Holy Cross Parish Pastoral Council

 What is a Parish Pastoral Council?

The model of a PPC was redefined in 2002 with the aim of realising the essence of parish life through evangelisation, worship and word, community service, stewardship and leadership. These elements are what make a pastoral council “pastoral”

What is the role of a PPC?

The agenda of a Council is primarily to research, consider and propose for action those matters considered to be truly “pastoral”. The Council will foster the mission of the parish which is grounded in the mission of Christ.

Holy Cross PPC

In 2022, Father Henry as our Parish Priest, invited members of the parish to serve on the new Parish Pastoral Council and the inaugural meeting was held on 23^rd November 2022. Members are drawn from representatives of all the main parish groups and areas of activity and interest in the Parish. Father Henry set out his aims and purpose in re-establishing the Committee to enable him to understand the needs and aspirations of the parishioners. He also wished to consult on issues of importance and any new initiatives for the future of the Parish.

PPC Membership and areas of involvement

As of October 2024, the council members are:

Father Henry Tiku Wenna: Parish Priest

Chair: Andrew Theobald, Director of Music, 11.00 Choir Master, Stewards, Webcam

Secretary: Alex Faircloth, Churches Together representative and Missio Local Secretary

Kathleen Ball: Folk Choir leader, Deanery Mentor for Evangelisation, RCIA

Natacha Crosdale: Parish Lead Evangelisation and Baptism

John Hickey, Co-Ordinator Home Visits and Communion

Cherryl Howlett: Parish lead Formation, Marriage Preparation co-ordinator, Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion co-ordinator.

Tim Howlett: Webmaster, Safeguarding Representative, Marriage Preparation co-ordinator.

Adrian Mann: Servers and MC

Sandy Misquitta: Deacon

Michael Reed: Parish Lead for Catechesis (2022 – 2025)

Jeremy Tuke: Readers Rota

Father Vincent Okon: Asst Parish Priest

Esme Wei:  Children’s Liturgy, Baby and Toddler Group

 Contact members of the PPC

Either in person or via the Parish website contact form.

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Holy Cross RC Church, Carshalton, Parish Pastoral Council

 Minutes of the Meeting held on 11^th September 2024

Present:

Andrew Theobald (Chair)   AT           Alex Faircloth (Secretary)  AF                    Fr Henry Tiku-Wenna          FH                 Natacha Crosdale                 NC           John Hickey                           JH                 Adrian Mann                         AM         Sandy Misquitta                   SM          Fr Vincent Okon                   VO               Esme Wei                              EW

Apologies from: Kathy Ball, Cherryl Howlett, Tim Howlett, Jeremy Tuke, Michael Reed

Opening prayer: Fr Henry opened the meeting with a prayer.

1. Minutes of 8^th May 2024 meeting:                                                                      The minutes had been circulated and were agreed with the May Formation Report as an addendum.
2. PPC memberships changes:                                                                                            Monica Atkinson had stepped down from her role as co-ordinator for home visits and holy communion. She was thanked for her many years of service to the Parish and was being replaced by John Hickey.

Katherine McGuinness due to work commitments was unable, for the time being, to continue as safeguarding representative with Tim Howlett, so another safeguarding person needs to be recruited.

3. Matters Arising:

Church Bell:-  Enquiries were on going to reconnect the old electronic bell. Did the loud-speakers still work? AT

Parish Website Update: –  Updates and additions were continuing with more group information to follow. Also PPC minutes to be posted.                                                                                                                                                        AF

 Screen Projector – Estimates for the cost of the work would be considered at the next meeting                     KB

 Welcoming Ministry – Waiting to recruit more volunteers for this role at the forthcoming Expo. Natacha would then proceed with formation and training of welcomers and stewards. The success of Christmas services were particularly dependant on these roles.                                                                                                                NC

 Father Luke’s 70^th Jubilee Celebrations – 18^th December 2024                The final details were in progress and dependant on Father Luke’s wishes. Andrew would confirm the arrangements with him.                                                                                                                                                        AT

 World Day of Prayer – 7^th March 2025.   The service had been prepared by the Christian women of the Cook Islands. Alex was the parish representative on the local organising committee for Carshalton and Wallington Churches and Natacha would assist with the preparation. It was hoped that some children from St Mary’s School could take part in the afternoon service at Holy Cross Church.                                                                                                                                                   AF/NC

4. Group Reports

• Catechesis

The First Holy Communion and Confirmation 2024/25 programmes were in preparation stage with the teams of catechists. At St Philomena’s school, the new Year 13 students were able to take part over five weeks  in the Catholic Christian Outreach level one Discovery Course during Thursday lunchtimes in June and July. An average of 8 students attended each week. Booklets for the Catholic Christian Outreach level two Faith Study  had been purchased with remaining funding from the Archbishops Appeal which could be a resource for the catechetical teams. John Fisher students had been awarded Prizes for their designs chosen for the First Communion and Confirmation Mass booklets. Two further sets of art materials had been purchased as prizes for an Advent Art competition for Holy Cross students whose designs were chosen for Mass booklets for Summer 2025. A Diocesan Day for Catechists would be held on 28^th September at Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral. Programme details circulated.

• Formation

A successful Formation Fayre was held on 8^th June in Amigo Hall with Archbishop John Wilson as keynote speaker on “Does God have a plan for my life?” Holy Cross representatives were invited to join the panel of speakers on the progress of Parish Formation plans with a particular mention of the Film Club. The Bible Study continues with Ephesians with Jeff Calvins and the next planned session was Priest, Prophet and King with Bishop Barron. The dates had been set for First Communion parent formation evenings in Spring 2025. The introduction of Faith groups was still in the planning stage. The Film Club had been running regularly every month.

5. Fair Trade at Holy Cross

Anne Dodwell had been invited to speak about work of Fair Trade which helps farmers around the world to obtain a fair price for their produce and find a way out of poverty. Holy Cross Church had been more active in the past in promoting the use of Fairtrade products. Anne asked that the Parish recommit to the use of  Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar products by groups and individuals using the kitchen facilities in the Parish Centre. Unfortunately, the Parish has no central ordering system for the supply of these products, and it is reliant on the compliance of the users. Andrew reminded the PPC that the former Parish Council had made the decision years ago for Holy Cross to become a Fairtrade Parish and that remained the situation, and also that such products were freely available in both Sainsbury’s and the Coop in Carshalton. It was agreed that a notice be placed in the newsletter and on the Noticeboard in the Church Porch, reminding the Parish that this was the case and also a poster in the Kitchen to advise users of the policy. Corinne to be asked to do this and to incorporate the Fairtrade logo on the posters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

6. Church and Parish Centre Maintenance

 Andrew announced that Holy Cross Church had applied for and been granted a Lottery Funded Grant of £20,000 to be spent on the refurbishment of the Parish Centre by reason of its use as a community facility.

The Parish would be accountable for the management of the remedial works and the expenditure of the monies. .It had been agreed to expand the membership of the Finance Committee to allow the formation of a sub committee to be responsible for the project. Joe Boretto would be asked to become the additional member of the Finance Committee. Details of the plans and progress of the work would be communicated through the Parish website and the newsletter.                                                                                                                       FH/ AT

7. Future Events

  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

It was again the turn of Holy Cross Church to host the service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which runs from 18^th to 25^th January each year. The preferred date and time for Holy Cross was Tuesday 21^st January at 19.30hrs. The Confirmation group would be encouraged to join and participate in the Service as part of their programme.  The service materials would be provided by the World Council of Churches but were not yet available.  Alex, as Churches Together representative, would seek help from the Holy Cross faith teams in making the arrangements.                                                                                                                                                  AF/ SM 

8. Ministries

• Liturgy

For planning purposes, It was agreed that Liturgy meetings would take place in the first week of Advent and the 2^nd week of Lent. The altar servers were to be given medals for 1 year and 5 years’ service.

• Extra-ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

The commissioning day would take place on 12^th October at St George’s Cathedral with four candidates being prepared for attendance and two for next year. Next EMOHC was planned for 30^th September.

• RCIA

The RCIA course would begin in September with some interest being shown.

9. Any Other Business

Father Vincent was welcomed to his first PPC meeting as Asst. Parish Priest and all were pleased to see Father Henry resuming his parish duties.                                                                                       

11. Date of next meeting: This would take place on Wednesday 12^th February 2025 at 19.15hrs
12. Closing prayer: Father Henry gave his blessing.

Security Note – The connecting doors between the Church and the Parish Centre must be left unlocked as they are fire exits.

AF/6/9/24

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Minutes of the Meeting held on 12^th February 2025

Present:

Andrew Theobald (Chair)   AT

Alex Faircloth (Secretary)  AF

Kathy Ball                              KB

John Hickey                           JH

Cheryl Howlett                     CH

Tim Howlett                          TH

Sandy Misquitta                   SM

Fr Vincent Okon                   VO

Jeremy Tuke                         JT

Michael Reed                       MR          Esme Wei                              EW

Apologies from: Natacha Crosdale, Adrian Mann

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A one minute silence was observed in memory of Father Henry RIP

1. Minutes of 11^th September 2024 meeting:

The minutes had been circulated and were agreed.

2. Matters Arising:

Church Bell:-  No further progress had been made to reconnect the old electronic bell system. Andrew to follow up.                                                                 AT

Screen Projector –  Two estimates for the installation of a new projector system had been obtained and circulated for information. Aspects of the connections were discussed. Kathy and Nick would look at the details of price and specification. Their recommendation would be forwarded to the Finance Committee for approval                                                                                                                                                                                               KB

Welcoming Ministry – The  Church Welcomers Team were receiving training on health and safety, safeguarding and first aid. Around 12 people were on the team and personal lanyards had been issued.

Fair Trade – Andrew explained the history of Holy Cross as a Fair Trade Parish which was linked to the building of the Parish Centre. A statement posted in the kitchen informs users of the requirement to use Fairtrade Tea, Coffee and Sugar. It is hoped that in time we will be able to arrange for central purchasing of these items by the Parish Office so that the cost will not fall on the volunteer users of the Parish Centre. Andrew agreed to reconsider the wording of the statement.                                                                                                           AT

World Day of Prayer – 7^th March 2025

Alex was finalising the arrangements for the Service with help from members of the Parish for the readings and refreshments afterwards.                                                                                                                                                     AF

3. Replacement of Father Henry.

Andrew reported that a statement was expected at the weekend from Canon Gerard Bradley on arrangements for the future administration of the Parish.

4. Parish Centre Bookings and Lettings Policy

Andrew had found several parish documents setting out booking guidelines which were complex and outdated. In view of the recent Lottery funding grant, the Parish Centre would need to be more available for community use. A comprehensive policy was needed to explain the purpose and permitted use of the Parish Centre. The Archdiocese would be approached for a model policy which could then be adapted for our Parish. Andrew would draw up a draft  parish policy for consideration at the next meeting.                                                                       AT              

5. Ministries/Parish Groups

• Confirmation Group

Michael reported on the current group and the programme which had commenced with the parents evening on 22 October last year. There had been some adjustments to the content of the 22 sessions. Diocesan guidelines on Confirmation Programmes was awaited and would be used to prepare for next year. There was discussion on the overall length of the Programme and whether it could be shortened in future. It was noted that Canon Bradley had advised that wearing of albs by the candidates was inappropriate and should not be repeated.

• First Communion Groups

A limit had been placed on the total numbers to give priority to children from the parish. There were two groups and a senior programme for older children. Family attendance at Mass was being encouraged with the use of Mass booklets and reservations on the front benches of the Church. Involvement in the Mass helped to improve interest and understanding. The wearing of badges identified the children undergoing preparation.

• Called to Bear Fruit

The Archdiocese of Southwark had circulated this booklet to seek a response from all parishes and their parishioners to help shape the future of each parish and grow our communities. They had been distributed at Holy Cross early in January but there were many copies left in the porch.  A reminder to be posted in the newsletter that responses were to be submitted to the Diocese by 6^th April, by small groups and not by the parish.                                                                                                                                                                                       AF

• Parish Outreach

Alex gave examples of how she was involved in promoting Holy Cross in the wider Christian Community by her involvement in Churches Together in Carshalton and various local ecumenical events. How else can Holy Cross reach out? Kathy explained that the Lightfever event she had recently attended aimed to encourage local outreach and she was looking at ways to reinvigorate the Parish in that work.                                                      KB/AF

• Holy Week Liturgy

All those involved in services during Holy Week would be invited to a Liturgy group meeting to discuss preparations. It was agreed to hold the meeting on Tuesday 11^th March at 7.15 p.m. in the Upper Room.     AT

6. Church and Parish Centre Maintenance

Maintenance work on the Parish Centre was continuing and there would be the annual  Fire Safety Visit on 26^th February. The Church wooden benches were being refurbished. The grassy area at the front of the Church had been made secure and tidied. A replacement hand dryer was needed in the disabled toilet.

7. Any Other Business

• There seemed to be a shortage of Pix as they were not being replaced. More to be ordered. AT
• The PPC poster in the porch should be updated with the changes in membership. Kathy would arrange for the names to be changed before new pictures were in place. KB
• The Parish Leads for Formation, Catechesis and Evangelisation had been asked to service for an initial three year term which was ending after Easter. Michael had decided to step down and he would need to be replaced in his role as Catechesis lead. The Diocese had requested confirmation of the names of the current leads.
• Kathy highlighted the historic connections between the Parish and St Philomena’s and the order of the Daughters of the Cross. The Parish was asked to support their projects in the Cameroons in Central Africa. It was agreed that this could be done through donations raised at the coffee morning after the 9.30 a.m. Mass on Sundays.                                                                                                                                    KB

8. Date of Next Meeting

It was agreed the meeting would take place on Wednesday 7^th May 2025 at 19.15. hrs.           

9. Closing prayer: Father Vincent thanked the members of the PPC for their hard work in the Parish and those who were involved in the various ministries.

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Finance Committee

The Parish Finances are managed by an accountant and a small Finance Committee. This Committee helps in the running of the Gift Aid Scheme. At the beginning of the financial year an appeal is made to join the scheme. The scheme raises over £8000, which is a little more than half of what our Parish has to pay towards the A.D.F. Diocesan Development Fund for schools.

The finance committee also handles monies from fairs and fetes.

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Safeguarding Team

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Southwark and the Parish of Holy Cross Church are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding in relation to children and vulnerable adults.

All parish members involved in activities with children, young people or vulnerable adults need to complete an application process, possibly including references, and must obtain a DBS declaration which needs to be kept updated.

Any concerns please email:

carshaltonsg1@safeguardrcaos.org.uk

or

carshaltonsg2@safeguardrcaos.org.uk

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Repository

We have a selection of Mass Cards and greeting cards for all occasions. First Communion gifts are usually available all year round.

We have the new Roman Sunday Missal, rosaries, statues, bibles, children’s books etc. We also stock Christmas cards and Advent calenders. The repository is open after 09:30 and 11:00 Mass on Sundays.