The Parish Priest writes:
28 JUNE 2026 - 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Dear Friends,
When you think of the greatest figures in human history, certain names immediately come to mind. Kings and queens, scientists, composers, artists and explorers have all shaped civilisation. Yet among the most recognisable faces ever to appear in paintings, sculptures and stained-glass windows are two unlikely men: Peter, a Galilean fisherman, and Paul, a former persecutor of Christians. For two thousand years they have inspired artists, writers, musicians, architects and countless ordinary believers. Not because they were extraordinary by nature, but because they allowed Christ to do extraordinary things through them.
This Sunday's readings reveal the secret of their lives. Peter stands before Jesus and makes the greatest confession of faith ever spoken: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Later we find him sleeping peacefully in prison, trusting God even when execution seems only hours away. Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes with remarkable serenity: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Neither man was fearless. Both knew failure, suffering and disappointment. But both learned that their confidence rested not in themselves, but in the Lord who never abandoned them.
Perhaps that is why the Church celebrates them together. Peter reminds us that faith begins with knowing who Jesus is. Paul reminds us that faith is proved by persevering until the end. Together they teach us that holiness is not about perfection but about allowing Christ to shape our lives, day after day.
The unusually hot weather of these past few days has reminded us how quickly our strength can disappear. Heat leaves us tired, uncomfortable and longing for relief. Life also has its own seasons of heat: illness, uncertainty, grief, family worries or difficult decisions. The message of Peter and Paul is not that Christians escape these trials, but that Christ walks through them with us. He gives us the strength to keep going, the courage to remain faithful and the hope that every difficulty can become another step towards Him.
We wish you an amazing week, and please remember to save the date for our Parish Garden Party on Sunday 12 July, which will begin with 11.15am Mass celebration and farewell for Fr John, who will be moving in September to his new parish in Deal. Afterwards we will gather for an afternoon of food, music, games and fellowship. It will be a joyful opportunity to thank Fr John for his ministry and to celebrate the wonderful community we continue to build together.
God bless you all,
Fr Peter Kucharski (Parish Priest)
PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of our priests, help them to be strong in their vocation and become instruments of Your love and grace. Send Your Holy Spirit to give courage and guidance to all You are calling to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life in our Archdiocese. May those called, hear Your voice, and respond wholeheartedly to become the person You have created them to be. Heavenly Father, form us all in the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, so that we may love You more deeply and serve You more faithfully. We ask this through Christ Your Son, the Eternal High Priest. AMEN
*******************************
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEK is for Peter’s Pence. In this annual global collection Catholics make monetary donations to support the Pope’s mission and charitable works. The funds are used to provide emergency assistance to victims of war, oppression and natural disasters, while funding administrative operations of the Holy See.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK is for Fr John, who will be with us until the end of August. His farewell Mass will be on Sunday 12th July, the day of our Parish Summer Party, so we can thank him together as a community. You can also contribute by envelope or through the contactless machine, selecting “Fr John’s farewell”.
PARISH OFFICE. We will be closed from 17th to 31st of August. Office hours will resume on Tuesday 1st September. Some of the priests will be away as well during this period. If you have any queries, if possible, please wait until we are open again. Thank you for your understanding.
PARISH SUMMER GARDEN PARTY. We would like to thank for all the donations so far for the raffle prizes, toy stall, bottle stall and good as new stall (china, pictures, linens, jewellery, toiletries and bric-a-brac). We are not in so much need of books this year. All can be brought to the presbytery, ideally during office hours from 9:00am to 12:00noon, Monday to Friday.
FATHERS PRAYERS. Are you a father, godfather or grandfather? Are you concerned about the spiritual welfare of your children, grandchildren or godchildren? Would you like to meet like-minded men in the parish? If that's you, we are setting up a Fathers Prayers group and plan to meet on the last Friday of each month. Come when you can, bring a friend. No need to commit. Meetings will be at 7:15am in the St Thomas's parish centre. There’s the option of going to 8:00am Mass afterwards followed by coffee, croissants and fellowship for those who would like to stay. Text or WhatsApp James McBrien on 07713 152190 if you would like to join us.
QUIET DAY. You are invited to a Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 13th July at The Barn ( TN11 9QU) from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Through the use of poetry, prayer, music and nature, the day will be an opportunity for quiet contemplation of scripture and how it speaks to us today. The theme will be the Prodigal Son. The day will be led by Gilly Fenner who has worked as a spiritual director for over 23 years. Please bring a bible, a packed lunch and a change of shoes. Suggested contribution is £5. If you would like to attend email Gilly .
AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST ONLINE. A group of parishioners is gathering for 40 minutes online this coming Monday 15th June at 8:00pm (and/or at the same time on either 22nd and 29th June), to watch and discuss an episode from the recently released Southwark Dioceses’ Ambassadors for Christ apologetics series. Contact Andrew at andrew.latrobe@gmail.com or 07775 738485 for information and to receive a meeting link. The first topic will be on “Why do Catholics believe in the Trinity?”. To watch the videos and take part in this exciting project, please click here. All are welcome.
BIBLE QUIZ COMPETITION. We are delighted to invite altar servers aged 7–14 from across the Tunbridge Wells Deanery to take part in a joyful and engaging Bible Quiz Competition on Saturday 4th July at St Lawrence the Martyr Church. The quiz will focus on the Gospel of Mark, chapters 9–16. Each parish may enter a team of FOUR members. Prizes for the winners include tickets to play golf and go bowling. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to share their knowledge of the Bible and Jesus with friends while growing in faith and fellowship. Families and parishioners may come to support the participants. Email sevenoaks@rcaos.org.uk if your child is interested.
REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK.
Saturday 27th June: Repository NOT OPEN after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 28th June: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 4th July: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 5th July: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
SUPPORTING SEVENOAKS (LOAVES AND FISHES) FOODBANK. The foodbank is very grateful for your continued support. They have really noticed the difference! Goods can be donated in the Tom Quinn porch or you can give financially (details on the Loaves and Fishes Sevenoaks Foodbank website). Current priorities are: tinned meat (e.g. chicken korma, stewed steak, Fray Bentos), pot noodles, biscuits and squash drinks. Just an extra item or two in your shopping trolley on a regular basis is so worthwhile. Thank you.
BIBLE STUDY. It has started, but there is still time to join. Meetings are on Wednesdays from 7:30pm to 9:00pm in the St Thomas's parish centre. Next session is on the 8th July. Normally it is a fortnightly schedule. For information, email Paul Boyle .
PARISH TEAM RAISING FUNDS FOR HOSPICE IN THE WEALD. By the time you read this, we will have walked the Hospice in the Weald Moonlight Walk (8 miles) on the evening of Saturday 27th June. We have been delighted with your generous support - we have already surpassed our target! You can still contribute by clicking here
TRIP TO POLAND. Save the date for our Parish trip to Poland with Fr Peter in June 2027. Details to follow.
ADORATION. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a quiet meeting with Christ truly present — a time to rest with Him, to speak, or simply to be. It is a moment where faith becomes personal. It is heartbreaking to see some of our Holy Hours so lightly attended, especially on Tuesday evenings at St Thomas. Please consider coming, even for a short time, each Tuesday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. More Holy Hour times across our churches can be found at the back of the Newsletter.
THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING.
Meetings are on Thursdays, from 10:00am to 11:45am, in the parish centre. There is a series of special events scheduled that start at 10:30am.
2nd July: Simon Holberton, a former journalist with the Financial Times, will talk about his latest book: Morrison’s China (The Times Correspondent in China from 1897-1911)
23rd July: Poetry as prayer, led by Gilly Fenner
DISCERNMENT RETREAT. For single Roman Catholic women aged 18-35 who are open to discerning a Monastic vocation. It will be at Minster Abbey Benedictine Monastery from 7th to 9th August and 9th to 11th October. For information, contact Sister Walburga at minstervocations@gmail.com.
MOTHERS PRAYERS. The St Thomas’ Mothers Prayers group meets on Thursdays, after the 12:00noon Mass. We start at 12:45pm, in the parish centre, and we finish by 1:30pm. Mothers Prayers is for ALL women, even if you are not a biological mother. Age is not important either or whether you have young or adult children. We have grandmothers who pray for their grandchildren too. You can check the MP website here.
For dads, there is a Fathers Prayers movement. And the one for children is called Children of Faith, which helps children to pray for anyone or something they may be concerned about. For information, email the parish office
DIVINE MERCY. Pray the Divine Mercy chaplet every Thursday, starting at 11:40am, just before the 12:00noon Mass, at St Thomas’ church. All are welcome.
YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY. Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work. Interested? Contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or click here and on "join the team".
ROSARY. Every Saturday, after the 9:30am Mass, you are invited to pray the Rosary at St Thomas’ church. At the same time, there are also Confessions.
FORMING CATHOLIC STUDENT LEADERS (YEARS 12 AND 13). Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst is offering two summer courses exploring faith, ethics and leadership for sixth form students. Join us for 6 days in the beautiful Ribble Valley to explore themes linked to The Common Good (Year 12, 10th to 15th August) and to The Human Ecology (Year 13, 5th to 10th July). Meet new friends, discuss and share with peers, tutors and academics, learn new skills, develop your relationship with Christ, build your character. For information click here.
PORTUGUESE CAMINO to Santiago de Compostela. We are planning another walking pilgrimage for 10 days towards the end of September. We plan to fly to Porto, Portugal, then walk the last 120 or so km to Santiago. If you are interested, please contact Margaret on 01732 885295 or Brother David on 07821 049827.
HOME VISITS. We would like to come closer to you by visiting your homes to chat about how we can improve our ministry. Sign-up forms are available in the porch to schedule a priest’s home visit. Think of a day and suitable time when you could receive a priest for a cup of tea or coffee and a friendly conversation (no longer than 45 minutes). If you wish, we can also bless your home. Visits will continue throughout the coming year, until next Christmas.
RETROUVAILLE. Does your marriage need some TLC? Need help with communication and trust? Retrouvaille helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships.
For information, go to www.retrouvaille.org.uk or call 07887 296983.
LISTENING TO YOU. The team welcomes anyone who would like to meet to be listened to in a safe, friendly and confidential environment, on an individual basis at a convenient time for them. If you want to make an appointment, contact the Parish Office.
SEVENOAKS COUNSELLING is a professional service offered by Christians to the whole community. We have provided a trusted, affordable counselling service to Sevenoaks and the surrounding district since 1983. We are welcoming and non-judgemental to everybody. We provide counselling which is professional and caring; confidential; tailored to individual needs, either short term or long term and offered by qualified and experienced therapists. Click on the website for information.
MASS INTENTIONS - A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO PRAY. We have available spaces for Mass intentions in the coming weeks. Offering a Mass for a loved one, whether living or deceased, is a profound act of love and faith. Please contact the parish office to reserve a date. Let us continue to pray for one another through the powerful gift of the Eucharist
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE. The Maryvale Institute is launching a new course this September, designed for all who wish to go deeper into the Sacrament of Marriage. It is for parish priests, counsellors, those working with married couples, and couples themselves. The course is rooted in the Church's richest theological tradition. The programme explores marriage as vocation, covenant, and a path of sanctification — not merely a ceremony, but a lifelong participation in Christ's love for the Church. It runs over six modules, designed to be both academically robust and accessible to participants without prior theological background. Details may be found HERE.
MORE HUMAN. Pope Leo has just published a new encyclical Magnifica Humanitas. It speaks about what it means to be human in our time, especially with in the age of AI. Join us for these 3 short workshops to introduce and explore aspects of this timely document with input, as well as reflection and prayer. The in person sessions will be at St Aloysius Parish Hall, Phoenix Rd, London NW1 1TA on Mondays 13th July, 21st September, 23rd November, from 7:30pm to 8:45pm. All are welcome. Register to attend HERE. The workshops will also be online. Email info@fcjecojustice.co.uk for information.
ST GREGORY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL is having an Open Morning on Tuesday 7t July from 9:00am to 10:00am. There will be a Welcome by the Headteacher and tour of the school. Click here for information. Every child is known, loved and called to greatness. St Gregory's is located on Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XL. Tel: 01892 527444
RECENTLY DIED
Anne Lichi
Funeral on Friday 17th July at 11:00am at St Thomas’
Brigid Newton
Funeral on Wednesday 22nd July at 12:00noon at Most Holy Trinity
Phyllis Gouldstone
Funeral on Friday 24th July at 11:00am at St Thomas’
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
********************
Get ready for our Summer Party!
Magnifica Humanitas — Pope Leo XIV
the Soul of the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
With his first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV addresses one of the defining questions of our age: what happens to humanity when technology develops faster than moral wisdom?
At first glance, the document appears to focus on artificial intelligence, digital systems, and technological ethics. But beneath the discussion of algorithms and machines lies something much deeper. The encyclical is ultimately about the human person — about whether modern civilisation still understands what a human being truly is.
The title itself, Magnificent Humanity, reveals the Pope’s concern. Humanity is not magnificent because of technological achievement, productivity, or intellectual power. Human dignity comes from something far greater: that every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). Pope Leo deliberately places this encyclical within the tradition of Catholic social teaching. Just as Pope Leo XIII responded to the Industrial Revolution in Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIV now responds to a new digital revolution. But this time the danger is not only exploitation of human labour. It is the gradual reduction of the human person into data, efficiency, consumption, and controllable behaviour.
One of the strongest themes running through the document is the concentration of power. The Pope repeatedly warns about systems — political, technological, and economic — that increasingly gather influence into the hands of a small number of individuals or institutions. Artificial intelligence can become a tool not only of progress, but of manipulation: shaping opinions, controlling attention, influencing behaviour, and quietly reducing human freedom. In many ways, Pope Leo identifies one of the greatest temptations of modern civilisation: the desire to maximise power, productivity, and influence by extracting more and more from others. Human attention becomes a commodity. Relationships become transactional. Even silence and rest are treated as inefficiency.
Theologically, this reflects one of the oldest patterns of sin: the desire to dominate rather than to serve. This is why the encyclical repeatedly contrasts intelligence with wisdom. Artificial intelligence may analyse information, imitate speech, and organise knowledge, but it cannot love, repent, sacrifice, worship, or possess conscience. Human beings are not machines. We possess souls. We are capable of communion with God and with one another. No algorithm can reproduce this mystery. Pope Leo also warns that society increasingly risks losing its relationship with truth itself. Synthetic media, digital manipulation, and systems designed to influence emotion create a culture where reality becomes unstable. Here the encyclical echoes Christ’s own words: “The truth will make you free” (John 8:32). When truth is weakened, freedom itself begins to disappear.
Another major theme is work. The Pope strongly rejects the idea that human worth should be measured only by productivity or usefulness. Catholic theology has always understood work as participation in God’s creative action. Human labour possesses dignity because the worker possesses dignity. Technology should assist the human person, not slowly render humanity spiritually irrelevant.
The encyclical is particularly powerful when discussing autonomous weapons and AI-driven warfare. Machines may calculate probabilities, but only human beings can make moral judgments. To delegate decisions of life and death to systems without conscience is, for Pope Leo, a deeply dangerous step for civilisation.
Yet perhaps the deepest insight of Magnifica Humanitas is its spiritual diagnosis of modern humanity. The real crisis is not technological but theological. The danger is not simply that machines become more human-like, but that human beings begin living like machines: constantly connected yet isolated, endlessly stimulated yet spiritually empty, efficient yet incapable of contemplation.
At several points the Pope recalls the image of the Tower of Babel. Humanity again seeks greatness through its own power while attempting to build a civilisation without transcendence. The result is confusion, fragmentation, and loss of meaning.
The Christian response is therefore neither fear of technology nor blind enthusiasm for it. The Church does not reject scientific progress. Rather, she insists that every development must remain ordered towards the good of the human person and ultimately towards God.
In the end, Magnifica Humanitas is far more than an encyclical about artificial intelligence. It is a warning about a civilisation that risks losing its soul. And at the same time, it is a call to rediscover what it truly means to be human.
St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Bernadette, pray for us.
St Edith of Kemsing, pray for us.
Fr Peter Kucharski, Parish Priest of Sevenoaks
12 Granville Road email
Sevenoaks 01732 454177
TN13 1ER