St Andrew’s Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Meeting 7th April 2025

Attendees: Fr Michael, Mary Teresa Coyle (Chair), Moira English, Dorothy MacLean ( standing in for Messenger Service), Gary Wilson, Ricky Jackson, Margaret Barton and Veronica McLaughlin
(Secretary).
Apologies: Sadie Traynor and Robert Paterson.

1. Previous minutes
Agreed and to be added to website.
Action - Veronica to arrange.

2. Group Reports
Action - Members of each Group to be listed on future Group Reports for general awareness.
Pastoral Area/ Deanery Council.

• Margaret gave an update on the discussion that had been held at latest meeting including the Evangelisation Fund and Adult Faith Formation. She advised that Father Lyons (St. Joseph’s) had suggested an alternative Faith Formation initiative, and a decision is awaited on that.
• Summer Mass schedule – Father Michael advised that having consulted with Fr. Lyons, there will be no need for a summer Mass schedule. It is likely, there may be reduced weekday Masses while both priests take their leave.
• Mission week – Holding another Mission Week was noted as being under consideration and if this goes ahead, thought will be given as to whether to follow the same approach as previous Mission  with The Dominicans leading.
• Discussed suggestion made to potentially join RCIA Groups for both Parishes as well as whether an application could be made to the Archdiocese Evangelical fund to support this. There were 2 Pastoral Areas noted as having been known to have submitted a successful bid. This included J&P Glasgow who made a successful bid for funding filming and videos for Faith in Action.
  

Action – Ricky will look at the terms and conditions for the Evangelisation Fund and report back to PPC.
The usual Parish Group reports were circulated in advance for PPC to read for awareness and at the meeting the opportunity given to either highlight or raise any particular points.The following specific points from Group Reports were raised:

Liturgy Report.

• The group discussed how to seek new volunteers for any Parish groups who require additional help or input and the previous suggestion of holding Sign-Up Sunday event. This will be confirmed in due course.
• A suggestion was made that the Liturgy Group find an appropriate way of marking the Season of Creation and building more of a reflection of J&P related issues into the Parish Liturgy.
• Clarification was given on the remit of the Liturgy Group which includes services provided in preparation for and during the course of Mass including : readers, servers, musicians, passkeepers Extraordinary Ministers and Sacristans.

Action – Father Michael and Moira to consider the suggestion and report their thoughts back at next PPC meeting. This will include whether wider input wanted from PPC or the wider parish on this as well as whether any fresh Liturgical initiatives would be beneficial.

• The Group discussed how best to manage potentially very high numbers at some Holy Week Services. One option was to livestream services, but it was flagged that the technical equipment is not fully operational. It was agreed this should be raised with David Quinn.
• A request was made to remind musicians to make every effort to keep music in a key that is accessible to the majority of parishioners.
• Consideration to be given on how best to support any parishioners who struggle to see hymn numbers.

Action – Moira to bring the last 2 points to attention of the Liturgy Group.

J&P Report

• Noted that there has been a very positive response to Lenten sheets and suggestion made to burn these at the Easter Vigil.
  
• The J&P Group is giving thought to how to mark the 10 th anniversary of Laudato Si. Ricky suggested it would be good to make stronger links with other parish groups including Liturgy Group.

Messengers
Thanks expressed for the service offered by our Parish messengers. An ongoing problem was noted with having insufficient numbers to deliver the Reachout. The Group discussed various suggestions on how we might encourage new volunteers and Sign-Up Sunday may help with this.

Finance
Parish finances were noted as being in a reasonable state even allowing for the recent work carried out in Parish House. It was noted that after a long service managing the 29 Club, Brian Donnelly will stop this in May 2025 and a new volunteer will be needed as well as a new Bank account to be opened.

AOB
Following items noted or discussed:

• Current car park arrangement were discussed, agreed as being satisfactory and can be reviewed in the future if required.
  
• Hut – noted a new door had been ordered.
  
• Suggestion was made for the Parish to focus on the bereaved in November in some way which will be considered.

Date of next meeting : 30th June 2025.