The pastoral council
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Council has met over the past few months and several issues have been raised during that time. The Council members are: - Sr. Benedict, Sr. Carmel, Jim Devlin, Paddy Stewart, Leo Mc Dermott, Declan McMenamin, Catherine O’Kane, Bernie McQuillan, Paul Kelly, Carmel Gallagher, Anne Marie McMackin, Mary McCrossan, Stephen Kennedy and Fr. Boland. Carmel Maybin was our secretary for five years but she and her husband and family have moved away from the parish and we thank her for her sterling service during that time. Ann O’Neill has been seconded to the Council and we warmly welcome her. With her background in second level Religious Education she will be a great asset and will bring a wealth of experience to the group. The following points were discussed:-
• A letter was sent to the new Methodist Minister from the parish welcoming him to the town and expressing sadness and shock at the senseless attack he sustained as he came to Strabane. We sent him our best regards and every good wish from the people of our parish.
• The doors at the church have to be repainted and three local painters are presently preparing quotes for this.
• Twelve new windows have been replaced at the parochial house. Because of the style of the building they had to be in keeping with the original sash windows. This was urgent business as one window was literally in pieces. The total cost came to £16,000.
• Signs for a One-Way system around the church, for the Adoration Chapel, and the toilets are in the process of being investigated.
• There is an investigation ongoing with regard to the cost of our waters rates, which we deem to be unduly high.
• Sr. Carmel and Sr. Benedict and Ann O’Neill attended the “Year of Faith” Conference held recently in Thornhill College and gave a very favourable report.
• A meeting of the Eucharistic Ministers was held recently to standardize practice at all masses. New members are required. Many thanks to Catherine O’Kane for doing the rota.
• The “Do This In Memory” programme has begun with a meeting in Barrack Street Boys’ School. It was very well attended and we have had our first special mass with the names of all the children on the front pillar in the sanctuary. The Confirmation date is Saturday 13 April 2013 and First Holy Communion is on Saturday 25 May 2013.
• The Church bell is rather weak in tone and the person who put in the electronics is being contacted.
• The annual Mass for the dead took place on 9 November and there was a very favourable response from the families concerned. Thank you Sr. Carmel, Sr. Benedict, Billy and Columba for all your hard work. We don’t forget Amanda our Parish Administrator who oversees all the contacts and paperwork involved.
• £500 from the poor box was sent to Tanzania via the Holy Cross Project.
• The Pantomime ‘Cinderella’ is nearly ready for action and by all reports it will the best yet! The annual Bazaar takes place on Sunday 2 December.
• Concern was raised at the number of cars parking in the chapel grounds and Fr. Boland will address this issue.
• The church porch is in need of a tidy up as the paint is beginning to flake.
• This year – October 2012 – October 2013 – has been designated as the “Year of Faith”. The Pastoral Council has decided that it will devote its next meeting to address this and how it can become a living issue for the people in our parish.
• A letter was sent to Carmel Maybin from the Council thanking her for her sterling service over the years and wishing her well in her new home.
• Billy our sacristan has been doing sterling work – hardly a leaf left on the parochial avenue. Well done Billy!
• If anyone has any issues, queries, concerns, or new ideas to help the parish why not contact any of the Council members or go directly to Fr. Boland himself.