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AGM 2011

 
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Parish
Annual General Meeting
20th November 2011


  1. Call to Order by Deacon David McKenzie 11:05am

Deacon David opened with prayer and introduced the agenda.


  1. PPC Report “The Year in Review”
    PPC chair: Shayne Pollard

The PPC report was submitted by Shayne Pollard Chair of the PPC Committee.

Shayne indicated that the role of the PPC is not to fix things or build things. The PPC’s role is one of discernment, finding direction and setting a foundation on which we the parish can build.


Based on consultation with the parish, the Parish Assembly, the Reaching Out survey and the input into the Synod process, the PPC has been able to discern a Mission Statement and a Pastoral Plan.


Shayne went through the Mission statement and explained the structure and content of the Pastoral Plan.


Appendix A is a copy of Shayne’s presentation, the Mission Statement and the Pastoral Plan.


PPC Nominations for new members 2012


Deacon David thanked Shayne and the council members;

        • Indicated that Shayne Pollard, Sharon Esterman, Brian Bonney and  have stood down from the PPC and thanked them for their time and energy on the PPC;
        • advised that six positions are open of the PPC with only two nominations having been received so far; and
        • called for nominations

3. Financial Status Report
- Tony Jeffries Chair: Parish Finance Committee

Tony Jeffries presented the Annual Finance Report, a copy of which is Appendix B.


This was Tony’s fourth AGM presentation on behalf of Finance Committee.


Tony introduced the subject by explaining the function of the Finance Committee. He indicated that the finance team does not setup programs, These come from David, his team and the parish. The Finance Committee then advises David on the financial impact of these programs. The Finance Committee is an advisory body that makes financial recommendations.


The overall report was very positive with a substantial decrease in the deficit and a forecast of a surplus for the 2011/12 year. This surplus is subject to the investments market. There has been a positive increase in planned giving with new families joining, which is a positive response to the appeal run by the finance team earlier this year.


David reinforced the positive outcome and thanked Tony Jeffries, John Arday, Cate Clewett, Bernie Gore, Vivienne Lee and John Pozniak for their hard work in difficult financial circumstances. The Finance Committee has been reconstituted with Tony Jeffries remaining as chair, John Arday as bookkeeper/accountant, two new members Anne Brown and David MacIntosh and Vivienne Lee remaining as consultant. The PPC will appoint a representative for the committee.


David indicated that though the overall performance was very good, we as parish still rely on the Diocese to pay our priests. We are not receiving enough in our first collection. This is an issue that has to be addressed. Our parish has much more than many parishes. We should have a surplus to go to the upkeep of clergy from the not so well off parishes, rather than a deficit.


We the Lakes Catholic Parish have been blessed with strong assets. We need to use this to reach out, for the benefits of other parishes and for the greater community.


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  1. WYD Pilgrims

A presentation was delivered by Shayne Pollard and Helen Rutlidge two of our WYD pilgrims.


The presentation was subdivided into three sections

    1. The Saints Mystics Tour.
    2. Days in the Diocese.
    3. World Youth Day

It is impossible to try and paraphrase the feelings, the joy and the wonderment expressed by both Helen and Shayne with regards to their experiences at WYD. A couple of things stood out:

    • The welcoming spirit of the people wherever they went. There seemed to be no boundaries to their generosity and love.
    • The unity amongst the pilgrims and just taking each day at a time and trusting in God. This allowed the Australian group and pilgrim groups from other countries to create a number of impromptu events that were truly led by the Holy Spirit.
    • Bishop David Walker provided impromptu catechesis at one of these impromptu events. His topic was allowing our relationship with Jesus to permeate the whole of our live. This was very inspiring. They felt it a great privilege to share these impromptu experiences with Bishop David
    • The only way to have been able to express the feelings, the excitement and the inspiration that Helen and Shayne shared with the parish at the AGM would to have had the event recorded.

One of the major lessons to have come out of WYD for both of them was to “Trust in God and he will provide”.


  1. Co-Ordinator of Parish Life Address
    - Deacon David McKenzie

Deacon David shared how we started the year under the leadership of the Spiritans. Fr Paul believing that the parish could move ahead without a priest in leadership recommended the Lakes Parish to Bishop David as a potential site.  Deacon David was honored and privileged to be appointed Co-ordinator of the parish.

When taking on this new role, someone challenged Deacon David saying that if he did not have a vision he would fail. Deacon David felt it would be inappropriate to superimpose his vision on the parish which has a strong sense of direction and strong leadership. Deacon David indicated that he believed outcomes we see today have very little to do with him, but are due to the generosity of the people of the parish that give so much, such as;
      • The dedicated Parish Office team.
      • The Finance Team,
      • The PPC,
      • The Sacramental team. We had 193 kids confirmed this year. It was a big challenge. The Confirmation was celebrated by Bishop David, Bishop Bernard and Vicar General Fr Vince at the Treacy centre with parents and friends. It was very successful, so much so that we will do it again in 2012.
      • The Catechists. 52 dedicated people spread the Good News to 1000 kids. We need more.
      • The St Vincent de Paul teams meet fortnightly, pray and make major commitments in time and money to help people in this area. There is a big need for help in our area.
      • Hospitality is very obvious in our parish. Jane Kenny and Irma Reid are everywhere
      • The Gatherers is growing.
      • We had 36 parishioners attend the Diocesan Charity Race Day, the largest contingent from any one parish in the diocese.
      • We are fortunate to have three great priests in our parish, Fr David, Fr Michael and Fr Barry who all do a great job.
      • Community Prayer group,
      • Meditation group
      • Social Group
      • Altar Society.
      • Communion to the sick
      • Those who transport people who have mobility problems
      • And many more.

    1. Questions

Deacon David called for question/comments:
      • Frank van Asten offered a word of thanks. After 54 years in the parish he is amazed at the energy which comes out of the parish. It never ceases to inspire him.
      • Tony Smith supported this with Vilma’s 59 years in the parish.
      • Phil Summers offered his thanks for all the parish has done to assist Cebu in the Philippines, including the efforts from the schools.


David closed the meeting by leading us in a prayer of song entitled “The Face of God”.
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