14.05.2025 Reflection Meeting

Reflection Meeting  May 14th 2025

Present:  Fr Andy Graydon, Shauna Hilton, Mark Massarella, Marie & Tony Lear, Kay Sliwinski, Tien Dam, Maria Paten, Chris Parrott, Anne Neill, Monica Carroll, John Cape, Alison Bergomi, Anne-Marie Carroll

Apologies:  Anne-Marie Brammer, Mary Gilgrass, Helen Arden

Reflection – Masses and Service of the Word

JC is working on new rota for Fr Andy and Masses which will be ready shortly and sent out. Fr Andy is making a staggered return due to his health and Fr Geoff still very happy to continue supporting St Joseph’s.

Easter – thank you to all and Fr Geoff informs us that this was the least stressful Holy Week he has known! We thank MC for all her hard work and effort during this time and also with organising Service of the Word when it is needed.

WhatsApp is a useful tool for all and AMB suggested that a meeting before Easter next year would be helpful in the run up to these events. She informed us that some of her Eucharistic ministers were reluctant to attend SOW and intended to find a Mass elsewhere that week. MC suggested that the ministers themselves use WhatsApp to find someone to swap with them if this should land on their week, rather than it be left for AMB to do.

We thank AB for the fantastic Easter raffle.

Lenten meetings were well attended at Kiveton. Other groups were well prepared and enjoyable. It was suggested that when St Joseph’s has special events, that we begin to invite the other churches along to join us.

Finance

MM informs us that we are breaking even and are about the same as this time last year. The Diocesan Assessment has been paid from a different account this year (approx. £7000), so finances might look less healthy than they might, but this is the reason why. Ongoing confusion with the electric bills. Anne Crehan has been dealing with this issue for months but is finding it difficult to find someone at Diocesan level to answer her questions.

The question was raised about collections and use of the card reader. Do we know whether the amounts are meant for the main collection or any extra collection that week? The answer was we do not, without looking at the time of donation so this is something which will need considering to make sure funds go to the correct place.

QR codes on benches was discussed to make access to the card reader easier. MM says there is a healthy amount coming into the accounts through this method.

MC shared a website from another church which allows donations online, along with other fund raising initiatives.Will check further for new ideas we might use.

170 club was discussed with the view to asking Kevin Moganto restart this. KS has kindly offered to help him with this if it goes ahead.

Health & Safety

8 items outstanding on the Safety Toolbox but MM is dealing with this. There is a new Ice and Snow Management aspect to the toolbox which has been recently added.

AN informed us of stained glass window repairs which she has organised. 8 are damaged and Michael Stokes has been commissioned  to repair them at a cost of £45 per pane. It has been noted that some of the windows woodwork needs repairing also.

Requests have been made for Holy Water to be available. It was agreed to looking into small bowls for blessing oneself on entering and leaving church. AB to organise this.

Jubilee Pilgrimage

CP reminded us of a possibility of visiting Whitby and the Abbey, along with various other churches in the area. There is a centre where people could stay and a possibility of an organised retreat or quiet time while there. CP will research this.

Trinity Sunday Mass at Roche Abbey. CP, SH and MC to meet after half term to organise something for this.

Reminder to keep informing the parish of Jubilee events through the bulletin.

Update on the School

AMC gave an update that the Academy is heavily involved in St Joseph’s School now that the Head is off on sick leave. It was felt that it would be good some time in the future to meet with an official of the Academy to hear their plans and hear how we as a Parish could support the school at this time. Links between the two need to be strengthened. AMC to contact the academy about this.

Safeguarding

Service for Survivors of Abuse in June has been cancelled due to illness of one of the prominent leaders.

Well Being for Women – Free online course on 29th May 2025. Information to be put in bulletin.

Live Simply

Renewing Covenant with the Poor in June. Homily is all prepared, and people will be asked to sign up to different things – with no pressure to do so. The book will be out for a few weeks with timely reminders.

CAFOD – Cancel the Debt. Petition to sign in July.

Live Simply is spreading! CP went to meet with others in Leeds to exchange ideas and celebrate what was already happening. Word is also spreading through schools.

We thank CP for all the hard work and the time she puts in to make this venture so interesting and accessible to all.

Pew Heating

A system which heats the pew itself just like a car seat does,instead of using boiler to warm the air of the church. Investment would be £15,000 initially. Running costs would be 90p per hour for 28 pews and can be operated from existing mains.

KS also told us she works for a solar panel company and mentioned solar panels as an alternative.

MM and TD will continue to look into this venture by visiting churches with this system in place to see whether this is something which will benefit St Joseph’s in the future.

Live Streaming

KD informed us that £500 will cover the cost of a camera and switchboard to enable use to live stream. The existing audio system can be used.

Many areas to consider – safeguarding, perhaps donations at some point.

TD will find costs and more information about this.

Coffee Afternoon – 4th June

Next meeting – Wednesday 9th July at 7pm.