The Mablethorpe S. Joseph parish annual general meeting took place this last Thursday, after the morning Mass, and the following are (a) the message from the Chair, and (ii) the minutes of the meeting.
Chair’s Report – AGM 2023
Firstly, a big thankyou to our regular parishioners. We have, over Covid and since, built up a good core of regulars – 55/60 each week. (Sunday).
Now a welcome to Fr. Kevin. We do have teething problems, but nothing too hard that it cannot be sorted. It is really early doors yet. Any problems are lost in the gratitude we owe for finally having a parish priest and not having to rely on the good offices of the retired ranks.
Your rep’s on the PPC have faithfully and diligently attended meetings held monthly and contributed ideas and help in many fields. I thank them for the support they have given me.
You will hear from our Health & Safety man Mr Travers later in the meeting.
Ongoing we had two young people prepared for confirmation, and currently have four preparing for First Holy Communion. So, we continue to grow; steadily and steadfastly.
Ongoing, we need to come together with Saint Mary’s. An ongoing challenge to amalgamate accounts, Gift Aid et al. I have faith it will be made to work for both congregations.
Finally, thanks to Roger for holding it all together for the past four years. Enjoy your retirement!
M. L.
Chair of the PPC for Saint Joseph’s, Mablethorpe.
Minutes of an Annual general Meeting
held at Saint Joseph’s, Mablethorpe
on Thursday 12th October 2023 at 10.50am
Present: Fr. Kevin Athaide (President), T. L. (Chair), Fr. James Lynch, C. F., V. C., T. T., N. S., M. F. and D. H., J. W., J. W., M. M., K. A., V. J. and Deacon Roger Crowe.
Apologies: K. H., C. H., J. C. and J. M.
Introduction
T. L. announced Fr. Kevin who opened the meeting with prayer and handed it over to the chair of the PPC, T. L.
Minutes of the last meeting
Minutes of the previous AGM held on 11th October 2022 were agreed to be an accurate record of that meeting. Proposer – V. C., Seconded by M. F.
Matters arising
- Monthly Draw: The draw had been suspended when Lock Down was imposed, leaving ten months of funds to be dispersed. The PPC had agreed this should take place when convenient to all and the first of the draws had taken place on Sunday 9th October 2022 when the first prize was won by Mrs. D. T. and the second prize by Mr. K. H. Prizes were drawn monthly thereafter until all funds had been distributed to winners and the scheme will not be continued for the foreseeable future as agreed at the 2022 AGM.
Confirmation of the present members of the PPC in their appointments:
The meeting was asked to approve the appointment of the present members of the council and other parish officers in their appointments pending the inaugural meeting of the PPC of the newly amalgamated parish of St. Mary’s, Louth with St. Joseph’s, Mablethorpe when the matter will be discussed again. Approved.
Reports from the PPC:
The chair gave a comprehensive report which is attached to these minutes.
Finance Report:
Each person attending was provided abridged copies of the parish finance report for FY2022/2023. A full copy was published and is available on the noticeboard in the narthex. The treasurer noted that Sunday collections were holding up well. The Excess of Income over Expenditure for the FY was around £2,000.
Parish Reports:
- Gift Aid: C. F. told the meeting that the numbers of those involved in the Gift aid scheme had dropped and that membership was down on previous years. It was acknowledged that some parishioners will have dropped out of paying tax due to threshold changes over the last two years. Despite this the contribution from the Gift Aid scheme continued to be a very valuable source of income. How the scheme will be administered after amalgamation remains open.
- Buildings & Grounds: T. T. reported on works required to comply with the latest Health & Safety Audit and Quinquennial inspection report. The solution to leaks on the Narthex roof and a new Fire Exit in the Fatima Shrine chapel have been agreed and approved by the diocesan buildings committee and work on the roof will start shortly.
Flowers: Deacon Roger reported that funding for flowers had started to run low regularly and some parishioners had commented upon the more regular requests for collections outside of the traditional Easter and Christmas appeals. V. C. noted that a sale of Tomatoes and Lavender Bags recently raised £41 for the Flower Fund. The Chair was asked to investigate Floral Decoration and Funding and to report back to the PPC. Action: T. L.
Red Boxes: Deacon Roger reported that he had taken responsibility for APF collections and that all monies are now processed through the parish. This is onerous as, not only are small denominations of coin heavy and have to be banked, counting and banking have become difficult as banks have closed locally. He intends to pass the Red Box collections to the representative at Louth. Action: Deacon Roger
Quinquennial Inspection and Resulting Works Services:
Deacon Roger advised that the Diocesan Property Office had requested the Diocesan Surveyor to bring forward his quinquennial inspection date for this parish that he might advise on the action we should take to resolve the water ingress into the Narthex. His recommendations were passed to Rodden & Cooper who had inspected the roof and had proposed a remedy which the diocese has agreed. The costs are generally reasonable, and the major funding element is the new fire exit and modifications to existing exits. Works will proceed shortly.
Sunday Mass Times:
Deacon Roger introduced a discussion with the Dean where Fr. Kevin was confirmed in his desire to properly accommodate liturgical and pastoral ministries at Saint Mary’s and Saint Joseph’s and was advised to bring forward the Sunday Mass time at Saint Mary’s to 9am while retaining that at Saint Joseph’s at 11.30am. He informed the meeting some parishioners had requested that the Sunday Mass at Saint Joseph’s commence earlier as the late finish precluded any social interaction which was the main thrust of our Synodal submission the deanery. Discussion concluded with Fr. Kevin deciding in favour of retaining the current Mass time of 11.30am at Saint Joseph’s. The Sunday Mass at Saint Mary’s will commence at 9am from the first Sunday of Advent. The chair will investigate the potential for tea/coffee and a chat might be possible following the Thursday Mass. Action: Fr. Kevin/T. L.
Any other business:
- Fr. Kevin enquired as to the provision of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He suggested a monthly Saturday Vigil Mass at 6pm to be preceded by Confessions as a possibility and he will see if this might be possible. Perhaps he and Fr. Richard Ireson might alternate between Mablethorpe and Louth? Action: Fr. Kevin
- V. C. generously volunteered to arrange for a Christmas Raffle. Action: V. C.
- K. A. kindly volunteered to take minutes for future meetings. Action: K. A.
Closure:
Fr. Kevin closed the meeting with prayer.
Catholic Louth and Mablethorpe 