​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

​​

Lent invites us into a season of reflection, where we pause to recognise God’s presence and listen to His call. The story of Moses before the burning bush reminds us that God reveals Himself not in distant grandeur but in the midst of human struggle, calling us by name and commissioning us for His mission. He is the God who sees the suffering of His people and promises deliverance. This same divine patience and mercy are echoed in Jesus' parable of the fig tree. The tree, barren and unfruitful, is given another season to bear fruit—one last chance to respond to the care of the gardener. Likewise, our own lives are marked by moments of reprieve, opportunities to turn back, to deepen our faith, and to bear fruit that will last. Lent is a time to allow Christ, the divine gardener, to nourish our hearts and remove anything that hinders our spiritual growth. It is easy to grow weary, to question the effort, but God remains steadfast, waiting patiently for us to respond. This journey of repentance is not about dwelling on past failures but about embracing the grace that is still being offered to us.

 

This weekend we are called to recognise the needs of others. Throughout our diocese, there are parishes that struggle to sustain their mission— places where the Catholic presence is smaller, where financial resources are scarce, yet where faith remains a light in the community. Just as God called Moses to lead His people to freedom, we too are called to act, to help sustain these communities so that they may continue to flourish.

 

This week, amidst our Lenten reflections, we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. In that moment of encounter, Mary listened to the angel’s message and responded with a courageous ‘yes.’ Her openness to God’s plan changed the course of history. In our own lives, we too are invited to say ‘yes’ to God’s will, trusting that He is at work even in what we cannot yet understand.

 

Lent is a journey of transformation, an opportunity to draw closer to Christ and to one another. May we persevere with faith and generosity, responding to God’s call with hearts open to His mercy and love.

​

Fr Peter 

​

​

​

​

​​​​

 

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

​

*******************************​​​​​​​​​​​​​

CAFOD. The collection added up to £1,537.42

​

SECOND COLLECTION this week is for poor parishes. Thank you for your generosity.

​

SAVE THE DATE. Our Parish Summer Party will be on Sunday 6th July. Write it in your diaries. Join us for a wonderful social gathering that brings together all our communities from Sevenoaks, Otford, Borough Green, and West Kingsdown; young and old, families, and retirees. Entry is free. Enjoy a BBQ with plenty of food and drinks provided. The event featured many attractions, including the traditional performance of the St. Thomas’ Primary School Choir.

 

ALTAR SERVERS. We are looking for Altar Servers for the Easter Triduum and Easter Sunday Masses at St Thomas’ church. We need a minimum of 3 Servers at every Mass. The Mass times are:

8:00pm - Maundy Thursday

3:00pm - Good Friday service

8:00pm - Easter Vigil

And on Easter Sunday 8:00am, 9:15am and 11:15am

E-mail Catherine Ingram if your child can serve, confirming which Mass and time. Thank you.

​

ALL NIGHT VIGIL. “My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. So, I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.” Psalm 62(63). Join us on our All Night Vigil at St Thomas’ on Friday April 11th. It starts with Stations of the Cross at 8:00pm, Exposition and ends with Mass at 6:00am. If you are not able to stay the whole night, consider spending an hour or two with our Lord. Come as a family, bring a friend. It is a beautiful way to open up Holy Week. For queries, contact Deacon Neil on 07394112514.

​​​

CONFIRMATION 2025. For all those currently in Year 7 or above, the registration for the Confirmation Programme is now open. Register online at sevrcparish.org.uk. A welcome meeting for parents, candidates and catechists will be held on Wednesday May 14th from 7:30pm-9:00pm at St Thomas’ church. Closing date for registration is on Friday April 25th.

​

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

​

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. The Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage will be on July 12th 2025, at St George’s Cathedral. If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th+ wedding anniversary this year, please let us know by mid May, providing the following details: names in the format John and Mary Smith, home address, parish, and the anniversary you are celebrating. You will receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows during Mass. Spaces are limited. Contact Carole at mflkent@rcaos.org.uk. As the title of your email, write your parish location e.g. Sevenoaks, Kent.

​​​

Our TRUTH SEEKERS youth programme has a session on Saturday 29th March at 7:00 in the Parish Centre.

​

MOST HOLY TRINITY. The AGM of the Pastoral Committee of Most Holy Trinity, Otford will be held at 10:30 on Wednesday 26th March in the church room. All are welcome to attend.

​

MEDJUGORGE PARISH PILGRIMAGE. We would welcome a few more names to join our pilgrimage from June 2nd. Medjugorje is an inspirational place where you will feel the presence of Our Lady leading you closer to Our Lord. We will be joined by Fr. Biju and a priest with a group from East Dulwich. The price for 7 nights half board in a hotel beside the church is £756, including flights and transfers from Gatwick and a local guide. Financial assistance may be available. Contact Barry Authers at 07773 658469.

​

REPOSITORY SHOP OPENING TIMES THIS WEEK

Saturday 22nd March: after 6:00pm Mass
 

Sunday 23rd March: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
 

Thursday 27th March: during Coffee morning; 10:15am-12noon
 

Saturday 29th March: Repository Shop NOT OPEN
 

Sunday 30th March: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm 

Mass

Copies of Lenten speaker Austen Ivereigh's new book First Belong to God - on retreat with Pope Francis are available as well as the CTS New Sunday Missal, Mothering Sunday and Easter cards. Items are available at St Joseph's too. For information, email sevenoaksrepository@rcaos.org.uk.

​

SCHOOL GOVERNOR. St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School is looking for a Co-opted Governor. Do you have business/finance skills, knowledge of HR, health & safety, IT or managing premises? Do you want to make a difference to your school community? A Co-opted governor could be the role for you. St Thomas’ School & Nursery is a thriving school with a wonderfully friendly, caring and dedicated staff and an enthusiastic and supportive governing body. We work together to ensure that every child in is happy and safe and to offer them every opportunity to learn and succeed. We set high targets to improve standards in education and strive to prepare our children for life. Co-opted governors make the link between the world of work and education. We welcome interest from all walks of life. It is a rewarding and effective way of making a voluntary contribution to the lives of young people. If you have energy and enthusiasm and want to help, send an expression of interest to the school office to the attention of the Headteacher, either by letter or email office@st-thomas- sevenoaks.kcsp.org.uk

​

LENTEN TALKS - HOSPITALITY FOR SPEAKERS. We have wonderful speakers coming to our Parish this Lent. Pick up a leaflet at the back of the church for information on the talks. Like last year, we need help with hospitality. Let us know if you can provide a meal at around 5:00pm to the speaker on one or more evenings of Wednesday March 26th, April 2nd, April 9th and April 16th and/or provide overnight accommodation. Speak or email  Ben Andradi 

​​

COUNTERS NEEDED. We are in need of volunteers for counting Mass collection cash and completing the weekly spreadsheet. Ideally, it would be at least 2 or 3 more people. This ministry is crucial for the flow of the parish. It requires a couple of hours every few weeks. We will provide the necessary training. Speak to Fr Piotr or Andy Hicks (Monday mornings in the Parish Office).

​​​​

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELLA. There will be a walking pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella from September 20th to 29th. It is suitable for all levels, covering the 116km of the Camino Ingles at a gentle pace over 8 days with an additional day in Santiago. Contact Br David (action.youth@kscsouthwark.org; 07821049827 in the evening) or email Margaret Briggs or call 07703 798967.​​​​​​​​
​

SAVE THE DATE. The Altar Servers 47th Annual Rally is on Monday 5th May, 2025 at the Friars Aylesford Priory Kent. The programme starts at 10:15 and mass begins at 11:30, followed by picnic and football tournament.​​

​

LENT QUIET DAY. You are invited to a Lent Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 22nd March 2025 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, the day will be an opportunity for quiet contemplation of Gospel stories in preparation for Easter and how these stories resonate for us today. The day will be led by Gilly Fenner who has worked as a spiritual director for over 21 years. Please bring a bible, a packed lunch and a change of shoes as part of the day can be spent outside. Suggested contribution for the day is £5. If you would like to attend please email Gilly 

​

​GROWING IN FAITH FOR COUPLES. This online Sycamore series is for married or engaged couples who want to explore their faith together. The sessions are on zoom, on Tuesdays, from 8:00-9:00pm. It started on March 4th and continues on 18th, 25th and April 1st. To register go to: www.aec.rcaos.org.uk/together

​​

GRIEF IN LOSS WEEKEND-HOPE IN CHRIST. A retreat for anyone who has experienced bereavement, recently or some time ago, at The Friars, Aylesford. There are dates in October. For information, call 01622717272 or email reception@thefriars.co.uk

​​

WELCOMERS NEEDED. The Welcome Ministry is a vital part of our Parish community, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels loved and valued. We are in need of welcomers for our Masses. If you feel called to serve, email Andrew or visit www.sevrcparish.org/parishgroups-1/welcomers. For those who wish to issue an individual invitation to someone, please take a postcard (available in all churches) advertising the parish activities.​​

​​

JUBILEE WALKING PILGRIMAGE TO AYLESFORD - A CALL FOR PILGRIMS AND HOSTS. As part of the Jubilee Year celebrations in 2025 called for by Pope Francis, there will be a walking pilgrimage from St George’s cathedral to the Marian shrine of Aylesford in Kent. This will start on Monday 2nd June and arrive on Friday 6th June 2025, in time for the big diocesan Jubilee event on Saturday 7th June 2025. The pilgrims will stop at selected parishes on route sleeping in church halls or staying locally with parishioners or in B&Bs. Our parish has been chosen as one of the stopping places; the pilgrims will arrive in Sevenoaks on 4th June and stay two nights. Would you like to become involved by joining the walkers for part or the whole of the walk, by welcoming them here, by offering hospitality to the pilgrims overnight for the two nights, by volunteering to cook, or be part of the welcome ministry? Email Gina 

​

WOMEN’S RETREAT - Gifts for the Journey - A time of invitation and encouragement. This retreat will happen Aylesford from 2nd to 4th May 2025. We are fortunate to be led in our retreat this year by Clare Cameron. She is a spiritual director and facilitator working at St Beuno’s in their outreach team. The cost (including full board & lodging) is £240. If you would like to attend, pick up a registration form from the back of your Church or download a form from the website: https:// www.sevrcparish.org/parishgroups-1/retreats Lift shares to Aylesford will be organised.

​​

For queries, contact Catherine Rodger  or call 01732 458852. The registration form and non refundable deposit of £20 made payable to ‘RCAS Sevenoaks’ must be returned to the Parish Office in an envelope marked PARISH RETREATS by the 31st March 2025.

​​

MEN’S RETREAT - Joy-Sorrow-Triumph-Witness-The Rosary and our daily lives. This retreat will be at Aylesford from 30th May 2025 to 1st June 2025. We are fortunate to have Fr Bryan Wells as the facilitator. He was the parish priest for Petts Wood parish before retiring and has helped out saying mass in our parish for some years. He is the author of Brother Roger and Taize, a consummate musician and organist and an excellent preacher. The cost for the retreat (including full board & lodging) is £240. If you would like to attend pick up a registration form from the back of your Church or download a form from the website: https:// www.sevrcparish.org/parishgroups-1/retreats . Lift shares to Aylesford will be organised.

 

For queries, contact Catherine Rodger  or call 01732 458852. The registration form and non refundable deposit of £20 made payable to ‘RCAS Sevenoaks’ must be returned to the Parish Office in an envelope marked PARISH RETREATS by the 31st March 2025.​​​

​​​​

Young Adults' Easter Retreat at Worth Abbey. Maundy Thursday 17th April - Easter Sunday 20th April 2025(Plus Holy Week Walking Pilgrimage: 14th - 17th April)The Easter Triduum – come and celebrate the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest Feast of the year and climax of our faith. Monastic Liturgy - Talks - Space & Prayer - FriendshipTalks from Dr Jeremy Pilch, Head of Theology at St Mary's University, London. Cost: £200 (£100 places available - please enquire at retreats@worth.org.uk) For more info or to book, visit: www.worthabbey.net/an-organised-worth-abbey-retreat or phone 01342 710318​​

​

Beginning Experience Weekend. This is a special residential weekend programme for widowed, separated and divorced people, which helps participants with natural feelings of grief and loss. The weekend is led by trained volunteers, who have experienced having to adjust to life as single people again. This next programme will be held on 4-6 April at the Sion Community, Essex; for further details please contact: Mary: 07730 884315, or email BeginningExperience.SoE@gmail.com.

​

Building a Better Marriage (BABM) – Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope. To celebrate Jubilee 2025 a one day Building a Better Marriage opportunity will be held in the following 9 Southwark deaneries during 2025. The day starts at 9.30am and finishes at 4.30pm and is free to attend. The day will be open to other deaneries in 2026 who have not experienced the event.

To join one of these day’s please contact Carole on 07983 524 727 or email mflkent@rcaos.org.uk.

​​

12 April – St Mary Church, Croydon West

28 June – St Raphael Church, Kingston Upon Thames

5 July - St Thomas More, Dulwich

13 September – Southwark Cathedral, London

4 October – Holy Cross, Catford

1 November – St James the Great, Petts Wood​​​​​

​

MEN'S SPIRITUAL EXERCISES - 31st March to 5th April A 5-day retreat version of the Ignatian Exercises offered specifically for men (whether lay or ordained), will be preached by the Benedictine Monks of St Joseph’s Abbey, France. Founded in 1988, this community has retained its charism of a specific apostolate to men, and of engaging them through a shortened version of the Ignatian Exercises. One-to-one direction will be offered alongside the talks. Priests are welcome to attend and concelebrate or celebrate their own Mass. More information and booking: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-spiritual- exercises/

 

CAFOD Big Lent Walk. Join CAFOD for the Big Lent Walk in 2025! By taking on the challenge of walking 200km in 40days, you will be part of a massive team supporting people as they overcome poverty. Sign up as an individual, parish or school at https:// walk.cafod.org.uk/
​

WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE. Archbishop John will be leading the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Walsingham on Saturday 28th June. If any parishes would like to organise coaches, please contact Fr James Clark . Coaches would leave no later than 7am to arrive at the shrine for around 10:30am.

​

FORMATION. The Lay Mission Institute is an apostolate committed to igniting the Faith of lay Catholics and helping them discern and live out their unique vocations. During a three-year program, you will learn what it means to have a lay vocation and how you are called to live it out. Information: https://laymission.net/

​​

CANDLES FOR UKRAINE. Thank you for your generosity. We are collecting candles until end of March.

 

PARENTING. Sevenoaks Child Contact Centre (an initiative of Churches Together in Sevenoaks) helps children in our community who deal with family separation and provides a lifeline for the non-resident parent. The centre enables the non-resident parent to be with their child(ren) for two hours, twice a month. The work is done by men and women from local churches in teams of six on a rota basis to provide a safe space. There are refreshments, toys and games and the use of a garden when the weather is good. We need volunteers to help us from 1:00pm to 5:00pm once every six weeks on a Sunday. No special qualifications are needed. Interested may come and look before they decide and men are especially welcome. If you want to find out more, call for a no obligation chat on 07918 155779. Sandie Peters​

​

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING. Caritas Social Action Network is launching Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction, an online course for staff and volunteers in parishes. The programme will be spread over five one-hour Zoom sessions on each Tuesday in March and on 01 April 2025, from 12:00noon to 1:00pm. The course is aimed at parishioners who are not so familiar with Catholic Social Teaching, or who would welcome a refresh. We will also be hearing from CSAN members who work on the front line of poverty and exclusion, bringing our theoretical discussions to life. The course fee is £95 for all five sessions, which includes a copy of Raymond Friel’s book, Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction for Schools, Parishes, and Charities. For information, email Bernadette .​​

​​

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

​

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.

​

ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. This is a prayer group for those discerning and practicing discipleship in our parish led by Deacon Neil which meets in the Parish Centre from 7:30pm on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month, and includes time of fellowship over tea and coffee, praise & worship led by musicians, consideration of Church teaching and prayer. For more information please contact Deacon Neil.​​

​​

​

RECENTLY DIED​

 

Patricia Brownlie

Requiem Mass on 24th March

at 11:00am at Most Holy Trinity

 

Ann Marie Collinson

Requiem Mass on 26th March

at 10:30am at St Thomas’.

 

Brian Craig McFeely 

Requiem Mass on 31st March

at 11:00am at St Thomas’.

May they rest in peace​.   

 

DIOCESAN NOTICES

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

           ​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

Hope in Adoration. As part of the Jubilee Year, Archbishop John is encouraging people to turn to the Lord Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration and have their hopes “fulfilled by Christ”. The campaign, Hope in Adoration, will share testimonies from parish priests and laity throughout the year on how Eucharistic Adoration has helped them build a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus. Resources will also be made available for free and there is a comprehensive list of times of Eucharistic Adoration in parishes across the Archdiocese. Find out more about the campaign at rcaos.org.uk/hopeinadoration

​

ARCHDIOCESAN JUBILEE CELEBRATION DAY at The Friars, Aylesford 7 June 2025. Led by Archbishop John Wilson, we will gather as an Archdiocese at The Friars, Aylesford for a day of prayer, reflection, celebration, and fun. There will be lots of activities, for children as well as for adults. This will be the centre-piece event of the 2025 Jubilee in the Archdiocese of Southwark. There will also be a walking pilgrimage from St George’s Cathedral in Southwark to The Friars (2-6 June 2025). The event itself is free. You can find out more about the event, including how to join the walking pilgrimage, and the wider Jubilee Year

plans in the Archdiocese at: rcaos.org.uk/jubilee2025.

​

​PARISH LENTEN DEVOTIONS

​​

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

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: Fridays at 8:00pm
 

· Most Holy Trinity, Otford: Thursdays at 7:30pm, instead of the usual Holy Hour
 

· St Joseph’, Borough Green: Fridays at 6:00pm
 

· St Bernadette’s, West Kingsdown: Fridays at 10:30am
 

SPECIAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
 

¨ FOR SENIORS on Wednesdays at 12:30noon.
 

¨ FOR CHILDREN on Fridays at 3:30pm.

​

LENTEN TALKS on Wednesdays at 7:30pm commencing March 26th. (7:00 refreshments)

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. These words on Ash Wednesday encourage us to take a step back and reflect on our lives and faith. Join us for these talks to gain new insights, deepen your faith, and prepare spiritually for Easter.
 

¨ Wednesday, March 26th - Living Lent with the scriptures: The book of Job and the God Who Speaks by Brother John Church, a deacon in his final year of studies at Blackfriars Oxford, preparing for priestly ordination.

¨ Wednesday, April 2nd - Reflection on the Art of the Cross by Fr Dominic White OP, Prior of Blackfriars, Oxford, and author of How Do I Look? Theology in the Age of the Selfie.

​

¨ Wednesday, April 9th - Glimpsing Hope's Horizon in Lent in a broken world, by Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ, a Sister of the Congregation of Jesus, Director of the Religious Life Institute at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge.

​

¨ Wednesday, April 16th - The Triumph of Failure: Why did God choose to suffer? by Austen Ivereigh, author of two acclaimed biographies of Pope Francis, as well as a book he wrote “with” Pope Francis: Let Us Dream (2020). Austen will be signing copies of his new book First Belong to God - on retreat with Pope Francis, before the talk.

​

PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE

Lent is the time of the year when God asks us to prepare our hearts for Easter. Confessions will be heard on Monday 14th April, starting at 7:00pm, at St Thomas’.

​

These devotions and times are special opportunities during Lent to grow closer to God, reflect on Jesus' love and sacrifice, and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. It's a time to slow down, pray, and focus on what truly matters.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​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

​​​​