1.       Opening Prayer

 

2.       Minutes of last meeting/matters arising:

a.       Nursing homes: Glenda has written to nearly 40 nursing homes asking whether there are any Catholics

who need visiting/taking Communion to.

b.       Projectors: Vincent has contacted 2 companies re: other churches using projectors we could visit. One

replied & will contact their churches to ask whether we can visit. Further action: Glenda to write to Heritage

Group to ask whether it's OK to put up projectors in church.

 

3.       Catechetical Programmes:

a.       Confirmation

Sarah reported that Confirmation group is going well & that 25 of the group of 31 are going on the residential

weekend on 7^th March.

b.       First Communion

Vincent reported that there has been good attendance by the 68 children. For the parent's meeting 70 turned up

for the talk on reconciliation given by Jane. The Sacrament of Reconciliation services will be Friday 7^th/14^th

Saturday 8^th/15^thMarch.

The sessions are basically 2 one hour sessions with 34 in each group. Fr. Jerry & Ray commented on the tremendous

job Jane & Vincent were doing & the very good atmosphere in the sessions.

c.        RCIA

There are 7 participants from St. Peter's with Sacred Heart doing their own thing this year. 2 are being baptised at

Easter & 2 at Pentecost. The meetings have been fortnightly but will now be held weekly and are run by Kate

Williamson, Patrick, Francis & James with same of the sponsors attending.

 

4.       St. Peter's Website:

Roy Burgess presented his view for the Parish website. Roy would like to help us in designing a website that can be

updated in various areas without the contributors needing technical skills. The format of the website should

be our own but Roy would help with the technical side. One example is that the newsletter should be automatically

downloaded on to the website instead of being scanned & likewise rotas could be updated with little fuss.

Action: Put note in newsletter to invite people to contact Roy via email webmaster@stpeters-hove.org.uk

for ideas on what they would like to see in website & ideas on the format it should have.

 

5.       Parish Retreat Day:

The day has been booked for Friday May 9^t" at St. Cuthman's, near Horsham, being led by Fr. Charlie Jeffries.

We can have up to 25 people & it was felt we could easily get that number. Cost subsidised by Parish £10 to include

2 course meal...

Action: leave St. Cuthman's leaflets at back of church.

 

6.       Parish Mission:

Frances has left messages with Fr. Chris Thomas to contact Fr. Jerry to discuss some of the plans. So far no response.

Action: Frances to keep trying.

 

7.       Cardinal Newman School Mission:

Planned for October. Dominic bring (Chaplain) is very enthusiastic and is trying to get the wider community

involved. There is to be a representative from each parish who will be involved with a series of evening meetings.

Sarah Beresford will represent St. Peter's.

 

8.       Pastoral Assistant Report:

The new pastoral assistant Sarah Beresford presented her report on how she felt her job was progressing and her

priorities in the following areas: Confirmation follow-up and preparation, Cardinal Newman school mission, l0am

mass, being a presence at all Sunday/Saturday evening masses. She felt that there was more than enough work

in the parish to keep her occupied and asked for a small group of people to meet with to keep her on focus & to help

her develop the vision.

Action: set up a support group for pastoral assistant.

 

9.       Health & Safety:

The health and safety review seems to have gone very well with hopefully only a few minor areas that we need to

focus on e.g. new exit signs. The report is due out in 2 weeks time.

 

10.    Hall kitchen:

Frances suggested that we need an instant water heater in the kitchen instead of using the urn. Also it was suggested

that extra cupboard space was needed in the kitchen - possibly under the hatch and above the sink to avoid running

up and down the stairs with plates & glasses.

Action: Fr. Jerry to look into.

 

11.    Financial Report:

The accounts for 2007 have been approved and show a surplus for the year of £50k and available funds of £90k.

This year will be harder as our expenses have increased and we are not getting so much from gift aid. The accounts

will be available after Easter. There are no major expenses on the horizon with the possible exception of £15k for the

organ, minor repairs and some expenses with the Health and Safety audit.

 

12.    Any Other Business:

a.       Improve the quality of readers: We were asked to put on some training for readers as we could all benefit with some help.

Action: Fr. Jerry to look into arranging a training evening

 

b.       Extra row of chairs in the church: not satisfactory.

Action: Some manpower required to move the benches from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel into the church. Fr. Jerry

then to look into obtaining benches plus kneelers for the Blessed Sacrament Chapel - possibly from closing down

churches/convents (Will ask at next deanery meeting).