Parish Council News Around the Parishes
Here is a brief summary of what’s under discussion at Parish Pastoral Councils across the area.
Kotahi Ano Parishes
Preference
The parishes are working with Our Lady of Lourdes School, St James’, and St Peters College to strengthen our connection with those who seek preference certificates for enrolment into the schools.
Health Initiative
We have received a grant from the Page Trust to run a year-long trial using Kotahi Ano Eucharistic Ministry and developing it. Ministry will operate at three levels – Communion to the housebound, spiritual care to the housebound, and helping the housebound navigate the primary health care system. Sue Gillespie is heading this trial year for the parish.
Children’s Initiation
Since August, we have prepared and celebrated the rites of Baptism and Eucharist for parish children and Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist for teenagers and adults. We have also received into full communion people who have been baptised into other Christian denominations. The Masses of Initiation have been well attended and have been a joy to participate in.
Cathedral Parish
Synod
The Pastoral Council developed several initiatives from the synod material and sought some feedback. A brief summary of this feedback, how we are planning to go forward with the ideas, and an invite to be involved in implementing them, will be published soon.
The minutes of the Cathedral Parish Council can be accessed through the parish office.
Strategic Plan
The Parish Pastoral Council Strategic Plan needs renewal.
We are planning, for the end of February, a full Kotahi Ano workshop to which everyone from OLOL and the Cathedral will be invited.
Cindy Nuong Nguyen is coordinating. We will also publish an outline of the old plan, what we’ve been working on, and details regarding the February brainstorming meeting for parishioners in February 2023.
Property Maintenance
The Cathedral Finance Committee waits upon direction from the Palmerston North City Council regarding Cathedral Earthquake upgrading requirements.
Property maintenance is managed as issues arise according to risk, severity, need, size and cost.
Current issues include a major roof repair on the Cathedral and Gathering Area rooves, carpet repairs in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel due to the roof leaking and the replacement of the Smoke beam detector.
Lourdes Parish
Church Lights
New lighting in the Church replacing all the original fluorescent lights with new LEDs. This has made the interior much brighter.
Presbytery Redevelopment
The Finance group presented to parishioners concerning the parish’s financial position and the need to develop passive income sources.
The suggestion has been offered to turn the presbytery into several independent units or flats that would be rented. This is being investigated by the Parish Council/ Finance Committee at the moment. The immediate feedback to this proposal has been positive. Once there is a plan, this will be presented to parishioners at a parish meeting.
Foxton Parish
Finances and Property
Discussions with parishioners and the Parish Leadership Group regarding the development of a foyer, the installation of toilets in or near the Church and the future of the Hall are underway. There has been one parishioner-initiated meeting so far and another on December 9th at 7 pm.
New Principal
Mr Phil Gunn has been appointed as the new principal of St Mary’s School, Foxton, to succeed Mrs Mary Kleinsman-Powell in January 2023.
Mary Kleinsman-Powell has been at St Mary’s for six and a half years and is moving to St Joseph’s School, New Plymouth as their new principal.
We wish Mary well and welcome Phil to his new role in the school.
Next Item, Advent