Register
07 Nov 10:00 am Sat
Most Holy Trinity - garden tidy
10 Nov 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
12 Nov 2026
Poland Pilgrimage - last day to book 12 Nov
21 Nov 9:30am - 1:00pm Sat
St Thomas - Reader + EMoHC - Day of Reflection and Formation
05 Dec 7:30 pm Sat
Otford Village Hall - Wine tasting evening
11 Dec 06:00 pm Fri
Deal - St Thomas of Canterbury - Fr John Induction Mass
12 Dec 11:00 am Sat
St Thomas - Marian Chant
12 Dec 10:00 am Sat
Details to follow - Advent Quiet Day
The Parish Priest writes:
8TH NOVEMBER 2026 - THIRTY SECOND SUNDAY. - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
November is a month in which the Church invites us to remember. As autumn leaves fall and the days grow shorter, our thoughts turn naturally towards those who have gone before us: those who gave their lives in the service of our country, those who died in war and conflict, and those whom we have loved and whose absence we still feel so deeply. On this Remembrance Sunday, we pause in gratitude and silence. We remember the courage of those who never returned home, the families who waited in vain, the sacrifices made for the freedom we enjoy, and the countless lives forever marked by the sorrow of war. The poppy is a small flower, yet it carries a great weight of memory. It reminds us that peace is precious, freedom is costly, and human life is never something to be taken for granted. But Christian remembrance reaches further still. We do not remember the dead simply with nostalgia or sorrow; we remember them with hope. In this Sunday's second reading, St Paul reminds us: "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." Our hope rests in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. His Resurrection has opened the way from death to life, and because of Him, the grave is not the end of our story.
The Gospel offers us the image of ten bridesmaids waiting through the night for the arrival of the bridegroom. Some were prepared; others were not. It is a reminder that our earthly life is a journey of preparation, that our faith must be kept alive, and that the light of Christ must continue to burn within us. We cannot borrow another person's faith, nor can we postpone loving, forgiving and living as Christ teaches us. Perhaps this is also a fitting image for November: a month in which we are invited to keep the lamps of prayer burning for those who have gone before us. Throughout November, let us make time for prayer and remembrance. Visit a church or cemetery, light a candle, offer a Mass, say a prayer for someone who has died, or simply spend a quiet moment recalling those whose lives touched ours. Remember especially those who died in war, those who sacrificed their lives for others, and those whose names are known only to God.
The words of the ancient prayer express our hope beautifully: Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis — Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the Lord welcome all the faithful departed into the light of His presence, comfort those who mourn, and make us instruments of His peace. And when our own earthly journey reaches its end, may we too be ready to hear that joyful cry: "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him."
With my prayers and blessing,
Fr Piotr - Parish Priest
TAIZE - Advent Service
FUNERAL SUPPORT GROUP
Could you help occasionally?
We are looking for around 12 to 16 parishioners to join our Funeral Support Group (FSG) and help us offer a warm and welcoming presence to families and friends attending funerals at St Thomas’.
The role can make a real difference at what is often a very difficult and emotional time.
What would be involved?
● Arrive approximately 30 minutes before the funeral begins.
● Welcome and greet mourners in the Tom Quinn porch.
● Direct attendees into the church and show them to the toilets if required.
● Where appropriate, offer a drink to anyone who is distressed or in need of a little extra support.
● Remain available until around 10 minutes after the funeral has begun, then leave.
In some cases, the deceased’s family may prefer to manage these arrangements themselves. We would, of course, respect their wishes.
Nevertheless, it would be reassuring to have at least two members of the FSG available to assist where needed, ensuring that everyone attending feels welcomed, supported and cared for.
By offering your time, you could provide a valuable service to our parish and offer comfort to families and friends.
Thank you for considering this important ministry. For further information please contact James McSharry 07917032024.
COME AND SING WITH US - MARIAN CHANTS
Have you ever listened to the beautiful traditional Latin chants sung at Mass and wished you could join in? We'd love you to come and learn one with us. Following our first gathering in October, we're meeting again to learn Alma Redemptoris Mater, the traditional Marian chant for Advent and Christmas. We'll start with a cup of coffee and a chat, then listen to a short podcast which teaches us the chant step by step, before having a go at singing it together. We are meeting on Saturday 5th December at 11:00am in the Parish Room. We'll be there for around 30–45 minutes, and you don't need any musical experience or ability to read music. It's simply a chance to learn something beautiful together in good company. Whether you joined us in October or are coming for the first time, we'd be delighted to see you.
SVP
COATS FOR REFUGEES. The SVP has been asked by a charity in northern France to have an appeal for warm waterproof mens’ coats for the refugees. Winter is coming and stocks in the warehouse are very low. If you do have any small sized men’s waterproof coats in good condition to spare please leave them in the church porch in the SVP basket and they will be taken to a delivery point for transfer to France late November.
COLLECTION. The SVP group would like to express our thanks to parishioners for giving so generously to our annual collection. A total of £1680.18 was raised, which will enable us to carry on helping the least well-off in our area.
NIGHTSTOP - HELP A HOMELESS YOUNG PERSON. De Paul UK is holding an open evening for Nightstop where volunteer hosts open their spare rooms to young people in crisis. For one night, or a few, they have a warm bed, a hot meal and someone who cares, while our team helps them find a way forward. The work is rooted in the example of Saint Vincent de Paul and his belief that faith is best practiced through action. To find out what volunteering with Nightstop involves, come to the talk on 2nd December, 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Sherbourne House, 34 Decima Street, London, SE1 4QQ. For information, click here
AI AND MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS - A PANEL DISCUSSION OF EXPERTS
AT ST THOMAS’ - 25th November, 7:00pm (panel will kick off at 7:30pm).
Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, has received accolades from leaders, theologians, and the AI community: it deals with one of the most perplexing issues that faces us today, the proliferation of AI and our human response to it.
If you want to know more, or have questions you want answered, then please join us for a panel discussion with the following experts: Andreas Widmer, author, entrepreneur, professor and former Swiss Guard; Naoise Grenham, Senior Policy and Research analyst for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, and Bernardo Villegas, PhD researcher, teaching assistant and entrepreneur at the University of Cambridge, focusing on human-inspired artificial intelligence and the societal impacts of AI.
The panel invites you to ask them any questions you would like them to cover: please send to sevenoaksplf@rcaos.org.uk. There will also be sheets for you to put down your questions at the back of the churches in November.
The Nativity Journey at Wintershall - 15th to the 20th of December 2026
Notices:
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is for the Archbishop’s Appeal. Funds are invested in Youth and Evangelisation, Social Outreach and Clergy Care.
REMEMBRANCE DAY. In Sevenoaks, the Remembrance Parade will be at the Vine War Memorial on Sunday, November 8th at 10:40am. The Otford service will take place on the Village Green at 10:50am. Please walk up after 9.30am Mass to join in this prayerful occasion. Note that Mass at St Bernadette’s will be at 11:30am.
BLESSING OF THE GRAVES will be on Sunday 15th November at 3:00pm, at Greatness Cemetery.
HOLY SOULS ENVELOPES. In November, we are invited to recall those we love who have gone before us and bring them into our prayer. In our faith, remembrance is more than preserving names in a book. A written record can keep a name, but it cannot replace the act of prayer. This is why it is appropriate, each year, to write the names of our deceased loved ones on our November Holy Souls prayer card. The simple act of writing a name invites us to stop for a moment, recall the person behind it, remember the love we shared, and place them once more into God's hands. Our remembrance finds its deepest expression in the offering of the Holy Mass. We pray for them year after year, trusting that our lives and theirs remain united in Christ, who has conquered death and opened for us the way to eternal life. Please take a Holy Souls prayer card and envelope, available at the back of the church. Write down the names of your deceased loved ones and return the card with your offering (if you wish). In November and during the year these names will be remembered in our parish Masses and prayers.
ST PADRE PIO GROUP. The Padre Pio group invites you to join them on Tuesday 10th November at 7:30pm. We will start with Adoration in the church and then at 8:00pm move into the parish room for a time of learning and prayer. All are welcome.
ADORATION AT ST THOMAS’ will continue at 7:00pm on Tuesdays during the winter. All are welcome to join for a moment of prayer, especially in November.
DECEASED CLERGY MASS. Join us for the Mass for the Deceased Clergy of the Parishes of our Deanery on Tuesday 10th November at 12:00noon at St Augustine’s Church in Tunbridge Wells. All are welcome.
CHRISTMAS TREAT FOR THE PARISH TEAM. A few Parishioners are planning to take our Priests, Deacon Neil and Silvana out for a festive Christmas lunch on Monday 7th December at St Julian’s Club, Sevenoaks. Everyone is invited. It promises to be a lovely occasion, with good food and excellent company. St Julian’s is offering a 3- course Christmas lunch for £44.50 per person plus drinks and tips. If you would like to join us, email ben.andradi@icloud.com by 10th November.
MOST HOLY TRINITY - WINE TASTING SOCIAL. MHT are hosting a Wine Tasting event in Otford Village Memorial Hall on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm. There will be several wines to taste with ‘lite bites’ to accompany each wine. Tickets at £15 per person may be booked via email to june19tickets@gmail.com, after some Masses or by delivering cash/cheque payment with your contact details to the Parish Office during office hours.
FR JOHN EYIKE’s Induction Mass at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Deal, will take place on Friday 11th December 2026 at 6:00pm. Fr John has kindly invited all parishioners to join him for this joyful occasion, which will also mark the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination. All are warmly invited to attend and share in this special celebration.
UKRAINE. We are collecting candles, unused or used, for Ukraine. They are melted down and reconstituted in tins to be sent to the troops to heat their food. There is a box in each church.
CALLING ALL SINGERS. Come and sing at the Confirmation Mass on 14th November at St George’s Cathedral. Join us on this joyous day for our young people. A group will head up to the Cathedral together in the morning to lend their voices. Email gina.hartnett@hotmail.com for details.
ADVENT QUIET DAY will be on Saturday 12th December. Details to follow.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL. St Thomas’ School PTA was selected to take part in the Waitrose Green Token Scheme. The PTA is raising funds to provide students with opportunities to experience live theatre. Depending on the number of green tokens put in the boxes at Waitrose, St Thomas PTA will receive an award of either £1,500, £1,000 or £500. Members of the local community who shop at our local Waitrose are invited to support St Thomas’ PTA by allocating their green token to the school's box after the checkouts. The scheme runs from October to December.
ST THOMAS' SCHOOL RAFFLE. Our School is busy preparing for its Christmas Fair on Friday 11th December and will once again be holding its Christmas Raffle, with wonderful festive hampers and fantastic prizes to be won. Raffle tickets will be on sale after weekend Masses on 21st/22nd November, 28th/29th November and 5th/6th December. Please, support the raffle by purchasing a ticket and helping to raise valuable funds for our school.
CONFESSION. Our Confirmation candidates will have their Confession from 10:00am onwards on Saturday 7th November. If you are planning to come, expect to wait or choose another time. Our priests also hear confessions on Saturdays from 5:15pm onwards, till just before the 6:00pm Mass.
THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING.
Enjoy company and cakes at St Thomas’ parish centre from 10:00am to 11:45am. All are welcome. We have some interesting talks coming up. They are all from 10:30am. Dates are below.
19th Nov: Which festive wines to pick? The unofficial guide by Ben Newton
26th Nov: Poems for Advent by Gilly Fenner
3rd Dec: Life in the BBC world news by Madeleine Busvine
17th Dec: Christmas Carols led by Kathleen Bouverie
The BIBLE STUDY group Opening up the Word meets every other Wednesday at St Thomas’ parish centre, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The next session will be on 18th November. Email Paul with any queries.
REPOSITORY SHOP.
Get your copy from Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, cards and gifts for Confirmation and books on praying the rosary from the repository shop. There will be Advent calendars and Christmas cards available from next week. Check opening times below. Items can be accessed independently and paid via the SumUp machines or cash in the wall box next to the Sacristy door. Thank you for your continued support.
Saturday 7th November: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 8th November: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 14th November: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 15th November: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND 2027. Join us for a 7-day pilgrimage to Poland, 8–14 June 2027, led by Fr Piotr. We will visit Kraków, Częstochowa, the Shrine of Divine Mercy, Wadowice, Przemyśl and the beautiful Bieszczady region, with Masses and opportunities for prayer at some of Poland’s most important Catholic shrines. The pilgrimage also includes visits to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and optional Auschwitz- Birkenau. £1,097 per person sharing a twin/double room. Single-room supplement: £325. The price includes flights, accommodation, half board, coach travel, guided visits and entrance fees as detailed in the pilgrimage programme. Book directly with All Saints Travel at www.allsaintstravel.co.uk/PL1194 (a £400 deposit is required). Please book by 12 November 2026 to allow the best possible price to be secured.
CAN YOU HELP? We are preparing a programme to raise awareness among parishioners of the benefits of leaving a legacy to the Parish. We are looking for one or two volunteers with relevant legal or will-writing experience to join our team. If you may be able to help, contact Alan Davies
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.
SEVENOAKS FOODBANK. Consider putting something extra in your shopping trolley or online shop to benefit clients at the Sevenoaks Foodbank (Loaves and Fishes). 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 meals (meat and vegetarian). No baked beans, no hot dogs, no meat balls, no tinned soup, no tuna, no cereal or tampons at the moment. Thank you.
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
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.
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
RECENTLY DIED
Helen Marian Cresswell
Funeral on Monday 30th November at 12:00pm at St Thomas’, Sevenoaks
John Bassett
Details to be announced
Pray for the recently died in our Parish and for God to comfort the families who mourn them.
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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.
Fr Peter Kucharski, Parish Priest of Sevenoaks
12 Granville Road email
Sevenoaks 01732 454177
TN13 1ER