REPORTS FOR BELMONT ABBEY PARISH AGM – 2 DECEMBER 2008
S.V.P.
The Saint Michael and all Angels Conference, here in Belmont, has six full members and four auxiliary members. As was mentioned in the last A.G.M. report two years ago – we are all getting older.
All Conferences, whether large or small, have one thing in common. Members are always available to help people in need and they meet as a group, ideally every week.
We meet twice a month on the first and third Wednesday .This regular coming together is one of the society’s greatest strengths, and is a major reason for its unbroken existence since 1833.
We visit parishioners in their own homes and in Nursing Homes. We keep them up to date with Parish matters, (like making sure that they know about the Retired Persons Christmas Lunch and getting them there – very important, a real social occasion). We take them a copy of the newsletter and the Angel and have a chat over a cup of tea.
We are “twinned” with two other Conferences, one in India and another in the Sudan –this latter one was only set up in May this year. We also support two students in India. From time to time we hear news from them, usually around Christmas time. The problems we have here in the UK seem very trivial compared with the struggles in those countries.
As I said, we meet twice a month -
Anne Williams
FUNDRAISING REPORT
Since the last AGM in Nov 2006, the parish has raised about £11623+. This is broken down as follows:
Jumble Sale April 2007 £840
Fete 2007 £3350.65
Jumble Sale Sept 2007 £646
Quiz Night 2007 £600+
Christmas Draw 2007 £400
Jumble sale April 2008 £840
Fete 2008 £3997.08
Jumble Sale Oct 08 £950+
So the parish did well – contributing more than just money but a lot of time and effort for all the various events. Clare Nickerson is to be thanked for yet again producing a wonderful quiz night.
The Jumble sales, as ever, are admirably run by a small band of helpers. It would be good if a few more people could contribute a bit of time before the jumble sale as well, where it is especially needed.
The fetes were nearly rained out – but as always – we persevered and kept on smiling through the rain. The fete for 2007 left everyone very very wet although the children enjoyed the impromptu water slides. The fete for 2008 was fairly well attended by outsiders; quite a few were the parents of the Kingstone Ballet Group.
A big thank you to all those who supported all the above events either financially or by giving of their valuable time.
CO-
Our little group still meets on the first Monday of the month at 2:30 pm. However, the number of “outworkers” far exceeds those at the meeting and we are extremely grateful for their many and varied contributions which enable us to send out, on average, 5 or 6 sacks per month to feed the children. Please contact Anne on 01432 354912 for more details or if you are interested in joining our group.
PRAISE & WORSHIP PRAYER GROUP
This year we also ran the Life in the Spirit seminars, there were two groups running on 7 consecutive Monday evenings and Friday afternoons. The seminars explain in depth how the Holy Spirit is available to us in our every day lives and several parishioners grew in their understanding and were newly filled with the Holy Spirit and all His gifts.
We meet on alternate Monday evenings in the Oratory for 1 hour, commencing at 7.30pm. Throughout this past year the numbers attending have remained fairly constant, i.e. between 10 and 12 people attending. Each evening begins by giving thanks and praise to God, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, during which there is meditation on a passage from Scripture. We also have intercessory prayer for various needs, whether it be personal, local, national or international. There is an opportunity for individual prayer ministry to conclude the evening. Throughout the year a number of people have been truly blessed.
Deacon Eddie Wyman and Jane Davies
PWG MASSES
Jane Davies
The core team of the PWG group lead the music at the 11 am Mass once a month, choosing more modern worship music and some folk hymns. We are delighted that Kerry Poole has joined our team with her guitar and experience of folk groups elsewhere and we wish Emma Davies well as she has now left for University. We are very pleased that Jacqui Corrigan has offered to help us with her guitar when she can. We continue to offer personal prayer ministry after these Masses to anyone who is in need and there are more people coming forward as they recognise their need for frequent infilling of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.
SAFEGUARDING
Lord Nolan recommended that his report "A Programme for Action" published in 2001, should be reviewed in 5 years time.
The Cumberlege Commission has carried out this review and published a report which states "that although much progress has been made and the Church is now a safer place we believe there is still room for improvement". Since the report a number of changes were recommended and some have been implemented, such as Child protection is now regarded as Safeguarding, COPCA (Catholic Office for the Protection of Children an Vulnerable Adults) becomes Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service.(CSAS) and ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) previously known as Vetting and Barring will soon be going back to its original title of "The Vetting and Barring Scheme" It is hoped that by October 2009 this scheme will be up and running.
The only problems we seem to have at the moment, is getting clarification on queries regarding the recommendations from the safeguarding office in Cardiff. It is important that we all remain vigilant to ensure all children and vulnerable adults both in our parish and outside are properly safeguarded, for which everyone of us is responsible.
Up to now 39 volunteers in our parish have had successful C.R.B. clearance, with another half a dozen in the pipeline.
Kath Parry
ALTAR SERVERS
Members
Since the last report, we have lost a number of our regular servers: the Langley family moved to North Yorkshire somewhat depleting our numbers; others have new ministries in the Parish: Brionie Reed is now a reader; Emma Davies is studying university but we hope she will return to support the parish during the holidays.
We also welcomed some new members: Andrew Cooper-
Cardinal’s Annual Mass for Altar Servers
In May a small party of servers from Belmont joined together with servers from Kington/Weobley, accompanied by parents and Rev. Deacon Eddie and Mrs Jan Wyman to attend the Annual Cardinal’s Mass for Altar Servers at Westminster Cathedral. It was another magnificent occasion with over 1,000 altar servers present from all over the country. We were the only representatives from the Archdiocese of Cardiff but we managed to have our photograph taken with the Cardinal!
Archdiocese
The Liturgy Commission held a meeting on 23rd September in Cardiff, inviting every parish to send their MC or Senior Altar Server to discuss their ministry within the Diocese. It is hoped that a Director will soon be appointed to the St Stephen’s Guild to represent the Archdiocese and organise an annual Mass for all Altar Servers.
Publicity & Recruitment
An article printed in The Universe has been sent to the editor of The Angel for future publication. It is hoped that this will encourage more youngsters to come forward to be Altar Servers in our parish.
Thank you
I would like to express my gratitude to the servers who continue to provide a very important ministry at Belmont Abbey. I should also thank the parents who continue to encourage their youngsters and also Brother Peter who coaches us through the major feasts.
Finally I would like to thank Fr Nick for his endless support and patience!
Chris Moore
PARISH CENTRE REPORT 2007 – 2008
Presbytery.
The Small Meeting room and Office is to be redecorated in the two weeks after Christmas.
A new cooker has been installed in the Kitchen.
Security.
The system whereby all regular users of the hall now either have their own key or have access to a key continues to work well.
Maintenance.
v A Window Cleaning Contractor continues to clean both the inside and outside
of all the windows -
v A small portable sound system has been purchased for the Hall for use by the parish and it is available, for hire, to users of the Hall
v It is intended to thoroughly clean redecorate the Hall and its ancillary rooms in the two weeks after Christmas.
Cleaning.
The existing system of employing the services of two cleaners is proving to be satisfactory.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the Parish who use
the Hall for refreshments on Sunday for clearing up afterwards. Thank you for your
continued co-
Chairs.
The chairs are continuing to show signs of wear. Food and/or drink is still being spilled on them. Please take care of your assets. Many of them have had their rubber feet replaced to prevent the square tubing of the legs are marking the floor.
Income.
We now have a regular booking by a number of departments from the Primary Healthcare Trust; the ‘occasional’ bookings have increased, however the usage of the Hall by the Abbey Education Department for School Visits is less than previous years and future booking are much fewer. Other departments of the Primary Healthcare Trust occasionally make bookings. Hire charges are, again, being increased from January 2009.
Booking Calendar.
Please ensure that parish/personal bookings are made through the Parish Priest or myself. With the number of commercial bookings increasing it is now even more essential that availability is checked and reservations made. It is wrong to assume that it is always available.
Conditions for using the Centre.
I would remind all users that the following MUST be observed: -
1) That nothing is fixed to the walls; please use the hanging rail for all items.
2) That the lightweight tables are cleaned and returned to the toilet lobby.
3) That the square tables are neatly stacked against the wall.
4) That the billiard table is returned to the space in front of the radiator just inside the entrance door.
5) That the booking calendar is used, even for regular activities.
Ray Rose
Parish Centre Manager
Monday, 27 October 2008
TESCO GIFT CARD SCHEME REPORT 2007 – 2008
The scheme has now been in operation since the 22nd October 2000 and has contributed over £20,000.00 to the Parish. Over that period the number of parishioners participating in the scheme has varied – people leaving and new ones joining – and it currently stands at 23. In addition there are parishioners who regularly purchase GC’s from the Abbey Shop.
In the last financial year the scheme has sold vouchers with a face value of £46,730.00 for which we paid £ 44,393.50 all of this has been the result of sales in this parish.
The profit generated by the scheme in the last financial year was £2,500.00 based upon the difference between income and expenditure.
I should like to thank both Jeanette Morris and Margaret Campbell for their assistance in administering the scheme.
With people moving away from the parish, and some dying, new ‘customers’ are required. Please consider very carefully participating in this scheme and also consider regularly buying Gift Cards for petrol (currently the cheapest in Hereford) or even for Christmas presents for distant relatives.
I regularly see parishioners in the local Tesco store, with overflowing trolleys, who DO NOT buy Gift Cards. I appeal to them – Come and Join the Scheme – It costs you nothing and greatly benefits the parish, which in turn is able to support the Belmont Community. Much more money will be needed in the future to sustain the Community so PLEASE PLAY YOUR PART.
Ray Rose
Tesco Gift Card Scheme Manager
Monday, 27 October 2008
BELMONT ABBEY PARISH CHOIR
Belmont Abbey Parish Choir has now completed 22 years of service to the Parish, possibly its longest running organisation. The Choir is run as a ‘club’ with its ‘members’ attending practices each Thursday in the Parish Centre. We sing for the 11am Parish Mass mostly every 4th Sunday of the month. This may alter when seasonal changes occur e.g. timing of Advent, Easter, or on important Feastday.
Our Policy and ‘Mission’ is to increase our own ability, and to assist those whom we lead in praise to God, through the music of the Christian traditions; and to enhance the public services of worship in Belmont Abbey Parish within the liturgies of the Roman Catholic Church. We use a repertoire of traditional and new Liturgical music chosen to enhance the theme of the Parish Eucharistic celebration.
New members are always welcome -
The finances of the Choir are self supporting with earnings from weddings, etc. This means there has been no draw on Parish funds for music purchases. These earnings are, of course, dependent on whether wedding couples decide to request a Choir.
During this year, particularly, I would like to record, once again, my thanks to Dick Wareing, who took the Choir through Lent and Easter while I was undergoing cardiac treatment. It was pleasure for me to return just in time for the Holy Week services under his direction.
Some of our Choir members have been with us for the full 22 years, and we are all commensurately older. Naturally some have wished to retire, but some are now suffering illnesses, which prevent regular attendance. In particular, we think of Philip Wilkins, Doreen Sulstan, and Liz Upham, who are seriously ill, and we ask for prayers for these members.
We hope that our singing at Parish Masses does indeed enhance worship for everyone at our Sung Parish Masses. The music is selected and performed for no other purpose.We welcome any comments or suggestions from our fellow members of the Congregation, as these are very helpful.
Tony Hemson 26 November 2008
BELMONT PARISH LITURGY GROUP
The Liturgy Group meets approximately every 3 months subject to the planning requirements of forthcoming Liturgical seasons. Frances Grant prepares the matrix schedule for Sunday Ministries which is distributed to all who have been commissioned with a ministry.
The Liturgy Group plans mostly for the celebrations at the main Belmont Parish Mass at 11am. The Group aims to provide prayerful Liturgies based on the theme of the Mass for that Sunday, involving the Children, or the Youth, or special creative Liturgical action so that the Parish, as a community, celebrates meaningfully. Last Advent we celebrated with Ecumenical friends a special Service for the Hospice – ‘Light up a Life’.
Belmont Parish has a very committed, skilled and commendable group of people in each ministry, which makes the work of the Liturgy Group flow as it should:
Readers: All readers continue to offer great skill and understanding in their delivery of the Liturgy of the Word. Some texts are difficult and need forward study and delivery practice; and it is obvious that this is happening. This year two more readers have been appointed.
Extraordinary Ministers: This ministry is effective and working well.
Children’s Liturgy: The contribution made by the Children’s Liturgy to 11am Mass is always creative and relevant. Comments from parents etc. say how imaginative the work of the Children’s Liturgy Leaders is in guiding the spiritual development of the children. This year we have a shortage of volunteers and more help is always welcome.
Sacristans/Servers: Regular Practice sessions are held throughout the year. This team fulfils an important link with the Monastic celebrations at Christmas and Easter. Two new young members of the Guild of St.Stephen have recently been enrolled.
Praise & Worship Group (PWG): The Group leads from within the Congregation using a range of new songs for liturgical praise, many of which are not in the hymn book. Over the last few years some of these songs have become better known through repeated use The PWG sings mostly on the 2nd Sunday of the month, and are often complimented for the selection of music for worship. The Group offers prayer ministry in or near St.Benedict’s Chapel after each Mass at which they sing, and this has been very much welcomed. They also hold regular Prayer sessions as announced, to which all are welcome.
Choir: The Choir leads in a more formal ‘Sung Mass’ style using both traditional and new music on 4th Sunday of the month, and major Feastdays. It has just completed 22 years of service to the Parish. This year attendance has been small, but it is always planned that the music will contain 4 part choral with a sung Responsorial Psalm, and a motet or anthem.
Youth Music Group: Due to several circumstances this group is not meeting at present.
Welcomers: This is now much more efficient, and occasional ‘let downs’ through unexpected absences rarely occur. This ministry is a very worthwhile action and more volunteers will always be welcome.
The Chapels at Ewyas Harold and Broad Oak -
However the Advent Churches Together and Good Friday Services continue to be held.
During this year I would like especially like to record, once again, my thanks to Frances Grant for taking on the Secretarial role while I underwent cardiac treatment.
Liturgy Group Members are:
Fr.Nicholas Wetz (P.P.) Chairman
Rev. Deacon Eddie Wyman
Jane Davies Praise & Worship Group
Liz Morawiecka Youth Music Group
Chris Moore Servers and Sacristans; also pp. Jacqui Moore for Children’s Liturgy
Jan Wyman Praise & Worship Group
Frances Grant 8.30 Parish Mass
Tony Hemson (Secretary) Choir
Tony Hemson Secretary 26 November 2008