Contributions will be welcome. Can you share the experience of a trip to Lourdes, etc. Tell us about Fair Trade, or anything that is close to your heart. Please take items for inclusion (marked News Round-Up) to the Presbytery by 15^th of the month, or e-mail Anna Burrage on aburrage@onetel.net.uk

FIRST COMMUNION -

12^th June 2004

None for April, May

6^th June: Parish B-B Q

12^th June - First Holy Communion

22^nd June – Confirmation at St Ambrose’s Warlingham

JULY: 22nd-30 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

It is very pleasing that the Parish can boast a record breaking 11 candidates who have come forward and are being prepared for their Confirmation which will be administered by the Bishop. The candidates are:

The young people have been very committed and diligent in attending weekly preparation sessions every Friday since the beginning of the year. Not easy at the end of a hard week at school to forsake social and other opportunities to relax!

We have been following a pragmatic preparation course authored by Stephen Gomez entitled appropriately " Survival Guide to Confirmation". Thankfully there is a version for candidates as well as catechists!! The preparation will climax with an "away day" generously hosted at the beautiful campus of Woldingham School. The focus of the day will be learning about the Holy Spirit; the candidates will be receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. There will of course be plenty of time for fun and games.

On being Confirmed our people become accepted as adults in the Church. As a way of marking this important occasion and as a way of giving back to the Parish community we will plan an activity/project for the group to carry out after their Confirmation. Examples from previous years include raising funds to buy and plant flowers and shrubs around the front of the Church, painting the Parish room as well as serving at the Parish dinner dance. Our best wishes and prayers go to them on their Confirmation day and we wish them great success in developing and enriching their spiritual lives." Richard Piskorz

Well attended by 70 people - both couples and single.

What about the rest of the parish; reasons voiced, very quietly, include:

I don't know people, I'm not sure how I would get on with people on my table, it’s Oxted so it must be

very formal & cliquey, it won’t be my sort of music, and, above all, fear of dancing - not just (yet another) male problem either.

For future reference, the following happened on Saturday 24th April 2004:

• Not everyone chose to dance, no spotlight was placed on them - or any other form of attention.
• Most dancing was "communal". Same pairing was noticeably limited; everyone unaccompanied was welcomed on the dance floor. .NB it was not like some student discos.
• The tables were drawn up in circles, but there was no requirement to be a raconteur. A harmless conversation with the person next to you was all that was required on as deep or as superficial a level as mutually appreciated. A combination of both would probably be the ideal.

• Formality: Suit or smart jacket and tie the norm but examples of more informal attire apparent
• Musically it really wasn't something from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, nor was it Mantovani, nor classic rock anthems - or even Britney. It was 'Dancing Queen', 'YMCA' and 'Shout' (by Lulu) i.e. not My Generation - or Their’s, but inclusive.

There were no standards to be set.

As for the dance floor, it was the ideal modelling tool for the M25: no one knew where they were going, contraflows, collisions, lane wandering, flashing lights/cautionary signs ignored, overtaking on the inside, inappropriate use of mobiles - and a lot of hard shoulders.

The men were little better.

But people enjoyed it! The evening finished too early at 11pm and people were genuinely disappointed (sic).

A lot of hard work went into this from Clem the DJ, to Ron (not just for counting the money as ever) Anna Burrage, Moyna Bridge and above all to Molly Holman for her initial plan and reconnaissance and particularly for her recent marketing push. It was to her that a song by Lulu was dedicated as being appropriate and responsibility for this rests entirely with Malcolm Young who can be found on Oxted station awaiting the 08:20 - convenient for anyone who perhaps has to open an Oxfam shop in the morning.

The Dinner Dance helps the Parish cohesively and financially. It's enjoyable and undemanding. Most people are wary of the event the first time - but are pleasantly surprised. Perhaps it's a bit like fear of flying; like flying you don’t have to be aerodynamic yourself, just go with the crowd.

Next year, 70 people, + You? Dave Farrow

Get ready for the Parish Barbecue on Sunday, 6th June 2004 (not 3004 for those who have already bought their tickets!) We usually have lovely weather - thanks to Father John's intercessions.

Some tables and chairs will be provided but please bring your own if you are able to.

The next issue of the All Saints Newsletter will be published on 1st July^. Please send material for that issue, including items for the diary, no later.