Imagine that! Not quite three weeks since the Ministries Mini Expo and the parish priest of St Charles in Tunapuna was on the move again. This time it was Parish Assembly on Saturday, October 13. No, we did not plan it all in that short time.

Preliminary arrangements were put in place even while the Expo was being planned. In fact, the rededication of the renovated premises ousted the Parish Assembly which had been planned for September 24. Everything was therefore on stream.

Power point reports were being prepared, facilitators selected and trained guidelines and opening prayer in hand, rapporteurs briefed, registration arranged by colour indicating which workshop one would participate in arranged, site and refreshment teams on their marks – ready to go.

Organisers, presenters, workshop facilitators and rapporteurs pose with the parish flag (Courtesy Jean Paul Wafe)

Expo did make things a little simpler though, because having borrowed banners and flags for Ministries Mini Expo, we just held on to them for Assembly.

Thus, we displayed the National Flag along with the parish flag and banners or pennants of the reporting ministries – Stewardship, Evangelisation, Youth, Social Justice and Communications. The research done for Expo also came in handy for those reporting.

As early as 8.00 a.m. participants were registering, yet we did not get underway until 9.15 a.m. At that time Fr Reggie, our busy parish priest started the praise and worship supported by some choir members, complete with guitar and tambourines.

He welcomed all present and gave a brief address on the importance of the Assembly. He urged full participation and handed the Assembly over to the facilitator for the day Barbara Wafe.

Reporting heads of ministries were given 15 minutes for their presentations and believe it or not, the time-keeper had nothing to do but notify them when they had five minutes left. Every reporting ministry included greater membership and funding among their challenges.

When the reports were all presented, including “St Charles on the move 2” by the Stewardship Team (at last year’s parish assembly “St Charles on the move –1” was presented), everyone collected light refreshment and joined their workshop.

What was achieved in those 30-minute workshops was amazing. When the rapporteurs presented their five-minute reports, it was evident that both facilitators and rapporteurs had learned their lessons well. Thanks to Arlene Saunders Georges for a job well done!

Compliments flowed on the many and varied achievements and every workshop devised new “Ways Forward” for their respective ministries.

These reports will soon be neatly typed up and presented to the heads of ministries for inclusion in their reports to be passed on to the Suburban Vicariate Assembly planning team by November 3 in preparation for the Vicariate Assembly carded for November 24 at the Pastoral Centre, Fatima Church, Curepe.

When the chairperson of our parish council, Lucy Regis took the podium to extend the vote of thanks, there was no timing her – she had so many acknowledgements to make, right after which she brought “St Charles on the move 2” to a close.