ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, MONMOUTH
SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD MARCH 5TH 2009
In the flower room

PRESENT:    Father Nicholas, Brenda Wills (Chairman), Mary Williams (Secretary), Elizabeth Allcock,  Kath Beavis, Tom Boase,  Anne Dunne,  Lynne Derricott.

APOLOGIES:   David Sweeting (who had to attend a Historic Churches Commission Meeting), and Carmel Lamb (who had been involved in a car accident).

NEW MEMBERS:  Tom Boase was warmly welcomed as a new member representing the youth of the Parish.  Frances Keyton, who will also be joining us, was unable to come, sent a list of suggestions to involve young people. These will be fully discussed at future meetings.

THE MINUTES  of the meeting held on February 4th had been amended, as noted in the Agenda, and were signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING:
a) Purchase of shrub.  Elizabeth volunteered to choose and buy the shrub, which will be a memorial of Heather.  It will be paid for partly by donations, which have been received from Mary Kelly and Mary Walsh and partly by contributions from the committee.  Father Nicholas will plant it in the Parish Garden at an occasion to be arranged and to which Heather's husband Michael will be invited.
b) Race Meeting - was postponed, as being inappropriate in the current financial situation.
c) Elizabeth's Coffee Morning - was a happy social time, attended by 6 people. Kath helped and £50 was raised.
d) Fan Heater - Brian Cookson had been consulted.  He says that because of the possibility of an electrical overload in the John Kemble Room, this would constitute a Hazard, and therefore cannot be used.  Kath said that the present heater is also a Hazard, because of the possibility of it scorching the legs of persons using the room. She was asked to consult Brian as to what might be possible, if the use of the room will still be necessary in September.
e) Community Matters.  Anne referred us to Kath who had questioned Waitrose about our application. They will not be including it as one of their Charity Appeals as they do not wish to be involved in Politics or Religion.  Kath has written to their senior management to ask if they will make a "one-off" contribution from their central fund.
f) Lenten Smarties.   Lynne has distributed the Smartie Boxes  - which will apparently hold more money than their small size might suggest  Lynne was thanked for covering the cost of these.

5.    PILGRIMAGE MEETING:       Brenda reported that this had been very successful, thanks to Father Nicholas' atmospheric tape and talk.  It was well attended, and when outstanding payments are made, it is likely that there will be 26 pilgrims.  Regretfully, one young person cannot be taken as under 18s have to be accompanied by a member of their family.
 
6.   SEDER SUPPER:     Anne, Elizabeth and Kath have this in hand.  They have to check that Mark Walton will be leading it.  Kath will put up a list at the back of the church to collect names of those who wish to attend - and will include a cut-off date for these signatures.

7    CALENDAR OF EVENTS:   Mary provided an extrapolation from past minutes of previous events and their financial results.
April
Seder Supper: April 3rd
Cake Stall: April 4th /5th( Palm Sunday weekend). Kath is already organising this.
May
Tyntesfield Trip: to be organised by Brenda on a Monday or a Wednesday.
June
Strawberries and Pimms etc, June 6th, Saturday evening, in the Parish Garden.
July
Ceilidh: 10th or 17th, a Friday.   Lynne will find out about using the downstairs room at the Priory.   Elizabeth will ask whether Carmen Wheelock will run the Ceilidh
August
John Kemble Pilgrimage: Father Nicholas has checked that there is no difficulty with this date, but as Father Lynch at Usk is due to move, there remains an element of uncertainty.
September
Skittles Evening: Possibly Saturday 12th at the Royal Oak, The Three Horseshoes, or at the "Con" Club. Tom thought that some of the younger parishioners might enjoy this.  Lynne volunteered to make the initial enquiries.
October
Andalucia Pilgrimage: 5th - 10th
November
Christmas Bazaar: 29th, at Bridges.
Elizabeth volunteered  to organise a craft group at her house, to make saleable items.  This should start very soon.
December
An Advent Event.
A Musical Evening/Afternoon (possibly a Sunday Evening). Elizabeth will seek the opinions of Stephen and Mary Walsh as possibly the students of the College of Music might be persuaded to perform.
 
A Male Voice Choir Concert.
Anne proposed holding one on the lines of one recently held at Bridges. This suggestion was enthusiastically received and is planned for next year on a date on which one of the choirs is available.

Dates for coming Meetings: -
    Thursday May 21st
    Thursday August 6th
    Thursday October 22nd

Any Other Business:    Mary proposed that a Co-ordinator for the Bazaar be appointed at the next meeting. This will enable the Appraisal to be held in good time.
Brenda thanked everyone for the smooth execution of a really substantial Agenda.

Father closed the meeting with a prayer at 8.45 p.m.