Next meeting: tuesday 20 january 2026

Parish of St. Mary Magdalene Pastoral Council Minutes

Tuesday 4th November 2025 7pm

Present: Father Philip, Jacqueline Crawford, Liz Gronkowski, Jane Miezitis, Sally McElroy, Tony Ward.

Welcome and reflection: Luke 4: 31-37 

Apologies:  Barry Corkey

1. Points following last meeting.

The Coptic Orthodox Faith Community in Kirkcaldy will be contacted with a view to a parish meeting in the New Year. 

2. Adult formation.

a) Review of points from Volunteers’ Evening:

1) The Social Justice Group is looking at points from the Volunteers’ Evening which are relevant to their remit.

2) Suggestion boxes were used well by parishioners. All points will be considered and action will be taken as appropriate. Hopefully parishioners will continue to use the boxes.

3) Series 5 of “The Chosen” has gone very well. Netflix is now showing “The Chosen” and a notice will be placed in the newsletter to inform parishioners. 

4) The Robert Barron dvds “Catholicism” consist of ten programmes, and will be studied during the daytime sessions in Advent and Lent on Tuesday mornings after Mass in Romero House. A handout will be made available to those who attend.

5) The Youth Group has taken off and is being well supported. The group has undertaken a variety of activities and has plans for Remembrance Sunday and Christmas.

b) RCIA

There is at least one candidate and possibly another.

c) Liason with school

The school will liase with the parish when meetings are organised for next year’s intake.

d) Baptism

The formation of a parish team is a work in progress. At the moment there are no planned baptisms.

3. Holy Year

a) As the Holy Year comes to a close, the Hour of Prayer will conclude at Carmelite Convent Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart on Sunday 28thDecember. 

b) Staged walking of the Fife Pilgrim Way was very successful with around thirty people participating, several from abroad.

c) A performance of Stephen Callaghan’s one man play, “Pilgrim of Hope” will take place on Sunday 23rd November at 2.30pm in St. Paul’s Hall. All are welcome.

4. Glenrothes Churches Together

a) There will be an ecumenical service tin St. Margaret’s Church to commemorate the St. Margaret Declaration which will take place on Sunday 16th November.

b) The crib figures will be set up inside Rothes Halls.

c) Carol singing will take place on Saturday 13th December, 12noon-1pm.

d) The Fellowship Meal will take place on Saturday 17th January in St. Paul’s Hall.

5. Safeguarding

No items

6. Report from the fabric and Finance Committee

a)  Buy a Brick – this fund is at approximately £7,952.59 at the moment.

b)  If someone wanted to give a larger donation then it could be geared  specifically to the building fund!

c)  St Mary’s Clock Tower work has now been completed.

d)  Report on St Mary’s – Report on St Mary’s – can’t undertake checks in  some areas due to asbestos.

e)  Only going to check areas if something happens and it becomes necessary to  carry out due to H & S issue. 

f)  Report on St Paul’s–The asbestos report advises that it is necessary for all  people involved - volunteers/paid workers and anyone who helps in any  way – to receive a copy to read.

g)  There will be a Go Fund Me page with a QR code set up so that people can  use their smart phones to give a donation straight to the building fund for the  wall.

h)  The local Celtic  Club has advised the Fabric & Finance Group that the club  would  like to have a collection and donate to St Paul’s wall building fund. 

i)  We also discussed a Diocesan interest free loan for the wall that we could  pay back asap..

j)   St Paul’s House Windows

k)  Planning has been approved for the wooden windows in the Parish House.

l)  Repair of coloured glass windows are needing repaired, but this will cost  approx £7,800! This will need to go on the back burner for now.

m)  St Paul’s Church Roof – this has now been repaired and foyer area has  been painted.

n)  Some painting to be carried out in Gents and Ladies toilets.

o)  Carpet at St Paul’s front door is needing replaced 

p)  The Woodland Trust to be contacted regarding the trees that are too  close to St Paul’s Church.

q)  First Aid Boxes have been checked completed and these are up to date.

r)  same for St Mary’s.

s)  New linoleum is required for the hall/corridor leading to the AA room

t)  This area is needing levelled and skimmed.

7. The Synodal Process

a) An article from “Open House” by Tom Magill, “Pathways for Implementing the Synod,” was shared with the group. We will look at it in depth at the next meeting. Links to “School for Synodality” are useful. 

b) Further ways of communicating online are being  explored. 

c) The new suggestion boxes have been well used. All suggestions will be taken into consideration and action will be taken as appropriate. 

8. Future Planning

a) Seasons of Creation

The “Ribbons for Peace” initiative will be presented by the Youth Group during Mass on Remembrance Sunday.

b) SCIAF

· SCIAF is celebrating its 60th anniversary and this would be an opportune time to raise awareness of the work SCIAF does. A special hymn has been written by John Bell and recorded by Michelle McManus. The music is available online and hopefully can be introduced to the parish.

· We will request a speaker from SCIAF to speak at weekend Masses followed by a presentation on the Sunday afternoon.

c) Diverse Communities

Some of our diverse communities will be invited to share with us some of their background and culture, hopefully on Sunday 1stFebruary after Mass.

9. Plans for Advent/Christmas

· Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd: December:  Advent Study, Romero House, 10.30am-12

· Wednesday 17th  December:  Carol Service, Chapel Royal, 7pm.

· Thursday18th December:  Penitential service, St. Paul’s, 7pm

· Wednesday 24th December:  Christmas Mass, St. Mary’s 9pm

· Thursday 25th December:   Christmas Mass, Chapel Royal, 9am

·     St. Paul’s 11am

· Saturday 27th December and  Feast of the Holy Family. 

Sunday 28th December There will be family involvement at all Masses

10. AOB

a. Due to legislation and instructions from the Archdiocese, food hygiene arrangements for all parish venues will have to be reviewed in the near future.

b. A monthly meeting of all parish musicians will begin in the New Year.

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

11. Next meeting

Tuesday 20thJanuary 7pm St. Paul’s House