Notes from the first AGM held at St Benet’s Hall 26 September 2025
Present: approximately 50 + parishioners from St Benet’s, St Edmund’s, and St Thomas More.
Father Simon opened with prayer, and said that the strengths of the newly-combined parish were manifest in the good turnout. He then introduced the new headteacher, Patrick Kennedy. He then handed over to Neil Mayhew (NM), treasurer, as the financial situation was of concern to everyone in the parish.
Finance:
NM has amended this section of the report to read: NM shared handouts that provided a clear overview of the parish’s income and expenses. These may be viewed by clicking on the link in blue. For several years, parish income has been insufficient to cover rising costs, and high inflation has made the situation even more challenging. As a result, parish reserves are diminishing, and we now need a significant increase in annual income to meet ongoing expenses. Currently, 80% of our parish’s income comes from donations. However, the average offertory collection is only £6.70 per week per parishioner, and to sustain the future of the parish, this needs to double. Additionally, an estimated £2 million will be required over the next five years for maintenance and restoration across all parish properties.
Fr Simon said that the late Cardinal Hume’s calculation was that one hour’s salary should be given each week. Pastoral and evangelical work must be funded as well as the needs of our built resources, and money for buildings would be in a restricted fund.
The pastoral situation: Fr Simon then addressed the sense of bereavement experienced by some Beccles parishioners, explaining both the present pastoral provision and the necessity for his living in Bungay. He asked for a spirit of greater collaboration and charity: “Can we be Christians first…”
Parish Pastoral Council: There would be a new Parish Pastoral Council ‘of all the talents’ selected by Fr Simon which would include two from each church, but not as representatives of individual Mass centres. He made a plea for no backbiting and bickering.
After brief general discussions on the possibility of a renewed stewardship campaign, the large property portfolio, the synodal pathway, and the necessity of informing residents of the many new housing developments of our existence, Fr Simon closed the meeting with the Gloria Patri.