Present: Fran, Anne, Mark, Caroline, Dave, Bella
Apologies: John, John Williamson, Sanjit

1.It was felt that there had been a good reaction to the day. One comment from the young people had been that “as soon as I walked in it had that Kintbury feel.” Reactions from the Lasallians ranged from “We’re really living it,” to a feeling of deep peace and prayer on first contact. It was felt the day had been a success, with eight young people from both St Brendan’s and St Bernadette’s there. However there were still some areas of concern.

2. The venue had been crowded even with just eight young people. A common feeling was what would we have done if there had been twice as many young people? We needed to use the space better. Objects must be cleared from the floors. We need to get the chapel/Quiet Room and the next door room on line as quickly as possible. We could then have the following facilities:-

• A Meeting Place
• An Eating Place
• A Quiet Room
• A Workshop Place

The large desk needs to be brought into the kitchen area to be used as a work surface.

3 The workshops were felt to be good (glass painting and icon making) and lasted for a good period of time – about an hour and a half – but they became crowded when everyone stopped painting the walls.

4. The liturgy needed to be co-ordinated better. It was felt good that it was still put together in the fashion of a Kintbury mass rather than being very ordered but that there needed to be better communication of elements to both a responsible co-ordinator and to the priest. This would avoid bits of the liturgy being forgotten and would enable the priest to preside. An order of service needs to be given to the priest before the mass starts.

5. With the young people it was agreed to have another Gathering Day on the 2nd February 2003. What form should this day take? The 1st December should act as a template until the young people themselves wish to evolve the structure. This will mean :-

• Morning prayer
• Workshops
• Lunch
• Mass prep
• Mass
• Discussion time

6. Lunch could have been a lot better. We had no blessing or grace to begin the meal. We could have shared all the existing food without the need to go to the chip shop. This meant that the group was divided at an important moment. Also Stokes Croft is a “risky” area and we need to be more careful with the young people. Sharing food is an important element.

7. There was some discussion as to which room would be most suitable to be a chapel. The “purple carpet room” has less doors and has some nice alcoves. The “peach” room was the room we originally intended to use as the Quiet Room. There was again discussion about the possibility of the two rooms being knocked through into one, but it is realised that this will be very expensive and will need to be assessed by a competent architect/engineer. There is obviously still a need for money to be raised.

8. Financial thoughts need to be aired and looked at in the next meeting. There is a need to put together a statement of what Lamb is and what we would like to do, especially if we are looking to applying for a grant. The Van Nest Trust was suggested as a possibility, as to is Downside since they own the property.

9. Notice was given to the group that John, Owen and Mark will be approaching the bishop in the immediate future to inform him of our plans and seek his support and permission. If this happens before the next meeting then that will be fed back to the group.

10. Date of next meeting is Saturday 14th December at 10.30am. On the agenda are the following:-

• Morning Prayer (led by Anne)
• Financial matters and form filling (Bella)
• Child protection forms to be filled in at this meeting
• Trying to set a date to meet with Fr Richard
• Feedback on meeting with bishop (possibly)
• Christmas drink and pizza
• Running and co-ordinating of the Lasallian Gathering Days

11.A big THANKYOU to everyone who was involved in the first Gathering Day and who helped to make it such a lovely experience!