Parish Meeting 7th June 2025
Minutes
The meeting opened with a prayer.
-
Heating - There has been a visit from a different firm of consultants to assess the heating system in Church. The oil boiler is in good working order, however, the heat does not circulate throughout the Church. A full report is to be sent to Fr Chris in a few weeks which will be considered by the newly formed buildings committee: a number of a parishioners with an interest in this area have agreed to be part of the new committee to discuss and advise on issues concerning the buildings within the parish.
2. New Lectionary / screens in church – no update from last parish meeting
3. Livestreaming – Fr Chris shared that there has been a suggestion via the web site of the streaming of only one live Mass on a Sunday so that people can attend a Mass without being live streamed. Fr Chris asked all those present if anyone had expressed concern on this issue. It was agreed that there was already provision for those who did not want to be viewed on screen to enter the church and receive Holy Communion and that there would be no changes to the present arrangement.
4. Website Update: Paul Symes updated the meeting on developments on the website.
• The three most popular pages are the Homepage, News page and Events Calendar page. There have been 28 contacts through the web site since the last parish meeting, thanks to Antonia for dealing with these enquiries. Paul has ensured all pictures on the web site are compliant with copyright legislation.
• Live streaming report –
• Week beginning 19th May average of 12 viewers a day. Sunday 25th May 46 viewers of both Masses. A funeral in April was watched by 15 people and the Stations of the Cross during Lent was watched by 10 viewers per liturgy. A statement from Ann Inman was read to the meeting in which she thanked the parish for streaming services as it helped her feel part of the parish again
• Developments – Paul has had initial conversation with Julia Ashes (Maricourt Chaplain) discussing the idea of involving some sixth formers writing articles about activities at Maricourt. Praying through Easter pages will become general prayer resource pages in a few weeks.
• Thank you to all who have contributed articles for publication, to Antonia for her ongoing support and to all who view the website.
5. Finance – George Aldridge gave a monthly update of the parish finances.
6. Parish Centre – Fr Chris updated the meeting:
-
All the queries from the lawyers have now been answered and the paperwork is all complete so the lease holders should be able to start the renovations very soon. It is going to take approximately 4 weeks for the renovation to take place, during which time the parish centre will be out of use.
-
The tenants will have a 50% reduction on the lease for the first two years The lease is a 10-year lease with a review point after 5 years. There was a question concerning the fire doors and if the work on the replacement of the doors and could this work not be started. Fr Chris confirmed that this work will be started soon. 7. Deanery Development – Mission - Fr Chris informed the meeting that the process has been delayed because information necessary for the audit to take place has not yet been supplied by the archdiocese.
8 CAFOD update Noreen McGinnity gave an update
Noreen suggested that the parish might like to try and achieve the CAFON ‘Live Simply’ award. The Live Simply award enables Catholic communities to care for God's creation and stand in solidarity with our global family. It was agreed by all present that the parish would try to gain the award and a number of those present volunteered to assist Noreen with the process.
9 .Anointing the Sick – It was agreed that the Parish would reintroduce an annual service for the anointing of the sick. It was decided that this would coincide with the annual diocesan Lourdes pilgrimage. The Mass will take place on Saturday 26th July at 12:00pm followed by refreshments in church. Invitations will be made by Carol Cahill and sent to the housebound.
10 Meeting with young families. The meeting will take place tomorrow (Sunday 8th June). Thanks to all parishioners who are supporting the meeting and supplying refreshments.
11. Weekly prayer for Peace. It is getting more difficult for clergy to cover Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on a Friday morning. There was a discussion on how this event could be supported going forward. It was decided that there will be exposition on the first Friday of the month, starting in July.
12. Communion under both forms- A discussion took place around the reinstatement of receiving Holy Communion under both forms. It was decided that currently we do not have enough Eucharistic ministers to minister at all Masses and it would increase the demand on the current ministers. Therefore, there will be a recruitment drive for new Eucharistic Ministers to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion under both forms at Mass.
13. Fr Chris informed the meeting he had met Archbishop John in recent days and he had spoke of the need to, ‘Search for green shoots, and ‘Help people fall in love with Jesus’. He shared that Archbishop John has a focus on Mission particularly with young people. A discussion followed around the possibility of starting an ‘Alpha Course’ to help support people who are interested in joining the church.
14. Jubilee Year – A suggestion was made that the parish could have a local pilgrimage to honour the Jubilee Year. It was agreed that this could happen in September place, time and venue to be agreed. Kathy Buck informed the meeting that the UCM are going to Ladywell.
15. Family Picnic Saturday 28 June (11am-3pm) at St Anne Church, Prescot Rd, Ormskirk, L39 4TG – please encourage anyone you know who might be interested to attend.
16. There was a suggestion that the signage at the entrance of the church should be temporarily updated as it currently is giving incorrect information. Fr Chris agreed that this could be completed.
17. The meeting ended with a prayer
18. Next Meeting Saturday 19th July.