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01 - 03 May
Aylesford - Men's Retreat - Who do you say that I am?
07 May 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45
07 May 11:40 am Thu
St Thomas -Divine Mercy Chaplet
07 May Noon Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer
09 May 10:00 am Sat
Poult Farm - Easter Quiet Day
12 May 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
13 - 20 May
Medjugorje - Pilgrimage
21 May 07:30 pm Thu
St Thomas - Confirmation Program Welcome evening
19- 21 Jun Fri -Sun
Aylesford - Women's Parish retreat
12 Jul Noon Sun
Parish Summer Party
The Parish Priest writes:
3 MAY 2026 - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Dear Friends,
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) He does not point to a path outside Himself. He places Himself at the centre. To believe in Him is not simply to agree with His teaching, but to entrust our lives to Him and allow Him to shape our direction.
We begin the month of May with a particular focus on Our Blessed Lady. She does not draw attention to herself, but always leads us to her Son. The Rosary, so simple and so often underestimated, is precisely that: a way of remaining with Christ, contemplating His life, and allowing His presence to form our hearts. At the invitation of Archbishop John Wilson, we are especially encouraged this month to pray the Rosary for Life — bringing before God those whose dignity and protection are most at risk. This is not an abstract intention. It is a concrete act of faith and responsibility.
At the same time, this Sunday is marked as Safeguarding Sunday in our Archdiocese. This too belongs to the same reality. If Christ is truly the way we follow, then the way we treat one another must reflect Him. Safeguarding is not only about procedures; it is about ensuring that our parish is a place where the vulnerable are protected, where concerns are taken seriously, and where dignity is upheld without compromise. We also hold in prayer all those who have suffered abuse, asking for healing, justice, and the grace to remain vigilant and faithful in our responsibility.
The first reading shows the early Church taking responsibility for real needs within the community. Faith is never detached from life. It becomes visible in how we organise, how we serve, and how we care for one another.
So this week gives us something very concrete to live: to follow Christ more deliberately, to pray with intention, and to take responsibility for the life of the community entrusted to us.
Fr Piotr; pp
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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ROSARY FOR LIFE. Archbishop John Wilson is calling on all of us to join him in praying the Rosary for Life this May (Month of Mary). Together, we will pray through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries, each one offered for the most vulnerable facing growing threats to life: unborn children at risk of abortion, victims of war and persecution, people with disabilities, and the elderly and vulnerable. For video, audio and written versions of the Rosary for Life, visit rcaos.org.uk/rosaryforlife. Pray the Rosary. Encounter Christ. Defend life.
CHURCH REFURBISHMENT & MASS TIMES CHANGES. Maintenance work will be carried out at St Thomas’ church from Monday to Saturday, from 11th to 16th May. All Masses will be at 8:00am and the church will be closed for the rest of the day. Please, note that on Thursday 14th May, Ascension Day (Holy Day of Obligation), there will be no 9:30am or 12:00pm Mass. And on Saturday 16th May there will be no confessions after the 8:00am Mass.
BIBLE STUDY. The meetings 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 two sessions are on the 6th May and then on the 27th May. After that it will be back to a fortnightly schedule. For information, email Paul Boyle .
THE SIXTEEN. An exciting date not to be missed: the world-renowned vocal ensemble The Sixteen, will return to St Thomas’ church to present a programme of choral music and poetry, Enduring Love, on Friday 19th June at 7:00pm. The concert will include pieces by Thomas Tallis, Thomas Morley and music by Arvo Part and Stanford. There will be readings of poetry performed by actors Antonia Christophers and Noel Byrne and the concert will be conducted by The Sixteen’s founder Harry Christophers. To purchase tickets (£45; £40; £35; £20), email june19tickets@gmail.com. This is a fundraising event for Most Holy Trinity, Otford and we very much look forward to seeing you there.
ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. In our meeting in the parish centre on Tuesday 28th April, starting with tea & coffee from 7:30pm, we will continue our series examining saints lives. Gilly Fenner will talk about the life and spirituality of St Ignatius Loyola, concluding with a period of Ignatian prayer. All are welcome.
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.
HELP NEEDED WITH ALTAR LINEN WASHING. We are looking for additional person to assist with laundering the small altar linen. This involves a monthly commitment to wash and iron the linen used during the preceding week and return it within a few days. This is not an onerous task, but it would be a great help, especially over the summer months. If you are able to assist, please contact: sevenoaks@rcaos.org
EASTER QUIET DAY. You are invited to an Easter Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 9th May at The Barn, Poult Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, TN11 9QU (entrance opposite North Frith Farm) from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Through the use of poetry, prayer, music, scripture and nature, the day will be an opportunity for quiet contemplation some of the Easter gospels and how they speak to us today. 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 as part of the day can be spent outside. Suggested contribution is £5. If you would like to attend please email Gilly
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.
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
WIDOWED, SEPARATED AND DIVORCED. Beginning Experience is a peer ministry to the widowed, separated and divorced led by trained volunteers. Their work is carried out at special weekend gatherings, which encourage participants to deal with the natural process of grief and loneliness. The next weekend is on 8th to 10th May, at Worth Abbey, West Sussex, RH1 4SB.For details, contact Mary on 07730 884315 or email beginningexperience.soe@gmail.com.
YOUNG ADULTS. Join us for "Called", an inspiring evening for young adults aged 18-35 to explore and pray about your vocation, on Thursday 30th April, 6:30pm, at St George’s Cathedral, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HR. Enjoy live music, powerful testimonies from married, priesthood and religious vocations, and a keynote from Bishop Gerard Bradley. The evening also includes Adoration, Confession, veneration of the relic of St John Henry Newman, and a social afterwards with drinks and nibbles. No need to book - just come along.
MARRIED AND ENGAGED COUPLES. The Growing in Faith Together for married and engaged couples is an ONLINE course, which has been developed in collaboration with the Southwark Marriage and Family Life team, the Agency for Evangelisation and Sycamore, a programme about the Catholic faith by Fr Stephen Wang. It consists of four one hour-long sessions via Zoom and is a wonderful opportunity for: married couples to enrich their friendship and love and engaged couples who want to continue exploring their faith together. The next course begins on Tuesday May 5th at 8.30pm. For information and to book a place, contact Carole on mflkent@rcaos.org.uk
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.
CARITAS SOUTHWARK IN ACTION. Please continue to support the Loaves and Fishes foodbank, either through donating goods (collection point in the Tom Quinn porch, underneath the television screen) or by financial donation. Current priorities are: microwave rice, Pasta 'n' Sauce, pot noodles (any flavours!), tinned chicken or beef, and biscuits. Further information on appropriate goods and bank details can be found on the Loaves and Fishes Sevenoaks Foodbank website. Just an extra item or two in your shopping trolley on a regular basis would really help! Thank you. https://www.sevenoaksfoodbank.co.uk/
CAFOD. Stand with Sudan. Give monthly. On the third anniversary of the war in Sudan, Kayode Akintola, CAFOD’s Head of Region for Africa, asks for your help: “So many of our sisters and brothers in Sudan are facing increasing violence, hunger, and disease. That is why today, I’m asking you to consider setting up a monthly gift to support families who are fleeing the violence – with food, safe water and other vital support. Monthly gifts are an act of steady love for our neighbours, a way of saying: we will not abandon you, we will stand with you until peace is restored.” Donate HERE.
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
ALTAR SERVERS RALLY and TRAINING. The 48th annual rally for Southwark Altar Servers is taking place at The Friars, Aylesford Priory, Kent on Monday 4th May (bank holiday). The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop Paul Hendricks. All Welcome to worship, witness, pray, picnic, play football with other servers.
We warmly invite Altar Servers from our 4 churches to join Fr John on Saturday 9th May after the Vigil Mass (6:00pm) at St Thomas’s for training updates. This will be followed by pizza. Session will finish by 8:00pm. Parents of the servers can join from 7:30pm for pizza too and to discuss ways forward for training. If you are able to assist on the night with setting up, email Fr John .
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!
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.
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLOR. Train and Volunteer as a Relationship Counsellor with Marriage Care. Would you like train in relationship counselling and provide couples with professional, effective support, that makes a real difference? Benefits: Full training with certified trainers; Ongoing supervision and CPD; Be part of a community of like-minded relationship professionals within a historic and diverse organisation.Marriage Care’s next Certificate in Relationship Counselling (CRC) training course will begin in March 2027 with a deadline of 30th June for applications. Marriage Care believe that supporting couple relationships is a matter of social justice. Their relationship counsellors enable those in need to access professional counselling – regardless of their ability to pay – by providing two counselling sessions per week on a voluntary basis.Marriage Care are looking for those who are empathetic, understanding and have an enthusiasm for supporting adult relationships. Whilst you do not need experience as a counsellor for this role, self-awareness and having the time and space to commit to all that the training and role entails is essential.Please note that there are costs associated with training on the CRC, including a non-refundable registration fee of around £175. These costs, which are outlined on the website below, are subject to minor changes and are far lower than with alternative training providers. In line with Marriage Care’s ethos as a charity, no one is excluded on the basis of their ability to pay. For more information please visit Marriage Care or email volunteer@marriagecare.org.uk
PARENTS OF TEENAGERS. Catholic CELEBRATE are offering free of charge 2 webinars: "Confident parenting in a world of screens", on 29th April at 8:00pm; and "Raising teenagers in a Catholic family, on 2nd June at 8:00pm. To book a place contact info@celebratetrust.org.
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.
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.
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 2nd May: Repository not open after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 3rd May: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 9th May: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 10th May: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Cards, gifts and reading materials available, including from the baskets at the entrance into the church. Feel free to purchase using either of the SumUp machines or cash in the receptacle in the wall next to the Sacristy door. Thank you.
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.
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
Colin Graham John Higgins
Funeral on Thursday 7th May at 12:30pm at Bluebell Cemetery
Margaret Donovan
Funeral on Thursday 7th May at 12:30pm at St Bernadette's
Jean Donovan
Funeral on Friday 8th May at 11:30pm at St Thomas’
Valerie Anne Wilden
Funeral on Monday 11th May at 11:00am at Most Holy Trinity
Marc Thomas Wray
Funeral on Thursday 28th May at 1:30pm at St Thomas’
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
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A Call to Prayer: Rosary for Life in the Month of May
As we continue to live the grace of Easter, we now approach the month of May — traditionally dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. In this time, the Church places before us a simple but powerful path: to turn to Mary, and through her, to Christ. At the invitation of Archbishop John Wilson, our parish will take part in the Rosary for Life — a focused time of prayer offered for the protection and dignity of human life.
This initiative comes at a moment when very concrete decisions are being discussed in Parliament: proposals that would extend abortion up to birth and introduce assisted suicide. These are not abstract debates. They concern the value we place on human life itself — especially the most vulnerable.
For that reason, the Rosary is being offered with clear and specific intentions throughout May. Each set of Mysteries is accompanied by Scripture, reflections, and intentions prepared to guide prayer in a concrete and focused way:
1–9 May (Joyful Mysteries) – for unborn children and an end to abortion
10–16 May (Sorrowful Mysteries) – for peace and for victims of war and persecution
17–23 May (Luminous Mysteries) – for people with disabilities
24–30 May (Glorious Mysteries) – for the elderly and the vulnerable
The Rosary may appear simple, even repetitive. But it is precisely in that simplicity that its strength lies. It is a prayer that forms the heart, steadies the mind, and places us before the mysteries of Christ’s life. And when it is prayed with intention, it becomes a real act of intercession. As Pope John Paul II wrote: “The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer.” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 1)
To pray the Rosary, therefore, is not to step away from the world, but to enter more deeply into it — bringing before God those who have no voice, no protection, and often no one to speak for them.
In our parish, we will support this initiative in three practical ways:
¨ by encouraging personal and family prayer of the Rosary throughout May
¨ by including these intentions in the Prayer of the Faithful at Mass
¨ by offering opportunities to pray the Rosary together during the week
All the materials prepared by the Archdiocese are available on our parish website. I strongly encourage you to make use of them and to take time, even if only a few minutes each day, to enter into this prayer.
This is not about doing more things. It is about doing one thing well: praying with intention. Because if we want a culture that respects life, it will not begin in Parliament. It must begin prayerfully within us.
Safeguarding Sunday
Safeguarding in the Church is the commitment to ensure that every person — especially children and vulnerable adults — is protected from harm, treated with dignity, and able to take part in the life of the parish in safety and trust. It involves clear procedures and careful oversight, but at its heart it is about culture: a way of relating to one another marked by respect, attentiveness, and responsibility.
It also calls us to honesty. Abuse, in its various forms, has caused deep and lasting harm, including within the life of the Church. This cannot be overlooked or minimised. As a community of faith, we bring this reality before God in prayer — asking for healing for those who have suffered, for justice where it is needed, and for the grace to learn, to act, and to do better.
Safeguarding is not the work of a few, but a shared responsibility. While we are grateful for those who serve as Parish Safeguarding Representatives and support this work in a formal way, the safeguarding of others depends on the awareness and care of every member of the community. It means being attentive to what we see and hear, taking concerns seriously, and ensuring that they are addressed appropriately and without delay.
To safeguard is, ultimately, to reflect something of the care of Christ Himself — who welcomed the vulnerable, protected the weak, and placed their dignity at the centre of His ministry.
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