NORTH COUNTRY DEANERY MEETING

WYD  Pilgrimage & Days in the Dioceses

Saturday 23rd    February, 2008       Kilkivan

Those present:  Fr Paul Kelly, Bradley Banney (Maryborough), Elizabeth Arthy, Moira Thompson(Nanango), Fr Pat Cassidy,  Liz Last (Gympie), Carla Durnan (Childers), Chris Wilson, Carmel Donnelly, Eileen Chamberlain, Julie Lynch (Hervey Bay), Fran Byrne (WYD secretariat, Brisbane)

PURPOSE of meeting was explained:    To plan for Days in the Diocese (DitD) – Thursday 10^th – Sunday 13^th July, in our deanery.  This is the time when overseas visitors will be hosted by families in our local parishes.  It is estimated that , if the Archdiocese hosts 6 500 pilgrims, 200 of these will be placed in the North Country Deanery. All parish priests have been sent letters, asking for an expression of interest in being a host parish. Another letter will soon be sent from the archbishop.

Our deanery has  $40 000 from the Archdiocese to allocate to WYD activities.  As decided at a Deanery Pastoral Council in late 2007, the money will be allocated in the following way:

* $180 will be granted to each pilgrim travelling from our deanery to Sydney. (Each parish to provide documentation and contact Mary Kirkpatrick in Maryborough for this funding)

*Extra money will be granted to any pilgrim in financial difficulty (application to go to deanery executive, or to Fr Pat Cassidy , the dean)

*The remaining money is to be spent on activities during Days in the Dioceses  10 – 13 July. At the deanery pastoral council November 2007, it was suggested that a deanery event be held on Saturday 12^th July at a central point in the deanery (Kilkivan was suggested). This was to be an alternative to the "Heart of the City" festival  being held in Brisbane.

 

Discussion:

Fran suggested that it would be a good idea to have separate coordinators for the different aspects of WYD – one for the actual pilgrimage to Sydney, one to organize homestay for DitD, and one to organize the Community Service and other activities during the homestay.  IT was pointed out, that this was difficult in very small parishes, where it often fell to the one person to organize everything!

Fran  said that the minimum number of host families (each family hosts 2 people) in a parish would be about 5 , as all visiting groups would need to stay together in the same parish, and 10 was an approximate  minimum number for travelling groups.  With this in mind, Carla felt that Childers probably could not host any visitors, as only one or two families had expressed interest.

Regarding maximum number of visitors parishes were willing to  host, the following estimates were suggested by the parish reps:

Hervey Bay  100 -  130, Maryborough  40 - 50, Gympie 10 – 20, Nanango 10.  As no one was present from Kingaroy or Murgon, an estimate was not given.  Gayndah has already indicated that they would not host  visitors for DitD.  Fran said that it was hoped all homestay visitors would be allocated by the end of March.

All parishes said they had just started advertising the homestay.  Hosts could register online, though Hervey Bay said they were asking people to fill out and hand in, hard copies, and the coordinators would enter the details online, later.  This is a way of knowing how many host families we have got.

Discussion on Event for Saturday 12^th July (alternative to Heart of the City)

It was decided not to consider offering a trip to Brisbane for the Heart of the City (even though our visitors  might expect to be going, from the promotional material).  It would be messy , for some of the group to travel to Bris, and others stay behind. This could be clarified when our homestay visitors are allocated to us (we will be given their contact details and can plan with them before they arrive)

Bradley had quotes for a day trip to Fraser Island on the Saturday; Hervey Bay had similar ideas;   Liz suggested a trip to Mt Pomona/ Noosa for the Gympie visitors;  Elizabeth said Nanango visitors could do a trip to the Bunyas.  With these four  parishes expressing different ideas for their  visitors (Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Nanango), it was decided that each of these centres could organize their own activity on the Saturday.  Each parish could apply for funding to organize this activity.  IF Kingaroy and Murgon do host minimum numbers, they could link in with the activities of another parish.

It was suggested that each parish could do its own local trip (maybe on the Friday ) , BUT also attend the Brisbane event on the Saturday.   However, iT was felt that this was cramming too much in the few days.  While there is a recommended program (including community service on the Friday, and a commissioning liturgy on the Sunday), Fran pointed out this was a guideline only.

Liz asked if there were resources for the daily  liturgies( recommended in the DitD suggested program)  and/or the Sunday liturgy.  Fran said a manual is coming to us – will be given out at the training day on 8^th March in Brisbane. – this will have all info for homestay, including suggested prayer, social activities, etc.

The question was raised about insurance ( in the event of eg a car accident involving a visitor)  . This should be covered by church insurance.

Fran asked all parishes to send  her details of their own pilgrimage groups (how and when they will be travelling ), as this will be important in deciding the time frame for  the visitors

Julie reminded those who travelled to the meeting, and those who will go to the training day in Brisbane, that funding for petrol could be obtained.  Please email the km travelled , to Julie and you will be reimbursed 20cents/km.

 

 

 

---

Join Lavalife for free. What are you waiting for?