NORTH COUNTRY DEANERY

 

MINUTES OF DEANERY PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING

Held in Maryborough, 16 February  2008

 

Present:  Berry Doak, Tom Bushell, Fr Pat Cassidy(Gympie), Helen Bonanno (Childers), Pat Deeley, David Hogan, Fr Joseph Hien Van Vo(Hervey Bay), Sr Rose Cavallo, Stuart McKinnon, Fr Paul Kelly (Maryborough), Gay Gordon, Sr Eunice  (Gayndah), Margaret McNae, Margaret Shepherdson (Nanango), Fr John Hong (Kingaroy/Nanango), Julie Lynch

 

Apologies:  Teresa Hodson, Elaine Madill (Wondai), Fr Emmanuel, Fr John Khoai, Kim Koster, Hope Koster,  Irene Fernandes

 

Budget: Proposed budget for 2008 was given out.  This had been discussed at the November 2007 meeting;  all approved. All  were reminded that funds are available for petrol reimbursement (20c per km) – for events such as DPC meetings, and other deanery events.

 

Deanery Workshops:It was suggested that we have a workshop at deanery level later this year.  This is to be put on the agenda for next meeting.  What sort of training/formation is needed?  One suggestion was a follow up to the  "Reconciliation"  issues emphasized by the recent Government Apology to the indigenous people of Australia.  We could contact the Murri Ministry. Perhaps this could be after our November DPC meeting, as we have done before.?

 

The Lenten workshop – this was held at Hervey Bay this year, with some people from Maryborough attending.  It was suggested that Rob Cosgrove be contacted and encouraged (for 2009) to do the East and West of our Deanery (Two workshops) as has happened in the past.

 

 

WYD update:

Gympie – The  previous organizer was no longer involved, and this is being passed over possibly to Liz Last, the Campus Minister.

Maryborough – Stuart said there were some difficulties with booking flights.  If they had to go early, where could they stay?  It was suggested that Stuart contact the WYD office in Sydney for this information.

Childers – asked  how do we get the $180 per pilgrim from the deanery WYD funds.  IT was explained that any sort of documentation showing the number of pilgrims would be sufficient for Mary Kirkpatrick to distribute these funds.

With regard to Dit D (Days in the Dioceses) – this has been advertised, and BriZstay registration forms available at Masses.  There is concern with the costs associated with long drives to any deanery event in DitD;  also, as Carla (along with another teacher) are going to Sydney prior to WYD, there will be noone to coordinate the DitD activities, in Childers.

Nanango: There are 4 people booked to go to WYD in Sydney, with 4 yet to do so.  There are 3 families willing to host  overseas pilgrims, so far.

 

Hervey Bay:  There are 43 pilgrims going, including 5 adult supervisors.  A committee was formed last year.  One person is coordinating the pilgrimage to Sydney.  Two people are organizing the Days in the Dioceses/Homestay and one person is in charge of fundraising.

 

Discussion:  IT was suggested that funding  could be given directly to host families to help with transport, etc.  especially if there is an event in Kilkivan on the Saturday.  If an event was held in Kilkivan, we could contact the Horse Ride Committee, for contacts and suggestions.

 

Archdiocesan Pastoral Council

Tom said that there was a major review last year, and as yet, he has not heard the result.  Fr Pat said that at a Dean's meeting late last year, there still had been no decision about the future of the APC

 

Priest's meetings.

It was suggested that any issues from the Priests gatherings could be brought up at our DPC meetings  - we could have a set "Report from Priests meeting" on our agenda.

 

Dean's Comments.

Fr Pat asked that we keep Fr Dan in our prayers , as he hadn't been well.

He suggested that the WYD could have a "review" later in the year – maybe in October..(a gathering of all those involved in our deanery?)

The Mass of the Oils will be in Gympie on 9^th March.  Fr Pat encouraged all to come to this, as it is a deanery event.  We can apply for funds to help with travel. 

 

Around the Parishes.

Childers. The inside of the church has been painted and cement paths laid around;  a covered area has been constructed between the Church and the school

Hervey Bay.  The gambling fund has helped with the refurbishing of our hall.

Centacare has begun building a new childcare centre. The "turning of the sod" ceremony was held last week. It is hoped that building will be completed in time for Archbishop to open in August.

Gympie.  The parish secretary, Coral, has retired, and the new person is Vy.  The primary school has outgrown its premises, and it will be moved across the river! The old buildings might be sold to the St Patrick's Villa.

Nanango.  The church was broken into, before Christmas.

 

THE NEXT DEANERY PASTORAL COUNCIL WILL BE HELD IN MURGON ON 17^TH MAY.

 

 

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