be targeted.
(Parish
Pastoral Council to action)
-
Parish
Outreach to sick and shut-ins – it was suggested that, with the
apparent demise of the parish’s ‘Care and Concern’ group, the PPC could
acknowledge these people by way of sending them a greetings card, and
offering any assistance by way of meals, transport, visits etc. An
individual’s privacy and confidentiality would at all times be respected
and names would not be mentioned in the parish newsletter unless agreed to
by the individual. Fr Geoff’s Communion round list may be a starting point
for consideration. John Shone was happy to assist in the outreach. The
Chair agreed to take this to the next PPC meeting in July.
(Parish
Pastoral Council to action)
Following
these discussions, it was agreed that the Annual Pastoral Report be
accepted.
Moved: Fr
Geoff/Ray Thomson
Finance
Committee Annual Report:
Gerard
Hoskins tabled and spoke to his annual report which included a photo display
of the parish plant/property requiring maintenance, and invited questions.
Discussion
points raised:
-
Maintenance – both the church interior and exterior required extensive
maintenance and repair work to be carried out, as evidenced by the photos.
Fund-raising options were discussed – increased planned-giving, one-off
donations, loans etc – and would be looked into at the next Finance
Committee meeting.
-
A vote of
thanks was extended to the Finance Committee for such an extensive and
thorough report.
It was
agreed that the Finance Committee’s Annual Report be accepted.
Moved:
Jennnifer Bosch/Fr Geoff
Parish
Financial Accounts:
The Parish
Financial Report, including Balance Sheet and Receipts and Payments
Statement, was tabled and discussed.
It was
agreed that The Financial Report be accepted.
Moved: Ray
Thomson/Barbara Hoskins
General
Business:
-
AGM
Timing and Attendance – it was suggested that consideration be given
to a more agreeable time for next year’s AGM – perhaps after 10am Sunday
Mass – and even create an ‘event drawcard’ for the occasion to encourage
more parishioners to attend. The number attending this year (12) was well
down on previous years and showed a disappointing lack of interest in
parish affairs by parishioners and committee members.
-
Parish
Hall chairs - Fr Geoff was looking to replace the ageing chairs with
some more serviceable ones and also more suitable for use by the school.
-
A vote
of thanks was passed to PPC and Finance Committee members, the Parish
Secretary and Fr Geoff for their continued service to the Parish.
Closing
Prayer:
The meeting closed
at 4.30pm with a prayer lead by Fr Geoff