Pastoral Committee: September 2025 key points

OLSP Forum – setting up

• An OLSP Forum will be established to essentially mirror the activities of the existing St Bernard’s Forum.
• There will be a clear focus on the day to day operational needs which to date have been accomplished with very willing volunteers/parishioners. The first meeting is expected to be held in November and quarterly thereafter.

Bishop’s Plan for diocese

• We will be a part of the new parish formed from the parishes of the former Crawley Deanery (the ‘Combined Parish’).
• The Plan remains an ongoing process and many of the details of how combined parishes will operate in practice are still being developed. Further announcements are anticipated next month albeit these are not expected to impact individual parishioners.

Communications, Newsletter & IT:

• CCTV has now been installed in and around OLSP (not in the confessional), The system is video based (no audio).
• The new system could facilitate the opening of the church throughout the day – appropriate public notices have been displayed.
• The parish website continues to be developed. Further steps to make it easier for people to identify future events and activities are being worked on. Ultimately check the calendar for events/timings.

Formation [including a day session at Worth Abbey]:

• A Bible group course is hoped to be launched in the new year – please watch out for this in the Parish newsletter.

Children in the life of the Parish:

• A Children’s Advent programme, is being run this year with activities followed by Liturgy Please watch out for this in the Parish newsletter.
• We are looking for a volunteer to help run the Christmas Mass for the children on Christmas Eve: please contact Father Jack if you are interested.

St Peter’s School:

• There is a need to attract new school Governors. Please contact Father Jack if you wish to learn more about this important role.

Young people Planning Group:

• The 2026 Confirmation programme is due to start in January 2026, with a weekend away at Worth Abbey scheduled for 28th Feb to 2nd March. The main recruitment of young people (year 10 and above) to the programme is planned to start in October 2025, but we are always happy to learn of young people wishing to be included before then.
• Certificates will be presented to the 19 young people who were Confirmed in May and July 2025 at the Saturday evening mass on 1st November 2025.

Social Events:

• Christmas Wreath making activity to be held on 27th November