Parish Groups

Group		Activity
Union of Catholic Mothers		The Sutton Foundation of UCM was opened in February 1967 by Mrs Mary Hodge, a parishioner at Our Lady of the Rosary for many years, who was Diocesan President at the time. With a current membership of around forty-five and an average attendance at meetings of about thirty, the foundation is one of the larger ones in the diocese. Several founder members are still very actively involved and new members are always welcome. Meetings take place fortnightly and Mass is offered for members’ intentions once a month.

Parent and Toddler Group

Families with young children are not forgotten and the Mother and Toddlers Group meets in St Joseph’s Hall on Thursday mornings.

Society of St Vincent de Paul

Having received its document of aggregation in 1902, the Sutton Parish Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul proudly continues its work where other conferences locally have had to close. Its members assist with many projects in the third world particularly in India including nursing and education. The Sutton Parish Conference is also twinned with two Indian parishes. Within Sutton Parish, members visit the housebound and those in care homes, and also provide lifts to church and other necessary help. For many who find it difficult to get out, members’ visits are one of the few opportunities they have to chat.

Knights of St Columba

The Knights of St Columba organization was formed in Glasgow in 1919 as a lay organisation for practising Catholic men. .

Catenians

Sutton Mid-Surrey Circle of the Catenians Founded in 1908, the Catenian Association is an international body of Catholic men, mainly from businesses and the professions. It meets monthly, often over dinner, and provides friendship and support for its members, their families and other young Catholics as well as the Catholic clergy. The Sutton Circle was inaugurated in The Hut adjoining the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (see chapter 2) on 14 November 1919; in 1934 the Epsom Circle was founded from Sutton. A number of Our Lady of the Rosary parishioners are members of the Epsom Circle. The Sutton Mid-Surrey Circle is noted for never having missed a monthly meeting in all its eighty-six years.

Finance Committee

Chaired by the Parish Priest the PFC meets four times a year. Current members are Chris Alflatt, Tom Finnegan, Gemma Fitzpatrick, Steve McCormack, Roger Morton, Sean Phillips and Peter Thompson. The PFC advises Fr Jim on parish finance and the maintenance of the buildings and each year approves the financial returns which are sent to the diocese. Roger Morton also organises the parish gift aid, while Tom Finnegan manages the COLORS (Church of Our Lady Of the Rosary) Club. This latter is a monthly raffle, where half the money raised is given in prizes and half goes to the parish.

Brownies

The 4th Sutton Our Lady of the Rosary Brownie Pack was founded on 29 June 1971 by Anne Keating who became Brown Owl. At first Anne and Marian Robinson (Tawny Owl) ran the pack alone, but were soon joined by Julie Burge as Jenny Wren. In 1973 when Anne Keating married, the Brownies formed a guard of honour at her wedding. 1973 also saw the departure of Marian Robinson and the roles of Brown Owl and Tawny Owl were taken on by Pat Foss and Betty Purcell with the help of Yvonne Pettingell. In 1978 a Guide Company was opened by Betty Purcell which ran for eight years. In 1993 Pat Foss retired and her role was taken by her daughter Mary Wright who had been one of the founder Brownies in 1971. Mary is assisted by another founder Brownie, Anne Barnes. Over the years the Brownies have enjoyed outings and weekends away, helped at bazaars, worked towards interest badges and, above all, had fun

LIFE

The Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary has a history of protecting the right to life of unborn children. Over thirty years ago volunteers from the parish supported the work of Dr Mary Belton of ‘Let Live’ by manning a telephone service and offering accommodation to homeless pregnant women. LIFE is a non-denominational charity who purpose is to relieve poverty and distress in pregnant women, unsupported mothers and young couples with children. In 1983 charity representative Mr Jim Kennedy gave a talk at all the Masses and the LIFE group at Our Lady of the Rosary was established. It supports the Croydon Life Care & Pregnancy Service. Members give talks locally and raise funds through the bi-annual London Bridges Walk and by weekly Keep Fit sessions.