Founded in Paris by Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853) in 1831, to offer assistance to disadvantage people, the Society has grown to a worldwide Catholic organisation of over 800,000 members.

In the UK there are 1000 local groups know as Conferences.

The Parish of East Grinstead has two Conferences one at Our Lady and St Peter’s with about 8 members their president is Peter Wells, also the Chairman of our Denary Conferences , and one at St Bernard’s with a membership of 12, Enrique Valles is the President.

The SVP Nationwide operates from six platforms for example ‘visiting’ in the Spirit of our founder. The Conference at Our Lady and St Peter’s is particularly active in this area recording hundreds of visits per year. The Conference at St Bernard’s focus’ more on Fund raising, for in particular, the Sudan Appeal and the Homeless, in recent years they have been able to raise in excess of £8,000/annum.

If you are interested in learning more go to www.SVP.org.uk if you would like to join the SVP locally Peter and Enrique, both well known in their parish communities will be pleased to talk to you.

Although grieving is a natural process that can be helped by sympathy and understanding of family and friends, sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who is not family or a close friend. The Parish now has two “befrienders” who can offer such support – to listen in confidence. However, if you felt more comfortable speaking to someone from outside the Parish then this can also be arranged.

The Ministry hosts a Consolation Cafe every month in the Parish Centre at Our Lady & St Peter. Forthcoming dates are displayed on our noticeboard at the front of the Church (near the baptismal font) and in the Parish Newsletter. If you know someone who may find comfort at the cafe, or if you are suffering through bereavement yourself or any other kind of loss, a warm welcome awaits. No-one will mind if you cry, no-one will mind if you wish to sit quietly on your own drinking your coffee. The support will take the form you wish it to.

New members to this Ministry would be most welcome so if you are interested, or wish to know more, please email eastgrinstead@abdiocese.org.uk in the first instance. It will involve some training, reading and assignments over a number of weeks either at the St Philip Howard Centre in Crawley (formerly DABCEC) or via Zoom.  

Arundel and Brighton is a Fairtrade Diocese – 50% of our churches are certified as meeting the Fairtrade Foundation criteria for Fairtrade churches and agree to use products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. Our Lady and St Peter’s (OLSP), East Grinstead, and St Bernard’s, Lingfield, are both Fairtrade churches with regular stalls selling Fairtrade labelled products, the majority of which are purchased from Traidcraft. In addition, both churches use Fairtrade tea, coffee sugar for after Mass socials and other parish events. Both churches aim to raise awareness about Fairtrade which supports fair terms of trade, decent working conditions and local sustainability for farmers and producers in the developing world.

OLSP and St Bernard’s belong to a wider grouping of East Grinstead Fairtrade Town and Lingfield and Dormansland Fairtrade Zone. Both Groups work with other denominations, local schools and community organisations. We take part in community events and organise Fairtrade ‘Big Brews’ a charity quiz, fundraising meals, a Fairtrade Teddy Trail, a Fairtrade spring market and a strawberry tea. St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, East Grinstead, which serves our Parish, is a Fairtrade Achiever primary school along with Lingfield College Prep, Lingfield. West Sussex and Surrey, where our parish churches are located, are Fairtrade Counties.

The Friends are a group of parents and staff who dedicate some free time to help, plan and organise fundraisers and events throughout the year. Find out more here.

The Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD), is the Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. It is an international aid agency working to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing countries and is part of one of the largest aid networks in the world. Because of its global reach and local presence, it has the potential to reach everyone.

CAFOD’s local experts help some of the most difficult-to-reach people in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Whether it’s a single mother living in a remote area, a teenage boy living in a war zone, or a disabled father and daughter who are discriminated against, CAFOD helps anyone regardless of faith, gender and ethnicity.

Through a local priest, a midwife or a water engineer – its global reach is present in the lived experience of local communities. These skilled women and men understand what people need because they are part of the communities they work in. Their commitment, passion and knowledge reach people other organisations can’t.

In order to fulfil its aims CAFOD actively campaigns with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including climate change and energy, to ensure social justice for the world’s poor and marginalised. www.cafod.org.uk It also works with schools and young people. Twice a year it has Family Fast Days – in October and in Lent and envelopes are available for donations. Appeals from the altar are given by Parish representatives – Chris and Margaret Vasey for St Bernard’s, and Rosalind Turner and Sue Joy for Our Lady and St Peter’s.

The Catenian Association is an international association of Catholic laymen with some 10,000 members. Formed in Manchester in 1908 as The Chums Benevolent Association – Manchester No 1 Circle is still active – the name was changed to The Catenian Association in 1910. “Catenian” derives from the Latin word “catena”, a decorative chain, and the symbolism of this is easily apparent: As a chain is formed (united) by its individual links, so are individual members of the Association in their various Circles united by the obligations of membership based around social and charitable ideals within a shared, Catholic faith.

The club costs £20 per annum to join and each quarter a lucky draw takes place. There are three prizes each quarter £150, £75, and £50, and the December Christmas draw features a double-draw for six prizes.

The remaining money that is raised funds items for the Church.

With better odds than the National Lottery you need to be “in it to win it”

Children’s Liturgy is offered at both churches on the first Sunday of the month. It is a chance for those yet to make their First Holy Communion to hear the gospel in an accessible way.