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St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church - Ansdell | |
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First of all, many thanks to those who came along to the Parish Assembly in
the Hall on Sunday 9th November. It was an opportunity to reflect on what had
happened during the year and to share ideas or concerns that will help to develop
our adopted theme: St Joseph's - Building One Family.
For those of you that were unable to come along, this summary gives a flavour
of the day.
So what happened at the Parish Assembly?
Dympna McGee from the Diocesan Education Centre facilitated the day. She first
led us in prayer about the parish mission statement: To foster a Christ-centered
loving family community, that shares responsibility for encouraging growth and
development, offers opportunities for all to use their gifts to serve God and
each other, and also reaches out to the wider community in which we live.
In groups we listed all the good things we had experienced in the life of the
parish this last year. There followed a presentation by the development team
highlighting the achievements:
Communication - The team have spoken at masses; the bulletin contains
more team updates; the web-site was developed and a competition involving the
youth resulted in the parish logo. The banner makers got in on the act too.
Minutes of team meetings are now published, and there was a March "half-way"
open meeting.
Youth - A thriving Youth Group has been formed and meets fortnightly;
young people were involved in the CAFOD entertainment and Taizé evening;
there is a children's display in the baptistry, and an information link with
St Peter's in the bulletin.
The Social Committee has been formed and taken responsibility for a B-B-Q,
wine tasting, casino night, and for the hall refurbishment.
The special summer Mass for the housebound was a fantastic example of co-operation
between numerous parish groups.
House group leaders are being trained with a view to starting groups
in January 2004.
Landings course - three parishioners are being trained to help returning
Catholics back to the parish community and worship.
Child protection - two officers have been chosen and are being trained.
Liturgy - A new liturgy group has been formed. It is planning an Advent
reconciliation service, Eucharistic adoration, an ecumenical service, Advent
booklets, "Praying the Mass" talks, a Healing Mass and developments
in the Communion and Confirmation Preparation programmes. There is also a focus
on increasing devotion to Mary.
The following key areas for development were put forward after group
discussion:
- communication and co-ordination of all parish activities and events
- developing the use of the Hall both for parish events and maximising revenue
from letting the facilities
- developing more youth participation in parish life as readers, welcomers,
collectors and as Eucharistic Ministers
- ecumenical activity and how this might be developed
- family fun days, days of recollection, retreats, special Mass for carers
Finally, three team members stood down and, by discernment, 3 new team members
were chosen: Margaret Kelly, Bill Cookson, and Bill Drake. They join Anne Cawthorn,
Bernard Cooper, Edwina Gillett, Kath Hallion, Paul Kelly, Wanda Kruzsynska,
and Fr Aidan as the Parish Development
Team for 2003/2004
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