pastoral council

Parish of St. Mary Magdalene Pastoral Council Minutes

Wednesday 18thSeptember 2024 St. Paul’s House

The meeting opened with prayerful reflection on Luke 7:31 - 35

In attendance

Father Philip, Liz Gronkowski, Tony Ward, Jacqueline Crawford, Craig Doidge, Damian Bray, Sally McElroy (chair/minutes).

Apologies

Jane Miezitis, Lijosh Joseph

Review of Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

Mass followed by supper was held on 22 July in St Mary’s in Leslie and was well attended and appreciated by those who were there.

Update of next quarterly calendar

The final quarterly calendar for 2024 will be collated and distributed by w/end of September 28/29th if possible. From time to time, some parish groups and events that are intimated in the newsletter are not in the parish diary early enough to be included. A special effort will be made in the next quarter to contact these groups and ask them if they have any dates for inclusion in the next calendar. 

Progress on parish priorities 

a) Building our faith community

The Monday Club has now resumed.

b) Social Events

Dates of these will be in the quarterly calendar. The quiz night is the next event and will be held on Friday 27th September. 

We have parishioners from a variety of countries and although it would be very worthwhile organising an event to share some of their culture and food with the wider parish, there are practical difficulties (eg food legislation). The possibility that some kind of event may yet be organised is being explored further. 

The sound system in St Paul’s Hall is of a very high quality and could potentially be used for a range of fundraising events. We will look into what is needed to make it more available for regular use. 

c) Supporting our children

The Summer School ran for 2 days wk/beg 12th August. It was extremely well attended with 28 children one day and 25 the next. Feedback was that it was excellent and great fun. This will be repeated next summer if possible.

d) Adult formation

‘Horizons of Hope’ ran for 4 evenings in August. The 10 or so participants found it very helpful in opening up the whole area of palliative care of the dying with many sharing their own experience of being with loved ones as they approached death. The view was expressed that the audio/visual presentations were rather complicated and difficult to follow at times. 

“The Chosen” series 3 will begin Wednesday 2nd October. A more structured format is planned using a spiritual conversation approach and discussions around personal faith. Jacqueline and Sally will prepare this. There has been a mixed reaction to ‘The Chosen’ series 2. It is hoped the new format will prove beneficial.

Advent ‘events’ will be organised on the three Wednesdays before Christmas. These will include a Penitential Service, an Alternativity/reflective evening and an Ecumenical Carol Service in Chapel Royal. 

There will also be an Advent study on Tuesday mornings after Mass in St Mary’s during December for parishioners who prefer daytime events in the winter.

The synodal process

Father Philip is keeping up to date with the synodal process and the synod website. 

Follow up from parish gathering 

Three key areas were identified as priorities for the coming year at the parish gathering and parishioners were subsequently asked in a short questionnaire if they were interested in any of the following: -

· House groups

· Prayer groups

· The youth, focusing on P7-S2

In response to the 16 returns, an information evening, open to all and advertised in the newsletter, will be held on Thursday 24th October at 7pm. (Please note change of date). How to set up and run a house group or a prayer group will be explained. Members of current house /prayer groups will be invited as well as those in the questionnaire who expressed an interest. 

Preparation for the Holy Year

No information as yet has come from the archdiocese concerning the Holy Year 2025. It was suggested that the parish might go on pilgrimage somewhere within Scotland or beyond. The Deanery are also considering a Deanery wide event. 

Upcoming dates

Quiz Night Friday 27th September 2024

“The Letter” Tuesday 22nd October 7pm St. Paul’s

Glenrothes Churches Together

The crib figures borrowed from St Paul’s are to be placed in the town centre from 1st December and collected on or before the 24th . The secretary is waiting to hear exactly where from the owners of the shopping centre. 

Carol singing will take place on 14thDecember 12-1pm

Safeguarding

There are no items under safeguarding.

Date of next meeting   Tuesday 19th November 2024Parish of St. Mary Magdalene