11 March 2025, 7:30pm
Present: Mike Campbell (chair), Eva Kaltenthaler (minutes), Father Kevin, David Bellamy, Stephen Spooner, Richard Bushell, Kevan Grady, Sam Caldwell, Richard McQuinn.
Apologies: Maria Levesley, Deacon Stephen Parker, Sian Price
Opening meditation
Mike led the group in a 2 minute silent meditation.
Matters Arising
- The upper room window has still not been repaired. Sam has rung the Diocese and is still chasing the part needed.
Action: Sam to continue to chase the relevant people in the Diocese to get the window fixed.
- Father Kevin’s new washing machine has been installed in is working well. Many thanks to David Bellamy for facilitating this.
- Car parking lines need renewing- the football club will pay for this and organise the work. Lines will be adjusted to fit today’s larger cars David and Mike will liaise with the football club to ensure that this is completed to the correct specifications sometime over the summer.
Action: David and Mike to liaise with football club to ensure car park lines are repainted.
- A card of thanks for Wendy.
Action: Mike to ensure card of thanks is given to Wendy.
- Ceilidh – Mike is still trying to find a band to do this for us. Richard has some ideas.
Action: Mike and Richard B to explore options for Ceilidh band.
Diocesan visit
Kevan Grady from the Diocese of Hallam came to meet the Parish Council as part of the School of Synodality work. He wanted to see how we work and feed back to the Bishop. This work may link into the newly formed Diocesan Committee. Mike gave a brief description of how the Parish Council works and the different groups within it. Stephen S acknowledged Fr Kevin, in that he gives full support to the PPC.
Lourdes Trip
We now have two people within the parish who are interested in receiving funds to go to Lourdes and one person from outside the parish through Angela Powell. One person required a supplement of £250 for a single room. It was agreed that we can fund both people from within our parish but not the supplement or the person from another parish.
Action: Mike to tell Angela and speak to the other person at Mass.
A contribution has also been requested to fund someone from St Oswald’s parish to go to the World Youth Day. It was agreed that we will donate the £250 which would have been the supplement..
Liturgy and Spirituality
Pilgrimages are being planned to the Cathedral and to Padley Gorge as part of the Jubilee year.
Action: Sian and Mike to plan the pilgrimages.
LiveSimply Campaign
Progress on the campaign was discussed. This included:
- Someone from S2 Foodbank came to speak after Mass in February. The talk was well received although it was difficult to hear at times due to people chatting over tea and coffee.
- Monthly topics continue and will last at least until August and possible beyond. This month’s topic is “Eating less meat”
- Recycling Sundays will continue.
- The film, “The Letter” will be shown on 8 May.
- Toilet twinning will be the focus in July.
Youth Ministry
The Youth Group continues on as usual. Confirmation preparation will be explored soon. The First Communion classes will start soon. There are four children interested. There was some discussion as to whether we should have First Communion classes every other year due to the low numbers but the decision was left to Deborah who is running the class.
As part of Lent, St Marie’s students walked from St Francis to St John’s, Ranmoor. This worked well.
Action: Mike to thank Jonathan for his help with the event.
There may soon be a reader’s workshop for young people.
Finance Committee
David is preparing the annual accounts for the AGM. The finance committee (David and Sam) will draw up an inventory of all that is in the church for insurance purposes.
Social events
Dance club show is this weekend. As stated, other events include the proposed Ceilidh and the screening of The Letter.
AGM
The AGM will be held on 22 April 2025. Reports will be needed from the groups and cheese and wine will be served. The finance report is being prepared. A note will be put in the Franciscan about this. There needs to be recruitment of new members. It was noted that the Parish Council has few women members.
Action: Mike to put notes about the AGM and recruitment of new members in the Franciscan.
Other matters
Father Kevin mentioned that we have had a letter of thanks from IFM to us for using them for our gas and electricity.
The annual appeal for the Spiritans (Holy Spirit Fathers) will be on 25 May 2025.
Father Kevin recited the Closing prayer.
Date of next meeting at 13 May 2025, 7:30pm.