The Parish Priest writes:

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22 FEBRUARY 2026  - THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

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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SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK is for CAFOD Lent Fast Day, which is on Friday 27th February. This Lent, live out the Gospel call to love your neighbour by fasting and giving what you save. You join in Christ’s compassion and help another family put food on the table. Your donation helps families around the world grow food in difficult conditions, such as on flood-resistant floating gardens or using solar-powered water pumps in times of drought. Collect a CAFOD envelope, click here to donate online or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10.

PARISH OFFICE. We will be exceptionally closed on Thursday 26th February.

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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.

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HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS. As part of our Lenten talks, scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th and 18th, and Monday, March 23rd, at 7:30pm, we are looking for volunteers who can provide dinner for our speaker at 5:30pm on any of those dates. A warm welcome and a simple meal would be greatly appreciated. If you’re able to help, please email Ben Andradi. Thank you for making our Lenten season more meaningful.

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COFFEE WITH FATHER JOHN. Join us on 5th March for a talk with Father John Eyike titled My Life Story Unfolding, starting at 10:30am, during the Thursday coffee mornings, in the St Thomas' parish centre (10:00am to 11:45am).

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TRUTH SEEKERS. The next meeting is in the parish centre on Saturday 28th February after the 6:00pm Mass, when we will commence The Search series. Click here for details. It will run over five consecutive Saturdays until 28th March. We will watch and discuss the content together over supper and finish by 8:00pm. We ask parents interested in their teenagers to participate to join a WhatsApp group to facilitate planning by emailing the parish office, informing the name of your teenager, your name and phone number.

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ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. Catherine Rodger will lead a reflection on the life of Blessed Julian of Norwich, in our meeting in the parish centre on Tuesday 24th February, starting with tea and coffee from 7:30pm. All are welcome.​

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The SVP LENT COLLECTION this year (weekend of 7th and 8th March) will be for DePaul UK, a charity which tackles youth homelessness by providing accommodation, prevention and support services across the UK. Each year thousands of marginalised young people are supported towards achieving a society where everyone has a place to call home and a stake in their community. Young people are among those most affected by current economic troubles, so please consider giving as generously as you can. If you would like to know more, check the website or get in touch on 077918 808222. Paul Boyle SVP

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The AGM of the Pastoral Committee of MOST HOLY TRINITY, Otford, will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday 4th March 2026 in the church room. All are welcome to attend.​

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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 by 8th March.

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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.​

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LENTEN QUIET DAY. You are invited to a Lenten Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 21st March 2026 at The Barn, Poult Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, TN11 9QU (entrance opposite North Frith Farm) from 10:00 to 16:00. Through the use of poetry, prayer, music, scripture and nature, it will be a day for quiet contemplation of the Stations of the Cross. As we journey through Lent, you will be able to walk at your own pace with Jesus along the road to Golgotha. There will be an opportunity to walk the labyrinth. The day will be led by Gilly Fenner who has worked as a spiritual director for over 22 years. Please bring a packed lunch and a change of shoes as part of the day can be spent outside. Numbers are limited to 20 so please book early. Suggested contribution is £5. If you would like to attend, please email Gilly 

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QUIZ NIGHT. There will be a quiz night at St Joseph’s on Saturday 14th March from 7.30pm. The tickets is £12.50 per person and it includes ploughman’s supper and tea/ coffee, with tables of 6 people. Bring own drinks, glasses and nibbles and cash for the raffle. Contact Margaret at 01732 885295 for tickets.​

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PRAY THE ROSARY WITH THE ARCHBISHOP. Every Friday at 5:00pm during Lent, we will pray the Romero Rosary at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero in St George’s Cathedral. Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion on Ash Wednesday and again on Friday 6th March and Friday 27th March. On all other Fridays, the Cathedral clergy will lead the Rosary, followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6:00pm.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK
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Saturday 21st February: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 22nd February: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass

Saturday 28th February: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 1st March: after all Masses

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We have a range of Lenten reading materials available, including copies of Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te. The Lenten talk on Monday 23rd March will refer to this. Do have look in the basket on the table near the doors. We are very happy for you to come and have a chat and a browse.

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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.​​​​

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MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2026. After two most fruitful trips to Medjugorje in 2024 and 2025, we have booked a week’s pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 13th to 20th May 2026, where we expect Fr Piotr to be joining us. The cost is £768 per person which will include travel from London Gatwick, transfers from Split to Medjugorje, half board shared hotel accommodation, and a local guide to suggest a daily itinerary. The emphasis will be on daily Masses, Confession, Adoration, and an opportunity for the more physically able to climb Prdbdo and Krizevac. Our Lady Queen of Peace will show us what we must do to get closer to Our Lord. Please contact Barry Authers if you would like to join our group: 07773 658469.

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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.

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BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE DAY. On Saturday 7th March 2026 couples are invited to a day where they can privately explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communication and the call of the Church to be married at Corpus Christi church ‘Fisher hall’, at Lyons Crescent, TONBRIDGE, Kent, TN9 1FB (for parking). The one- day course (9.00am till 4.30pm) is for married couples (whether married for one year, 60 years or anywhere in between). It seeks to help husbands and wives to make their marriages better and to improve their communication skills and learn how to raise issues without hurting each other. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. The unique selling point of this day is it is NOT marriage counselling - Marriage Care and Retrouvaille do a brilliant job at this! Refreshments will be provided but please bring a packed lunch. Booking is essential. To apply please contact: Carole on mflkent@rcaos.org.uk or by phone on 07983 524 727.

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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.

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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.​

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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.​​

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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

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MOTHER’S PRAYERS every Thursday after the 12noon Mass in the Parish Centre. It is a special time for mothers to unite in faith and offer prayers for their families and the broader community. All are welcome.

RECENTLY DIED

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Marietta Allen

Details to follow

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Patrick Hurley

Funeral on 23rd February at 12:30pm, St Bernadette’s

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Anthony Murphy

Funeral on Friday 6th March at 11:00am, Most Holy Trinity, Otford

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Patricia Lewis

Funeral on Monday 9th March at 12:00pm, St Thomas’

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

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​​​​​​​​St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Bernadette, pray for us.
St Edith of Kemsing, pray for us.

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Fr Peter Kucharski, Parish Priest of Sevenoaks

12 Granville Road     email

Sevenoaks               01732 454177

TN13 1ER