The Parish has many active groups led by enthusiastic parishioners.

The Parish Contact Us page also gives information on people's roles within the parish. A brief summary of the parish committees and some activity groups are given below.

Parish Committee / Group Leaders

In 2009, the Parish has undertook a major review of how its parishioners may play a more active role in the various ministries required to run the parish and hence allow its Parish Priest to focus on his sacramental and pastoral ministries. This resulted in a large number of parishioners who came forward to participate. Leaders have been appointed for eigth groups of activities with many others being appointed for defined supporting roles, based on detailed descriptions of the functions.

The leaders of the groups now form the Parish Committee which meet monthly under the chairmanship of the Parish Priest. The first meeting of the new Parish Committee meeting was held on the 1st September 2009 and prior to that meeting, meetings have been held by the new group leaders with their support teams.

Parish Finance Committee

The Parish Finance Committee has responsibility for the Parish's finances and property. It also acts as advisor to the Parish Priest on financial matters. It comprises, a Chairman, two members who normally attend St Ambrose Church and two members who normally attend All Saints Church.

Social Committee

A parish social committee arranges social events. Social events include special celebrations, parish outings, country walks, quizzes and from time to time dances and bazaars.

Mission and Unity (Ecumenical)

The parish has relationships within Churches Together groups in Oxted and Warlingham and maintains much of its ecumenical activity within these communities. Parishioners participate in joint services, acts of worship, fundraising and social events with other Christian churches in the local area.

Small Groups

In Lent and Advent, the Parish organizes small groups which allow parishioners to meet and discuss their faith in a friendly atmosphere. The Lent Small Group is now combined with members of other local churches.

St Vincent de Paul Society: Community Help

The SVP are a small team of volunteers that are here and ready to help our parishioners. There are many simple ways that we do this: visiting, helping with shopping, collecting medication or simply providing a friendly phone call.

If you need help

We all need support at times during our lives. If you, or anyone you know, would like a friendly phone call, a visit or other help, please just ask us. Simply call or email us and we will be in touch to discuss how we can help.

Would you like to offer to help?

The SVP team help many people in the Parish, typically by simply visiting and calling them. We also sponsor an annual healing mass followed by lunch and at Christmas we send out cards and small presents. In addition, we support 2 twin SVP teams in India as well as sponsoring overseas students.

We are therefore always looking to find new members to help us. The role is very rewarding: we receive many blessings and much joy from those we visit and they soon become true friends. If you are interested in finding out more then please contact us.

Contact Us

Email: damian.kilgallon@hotmail.co.uk

Telephone: 07956 214456

Justice & Peace Group/Fairtrade

A number of parishioners are involved in the local Justice and Peace Groups with members from different churches which meet regularly to discuss, share ideas and support campaigns for a wide range of local, national and international issues. Local campaigning and activities support "Stamp Out Poverty" which is sponsored by all the major aid agencies including CAFOD and Fairtrade events are held.

Association of the Propagation of Faith (APF)

The APF is well supported in the parish. The red box scheme flourishes as an easy but effective way to raise money to support the Church's overseas missions.

CAFOD

Contributions are made to CAFOD both privately and through parish collections during Lent and at an October Harvest Fast Day. In addition, several Diocesan events are supported.

Careline

The Parish operates Careline to help people to attend Mass by providing transport.

Prayer Chain

The Parish operates a Prayer Chain. Parishioners are invited to contact the Prayer Chain if they wish prayers to be said for any special intention.

Mothers' Prayers Group

Two small groups of mothers gather to pray for their children and the many children worldwide in distress through war, displacement and violence.

Refreshing our Commitment

Our parish is organised around nine main groups of similar ministries.

The following list below describes what is involved in the various ministries by Parish Group, do take a look at the description and let us know if you are interested, by completing and
printing the form linked to the description and returning this to either the parish office or in the box provided in the narthex in each church.

If you think you have a gift that is not yet identified, don't hide your lamp under a bushel but let us know! (all to serve across whole parish unless stated otherwise) * indicates those suitable for sharing with others or as part of a rota. The parish or diocesan safeguarding officer will confirm if a DBS check is needed for some of these ministries.

NB Eucharistic Ministers are not "volunteers" but will be commissioned each year by the parish priest