7 attendees: OC = Owen Clutton (Chairman), GT = Geraldine Thompson, DB = Diana Betts, MM = Mary O’Mahony, PL = Peter Lowe, RW = Roger Wright

Apologies were received from: Teresa Wells, Fr Bryan and June Adams

Agreed actions shown in bold red type.

1.       Minutes of last meeting

RW confirmed that ideally LiveSimply should continue at a low level after the award is granted.  The garden is a permanent fixture so will need tending and we hope will be used as a LiveSimply legacy.  Perhaps phase two could involve growing vegetables alongside.

MM will speak at Mass about J&P membership after Christmas.

Perhaps the LiveSimply team would transfer their allegiance to J&P after next summer.

One or two of those present wondered if the SVP group is active as they don’t seem to have had any publicity.  It might be useful to both groups if someone from there came to speak informally to J&P.  Once again the fact that parish groups don’t interact much was thought to be a shame.

2.       J&P Chair for 2014

OC thought that the group might benefit from a change of chairperson as he had served in the role for three years.  RW explained that he might be prepared to stand after the LiveSimply project had been completed but was too busy to contemplate anything else at present.  Everyone was pleased to know that OC was prepared to continue as chairman.

3.       Fairtrade – parish status

RW queried the current status of St James’ as a Fairtrade parish.  He thought there must be some sort of re-qualification process needed.  DB confirmed that Frank Simon now orders tea and coffee through the Traidcraft parish channel.  It was agreed that someone ought to trace our certificate and generally investigate the situation with the Fairtrade Foundation.  DB would start by talking to David McCabe who was instrumental in the initial qualification.

4.       Traidcraft stall

The coming weekend would be the biggest stall so far and three volunteers would be required after each Mass.  The following rota was provisionally agreed:

6pm	Diana Betts	Roger & Ellen Wright	Mary O'Mahony
9.15am	Geraldine Thompson	Mary O'Mahony **	Owen Clutton *
		** from 10.00am	* from 10.15am
11am	Geraldine Thompson	Diana Betts	Owen Clutton
			Possibly Angela

DB passed a list of possible dates for stalls in 2014.  RW promised to merge these with dates of LiveSimply weekends he hoped to agree with Fr Bryan shortly.

5.       Bromley Borough Foodbank

RW reported that 170kg had been collected on 15/17th November making a total, with individual weekly contributions, of 198kg.  It was agreed by MM, DB, GT and RW that they could handle deliveries to the Foodbank on Monday mornings.  OC said he was also able to help under normal circumstances.

The Foodbank collection at selected local Tesco stores would be from Friday to Sunday this week.  PL had volunteered to help at the Bromley store on Friday and Saturday mornings, OC at Orpington on Friday morning and RW that afternoon.

5.       CAFOD issues

RW described some of the activities he had experienced at a recent CAFOD “Hungry for Change” campaign day held in Amigo Hall.  It had been there that the postcard petition had been recommended by a CAFOD Supporter.  The morning session consisted of a reflection “The Emmaus Meal” with groups of half a dozen, guided by a CAFOD Supporter, following the story of Kainmari (a coincidence) with some food prepared by one of the members of staff.

These events are refreshing because of the enthusiasm of the CAFOD staff, who are very professional, and the opportunity to mix with like-minded people.  The next event will be on Saturday 1st February 2014 and called “Understanding CAFOD”.  They will announce the themes for next year’s campaigning including Climate Change (a detailed report has just been published by CAFOD on this topic).

The results of the postcard petition at St James’ were discussed:

	Mass attendance	No. of cards
	including children	with addresses	No. of cards with name only	Total for CAFOD	Response from congregations
6pm	183	45	81	126	69%
9.15pm	211	103	33	136	64%
11am	200	103	44	147	74%
Extras	-	5	1	6	-
	594	256	159	415	69%
					(excludes extras)

6.       LiveSimply progress

RW tabled a simplified list of progress and there was general discussion about some of the activities.  MM noted that Zosia had been positive towards the idea of one LiveSimply Mass weekend being handed over to the young people, particularly the confirmation group.  They normally have a Mass on Sunday evening so the routine would have to be broken on this occasion.  Plenty of notice would be required.  It might be possible to have Fairtrade as a focus (Fairtrade Fortnight is from Monday 24th February to Sunday 9th March.)

RW explained that Fr Bryan had asked him to propose dates for LiveSimply weekends in 2014, as soon as possible, so they could be synchronised with church and parish events.

RW mentioned that the garden team had now finished work for this winter but new helpers would be much appreciated in the spring when work resumes.  DB offered to help, particularly with plant advice and planting, especially during the week.  RW would pass this information to Joe Falzon.

7.       New overseas project

OC had spoken to Fr Rob Morland on his recent visit to speak about the work of the Society of African Missions.  He promised to put OC in contact with an appropriate person who might be able to advise us.  OC also mentioned the Jesuit Missions as being extremely well organised.  DB would suggest another missionary society she had intended to approach.  RW has a contact in the St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan Fathers).

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.10pm.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd January 2014 at 7.45pm.