Pastoral Committee – Key Points arising from the 05 September 2024 Meeting

Bishop’s Plan for diocese: 

• We are now 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. 

Communications, Newsletter & IT: 

• Significant progress in developing improved communication as well as the online newsletter has been made over recent months.
• The online version provides a material increase in parish news, activities and other topics. FrJ has already flagged this in recent services to encourage/improve parishioner awareness.
• An improved website will shortly be up and running that will bring significant enhancements, focusing on ease of use, and including links to third parties [e.g. charities].

Formation [including a day session at Worth Abbey]:

• An event will be launched soon – watch out for this in the newsletter.

Children in the life of the Parish:

• It was proposed and accepted that children should be readers at Children’s masses.
• Guidance/feedback will be offered to help Readers prepare e.g. regarding clarity and pace of delivery.
• We also want Children to present the Bidding Prayers at Children’s masses.

Ministry for Consolation & Healing:

• A Healing Mass was held on 15^th June attended by 13 people with follow on sessions held.
• A consolation Mass will be held on Saturday the 2^nd November.
• Father Jack will be blessing the graves on, Tuesday 5^th November:
  • 1:30pm at Mount Noddy
  • 2:30pm at Dormansland
  • 3:00pm at Lingfield
• This will be flagged in the newsletter closer to the time.

Social Events: 

• A Christmas wreath making event ahead of the start of Advent is to be held on Saturday 23rd November 2024 [to be publicised in the newsletter].
• A Children’s Advent afternoon will be held at Lingfield on Saturday 30th November 2024 [to be publicised in the newsletter].

St Bernard’s building – brief update:

• Works are ongoing in line with the scheme of works. 
• Father Jack is looking to provide a further update at the end of October on progress, outlining both physical works progress and fundraising progress.

Card Readers for donations and 2nd collection causes:

• This should provide opportunities for donations, especially from parishioners/visitors who do not carry cash.
• Electronic card readers will shortly be coming to both OLSP and St Bernard’s which will be located at the back of each church on floor stands.