MINUTES OF NORTH COUNTRY DEANERY PASTORAL COUNCIL

GYMPIE  3^RD NOVEMBER 2007

Meeting opened at 10 am with a prayer.

Present:  Teresa Hodson, Elaine Madill (Murgon);  Elizabeth Arthy, Margaret Shepherdson,  Margaret McNae (Nanango); Betty Young  (Gayndah);  Tom Bushell , Berry Doak(Gympie); Sr Rose, Fr Pat Dowd, Stuart McKinnon (Maryborough);  Julie Lynch (Hervey Bay)

Apologies:  Fr Dan, Fr John Khoai, Fr Joseph, Fr John Hong, Barry Bolton, Maria Hale, Mary Mulholland, Pat Deeley, David Hogan

Minutes:  Read and accepted

Funds to Date:

The parish expenditure of funds to date was distributed to each parish.  Members were reminded that any unspent" funds would be taken back by the archdiocese, unless clearly their clear purpose for ongoing projects was put in writing.  A FEW PARISHES ARE YET TO DO SO.  Please do so by end of November.  Nanango said that they would use the rest of their Faith  Formation money  to purchase the booklets "Spirited Prayer""

Deanery Budget for 2008

It was suggested that the Little Books be purchased at Deanery Level Funds, rather than from the Parish level, to avoid confusion.   The Faith Formation budget could be adjusted accordingly at parish level spending. 

It was pointed out that the different categories were interchangeable i.e. money from one category could be used in another.  There was discussion on this – what was the point of having categories, if people could spend on what they want to.  It was decided to keep the categories as a guideline, since they keep us focused on the Synod priorities.

Fr Pat suggested sending out a list of liturgy resources, etc. which are recommended , as suggestions for parishes in their spending.  This had been done 2 or  3 years ago, but it would be good to do so again.

The LabORa was being used in some parishes, and Barry Copely's workshops were good;  some people still not using.  If any parish needs more workshopping, they can let us know.

 

WYD Days in the Dioceses 2008

Julie gave info on the  Days in the Dioceses (the 4 days before WYD week begins in Sydney, when overseas pilgrims visit the diocese of their choice) (DitD), which she received at the WYD training day in Brisbane last week.  The overseas pilgrims will be collected at airport and gather at ACU, and from there be bussed to deanery centres.  Julie has asked Fran if our deanery drop off can be more than one place (i.e. Gympie, Maryborough/Hervey Bay, Childers could be drop off points?).  The outline of the 3 full days in the dioceses was given – brief discussion on the AcTS (community service), and then a full discussion on the alternative to the Brisbane's "heart of the City"on the Saturday. IT was felt this is too far, to bus the visitors back down for one day.  We could have an alternative.

Bradley Banney, Carmel Donnelly and Elizabeth Arthy and others(representing Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Nanango) were at the Training Day in Brisbane, and there had already  been discussion on a visit to Fraser Island.  There was also talk of two events , as it would still be a long way to bus some people from Kingaroy to Hervey Bay (or vice versa).  Berry pointed out that she had recently priced an excursion for her school, and it would have cost $126 per person to go to Fraser Island for a day! Many factors, such as taking their own picnic lunch, etc needs to be considered for our pilgrims.

Members of the DPC felt that one event – maybe at the geographical centre (Kilkivan, pointed out to us by Fr Pat Dowd!) – would be a good idea.  This could showcase "country Australia".A meeting of all WYD reps from parishes would be called so that this could be discussed and confirmed.  It is difficult at present, to discuss events in detail, until we know numbers coming to each centre.

Distribution of wyd funds for our deanery

Each parish had sent in info to help us decide on the distribution of the $40 000 which the archdiocese will give our deanery next year.

Julie asked about the attendance of priests from the deanery at the WYD.  Fr Joseph wants to know who will be in the deanery, as he  will help to cover deanery  if necessary.  Hervey Bay is keen for Fr Joseph to go with them, if possible and if he wants to.  Fr Paul had emailed and said he does not wish to go to WYD.  Fr John Hong, has already booked to go with another group to WYD (before his appointment to our deanery).  The priests will talk about this at their next meeting.

Using the approximate number of pilgrims going from our deanery (123), plus the knowledge that we will be staging some sort of event on the Saturday, plus the fact that each parish will need some funds to stage its own local event/s,  the DPC came up with the proposal on next page.

More discussion on WYD Days in the Dioceses.It was suggested that chartering an aircraft might be cheaper than several buses to come up to our deanery.  People also were concerned that it would be too late for pilgrims to come up to our deanery, if their flights did not come in, early on the Thursday to Brisbane.  Julie will talk to Fran about the logistics of all this.

Each parish should state how many visitors they are able to host (2 to each host family);  Julie will ring around, so that she can inform the Brisbane organizers.

DPC meeting dates for next yearOnce the deanery exec meets in early December, we will  send out the dates for next year's meetings                      .Meeting closed at 12.10pm

PROPOSAL FOR DISTRIBUTION OF WYD FUNDS NORTH COUNTRY DEANERY

1.  SUPPORT OF DEANERY PILGRIMS TO WYD 08:(Please see attached chart for numbers attending)

$180 funding to go to each individual pilgrim.  An approximate cost to send each pilgrim to Sydney WYD is $800 (Based on Hervey Bay figures, may be more for those who have to travel to airport in Brisbane)

$180  x  approx. 123 pilgrims from our deanery  =         $22 140

2.  COSTS OF DAYS IN THE DIOCESES ACTIVITIES:

A. Saturday event:  There was  discussion at the Deanery Pastoral Council that an alternative event to the "Heart of the City" festival, could take place, perhaps in Kilkivan.  This could be a showcase of  country life in Australia.   Unfortunately,  travelling up to 8 hours return trip to Brisbane on the Saturday, to attend the big event there, would not be a sensible option for most parishes in the deanery.  The idea of an event in Kilkivan, or maybe 2 events (one in country, one at Fraser Island) is yet to be discussed with the WYD reps from the parishes.  We hope to meet in early new year, to confirm details of our deanery activity on the Saturday.

  B.  Funds will also be needed for local area events.  These will most likely  happen at local parish level, given the distance between parishes in this deanery.  Only a couple of parishes have given thought to this, and it is difficult until we know the number of pilgrims coming to each parish.  (Please see attached chart) A meeting of all parish WYD reps in the new year, will clarify this, and further distribution of funds can take place.

 C  Funds reserved for events leading up to WYD 08 (eg training days in Brisbane), for deanery and parish events during Days in the Dioceses;  also reserved funds for any pilgrims who may need further funding:

                                                                                                                                               $17 860*

*(Please note:  if any parish is unable to find enough finances to fund a person in great need, they may apply for more funding for that individual/s)

 

Section 1.    22 140 +  Section 2.    17 860 =    TOTAL:    $40 000

 

 

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