DIVINE INFANT OF PRAGUE

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVMENTS 2006 / 07 / 08

Parish Pastoral Plan - introduced with new Parish Groups.

Faith Sharing - Syston Christian Council changed to Churches Together. Joint ecumenical events organised including joint Services and Stations of the Cross at The Divine Infant.

CAFOD - Awareness evenings at St Mary’s, and a stand at Leicester trade fair. Contributions of Social Justice material for inclusion in Children’s Liturgy. Increase in contributions

Planning and Communication - Parish Web Site introduced.
Training for Councillors and Council involvement in Bishop Malcolm’s  “ A Step on the Way “ gathering at Derby. Audit of Communications. Attempt to introduce “ Home is a Holy Place “.
Social events such as Barbeques,  dances and garden parties held. Coffee and “ butties “after Mass.

Youth Group - To be prioritised 2009 onward.

Liturgy and Prayer Group - Weekly Meetings. Reviewing Liturgy of Services. Seasonal Music introduced at Mass. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament re -introduced. Ministry of the Word reader training introduced. White Alb introduced for First Holy Communicants. Masses in the Community started at Rearsby and at Gaddesby, also House Masses. Taize Service held.

Parish Hall - Management committee fully established.
Hall extension completed. Hall fully refurbished and redecorated with new chairs, tables, floors stripped and polished and a new stage built. Also new carpeting and entrance for Play Group. New business agreement with the Play Group established. Further extension to the Hall Planned.
The Hall is now a community asset which is self sustaining and profitable to the Parish.

Building Works and Maintenance -  Hall extension started and completed ( see above ).Church Car Park completely rebuilt and surfaced. Clear Glass put in Church porch doors. Shelf fitted in Church for the Book of the Dead, and an electric drier in the toilet. New gardening contract for Church grounds.

Finance - Money borrowed to extend the Hall now largely repaid.
Diocesan costs increasing, Diocesan quota now 17.5%  based on  rental of Parish property.
Parish  Gift Day introduced to rotate biannually with the Christmas Bazaar. Increase in Gift Aid and introduction of standing order Gift Aid scheme. A Parishioner has taken on the Parish Accounts.
It has been agreed to form a Finance Group reporting to the Council.

School Governors - 323 pupils on roll, 12 over limit. Ofsted gave “ outstanding “ and “ good to outstanding “  in most School areas. Parish Priests given special praise.

Small Christian Communities - St. Francis Xavier remains the only S.C.C.

                                                                                                                      R.S. Nov. 2008