Parish Pastoral Council
and
Finance Committee
Dates and times and places of meetings of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Committee will always be included in the weekly Newsletters.
Parish Pastoral Council Chairman: Mike Webber
Clerk: Brian Haran brianvincentharan@hotmail.com; bharan5775@gmail.com
Finance Committee Chairman: Peter Ripley
Parish Pastoral Council Chairman: Mike Webber
Clerk: Brian Haran brianvincentharan@hotmail.com; bharan5775@gmail.com
Finance Committee Chairman: Peter Ripley
MINUTES OF ST CATHERINE’S
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL – MARCH 2, 2024
Present: Father Boniface, Mike Webber (chairman), Brian Haran (clerk), Gill Hawkins, Wioletta Bartkow, Anne Haynes, Anita Tackley, Adriana Jamesova, Adrienne Blondell, Peter Ripley, Shola Akinmurele, Lachlan MacKay, Josephine Buwembo and Teresa Burbidge.
Apologies for absence: Deacon Adrian and Sue Pegrum
Minutes of 9/12/23 meeting: were agreed, after one minor amendment.
Quinquennial report (into the state of the parish’s buildings): Peter Ripley (who chairs the Parish Finance Committee) pointed out that the Survey had been conducted in May 2022 and all the urgent work specified in the subsequent Report had now been completed - with other work still being scheduled. The buildings are ageing and need much attention, probably costing in excess of £160,000. A request for financial support will be sought from the diocese, based on specific estimates. He added that the parish is well served by the members of its maintenance team.
Upgrading of the sanctuary: Father B said the new carpet would cost around £9,000 plus VAT. The currently vinyl flooring is lumpy and easily gets dirty, he said. Experts will check on the state of the flooring before proceeding.
Diocesan Pastoral Plan: Mike Webber reminded us that in around 10-12 months’ time, the Worthing deanery will become a parish – and priests within our deanery will likely move around more than in the past. Adrienne Blondell suggested some lay people should join members of the clergy on future pre-planning meetings in the deanery. Father Boniface offered a note of reassurance, saying that Bishop Richard did not seem keen on closing churches.
Events:
Holy Week: People are encouraged to bring their own branches to Palm Sunday masses this year. Adrienne and Shola will liaise over the lighting of the fire at the Easter Vigil.
The purpose and content of the Sacred Triduum Services would be publicised and explained in the Newsletter and on the altar in advance, to promote greater attendance at these Services.
Father Boniface proposed having a mass at St Catherine’s on
Easter Monday – “Galilee Day” – with a family barbecue afterwards to help celebrate the Resurrection.
For our planned St Peter and St Paul celebrations on Sunday June 30, people will be encouraged to bring along barbecue equipment for the post-mass celebrations, with part of the car park cordoned off to enable safe access.
Re the St Catherine’s Day Mass, flags of different nationalities will be displayed, along with prayers in different languages. The Hall would not be available for preparation until 9pm the day before.
The next cake sale would be held in September.
Further ahead, Adrienne Blondell suggested that the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass should be held later in the evening, maybe between 8 and 10pm. Father B said he would consider the proposal.
Father B also said a mass should be said on January 1, to celebrate Our Blessed Mother.
Reports:
Formation/catechism: A confirmation service will be held on Sunday May 12 at 3pm in Arundel Cathedral. First Holy Communion services will take place at St Catherine’s on Saturdays June 15 and also 22, both at 11am.
Eucharistic Ministers: Training sessions were being held, and it was hoped to have a commissioning ceremony at Mass on Sunday March 17.
Welcoming: More Welcomers are needed. It was pointed out that they have a duty to find two people for the Offertory Procession, but not to arrange for Collectors.
Reading: A microphone extension has been installed, offering greater clarity for readings. 2 new readers have come forward for the Saturday vigil mass, while a pool of 15 readers is currently available for the Sunday mass. No-one is currently available to read the announcements at the vigil mass.
Cleaning: Hopefully 4 new recruits have come forward to boost the fortnightly cleaning team.
Sacristy: A group of Servite Sisters, who had been living in Bognor, had recently moved to Climping. They have given Father some vestments. He gives them Holy Communion each Wednesday, and also plans to say a monthly mass for them.
Littlehampton Churches Together: A Walk of Witness will be held from 11am on Good Friday, starting at St Mary’s Church in Church Street, and ending in the garden of the United Church in the town centre with a short service.
A Joint Service was planned for Pentecost (Sun 19 May) at 2.00pm in our car park, with tea afterwards in the Centre. [ LCT later – on 13 March - cancelled this Service] St Catherine’s is one of three churches in Littlehampton who will be visited by 40 Yr 7 students from the Littlehampton Academy on Tuesday 12 March to help them with their understanding of “Christian Places of Worship”. [ Also cancelled on the day due to rain. Visit will now take place after Easter]
Justice & Peace Actions: The Deanery Group has planned for Big Easter Walk to raise money for CAFOD on Saturday 20th April. Any distance along the sea front between Littlehampton to Shoreham. It will need publicising and organising in each parish. Is anyone interested in taking this on? (Mike has the details of what is needed)
SVP: A detailed report of its activities was read out. In summary: the 9-strong group meets monthly in the Don Bosco Room. Members visit/call on people in care homes/their own homes; a benefactor’s gift of money was distributed via schools; SVP give money to “twinned” parishes in Africa and India, and hold monthly afternoon teas in the hall, as well as regularly serving coffee after Sunday mass.
Next Meeting: 11.00am on Saturday 18 May in the Parish Centre
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL – MARCH 2, 2024
Present: Father Boniface, Mike Webber (chairman), Brian Haran (clerk), Gill Hawkins, Wioletta Bartkow, Anne Haynes, Anita Tackley, Adriana Jamesova, Adrienne Blondell, Peter Ripley, Shola Akinmurele, Lachlan MacKay, Josephine Buwembo and Teresa Burbidge.
Apologies for absence: Deacon Adrian and Sue Pegrum
Minutes of 9/12/23 meeting: were agreed, after one minor amendment.
Quinquennial report (into the state of the parish’s buildings): Peter Ripley (who chairs the Parish Finance Committee) pointed out that the Survey had been conducted in May 2022 and all the urgent work specified in the subsequent Report had now been completed - with other work still being scheduled. The buildings are ageing and need much attention, probably costing in excess of £160,000. A request for financial support will be sought from the diocese, based on specific estimates. He added that the parish is well served by the members of its maintenance team.
Upgrading of the sanctuary: Father B said the new carpet would cost around £9,000 plus VAT. The currently vinyl flooring is lumpy and easily gets dirty, he said. Experts will check on the state of the flooring before proceeding.
Diocesan Pastoral Plan: Mike Webber reminded us that in around 10-12 months’ time, the Worthing deanery will become a parish – and priests within our deanery will likely move around more than in the past. Adrienne Blondell suggested some lay people should join members of the clergy on future pre-planning meetings in the deanery. Father Boniface offered a note of reassurance, saying that Bishop Richard did not seem keen on closing churches.
Events:
Holy Week: People are encouraged to bring their own branches to Palm Sunday masses this year. Adrienne and Shola will liaise over the lighting of the fire at the Easter Vigil.
The purpose and content of the Sacred Triduum Services would be publicised and explained in the Newsletter and on the altar in advance, to promote greater attendance at these Services.
Father Boniface proposed having a mass at St Catherine’s on
Easter Monday – “Galilee Day” – with a family barbecue afterwards to help celebrate the Resurrection.
For our planned St Peter and St Paul celebrations on Sunday June 30, people will be encouraged to bring along barbecue equipment for the post-mass celebrations, with part of the car park cordoned off to enable safe access.
Re the St Catherine’s Day Mass, flags of different nationalities will be displayed, along with prayers in different languages. The Hall would not be available for preparation until 9pm the day before.
The next cake sale would be held in September.
Further ahead, Adrienne Blondell suggested that the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass should be held later in the evening, maybe between 8 and 10pm. Father B said he would consider the proposal.
Father B also said a mass should be said on January 1, to celebrate Our Blessed Mother.
Reports:
Formation/catechism: A confirmation service will be held on Sunday May 12 at 3pm in Arundel Cathedral. First Holy Communion services will take place at St Catherine’s on Saturdays June 15 and also 22, both at 11am.
Eucharistic Ministers: Training sessions were being held, and it was hoped to have a commissioning ceremony at Mass on Sunday March 17.
Welcoming: More Welcomers are needed. It was pointed out that they have a duty to find two people for the Offertory Procession, but not to arrange for Collectors.
Reading: A microphone extension has been installed, offering greater clarity for readings. 2 new readers have come forward for the Saturday vigil mass, while a pool of 15 readers is currently available for the Sunday mass. No-one is currently available to read the announcements at the vigil mass.
Cleaning: Hopefully 4 new recruits have come forward to boost the fortnightly cleaning team.
Sacristy: A group of Servite Sisters, who had been living in Bognor, had recently moved to Climping. They have given Father some vestments. He gives them Holy Communion each Wednesday, and also plans to say a monthly mass for them.
Littlehampton Churches Together: A Walk of Witness will be held from 11am on Good Friday, starting at St Mary’s Church in Church Street, and ending in the garden of the United Church in the town centre with a short service.
A Joint Service was planned for Pentecost (Sun 19 May) at 2.00pm in our car park, with tea afterwards in the Centre. [ LCT later – on 13 March - cancelled this Service] St Catherine’s is one of three churches in Littlehampton who will be visited by 40 Yr 7 students from the Littlehampton Academy on Tuesday 12 March to help them with their understanding of “Christian Places of Worship”. [ Also cancelled on the day due to rain. Visit will now take place after Easter]
Justice & Peace Actions: The Deanery Group has planned for Big Easter Walk to raise money for CAFOD on Saturday 20th April. Any distance along the sea front between Littlehampton to Shoreham. It will need publicising and organising in each parish. Is anyone interested in taking this on? (Mike has the details of what is needed)
SVP: A detailed report of its activities was read out. In summary: the 9-strong group meets monthly in the Don Bosco Room. Members visit/call on people in care homes/their own homes; a benefactor’s gift of money was distributed via schools; SVP give money to “twinned” parishes in Africa and India, and hold monthly afternoon teas in the hall, as well as regularly serving coffee after Sunday mass.
Next Meeting: 11.00am on Saturday 18 May in the Parish Centre
St Catherine’s Parish Pastoral Council – Sat 2 March 11am in the Don Bosco Room
AGENDA
1 Welcome and Opening prayer
2 Apologies for absence
3 Minutes of the 9 Dec Meeting
4 Matters Arising
5 St Catherine’s Diocesan Quinquiennial Report –
Recommendations and financial implications
6 The Upgrading of the Sanctuary
7 The new Diocesan Pastoral Plan – Implications for St Catherine’s
EVENTS
8 Feedback from Christmas Celebrations
9 Holy Week Services
10 The St Peter & Paul Sunday Celebration (30 June)
11 The St Catherine Saturday Celebration (23 Nov)
12 Other Parish Events (inc Cake Sales, SVP Teas etc)
13 REPORTS FROM GROUPS
14 Any other (urgent) business
15 Date and time of next meeting.
1 Welcome and Opening prayer
2 Apologies for absence
3 Minutes of the 9 Dec Meeting
4 Matters Arising
5 St Catherine’s Diocesan Quinquiennial Report –
Recommendations and financial implications
6 The Upgrading of the Sanctuary
7 The new Diocesan Pastoral Plan – Implications for St Catherine’s
EVENTS
8 Feedback from Christmas Celebrations
9 Holy Week Services
10 The St Peter & Paul Sunday Celebration (30 June)
11 The St Catherine Saturday Celebration (23 Nov)
12 Other Parish Events (inc Cake Sales, SVP Teas etc)
13 REPORTS FROM GROUPS
- formation/catechism (b) extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers (c) welcoming (d) reading (e) church cleaning (f) choir (g) sacristy (h) Littlehampton Churches Together (i) food bank (j) justice and peace actions.
14 Any other (urgent) business
15 Date and time of next meeting.
Minutes of St Catherine’s Parish Pastoral Council – Sat 9 December 2023
Minutes of St Catherine’s Parish Pastoral Council – Sat 9 December 2023
Present were Fr Boniface, Deacon Adrian, Mike Webber (chairman), Brian Haran (clerk), Gill Hawkins, Anita Tackley, Adriana Jamesova, Adrienne Blondell, Peter Ripley, Shola Akinmurele, Wioletta Bartkow and Teresa Burbidge.
Father Boniface opened the meeting with a prayer
Apologies for absence were received from Sue Pegrum, Charles and Kay Cleary, Lachlan MacKay and Anne Haynes.
The minutes of the September 9 meeting: 4 minor amendments were made and the resulting minutes were agreed and signed by the chairman. These minutes will be posted online in due course.
CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS: Masses at St Catherine's will be at 6pm on Saturday 23rd, 11am on Sunday 24th, a 6pm vigil mass at 6pm also on the 24th (preceded by carols from 5.30pm) and 11am on Christmas Day (no pre-mass carols for this).
Father said the crib should be set up in front of the altar, rather than tucked away in a side chapel. If help was needed for the preparation of the church for Christmas, a request could be made at Mass on 16-17 Dec.
Anne H and Deacon Adrian will not be available on Christmas Day. So, in the absence of a sacristan, Deacon Adrian will prepare everything in advance.
ST CATHERINE'S DAY CELEBRATION: All agreed it was a success, and Adriana was congratulated for chiefly organising it.
It was agreed that a microphone was needed at similar events, and the necessary cable has been found to enable this.
Future ideas include drawing raffle prizes in advance (which would save 20 minutes) and running an ever-popular bottle tombola.
Father B suggested everyone submits flags from their own countries in advance of next year's event to form part of the decorations.
The church hall should be made available the afternoon before to allow time to put up decorations.
Next year it is planned to hold two events. As well as the St Catherine's Day celebration planned for Saturday November 23, a summer event is pencilled in for Sunday June 30 - to tie in with St Peter and St Paul feast day - possibly a family day/picnic outside, with an option to move inside if the weather is bad.
THE SANCTUARY: Father B said the vinyl surface covering the sanctuary is in poor shape, with old tiling underneath. If the whole area is carpeted (Bishop Richard had previously suggested laying a red carpet), fund raising for this, and for repainting the sanctuary ceiling, could get underway in January.
REPORTS FROM GROUPS
Formation/Catechism: Adrienne B proposed our mission statement should be...Make disciples of all nations.
There are 5 confirmation candidates, and 24 children preparing for their first Holy Communion.
Adrienne B proposed a parish audit should be held, based on scripture, prayer and questions.
A group should be established to examine what we as a parish do well, what is missing and what we need to do in the immediate future.
Deacon Adrian said he was looking into the idea of a Catholic Alpha course at St Catherine's, which could involve both non-Catholics and Catholics. (Bognor has such a group which is running well.) To start it, we would need to get some of our own congregation to act as "advocates", a stepping stone to encourage others.
He said that the number of baptisms were down on last year. It was suggested that consideration be given to including a single baptism in the Sunday Mass.
Deacon Adrian added that Bishop Richard will launch the third part of his Pastoral Plan on January 2, which will be based around service and formation.
Adrienne B suggested a drive to encourage everyone in the parish to sign up for one parish activity in the new year. Sign-up sheets would be made available one weekend, with the underlying message that part of belonging is serving. She asked that those who saw the need for more people to be involved in particular activities should contact her with this information.
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: Father B urged that people inform him as early as possible if someone known to them requires Holy Communion. It was suggested that care homes could be asked if any of their residents are baptised Catholics.
Father B said reception under both kinds had been introduced for Holy Communion at weekday Masses. It was suggested that consideration be given to suspending the Chalice at times when the incidence of respiratory infection was on the increase.
Deacon Adrian said a renewal of promises should be arranged for both Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and Readers.
Welcoming: More welcomers are urgently sought for Sunday Masses. Currently, some welcomers are doubling up as choir members or children's liturgy volunteers.
Concern was expressed that the gap on Sundays between the conclusion of the Rosary and the start of mass had shrunk to only a few minutes.
Readers: Father B said he is working on providing longer and better microphones.
Church Cleaning: The number of cleaners has been depleted recently. Adrienne B said some of the first Holy Communion families will help out over the coming weeks (Note:forthcoming sessions are on December 16, 30, January 13 and 27.)
Choir: All the Christmas Masses (11am on the 24th, the 6pm Christmas Vigil Mass and 11am on Christmas Day) should be covered by some choir members and an organist. Fr B hoped that booklets of carols could be arranged and printed next year for use in next Christmas’s Carol Service.
Sacristy: The Clothes Press had been treated for woodworm and would no longer have to be replaced. Father B said the vestments are getting old and new ones are required.
More sacristans would be most welcome.
Parish events/fund raising: Cake sales will hopefully be a regular fixture alongside some of the coffee mornings after the 11am Mass, starting in January.
SVP Report: The Littlehampton Conference (currently 7 people) holds a monthly meeting in the Don Bosco Room. 15 people receive visits or phone calls each week. The Conference has tried, without success, to distribute money to poor families. Other money is donated to parishes in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and South Sudan. SVP have recently started a monthly Afternoon Tea, open to all parishioners, and continue to staff the kitchen for Sunday Coffee every 4 weeks. The Conference has provided a Memorial Book for the parish and blankets to Turning Tides and continues its ink-jet cartridge recycling.
Littlehampton Churches Together: A Good Friday Walk of Witness will be held through the town centre on March 29 from 11am.
An ecumenical Pentecost service will be held in St Catherine's car park at 2pm on Sunday May 19. It is intended that light refreshments and cake will be offered to attendees afterwards in our hall.
It is proposed that, on Remembrance Sunday next year, November 10, mass should commence at 11.20 or 11.30 to enable people to pay their respects at the act of remembrance beforehand at the war memorial in the town centre.
Date of next meeting: Saturday March 2 at 11am
Present were Fr Boniface, Deacon Adrian, Mike Webber (chairman), Brian Haran (clerk), Gill Hawkins, Anita Tackley, Adriana Jamesova, Adrienne Blondell, Peter Ripley, Shola Akinmurele, Wioletta Bartkow and Teresa Burbidge.
Father Boniface opened the meeting with a prayer
Apologies for absence were received from Sue Pegrum, Charles and Kay Cleary, Lachlan MacKay and Anne Haynes.
The minutes of the September 9 meeting: 4 minor amendments were made and the resulting minutes were agreed and signed by the chairman. These minutes will be posted online in due course.
CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENTS: Masses at St Catherine's will be at 6pm on Saturday 23rd, 11am on Sunday 24th, a 6pm vigil mass at 6pm also on the 24th (preceded by carols from 5.30pm) and 11am on Christmas Day (no pre-mass carols for this).
Father said the crib should be set up in front of the altar, rather than tucked away in a side chapel. If help was needed for the preparation of the church for Christmas, a request could be made at Mass on 16-17 Dec.
Anne H and Deacon Adrian will not be available on Christmas Day. So, in the absence of a sacristan, Deacon Adrian will prepare everything in advance.
ST CATHERINE'S DAY CELEBRATION: All agreed it was a success, and Adriana was congratulated for chiefly organising it.
It was agreed that a microphone was needed at similar events, and the necessary cable has been found to enable this.
Future ideas include drawing raffle prizes in advance (which would save 20 minutes) and running an ever-popular bottle tombola.
Father B suggested everyone submits flags from their own countries in advance of next year's event to form part of the decorations.
The church hall should be made available the afternoon before to allow time to put up decorations.
Next year it is planned to hold two events. As well as the St Catherine's Day celebration planned for Saturday November 23, a summer event is pencilled in for Sunday June 30 - to tie in with St Peter and St Paul feast day - possibly a family day/picnic outside, with an option to move inside if the weather is bad.
THE SANCTUARY: Father B said the vinyl surface covering the sanctuary is in poor shape, with old tiling underneath. If the whole area is carpeted (Bishop Richard had previously suggested laying a red carpet), fund raising for this, and for repainting the sanctuary ceiling, could get underway in January.
REPORTS FROM GROUPS
Formation/Catechism: Adrienne B proposed our mission statement should be...Make disciples of all nations.
There are 5 confirmation candidates, and 24 children preparing for their first Holy Communion.
Adrienne B proposed a parish audit should be held, based on scripture, prayer and questions.
A group should be established to examine what we as a parish do well, what is missing and what we need to do in the immediate future.
Deacon Adrian said he was looking into the idea of a Catholic Alpha course at St Catherine's, which could involve both non-Catholics and Catholics. (Bognor has such a group which is running well.) To start it, we would need to get some of our own congregation to act as "advocates", a stepping stone to encourage others.
He said that the number of baptisms were down on last year. It was suggested that consideration be given to including a single baptism in the Sunday Mass.
Deacon Adrian added that Bishop Richard will launch the third part of his Pastoral Plan on January 2, which will be based around service and formation.
Adrienne B suggested a drive to encourage everyone in the parish to sign up for one parish activity in the new year. Sign-up sheets would be made available one weekend, with the underlying message that part of belonging is serving. She asked that those who saw the need for more people to be involved in particular activities should contact her with this information.
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers: Father B urged that people inform him as early as possible if someone known to them requires Holy Communion. It was suggested that care homes could be asked if any of their residents are baptised Catholics.
Father B said reception under both kinds had been introduced for Holy Communion at weekday Masses. It was suggested that consideration be given to suspending the Chalice at times when the incidence of respiratory infection was on the increase.
Deacon Adrian said a renewal of promises should be arranged for both Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and Readers.
Welcoming: More welcomers are urgently sought for Sunday Masses. Currently, some welcomers are doubling up as choir members or children's liturgy volunteers.
Concern was expressed that the gap on Sundays between the conclusion of the Rosary and the start of mass had shrunk to only a few minutes.
Readers: Father B said he is working on providing longer and better microphones.
Church Cleaning: The number of cleaners has been depleted recently. Adrienne B said some of the first Holy Communion families will help out over the coming weeks (Note:forthcoming sessions are on December 16, 30, January 13 and 27.)
Choir: All the Christmas Masses (11am on the 24th, the 6pm Christmas Vigil Mass and 11am on Christmas Day) should be covered by some choir members and an organist. Fr B hoped that booklets of carols could be arranged and printed next year for use in next Christmas’s Carol Service.
Sacristy: The Clothes Press had been treated for woodworm and would no longer have to be replaced. Father B said the vestments are getting old and new ones are required.
More sacristans would be most welcome.
Parish events/fund raising: Cake sales will hopefully be a regular fixture alongside some of the coffee mornings after the 11am Mass, starting in January.
SVP Report: The Littlehampton Conference (currently 7 people) holds a monthly meeting in the Don Bosco Room. 15 people receive visits or phone calls each week. The Conference has tried, without success, to distribute money to poor families. Other money is donated to parishes in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and South Sudan. SVP have recently started a monthly Afternoon Tea, open to all parishioners, and continue to staff the kitchen for Sunday Coffee every 4 weeks. The Conference has provided a Memorial Book for the parish and blankets to Turning Tides and continues its ink-jet cartridge recycling.
Littlehampton Churches Together: A Good Friday Walk of Witness will be held through the town centre on March 29 from 11am.
An ecumenical Pentecost service will be held in St Catherine's car park at 2pm on Sunday May 19. It is intended that light refreshments and cake will be offered to attendees afterwards in our hall.
It is proposed that, on Remembrance Sunday next year, November 10, mass should commence at 11.20 or 11.30 to enable people to pay their respects at the act of remembrance beforehand at the war memorial in the town centre.
Date of next meeting: Saturday March 2 at 11am