Name: SevRCParish
Address: 12 Granville Road, Sevenoaks, ENG, TN13 1ER, GB
Telephone: 01732 454177

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Calendar

27 Mar 08:00 pm Fri

St Thomas - Stations of the Cross + All Night Vigil

28 Mar 11:00 am Sat

St Thomas - First Holy Communion Programme - First Confessions

01 Apr 7:00 pm Wed

St Thomas - Lenten Reconciliation service (Confessions)

04 Apr 8:00 pm Sat

St Thomas - Easter Vigil Mass - whole parish

14 Apr 6:30 pm Tue

St Thomas -Caritas Talk - Mark Choonara

14 Apr 7:30 pm Tue

St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group

01 - 03 May

Aylesford - Men's Retreat - Who do you say that I am?

13 - 20 May

Medjugorje - Pilgrimage

19- 21 Jun Fri -Sun

Aylesford - Women's Parish retreat

12 Jul Noon Sun

Parish Summer Party

The Parish Priest writes:

Dilexi te

29 MARCH 2026 - PALM SUNDAY

Dear Friends,

Palm Sunday begins with a contradiction. We start with palms, with movement, with voices raised in praise: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:9). There is hope, expectation, almost a sense of victory. And yet, within minutes, the tone shifts. The same liturgy leads us into the Passion. The same voices that cried “Hosanna” echo later in a different form: “Crucify him!” (Matthew 27:22).

This is not accidental. The Church places this before us to reveal a truth about the human heart: we can welcome Christ and reject Him; we can praise Him and resist Him. Palm Sunday exposes that instability, not to accuse us, but to make us honest. The Passion is not only something that happened to Christ. It shows how God enters into that contradiction— into our inconsistency, our weakness, our sin—and does not turn away. The Cross is not an accident. It is Christ’s deliberate choice to remain, to love, when everything else collapses. This is the paradox: what looks like failure becomes victory; what looks like abandonment becomes the deepest expression of love.

This is not something we grasp from a distance. It is something we enter. That is why the Church gives us the Sacred Triduum—the three days at the centre of the whole year. From the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, to the Easter Vigil, we are not simply remembering events. We are drawn into them.

If you come only on Easter Sunday, you will hear that Christ is risen.

If you walk through the Triduum, you begin to understand what it cost.

Holy Week is the heart of our faith. Make the effort. Rearrange what you can. Come, not as spectators, but willing to stand close to Christ in these days. Even if you do not understand everything, even if you feel distant—come.

The joy of Easter is not something we create. It is something we receive. And we receive it most deeply when we have walked the road that leads to it.

Palm Sunday places a quiet question before us: will we remain with Him, or walk away?

This week gives us the chance to answer.

With blessings for Holy Week,

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

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TIME CHANGE. The clocks go forward one hour on Sunday 29 March and British Summer Time (BST) begins. With this change St Thomas’ Tuesday Holy Hour will begin at 7:00pm, and The Holy Hour at Most Holy Trinity (Otford) will revert to 7:30pm after Easter Sunday.

SECOND COLLECTION ON GOOD FRIDAY is for the Holy Places. The places connected with Our Lord’s Passion are centres for veneration and pilgrimage. Donations are sent for their upkeep and to help maintain Christian schooling in the area.

COLLECTION ON EASTER SUNDAY. Our priests are essential to the life of the parish. Through their ministry, the Mass is celebrated and the sacraments are made available to us. In the Archdiocese of Southwark, priests do not receive a salary. They rely on Mass stipends, occasional offerings, and the generosity of parishioners, especially at Christmas and Easter. The Easter Offering supports the living expenses of your parish priests: Fr Piotr, Fr John, and Fr Shaiju. If you value their ministry, please consider making an offering. Card reader: select Easter Offering. Bank transfer: use Easter Offering and your name as reference (for Gift Aid). Thank you for your generosity.

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY - 12th April, a day when the Church reflects on the boundless mercy of God revealed in the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. It is a special invitation to trust in His mercy and to return to Him with confidence. We will celebrate Divine Mercy devotions at 2:30pm at St Thomas’ church with confessions available. All are welcome to join and stay for refreshments afterwards.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PROGRAMME ‘26. A reminder to all this year’s First Holy Communion families, that next Saturday 28th March at 11:00am children will have their First Confession.

CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME 2026. For all those currently in Year 7 or above, the registration for the Confirmation Programme is now open. Register online here. A welcome meeting for parents, candidates and catechists will be held on Thursday May 21st from 7:30pm-9:00pm at St Thomas’ church. Closing date for registration is on Friday April 24th.

CATECHISTS. We are also looking for catechists to help with the delivery of the Confirmation Programme. If you can help, email Gabrielle Ellis

CARITAS. Mark Choonara, Director of Caritas in Southwark, will give a talk on the work of Caritas within the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, on Tuesday 14th April, in the parish centre, starting at 6:30pm. Refreshments will be provided. Join us to discuss young people's safety in the community; help with the cost of living crises; support for refugees and engagement of older people. For information, please contact Gina Hartnett .

AFTER SCHOOL CLUB ASSISTANT. St Thomas' Primary School are looking for a person to assist in supervising children attending After School Club. Duties include providing appropriate activities, encouraging co-operation, securing their safety, monitoring well- being and ensuring good behaviour. This role is from Monday to Thursday, 3:00pm to 6:00pm term time only. Starting date: Monday 20th April. If interested please email o ffice@saintthomas.co.uk.

GIFT AID. Parishioners who use weekly and 2nd collection envelopes will find them at the back of all 4 churches. Please take them home. As the use of online payments has increased, many people no longer use envelopes. Over the last 2 years, envelopes not collected were discontinued as the parish is charged for them. If you don’t yet Gift Aid, please email sevenoaksgac@rcaos.org.uk. The benefit is that everything you gift to the parish is increased by 25%. Sean Corrigan

THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING. There is a series of events scheduled during the Thursday Coffee Mornings (10:00am to 11:45am), in the parish centre at St Thomas’ church. All events start at 10:30am.

23rd April - A little magic on St George’s day, Janet Clare (a magic circle magician)

28th May: Bradbourne Lakes, John Ingram

25th June: Talk about Racet (The rural Africa children’s education trust), Deirdre Trapp and Adetunji Adeleye

23rd July - Poetry as prayer, led by Gilly Fenner

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

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND. In order to prepare for Holy Week, if you want a priest to visit you, someone in your family or a friend for Confession and/or Holy Communion, speak to the priest after Mass or email or call the parish office.

ALTAR SERVERS. To assist with Easter celebrations we are seeking Altar Servers for the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday Masses at St Thomas’. We need a minimum of 3 Servers per Mass. The times are:

8:00pm - Maundy Thursday

3:00pm - Good Friday service

8:00pm - Easter Vigil

8:00am; 9:15am; 11:15am - Easter Sunday

Email Catherine if your child can serve and confirming which Mass and time.

PARISH SUMMER PARTY. Save the date of Sunday 12th July, from 12:00noon onwards for the Parish Summer Party. You won’t want to miss it!

CONFESSIONS at St Thomas’ are available on Saturdays 10am and 5.15pm for 30 mins. During Lent we will also be available before the evening Mass on Sundays 5.30pm. In the chapels of ease please ask the priest before/after the weekday Mass. Our Lenten Reconciliation Service will be on Wednesday 1st April at 7:00pm.

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.

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.

TRAINING FOR BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY. The next day of formation for Bereavement Support Groups will be on Saturday May 9th, in the Walden Room, Aylesford Priory. For information, email mflbereavement@rcaos.org.uk.

MEN’S RETREAT - Who do you say that I am? Our Parish Retreat for men will be in Aylesford from 1st to 3rd May. It will be a weekend of exploration, prayer and encouragement. Clare Cameron, who facilitated our women’s retreat last year, will lead us again. She is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator working at the Jesuit Centre St Beuno’s in North Wales. The cost, including full board, is £250. If interested, please fill up a registration form available in the back of the church or download it from the parish website Retreats page. Lift shares to Aylesford will be organised. Any questions, email Catherine Rodger or at 01732458852. The registration form and non refundable deposit of £20 must be returned to the Parish Office in an envelope marked PARISH RETREATS .

WOMEN’S RETREAT - “Rejoicing and hearing the voice of the bridegroom” John 3:2. Our Parish Retreat for Women will be in Aylesford from 19th to 21st June. If you have never been on a retreat before, maybe this is the time? We are fortunate to be led by Canon Luke Smith. He is currently based in Rochester as well as teaching at Allen Hall. Canon Luke is well versed in spiritual accompaniment and some years ago he was a priest in our parish. The cost, including full board and lodging, is £250. If you would like to attend, pick up a registration form from the back of your church or download it form the parish website Retreats page. Lift shares to Aylesford will be organised. Any questions, email Catherine Rodger or at 01732458852. The registration form and non refundable deposit of £20 must be returned to the Parish Office in an envelope marked PARISH RETREATS by the 30th April.

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST. The Archdiocese of Southwark has launched an exciting apologetics project to provide evidence-based answers to questions such as "Is Jesus God?" or “Does prayer work?”. Ambassadors for Christ is designed to equip you with a deeper understanding of your faith, so you can confidently answer questions and be a joyful witness for the Lord Jesus and his Church. Every Monday, a new video will be posted on YouTube, along with a worksheet to enable parishes, schools, youth groups and families to use them as part of their faith formation. To watch the videos and take part in this exciting project, please click here.

SAVE THE DATE. The renowned choir, The Sixteen will be returning to St Thomas Church to perform on the evening of Friday 19th June. Make sure to include the event in your diaries.

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. CALLED TO LOVE is a retreat for singles, dating and engaged young adults who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage. A relaxed weekend with input, prayer, discussion and social, as well as the opportunity to meet like-minded others! This year's retreat will have as its theme masculinity and femininity. Runs from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May, with the option of staying Friday night. For information, click here.

YOUNG ADULTS. The Easter retreat for young adults at Worth Abbey is from Maundy Thursday 2nd April to Easter Sunday 5th April. Plus optional walking pilgrimage from Brighton, leaving on Palm Sunday. Come and celebrate together the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest Feast of the year and of our faith. There will be talks from monks, space for personal reflection, group discussion, social time and beautiful liturgy. The cost is £200 (£100 places available - please enquire at retreats@worth.org.uk for more details). To book your place 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.

REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK

Saturday 28th March: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 29th March: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass

Saturday 4th April - Easter Saturday: no Repository

Sunday 5th April - Easter Sunday: no Repository

Easter cards and reading materials available in the Tom Quinn porch. Thank you for your support.

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.

ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. You are invited to join us on Tuesdays at 7:30 with refreshments, praise and worship, followed by reflection and prayer. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in the Parish Centre for an evening of fellowship and spiritual enrichment. For any queries, please contact Deacon Neil. We look forward to welcoming you.

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.

We are also looking for new trustees. If interested, email rev.annebourne@gmail.com.

MARY'S MEALS WALKING PILGRIMAGE. Would you like to join a Mary’s Meals walking pilgrimage this year? Details of all the pilgrimages can be found here: https:// www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events/walk-for-hope. Options include the Augustine Camino from Rochester to Ramsgate via Aylesford Priory, Canterbury Cathedral and Minster Abbey from 5th to 11th September, and The Way of Our Lady of Consolation from West Grinstead to Storrington and onto Arundel Cathedral from 8th to 9th May. You are very welcome to join us for a single day, for several days, or for a whole pilgrimage. Come on your own or as a group. For information, check the website or contact Roy Peachey .

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

RECENTLY DIED

Marie Humphries

Funeral on Tuesday 7th April at 12:00noon at MHT, Otford

Donald Morgan

Funeral on Monday 13th April at 10:30am at St Joseph’s, Borough Green

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

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Join us for Lenten Spiritual Exercises

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

DIFFERENT and SPECIAL EACH WEEK

A way of prayer, that helps us to understand the great sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. He suffered and died for us, out of love, so we could be forgiven and stay close to God. When we pray the Stations of the Cross, we walk step by step with Jesus, thanking Him, learning about His love and courage, and asking for strength to carry our own troubles with faith and hope.

· St Thomas’, Sevenoaks: Wednesdays at 12 noon (for seniors) & Fridays at 8pm

· For CHILDREN on Fridays at 3:40pm (EXCLUDING Half Term) at St Thomas’

· Most Holy Trinity, Otford: Thursdays at 7:00pm, instead of the usual Holy Hour

· St Joseph’, Borough Green: Sundays after 9:30am Mass (brief version)

· St Bernadette’s, West Kingsdown: Sundays after 11am Mass (brief version)

*On Palm Sunday, there will be no Stations of the Cross in St Joseph’s or St Bernadette’s. In Holy Week, there will be no Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

RECONCILIATION SERVICE is on Holy Wednesday 1st April at 7:00pm, at St Thomas’ church. We will have extra priests invited. This is the last chance for confessions before Easter.