A second Gathering at St. Margaret’s School took place on Saturday, 22nd August, from 2.00-3.30pm. The Gathering fulfilled its purpose, which was to…

1.Update, providing any new information.

2.Respond to the question: what is to be captured, honoured, and shared about the history/ identity/ story of St. Margaret’s Church?

3.Respond to the question: how is a final Mass in St. Margaret’s Church envisaged?

Re Update

Since the first Gathering advice has been received from the Insurance and Risk Lead of the Archdiocese that while waiting for the insurer (Aon) to confirm coverage of the church until 30 November 2026, the Parish may want to consider -

1. That the final date for the closure of the church fall in line with the current insurance period 31 October 2026. As this would provide a saving to the Parish as no further premiums would be payable for the Church. It is proposed, then, that the church would be insured only for “removal of debris”.

2. Then, following the closure of the church (if possible, prior to 31/10/2026), the insurer would request –

• The church is secured behind fencing and no longer occupied
• Contents of the church removed
• The site is subject to a minimum weekly inspection or weekly security patrol

3. It is then pointed out: The Parish would need to confirm acceptance of ROD (removal of debris) insurance until this property is cleared of all buildings (no insurance required for vacant land).

The date put to those in attendance as the date for the final Mass in St. Margaret’s Church was 25th October, the Sunday prior to the end of the month. There were no objections.

Re The Two Questions:

Two Committees are in the process of being convened:

History Committee: the work of this committee is to consider what of the life and story of St. Margaretʼs Church, the Mass community, is to be held onto and honoured? How will this be done?

Adam Bui is the contact and leader -

adam.tbui@outlook.com

Phone: 0469 583 228

Final Mass Committee: the work of this committee is to plan the liturgy and what might follow the Mass.

Richard Turnbull is the contact and leader -

janandrichardturnbull@gmail.com

Phone: 0438 377510

NB: Several parishioners have already expressed their interest in being in one or both committees. Further enquiries may be made, but the number on these committees may have to be limited.

At the end of this past week the Letter of Petition was forwarded to the Archbishop for his response.

At the end of this past week the Letter of Petition was forwarded to the Archbishop for his response.