WELCOME - Family Friendly Parish Project

The "Welcome - Family Friendly Parish" project meeting, held on Monday 10th July, came up with many interesting and innovative ideas to develop St Monica's as a Welcoming Community. The meeting also highlighted over 30 organisations already working successfully within our own Parish.

A second meeting will be held in September, to look at the implementation of some of the "Quick-fix" ideas and longer term projects.

These are some of the ideas proposed at the meeting:

• Display photographs and contact details of all Parish group organisers in the church
• Organise a "Lift to Church" programme with a named co-ordinator (who has a list of volunteers) that can be contacted to arrange transport to and from Mass for those in need
• Set up a Parish Website, containing all relevant details about services and Parish / Diocesan events.
• Draw up a list of trades offered by members of the Parish, so that other parishioners (and Father) can call on them to undertake paid work.
• Display photographs of Parishioners who have died recently (with the permission of relatives) as many Parishioners may not know the name, but would recognise the person from a photo.
• Develop a link person / group in the Parish for individuals to seek help in bereavement, family crisis etc.
• Hold more regular Parish Social gatherings.
• Developing the music ministry in the Parish, and involving the youth of the Parish more in the Mass; perhaps a monthly Youth Mass.
• Providing opportunities for individuals / groups to gain access to the church when it is not normally open.
• A welcome pack with details of our Parish community available for Parishioners to hand / post to new families moving into the area.

If anyone has more ideas or suggestions, as to how our Parish can become a more "Welcoming - Family Friendly" Community - please put your ideas in the suggestion box at the back of church - or use the following email link - ffc@stmonicasflixton.org