Parish Pastoral Council
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council
11 February 2025
In Attendance:
Monsignor John Tormey; Fr Joe McGill; Peter Strain; Mary Logue; Eddie Hone; Willie Leckie; Mary Rose Giles; Mark Temple; Anne Gillan; Mary Hallan; Alana Connelly; Eileen Capaldi; Michael Ward; Marion Carlton (Chair)
Apologies from:
Geraldine Garry; Jennifer Williams, Fiona Campbell, Loretta Hegarty,
11 February 2025
In Attendance:
Monsignor John Tormey; Fr Joe McGill; Peter Strain; Mary Logue; Eddie Hone; Willie Leckie; Mary Rose Giles; Mark Temple; Anne Gillan; Mary Hallan; Alana Connelly; Eileen Capaldi; Michael Ward; Marion Carlton (Chair)
Apologies from:
Geraldine Garry; Jennifer Williams, Fiona Campbell, Loretta Hegarty,
- Monsignor John welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with a decade of the Rosary to Our Lady of Lourdes, asking for her intercession as we consider the options for the renovation of our church.
- Marion Carlton was nominated as Chair Person and Peter Strain was nominated as Minute Secretary for this meeting.
- Points of Business:
- Church Restoration Project for 2025:
Update after latest surveys on building completed:
Monsignor John gave an update on the latest developments. Work had been due to start shortly and the estimated cost was to be in the region of £800k. We have £50k in the Bank and £400k in our Building Fund. However, costs have escalated and the renovation cost is now estimated at £1.2m. What had been thought to involve paying back approximately £400k over 5 years has now become £800k over 10 years. Whilst the final decision rests with Monsignor John, Bishop John has requested that due diligence is carried out before proceeding with the work. Three options have been presented to the parish by the Diocesan Finance and Property Committee, with a survey instructed to obtain costs for the options below. It is hoped that costings will be available within the next two weeks. It was the consent of most members that there was a deep reluctance to sell off any part of the grounds except as a very last resort.
Option 1: Refurbishment to Existing Main Church. Cost of restoration and maintenance (including renewal of heating system, repairs of walls and gutters, slates, flooring, windows, lighting, doors, plastering and redecoration)
Option 2: Cost of Demolition of Existing Church & Building New Church (Circa 6,000 sq. ft.)
Option 3: Cost of Demolition of Church & Conversion of Existing Hall, perhaps with sale of some church grounds for development to offset costs.
The options were shown to the meeting and there was a general agreement that we would prefer Option 1, to renovate the existing church. However, there was concern that other issues would be unearthed during the works which would add to the costs. It had been hoped that the original underfloor heating pipes could be utilised which would have reduced the cost and disruption, but it was reported that the original pipes had burst about 10 years ago (During Fr Paul Brady’s time) and resulted in large areas of the floor having to be repaired. Option 2 was considered to be the most expensive with demolition of the existing church likely to be in the region of £200k as well as concerns over timescales for design, planning etc. Option 3 was thought to be the cheapest but there was concern over the lifespan of the existing hall, which was built in the 1980’s.
It was proposed that information be made available to all parishioners in the form of a Project newsletter and updates on the Parish website. - Parish Fundraising Committee and Projects for 2025 2026
Monsignor John told the meeting that he had a small committee who were keen to organise fundraising events but he was looking for feedback as to what events we thought would be supported as well as any additional events we thought might be successful. As well as those listed below our meeting suggested: Hogmanay Dance, an Auction, Plaques on Seats, Invitation to leave a Legacy in your Will and the possibility of selling advertising space in the newsletters to local business. It was also suggested that it was important for the success of the event and the committee, to have an appointed “Leader” for each specific event.- Summer Fete (June) and Sale of Raffle tickets: First Prize £500/£1000?
- Buy a Brick for £10; Sponsor a Window £50
- Organ Restoration Fund – donations
- Family Party Evening, Late Summer Dance, Ceilidh Night
- Burns Supper, Quiz nights, other suggestions?
- Accessing Funds from council, Churches Trust, People’s Lottery
- Summer Fete (June) and Sale of Raffle tickets: First Prize £500/£1000?
- Holy Week
Monsignor John said he was approached by the other churches in Barrhead about participating in events for Easter like the Ecumenical Good Friday Witness Walk and Stations of the Cross on Friday 7pm. He was keen to get feedback on what we had done in the past and highlighted a potential problem regarding damage to some of our Stations and might suggest St Thomas’s in Neilston as an alternative venue. - A.O.C.B
Mary Rose suggested using Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to offer something for the children outside of the Sunday Children’s liturgy, something for younger children as well as something for older children to progress into after the Children’s liturgy to keep them involved.
Eddie Hone asked if there were plans for the Parish to celebrate this Holy Year. Monsignor John suggested a Holy Hour with a reception for the Parish Community in the Hall afterwards. A Pilgrim of Hope walk from St John’s to St Mirin’s Cathedral was suggested as was the revival of the 40 Hours adoration. A Pilgrimage to Carfin and a pilgrimage to Iona or Whithorn have also been suggested for the Holy Year
- Church Restoration Project for 2025:
- Monsignor John thanked everyone for their attendance and asked us to pray that we make the correct decisions for our Parish Community. He closed the meeting with a concluding prayer and blessing.
