13 May 2025, 7:30pm
Present: Mike Campbell (Chair), Father Kevin, Richard Bushell, Sam Caldwell, Maria Levesley, Sian Price, Ben Ryan, Jen Benzies, Richard McQuinn (minutes).
Apologies: Deacon Stephen Parker, Sarah Lynch, David Bellamy, Stephen Spooner, Eva Kaltenthaler.
Before the meeting the new visitors, Ben and Jen were welcomed. The Council members introduced themselves to the two. They in turn introduced themselves. They both have young children in the Parish. Mike expressed a hope that they would feel that they would be able to serve of Council in a capacity that matched their talents.
Opening Meditation
Mike led the group in a 2-minute silent meditation.
Matters Arising
Wendy Allbutt: Wendy had now been presented with a thank you card and chocolates from the Parish for her service as organist over many years, with the music group making their own gift.
Parish Ceilidh: Richard Bushell had identified 2 potential bands. It was agreed a ticket price could be set to cover their fee. A date for the event was to be set, possibly before the school summer holidays but more likely during September/October. Attendees could be asked to provide appropriate refreshment.
Liturgy and Spirituality
Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage: Two candidates had been identified to receive the financial support that was to be offered by the Parish.
Jubilee Pilgrimages: 13 members of the Parish had already undertaken a walking pilgrimage to St Marie’s Cathedral to attend Mass stopping on route at the Royal Hallamshire and War Memorial for short prayers. We were welcomed before Mass and after Mass gathered at the front of the church and Father Kevin was presented with a candle. Some of the attendees went for a meal afterwards. It was agreed a future walking pilgrimage to Padley would be organised from St Francis with an option for people to join at Grindleford railway station. Access to Padley chapel for a short service may be possible.
Action: Mike Campbell/ Stephen Parker/Sian Price to propose date
Justice & Peace
Live Simply Campaign: Progress on the ongoing campaign was discussed. This included:
- Recycling Sundays, Support for the F2 Foodbank and the 10 nominated charities was to continue.
- Borrow Not Buy – this project was moving more slowly and may pivot towards a matching of direct owners and potential borrowers to eliminate the parish being seen as a direct agent in the matching of ability to support/needs requirements, that could incur a liability.
- Future projects – parishioners would be offered suggestions on how carbon offsets could be achieved for travel.
Other Areas:
- The film, “The Letter” was shown on 8 May with 23 attendees, followed by refreshments and discussion groups. The evening was considered a success.
- Toilet twinning will be the focus in June/July.
- Wildflower Seeds – a number of young children from the parish had enjoyed planting seeds and receiving extra seeds for planting at home.
Youth Ministry
Parish Group: Richard Bushell reported that 2 meetings were to be held before the end of the school year, the second probably being a BBQ. He was unsure about the numbers of members the group would have for the upcoming year, and the size of the group may fall.
Diocesan’s Youth Group: The group had visited St Francis the previous Sunday for Adoration of the Eucharist with a couple of other youngsters from the parish joining them.
First Communion: Preparation classes were coming to an end ahead of the chosen date of Corpus Christi 22 June 2025. The parish had 4 candidates. It was recognised that this number was low compared to previous years (see minute below on welcoming new parishioners also).
Confirmation: A preparation group would be advertised shortly in the Franciscan to start in September.
Action: Richard Bushell and Father Kevin to liaise to secure Bishop’s attendance.
Finance Committee
Parish Annual Accounts: These had been prepared albeit slightly late. Sam would check with David Bellamy if they had now been successfully submitted to the Diocese. Parishioners had received notice via the Franciscan that the parish’s finances were healthy, but they should also consider increasing individual donations, especially via gift aid, to ensure that remained the case in the face of rising costs.
Budget: Efforts were underway to draft a budget for the upcoming year. The Parish Council was asked to notify the Committee of any significant expenditure they thought likely in the coming year.
Action: Sam Caldwell/David Bellamy
Maintenance
Boundary Wall: A relatively large section of the boundary wall between the car park and Sandygate Football Club had collapsed. The responsibility to repair the same had not been identified with absolute certainty. The diocese was saying this looked like it may fall to the parish given tree roots on the parish grounds may have adversely affected the walls foundations. The repair cost was not yet known, but it was looking likely this would be substantial, and, that, the parish may have to contribute , possibly on a 50/50 basis.
Action: Sam Caldwell/David Bellamy to liaise further with PPC as details emerge.
Upper Room Windows: An additional part was now awaiting delivery in June to complete full installation of the second of the 2 Velux windows delivered a year ago.
Redecoration: A schedule of potential redecoration requirements would be drawn up covering the presbytery, church and other areas.
Action: Sam Coldwell to prepare a schedule.
Roof: It was noted that another area of the roof was perhaps leaking and would be investigated. It was also noted that the area of the roof that had already been repaired not yet been fully tested given the dry weather since the work was undertaken.
Action: Await Rain or do Rain Dance!
Buzzing Speaker:A speaker close to the music group had started buzzing. It was agreed this would be monitored and investigated if appropriate.
Action: Everyone to keep their ears peeled!
Parish Sign Near Lychgate: It was recognised the original stone parish sign required some minor “TLC” but no expenditure was felt appropriate.
Other Matters
Tour de Hallam: 2nd June 2025, Ruth Sheldon, Director of the St Wilfred’s Centre would be calling at the parish to coincide with the end of daily Mass at 10.30. This was part of her sponsored cycle undertaken over a week to 50 churches across the whole Diocese of Hallam. The cycle was aimed at further increasing the profile of the St Wilfrid’s Centre and raising much needed funds. It was hoped the regular attendees at Mass and perhaps some other parishioners could be a small welcoming party for her. Alan Wenham would be there. A sponsorship form had been received, and an appropriate notice would be placed in the Franciscan drawing parishioners’ attention to the form on the Narthex noticeboard.
Welcoming New Parishioners: This was requested by David Bellamy. A general discussion of potential initiatives to better welcome new parishioners ensued in particular how this could relate to families with children, especially young children, and how the parish might reach out to any potential parishioners who would like or prefer to attend St Francis. One idea, amongst many, was to develop a reasonably detailed Welcome Sheet to be given to any potential new parishioners. It was recognised that time did not permit full discussion of this topic at the evening’s meeting as this was an area that merited more serious and detailed consideration by a subcommittee and wider group of parishioners who may have skills and expertise in this area.
Action: PC to Constitute Sub Committee
Father Kevin recited the Closing prayer.
Date of next meeting at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 8th July 2025.