PARISH OF EGHAM Our Lady of the Assumption

PARISH OF EGHAM Our Lady of the Assumption and St John of Rochester PARISH FORUM 26 th June 2014 Jurgens Centre.

AGENDA • Welcome and Thank You – Moritz Gregory • Opening Remarks & Prayer – Fr Hugh • 15 th April Parish Forum – Patrick Davis • Deanery Service Group - Peter Lynch • Next Steps - Fr Hugh

15 th April Parish Forum Bishop Kieran Comments - emotional journey - challenges (similar to other parishes, priests, attendance) - Pope Francis challenge to be disciples - consider the support our priest(s) need - focus on church and community

15 th April Parish Forum – Patrick Davis • • • Community Property & Plant & Administration Our school Weybridge Deanery Additional comments • Over focus on financial matters • Fr Hugh & Deacon Aidan need our support • Why do the other 3, 000 Catholics in our parish not attend church?

Additional comments / input • • Support for change Greater need for us to build up the church attendance Improve links with the community and the school size Accepted the state of the two properties/sites - concerns regarding the refurbishment works • • Desire to have a say in the future of the church By inference a desire to play a role in doing so More open communication with the parishioners How do we ALL take the church(es) forward

15 April – Parish Forum Strengths Weaknesses People: Community: Rich mix of skills in the parish Willingness & capability to contribute to parish A willingness to adapt Community: Part of a stable and caring community A growing number of parish organisations Assets: Churches in good locations / generous plots The Jurgens Centre is an especially good asset. School: St Cuthbert’s Primary is very highly regarded Planning: Now more forward-looking with a team in place We are still two parish communities Lack of parish groups People are not willing to get involved Imbalance in the age groups of the parish Administration: More communication & consultation needed Need for organised maintenance and funding plan Assets: Two ageing buildings with costs Inefficient to run two sites School: St Cuthbert’s is too small ; over-subscribed Pastoral: Shortage of clergy Lack of direction, historically Training needed of laity for pastoral work

Social – Jim Forkin • Together we can address some of our weaknesses – over time • Four events to date and improving participation and involvement from across the parish • The Hog Roast had over 100 people and made a small profit • Next event at the end of the summer – please help to spread the word and get involved • We still have quite some way to go…

Deanery Service Group - Peter Lynch The Deanery Group is looking at how to better plan for 2020 +. . . • Parishes/Deanery working together • Empowering the laity • Evaluating deanery resources • Individual discipleship and calling.

Next Steps – Fr Hugh • Pastoral Teams & Other Groups • Parish strategy - Short, medium & long- term plans

Questions or comments? Next Parish Forum – Autumn 2014