American Independence Day so there will be burgers and hot dogs for sale!

Come and have lunch on the lawn! Cakes, books, unwanted gifts stall, bottle stall, plants, raffle and teas.

N.B. Unwanted gifts/bottles or even a prize for the raffle will be gratefully received at either the Parish Office or Le Platon Home. Anyone who would like to donate a cake/cakes please hand them in to Le Platon Home on the day.

Please note that the usual 9.30am (Our Lady Star of the Sea) and 10.30am (St Joseph’s) Masses will be cancelled on this day.

1. The opening prayer was led by Angela Greening.
2. Apologies for absence were received from Lonia Daniels, Deirdre Dalton, Simon Harvey and Candice McGeoch.
3. Minutes from last meeting were read and approved.
4. Open air parish mass: This was brought forward on the agenda to allow James Hollowell to speak and be able to leave early. He refreshed what had happened last year e.g. Delancey music group, refreshments, BBQ, quiz etc. His helpers from last year are willing to give their time to help again. The equipment used last year will also be needed. Things that were learnt from last year were that more gazebos were needed, cold drinks, lifts for some people to get to the mass and home again and a medical tent was essential. It was felt that the ‘community spirit’ was felt for a long time after the event. The date of 27th June had been confirmed with the Principal of Blanchelande. Other helpers needed on the day will be asked for in the Link. Guernsey Press will do an article about the mass after the event. The day will follow last year’s event with possibly a Punch and Judy show and more structure in the games area e.g. demonstration on how to play baseball. A ‘flyer’ will be produced and given out after all masses. The Catenians will be asked to supervise the car park. The chairman thanked James for his help and he left the meeting.
5. Matters arising and action plan: A representative is still required for DPC. Alderney still needs an invitation to the parish mass and Canon Mahy’s mass. No news yet about a photograph of new member of GPC. The Pentecost celebration is being organised. A new person was to be approached to be part of the team but it appears they are too busy to help at the moment. It was suggested that the size of the Link be increased from A4 to A3 size and possibly have a children’s section with quizzes and/or wordsearch.
6. Correspondence: Because of commitments at work Candice has relinquished organising the brochure etc. for Canon Mahy’s mass. Eamonn will approach someone in the parish to see if they are willing to take it on. The UCM will be asked if they can supply cakes for after mass on the Sunday of the celebrations for Canon Mahy. A letter has been received asking for help with an orphanage in South Africa. A letter has been received from Bishop Crispian about the new missal which is due to be published.
7. Kitchen update: The smaller kitchen has now been finished and is in use. All of the money raised has been used. The room used for the school library will be used for the youth as soon as the books have been transferred to the old computer room. Eamonn will speak to Peter McGovern.
8. Living our Faith: This is a programme running in the Diocese to raise £9million to help with projects within the diocese e.g. students at seminary, educating the laity, as well as helping parishes with specific projects. 20 or 30 parishes have already pledged and promised £7million to the diocese. It is hoped that by the end of April £8million will be pledged. In order to raise the money an approach is made to a person who is asked to pledge a certain amount each year e.g. £500 or £2000. It is realised that not everyone will be able to afford it. A team has been set up in our parish and has already received pledges of £60,000. We have been asked to pledge £200,000 over 5 years. Part of the money goes to the diocese while the rest stays in the parish. It also means that our parish could now go to the diocese and ask for a loan which we have not been able to do so. The team’s aim is to target as many parishioners as possible e.g. if we pledge  £15 a week it works out at about £5000 in 5 years.
9. Parish Directory: It was decided that the secretary should ring Christina Merrien to check on all details for the directory so that it can be printed as soon as possible.
10. AOB: There was no other business
11. Date of the next meeting: Tuesday 13th April
12. Person to lead the prayer at the next meeting: Dave Sullivan

Tuesday 23rd March

Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) 28th March

Monday 29th March

Tuesday 30th March

Wednesday 31st March

Stations of the Cross

Confession and Absolution

The Triduum — The original Christian feast

Holy Thursday 1st April

Good Friday 2nd April

Holy Saturday 3rd April

Easter Sunday

Fathers Michael, PJ, Stan and Charles wish you every joy and blessing this Easter and thank you for your support.

Friday 2nd April 2010

The walk will start at St Stephen’s Church, Les Gravées, at 11am, and conclude at the Town Church at around 12:30pm.

Anyone may join at any point on on the route as follows:

1. St. Stephen’s, Les Gravées;
2. St. Joseph’s, Cordier Hill;
3. St. Andrew’s in the Grange;
4. Spurgeon Baptist Church, Clifton;
5. Friends Meeting House, Clifton;
6. Salvation Army Hall, Clifton;
7. Eldad Elim Church, Union Street;
8. Notre Dame du Rosaire, Burnt Lane;
9. Car park in Back Lane;
10. Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Square;
11. The Town Church.

The walk will be in silence and at each stop there will be a sentence of Scripture, a short reading, silence and a prayer. A cross will be carried as an act of witness. All are welcome.

An update on the progress of this project will follow.

Eamonn welcomed Helen Foxen as a new member of GPC.

1. The opening prayer was led by Eamonn Finnerty.
2. Apologies for absence were received from Fr PJ, Gloria Dekker, Dave Sullivan and Christina Merrien.
3. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
4. Matters arising and action plan:  The secretary will ring Blanchelande Girls’ College to check the date for the outdoor mass in June. A new person for Diocesan Pastoral Council has still to be chosen.
5. Correspondence: A person has been contacted to help with the Pentecost celebration and a meeting will be arranged. An email was received re the parish mass at Blanchelande. Simon will make contact and arrange matters. A letter has been received about the new translation of the Sunday missal. This will be sent to the Bishop for his comments. A letter has also been received about hymns chosen at 10.30 mass. The sentiments have been passed on to the Liturgy group. The Liturgy group are devising a questionnaire which will be handed out at all masses at the 3 churches.
6. Kitchen refurbishment: The next stage of refurbishment in the parish room and the lower kitchen will begin on 15^th February. The rooms will be out of action for 2 weeks.
7. Open air mass: The secretary was asked to contact the Principal of Blanchelande re date of mass. James Hollewell will be invited to the next meeting  as he helped to organise last year’s mass. Hopefully the same team will help to organise for this year.
8. Bishop’s visit: Bishop Crispian is due to visit the Island for the Sacrament of Confirmation on 27^th May. He will stay on for the celebration meal and mass for Canon David Mahy’s Golden Jubilee. He will also be here on 1^st June to meet with GPC. The secretary will write to Alderney to invite a representative to attend the mass for Canon Mahy and also the open air mass in June. Fr Martin Laker will be invited by Fr Michael. It was also felt that the GPC should have a ‘business free’ meeting once a year, to help us reflect on what the GPC is doing for the parish.
9. AOB: It was felt that the Link needs to be revamped. It was also suggested that it should not be given out until after mass, so people would not read it during the sermon. Both suggestions would be launched together. Any suggestions to be brought to the next meeting. Deirdre will contact Chris George about having a photograph replacement made for new member. Lonia Daniels gave notice that she will be leaving GPC at the July meeting. Parish Directory will be put as an agenda item for the next meeting.
10. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 9^th March
11. Person to lead prayer at next meeting: Angela Greening

Due to the generosity of those who gave raffle prizes and those who bought tickets we can send £310 to CAFOD’s Haiti Appeal.

• The parish Open Air Mass at Blanchelande;
• Canon Mahy’s Golden Jubilee celebrations;
• kitchen update;
• Living Our Faith.

The minutes of the February meeting can now be viewed online and on the noticeboards.

The next meeting will be on 13th April.