Next meeting: Wednesday 29 APRIL

Parish of St. Mary Magdalene 

Pastoral Council Minutes

Tuesday 17th February 2026 7pm

St. Paul’s House

Present: Father Philip, Jacqueline Crawford, Liz Gronkowski, lijosh Joseph, Jane Miezitis, Sally McElroy,.

Welcome and reflection: Mark 8:14-21 

Apologies Tony Ward

1. Points following last meeting.

The Coptic Orthodox Faith Community in Kirkcaldy is very happy to welcome a visit from parishioners. A visit has been arranged for Sunday 8th March at 2pm.

2 Adult formation.

a) Review of points from Volunteers’ Evening:

1) Suggestion boxes: Parishioners continue to use the boxes and all suggestions are discussed and acted upon where appropriate.

2) There will be a varied programme to guide us through Lent.

3) “Awakening Scotland” is an initiative which is happening every month throughout the UK and the first in Scotland will be held as a Lenten retreat in St. Paul’s on Friday 27th March. More information will follow.

3 Glenrothes Churches Together

There are plans to host a Hustings before the Holyrood elections in May. There will be a meeting for those who wish to be involved.

4  Music-Get-Together

The first meeting went very well, hopefully more musicians and singers will come along in future.

5 Safeguarding

No items

6 Report from the fabric and Finance Committee

Gift Aid

There will be a talk in all churches at the beginning of March to encourage more people to sign up.

7 The Synodal Process

 Relevant articles and information will be reflected upon at the Pastoral Council retreat.

8 SCIAF

1) Following on from the SCIAF visit, Michael Hamilton has agreed to return to give a more in-depth presentation on the work being undertaken in Ethiopia on Wednesday 25th February in St. Paul’s Hall at 7pm.

2) SCIAF’S fundraising initiative this year is the “Big Lenten Walk.” We will be encouraged to walk 200km during Lent, either individually or as a group. Sponsor forms will be available from all churches.

3) SCIAF Stations of the Cross will be included in the Lenten programme using Zoom to enable as many parishioners as possible to participate.

4) SCIAF prayers and reflections will be used during Lent.

9 Future planning

· Ash Wednesday 18thFebruary

· Tuesdays of Lent “Catholicism” dvds Romero House 10.30am

· Wednesday 25th February Follow up from SCIAF visit St. Paul’s 7pm

· Saturday 28th February Music-Get-Together St. Paul’s 10.30am

· Wednesday 4th March SCIAF Stations of the Cross Zoom 7pm

· Friday 6th March  World Day of Prayer Salvation Army Centre   2.30pm

· Sunday 8th March Visit to Coptic Orthodox Faith    Community Kirkcaldy . 2pm

· Wednesday 11th March El Salvador Stions of the Cross St. Mary’s and   Zoom 7pm

· Friday 20th March:   Passover Meal Romero House 7pm

· Friday 27th March “Awakening Scotland” Lenten Retreat     St. Paul’s Time 5.30-8pm.

· Saturday 28th March Music-Get-Together St. Paul’s 10.30am

· Sunday 5th April Easter Sunday

· Sunday 10th May PPC retreat Romero House 2pm  

9. AOB

a. Due to legislation and instructions from the Archdiocese, food hygiene arrangements for all parish venues is being reviewed. 

b. A Parish Gathering will be held in the spring.

c. Across UK is folding, which means that our local Across group is also closing down. There will be a Mass to mark all the work of Across in the parish on Thursday 28 May at 7pm in St. Paul’s.

d. The quarterly calendar has been put on hold while we consider its usefulness. Parishioners have been asked for their views but so far none have been forthcoming.

Next meeting  Wednesday 29thApril.