NORTH COUNTRY DEANERY PASTORAL COUNCIL

MINTUES OF MEETING HELD IN MARYBOROUGH, 22^ND AUGUST 2009

Present:  Fr Emmanuel, Helen Bonanno (Childers), Kim Koster,  Sr Eunice (Gayndah) Elaine Madill (Murgon ) , Fr Paul,  Stuart McKinnon (Maryborough), Patsy Whiteside, Pat Deeley, Fr Pat Dowd , Julie Lynch(Hervey Bay)Tom Bushell,  Berry Doak ,  Fr Pat Cassidy, (Gympie).. plus James Curtain (Kingaroy) via phone

Apologies:  Marg Hobbs, Teresa Hudson  (Murgon), David Hogan (Hervey Bay), Cavell Black (Nanango), Fr John Khoai, Gay Gordon (Gayndah)

Minutes:  Accepted

Business arising from Minutes:

•  Regarding the Pray 2010  mentioned by Fr Pat last meeting, posters have been sent to all parishes:  There will be a progam on 7-10 July in Brisbbane…..will guests such as Fr Stan Fortuna, Fr Frank Brennan. (More info at www.pray2010.org.au)
• Use of Youth funds. Helen said that at Childers, they were planning to have occasional masses for families, bringing another priest to do this, so that Fr Emmanuel was free for his other Sunday Mass commitments.  Funds would be used  for the supply priest, and also for the bbq/lunch provided afterwards

Correspondence:*Peter Arndt has emailed , offering to come up to parishes and deaneries, to meet briefly about the Social Justice Statement.  Peter has done this for us before, and this was good.   It was decided that (due to large distances to travel), we will not organize this for this year, but  ask Peter maybe in 2010 to come up to see us, at one of our scheduled DPC meetings.  IT does  not matter if it is not around the time of release of the Social Justice Statement.

*BUILDING FAMILIES  SEMINARS -  The  Archdiocesan Centre for Family and Life, have been presenting these seminars around the archdiocese, and one will be coming to Hervey Bay on Saturday 10^th October . Topics include family relationships, praying as a family, and the Children's Ministry team will offer creative and fun activities for children of all ages.   All are invited – and especially those parishes near to Hervey Bay might like to take this opportunity.  God coin donation and BYO lunch.  Posters have been sent to Parishes. IFyou would like brochures, please contact Julie Lynch 41286553

Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (James Curtain, our deanery APC rep spoke with us via phone)

So far, the APC has met four times this year.  They are still in formation.  At each meeting, there has been a presentation by one of the vicariates eg Faith & Life, Archdiocesan Services, etc.  The council has s arted looking at key pastoral issues.  This was initially by brainstorming, then Archbishop Bathersby chose some issues.  At each meeting, a paper has been sent out beforehand, then there   is discussion and feedback to the  Archbishop at the meeting. 

Some issues have been :  evangelization (650 000 Catholics, and less than 10 % connected)  ;  faith formation of youth, ecumenism, sacraments, social justice, global issues, parish leadership.

Some questions were addressed  to James from our group- regarding youth, music (connecting with youth) , reconnecting with those who come occasionally to Mass, keeping connected to those in nursing homes.  James will take some of our comments back to the  A PC.  James asked any member of the DPC  to contact him at anytime if they wish to pass on ideas/comments for the APC. His number is 0409598179

It was agreed that speaking to James by phone worked very well.  Sufficient time for  APC report/discussion will be  factored in, for future meetings. (whether  by phone, or with James present)

YOUTH DAY in Gympie

This was a real success, with approx 60 attending, from teenagers to young adults.  People  came from Nanango, Maryborough, Murgon and Hervey Bay and Gympie.   A great photo was in the catholic Leader. Many thanks to Joanne Rogers and Sordelisa Claudio in Gympie and the rest of the deanery team for their hard work organizing this day.

At the Youth day, it was suggested that another day be held, and Nanango said they wou ld like to host this.  Moira suggested, after the day, that this might be before the end of 2009, (as two of their youth would leave after this)  The meeting suggested that  only one Deanery level youth day be organized each year, and maybe the  one in Nanango/Bunya Mts,  could be organized  early in 2010??? (However does not suit youth in Nanango – Julie to see Moira)  Other option is, parishes can organize events and invite others… but will not be promoted as a deanery event, as such………

There were some young adults, and older adults who come to these gatherings and chat with each on the "sidelines"". Moira Thompson, from Nanango, sent an email suggesting that some sort of family support network be set up from amongst these people who meet, and who are enthusiastic about their faith.  She suggested communication on line and the possibility of prayer days or a retreat day with Fr pat Cassidy. Moira is happy to coordinate this.   The meeting discussed this, suggesting that at future Youth Day, the parents have a session at the same time, and a network might spring from this.  This is to be kept in mind for planning for 2010.  Julie to see Moira.

Moira has set up a Business called Experience Altitude, and offers bushwalking adventures and retreat experiences…. With reasonable rates.  The meeting thought this sounded wonderful, and maybe this could be our next combined (adult/youth ) event for 2010…in the Bunyas.

 Funding

Fr Paul suggested that if people have a project in mind, this could be written down, and the deanery funds set aside for the future.  (Please do this as soon as possible, if you wish to "hang on" to funds!)

Fr pat Cassidy commented on the future of deanery funding.  A  review has been conducted, and the report should be out soon.  The funding might be given over 3 years rather than 1 year…..

Retreat Day: Following on from our discussion in May about a retreat day, Elaine suggested  a retreat in Murgon in  April 2010 (NOT Mother's Day and NOT show hol) at Fran Hutton's place at Wondai;  perhaps we could have our meeting, then go to Frans  in the afternoon, with a BBQ for the evening meal.  People could stay with host families or motels, or if we finish at a reasonable time, some peop le might choose to travel home that evening.   Elaine will talk to Fran – suggesting April 17^th, 2010

SECOND  SESSION OF MEETING

Three people had been asked to share about their ministry in parish and in life ( a suggestion from our last meeting)  Tom Bushell, Kim Koster, and Pat Deeley  generously shared from their heart, and this was appreciated by us all.

 

Next meeting:  Saturday 14^th November, in Gympie.

 

 

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