Combined Catholic Parishes of
Llandudno Junction, Llanrwst, Conwy, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan
in the
Diocese of Wrexham in North Wales
The Catholic Parishes of
Conwy, Llandudno Junction, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr
Meeting of The Parish Pastoral Council
Held on 18th September 2008 at Noddfa
Present:
Mgr Fealey
Eugene Garvey
Annabel Teague
Maureen Ashton
Pat Hurley
Win Smith
Kath Smith
Nick Grimshaw
Frank Smith
Adrian Ritchie
Apologies
Barbara Byrom
Sr Mary Barry
Doreen Shelmerdine
Frank Ranson
Minutes of the Previous Meeting in Feb 2008 were passed as correct (proposed EG, seconded AR).
Matters Arising From Previous Minutes
• The issue of the unauthorised use of the parking spaces on St Michael church land has been resolved. EG has arranged a system of reporting offenders through the use of a security firm for a cost of £90. The firm have provided stickers and signage and £85 fines are issued to offenders.
• WS asked whether another Advent project similar to last year’s Wells project will be repeated. NG confirmed that there is widespread support and the matter is to be discussed at the forthcoming Deanery meeting. It is likely that this year’s project will be carried out at a Deanery level.
• KS reported difficulty in finding a manufacturer of banners to be used during Advent in Llandudno Junction. KS to liaise with NG who may have a contact in this area and will make further enquiries. The current banners are unsatisfactory and unsafe to erect.
CYTÛN — Report on Inter-Church Activities
• Regular Monthly meetings continue in Penmaenmawr with a “Songs of Praise” Service to be held at Dewi Sant on 19th October (FS).
• In Llandudno Junction, KS represents the Catholic denomination in a small group holding a regular Morning Prayer meeting. This group has not developed strongly and mainly consists of Presbyterian Ministers.
• In contrast, the monthly CYTÛN meeting in Conwy is strong and well established with good attendance in varied church venues (KS).
• The “Llanrwst Churches Together” group holds monthly evening meetings in various venues hosted by the church / chapel leader. The meetings begin with prayers for the sick followed by a meeting to plan social / fund raising events and although the group is small, much activity arises as a result of these gatherings.
• KS is no longer able to attend the County CYTÛN meetings. Their rôle is to aid in establishing CYTÛN groups in areas where there are none. They may also give guidance to established groups and this could be of benefit in Llandudno Junction.
Review of Weekday Masses
• Mgr Fealey wished to know whether the parishioners are happy with the current Mass times. The 10:00 am Mass in Llanfairfechan typically has a very small congregation but it is not known whether changing the time or day would be likely to boost numbers. This should be discussed among the parishioners in Llanfairfechan and Mgr Fealey will make an announcement in Saturday’s Mass.
• The parishioners are generally thought to be happy with the weekday Mass times in Conwy and Llandudno Junction and the Thursday evening Mass in Noddfa is well attended.
Arrangements for Christmas 2008
• Last year’s Christmas services went very well but with Fr Hugh no longer with us, 9:00 am Masses at both Conwy and Llanfairfechan churches will not be possible. Regrettably there is not likely to be a Christmas Mass in Llanfairfechan this year. A list could be drawn up for those who need help with transport to the Mass in Llandudno Junction.
• In Llandudno Junction, the 8:00 pm vigil Mass preceded by carols was very successful last year and this will be repeated. The start time of 7:30 pm for the Carol service, with Mass directly afterwards, should be emphasised to prevent the congregation arriving during the carol service. The combined musicians and choirs will perform at this service and Sr Bernadette will be asked to contribute again.
• The will be an inter-church carol service held at Llandudno Junction again and the Conwy Singers will hold a service at St. Michael’s. No additional carol services are thought to be necessary.
Sacramental Preparation
• Mgr Fealey is pleased that the Sacramental preparation is going very well.
• Sr Carolyn leads the team preparing the children for First Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. She is also running post-Communion classes to develop the children up towards Confirmation level.
• Angela, Maureen and Esmie lead the Confirmation classes. On October 4th, the candidates have arranged a fundraising event themselves with an auction for their chosen charities. MA offered to lend a gazebo.
• Help is required to run the baptismal programme, which is currently carried out by Sr Mary and Mgr Fealey. This involves meeting the family, a video and discussion plus a follow-up meeting.
• The Friday evening “Renewing Our Faith” meetings have been very successful. 11 sessions have been held so far and much discussion has been generated. A meeting will be held on 26th September to form the programme for future meetings.
Finance Committee
• NG reported from a recent finance committee for the Llanfairfechan/ Penmaenmawr parish. Plans are now being drawn up and builders are costing the work necessary for the alterations to Llanfairfechan church to present to the Diocesan Finance Committee.
• The sale of the church from the Franciscans progresses very slowly.
Pastoral Deanery Agenda
• The next Deanery pastoral council meeting will be held in October and if anyone has any issues they wish to be raised they should contact NG.
• At this meeting the launch of the new “Home is a Holy Place” pack will be discussed and how it can be used. The pack, which contains a booklet and DVD, is applicable to all and will be distributed to all parishes. Once received it may be worthwhile to organise a system for the parishioners to borrow the pack, or arrange a meeting where the DVD can be viewed and discussed as a group.
Any Other Business
• Mgr Fealey would like to establish a group from the three parishes to discuss political and moral issues, to hear from speakers on various important issues and respond on behalf of the parishioners with letters / campaigns. No further information has been received from John Lewis about re-establishing the Justice for Peace group but a full time Justice and Peace commissioner has been appointed in Wrexham with CAFOD funding. There is to be a meeting in Stella Maris for the new Justice and Peace commissioner in October and Mgr Fealey will attend if possible.
• Mgr Fealey and EG have received e-mails from David Smith / The Smith family regarding an invitation for an individual to become a CYTÛN link representative for Conwy.
• EG is away between 23rd September and 18th October and Terry Cosgrove has agreed to write the bulletin in his absence. It was mentioned that the Sick list and lately dead list should be updated.
• There continues to be difficulty in recruiting volunteers to become readers and Eucharistic Ministers. PH advised that there will be a meeting for Eucharistic Ministers in Loreto on October 11th and anyone interested may attend.
Next Meeting
• The next meeting will be held in St Michael’s Conwy on Wednesday 18th March 2009 at 7:30pm with night prayers in the church. If anyone wishes to raise items for the agenda of this meeting they should contact the Chairman (NG) or Secretary (BB).
