 |
|
|
Members Nina Lake (Chair – Bournemouth) welcomed Canon Nicholas France on his return to the DPC. Mgr Jeremy Garratt, Fr John Cooke, Fr Sean Tobin and Jim Malia (IOW) had now left the Council. The Future Model of the DPC Francis Connolly (Kennet Valley), Chair of the WG commissioned by the DPC at its last meeting to examine the future role and membership of the DPC in the context of the new Pastoral Areas, presented draft proposals to Members. The main one was that composition of the DPC should continue to be largely geographically based, and thereby be more representative of the whole church than would be the case with any ‘topic based’ one. In the event of ‘specialist’ input being required, a suitable person(s) could be co-opted. Working Groups would be used to drive specific issues forward. The DPC debated the proposals and felt the draft paper was on the right lines. The WG took comments away and will present to the Council a final paper at the next DPC meeting (February next year). Developing Pastoral Areas Nicky Stevens (Dept for Pastoral Formation) gave a general update on the work being undertaken by the Pastoral Plan Implementation Group – it being some 12 months since the Plan was published. Work continues across several fronts, but the main priority had been the setting up of the Pastoral Areas. Elsewhere, the ‘Pastoral Area Guidance Handbook’ is progressing, the ‘Leadership’ training course had been set up, and ‘Days’ had been organized for ‘Welcome Ministries’ and for ‘Ministry Coordinators’. A most beneficial first meeting had been held with PA Coordinating Pastors, this being an opportunity for Pastors to come together and share their thoughts. Following on from this, Mgr Vincent Harvey (Andover/ Basingstoke) and Fr Bill Wilson (Southampton) addressed the Council on how they saw things in their own PAs. A full discussion ensued on developing Pastoral Area Leadership Teams and on establishing Area Pastoral Councils. Members’ comments were taken back by Nicky and her team to inform future thought. Stewardship Fr Bruce Barnes (Coordinating Pastor IOW and member of the Diocesan Stewardship WG) gave a presentation on ‘Stewardship’- how this opened hearts and minds to recognizing that all our gifts, skills and talents are a gift from God. The Diocesan WG had been established in September 2004, and 5 parishes had run a pilot Stewardship process. Fr John Humphreys from one of the pilot parishes, (Stubbington / Lee on Solent) together with the Chair of his Steering Group, Jane Dugan, gave an account of how they had set up and managed the pilot trial. Their feeling was that Stewardship has had a beneficial effect on their parish in opening up minds. Ursula Clark gave her perspective on Stewardship as Head of a Catholic school; she felt it was vital children became involved in Stewardship at the very start to foster a lifelong commitment. Nina said the DPC Exec will discuss how Stewardship will be taken forward – recognizing there will be a need to publicise it to show that it works. Members’ Concerns Clarification was given on proposals relating to a Diocesan Development Fund. Proposals originating with the Trustees to set up a free standing Fund into which a share of any ‘windfalls’ accruing to a parish (eg from the sale of land or buildings) would go had gone to the Council of Priests. They had in turn been routed to all Parish Finance committees for endorsement. There had been overwhelming agreement to the Trustees’ proposals. Fair Trade John Foley (Chair of the Diocesan FT WP) provided an update for Members. Currently 69% of parishes and 74% of our churches/worshipping communities have achieved Fair Trade status. The target is 100%. The WP is working closely with Catherine Waters-Clark, Diocesan Justice & Peace Adviser so as to integrate/coordinate complementary activities. John made a plea for Fair Trade not to be relegated to the background amidst other competing priorities associated with the formation of Pastoral Areas.
Dates of Next DPC Meetings 2/3 February 2007, 11/12 May 2007, 19/20 October 2007, 25/26 January 2008 Joe Golden DPC Minutes Secretary 20 October 2006 |