BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH PASTORAL PLAN
This paper comprises the final report on the third phase of the three-year plan submitted to Bishop McMahon in 2005 and covers the period 1st September 2007 to 31st August 2008.
The Plan covered the six Key Areas outlined in the Diocesan Plan which was adopted as a framework for the Parish Pastoral Plan. An additional Key Area was added to cover social and other important matters which did not fit well within the other Key areas.
The Plan was considered to be a rolling programme and incorporated agreed changes and up-dates as the need arose.
Sept 2008
COMMUNICATIONS
Aims: To have more effective communications within the Parish
To communicate more effectively with the media and the local and wider community
What we said we would do | What we did |
Develop a more appropriate Parish website.
Explore more effective ways of communicating with young people.
Encourage a small number of older altar servers to become readers.
Review need for additional Special Ministers
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New website operational since December 2007 Domain name registered: blessedsacramentleicester.org.
To be further considered
Readers Day to be organised in Autumn – both young and older potential readers will be invited.
Review completed – agreed that the recruitment of three new Special Ministers met current demand |
PLANNING AND STRUCTURES
Aim: To develop structures which will set the direction for our future development together as Church and enable us to bear confident witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
What we said we would do | What we did |
Complete Directory of Roles and Responsibilities within the Parish
Review and report on progress in implementing Parish Pastoral Plan
Plan and fund programme of repairs and replacements: · Lighting in Church · Repainting body of Church · Repairs to metal windows · Testing of electrics (PAT & hard wiring) Increase regular income in order to meet additional demands on Parish finances by a campaign to include the promotion of Gift-Aid.
Complete Parish survey in Thorpe Astley.
Complete financial and other reports to Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund and return unspent monies
Explore possibility of continuing some elements of the work funded by FCCBF.
Identify future Area & other Representatives as possible members of the Parish Team.
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Some progress but not completed
Reviews completed. Report to be published on website and copies provided to Parish Team Members.
Report on available options awaited
Deferred due to high cost (Feb Parish Team Meeting)
To be completed
Completed Feb 2008 Presentation given on the 2nd Sunday in Advent at all Masses
Still to be completed
All financial and other reports submitted. Unspent balance returned
Involvement and support to the various cultural communities of the Parish continues.
Representatives for all areas and interests agreed |
EDUCATION AND FORMATION
Aim: To continue to develop lifelong learning in faith
What we said we would do | What we did |
Appoint and resource Parish representatives to Deanery, Diocesan and national conferences, courses and training initiatives and provide opportunities for reporting back to the Parish where appropriate.
Support two young people to allow attendance at World Youth Day in Australia July 2008
Establish a Parish Library.
Organise a series of Faith Enquiry Talks.
Encourage young people to develop a greater understanding of their faith.
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Parish representatives involved in Ministry/Theology Course at Matlock (1 new registration & 1 previously registered).
Four representatives attended Diocesan Day held in Derby to mark the achievements of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan and plan the next stages.
Parish represented at Readers Training Day. Training kit to be used at sessions organised within the Parish
National meeting for CAFOD supporters held in Parish Hall on 8th March
Range of fund raising events, together with financial support from Parish, supported attendance of two young people.
Agreed that this should be deleted from the Plan (January Parish Team Meeting)
Course began on 19th September with 4 adults under instruction
Course for 10 young people began 17th September.
Retreat for children from Kerala hosted on 5th- 7th November |
SPIRITUALITY
Aim: To nourish the spiritual life of everyone in the Parish
What we said we would do | What we did |
Organise a Parish Pilgrimage
Arrange a Lenten Study Course
Arrange a half day course on healing during Lent 2008
Organise a Parish Retreat during Holy Week
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Pilgrimage to Ireland took place (Westport Co. Mayo) 4-9th May 2008
Nine-week study course held on St. Matthews Gospel to accord with plans for Holy Week Retreat. More than 20 people regularly attended
Mass of Healing held 13th March
Very successful Holy Week Programme arranged with the help of Fr. J. O’Hanlon.
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LITURGY AND WORSHIP
Aim: To improve and enrich the liturgical life of the Parish.
What we said we would do | What we did |
Arrange a programme of services of celebration or remembrance
Encourage more active involvement in celebrating the great feasts of the Church especially Easter and Christmas.
Encourage the support of the Parish for a Christmas Gift Scheme. |
Mass of Healing held 7th October.
Service of Loving Remembrance held on 23rd November.
Children distributed flowers to all ladies attending Mass on Mothering Sunday – 2nd March
Information on Christmas services provided to Churches Together. Support given to preparation and distribution of 5000 information cards.
Ecumenical Carol Service hosted on 5th December
Programme of Christmas Masses, including Children’s Mass, attracted 1,100 people.
Successful Service of Reconciliation and Carols held on 23rd December.
Well attended programme of special services held throughout Holy Week. More than 120 families and individuals contributed to “A Garment of Suffering” Parishioners donated “The largest gift of groceries yet received by the local Red Cross in support of their appeal on behalf of refugees” Total of £3,500 donated from Parish funds to support refugee children in Rwanda of which £ 1190 had been raised from collections made during Advent |
EVANGELISATION AND MISSION
Aim: To develop throughout the Parish a culture of evangelisation in which all, both individually and collectively, live the good news of the Gospel and become witnesses of it to others.
What we said we would do | What we did |
Celebrate the ordination of Rev. Robert O’Callaghan to the priesthood on 26th July.
Celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Jim Duffy.
Continue to play an active role in ecumenical activities and initiatives including those sponsored by Braunstone Faiths Forum
Continue to play an active role in Kirby Muxloe/ Leicester Forest East Churches Together.
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Very successful celebration involved Bishop Malcolm and approximately 50 Diocesan Priests. Catering and other arrangements by in-Parish Teams.
Fr . O’Callaghan celebrated his first Mass on Sunday Mass 27th July
Successful celebration included punch and cakes served after Mass.
Continued attendance at meetings
Fr. JJ attended meeting between representatives of Christian and Muslim communities held at St. Phillips Church. Muslim representatives expressed an interest in initiating a Catholic/Muslim dialogue. Support/involvement in ecumenical events in the LFE/Kirby Muxloe area of the Parish included: Christian Unity Week. Service for Women’s World Day of prayer held at Kirby Muxloe Free Church on 7th March Community Day for local churches held 14th September in Kirby Muxloe. Christian Aid Tea Party on Friday 26th September One World Service at St Bartholomew’s on 12th October Christian Unity Service at St. Andrew’s planned for 18th January 2009 (Catholics to organise)
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SOCIAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Aim: To foster a spirit of community within the Parish
What we said we would do | What we did |
Organise a programme of social activities including:
· A Quiz Evening
· A Christmas social event for young people
· A visit to a pantomime
· A New Year meal for the older people of the Parish.
· An outing for the older people of the Parish.
· Organise a Christmas Fair
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Successful evening held 12th October 2007 – to be repeated in Autumn of 2008
Bowling evening and meal arranged at Pizza Hut on 22nd December – 20 young people attended.
Arranged – 10 people attended
Meal arranged on 5th January – 72 older parishioners attended
Coach outing to Hunstanton took place 2nd July.
Held on Saturday 1st December - £ 4000 raised for Parish finances
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