This is a summary of key matters at the Parish Pastoral Council meeting, 6th October 2009.                                                                                                              

Preparing for Parish AGM.

Sunday 29th November. In the past few weeks there have been notices in the Bulletin about the role of the PPC.  The Parish Council is primarily concerned with Pastoral issues. Parishioners are invited to nominate themselves, or to invite others to nominate, to serve on the Council for the coming year. This is an important event in the Parish Calendar. This year, there will be special events leading up to the AGM:

• Three PPC members will speak briefly at Masses on 17 and 18th October.
• Discernment Day, 11.15am -1.00pm, 15th November
• AGM and elections, 29th November
• Commissioning of new PPC, 7th February 2010.

Please consider if this is the year you contribute your skills to the parish through the Parish Pastoral Council.


Update on Parish Priorities

A number of activities are under way to implement the Parish Priorities. In particular:

• Recruitment of a new Pastoral Assistant is nearing completion.
• Monthly Men’s Breakfast, first Saturday of each month. Speaker last month was the Premier, Nathan Rees.
• Toonie Tots Parent Group, first Wednesdays of the month. Numbers continue to grow.

The Parish Pastoral Council would like to explore ways to deepen and extend our sense of hospitality and welcome to everyone in the parish.

The Plan can be viewed on the parish website.  The PCC has reorganised its meetings so as to give a priority to discussing these priorities.            

Reports
The School-Parish was highly successful due to the strenuous efforts of a team of generous and clever workers. The Parish was more involved in this year and we are very pleased with the result of well $7800 for the parish. A big thank you to all who were involved at both parish and school.

The PCC requests that any reports or correspondence with the Pastoral Council be sent in writing at least one week before the next meeting so that paperwork can be emailed/sent to PCC members before the meeting.

People of the Parish
Sr Joan has reached her diamond jubilee of profession as a religious. We will help her celebrate this on 11th October.

Kay’s 34 years of service to the community of St Anthony’s will be celebrated on 25th October at 10.00am.    
Parish Finance.
The Parish Balance sheet continues to show a trend towards deficit.

The Planned Giving promotion is underway with the coming weekend being nominated as the day to renew/make our pledge to support the parish mission. Presentations at Masses in recent weeks have highlighted the need to increase our income.


Other Parish Events

The new Sacramental program commences on 24th October. Emilia Cullen is the new coordinator.

Annual Mass for Deceased Relatives. This will take place on Friday 30th October. Parishioners who have relatives who have died during the past year will be invited (around September/October) to leave their names with the Parish Office. Watch also for invitations to attend a Bereavement Seminar,  to be run by Sr Eileen Quade.


Multicultural Mass and Dinner on 31st October to anticipate the Feast of All Saints. This celebration acknowledges and expresses the wonderful abundance of cultures within our parish. It is hoped that parishioners will share their language, dress, food and music in celebrating Eucharist and a community meal afterwards.

Advance notice. Following our highly successful Christmas Carol evening last year, the Hospitality Group is planning for another such event for the Sunday before Christmas, 20th December. There will also be a Christmas stall at Masses near to Christmas.


Next Parish Pastoral Council meeting:    21st October