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

Calendar

Register

Calendar

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:

May Rosaries

10 MAY 2026 - SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Dear Friends,

As we continue through the Easter season, the Church gently shifts our attention from the joy of the Resurrection towards what that joy is meant to become within us. The readings this Sunday make it clear that Easter is not only something to celebrate, but something to receive and to live.

In the Gospel, Our Lord speaks to His disciples with great tenderness and clarity: “I will not leave you as orphans… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you for ever” (John 14:16–18). These words are spoken at a moment of transition. Christ is preparing them for His departure, and yet He does not speak of absence, but of a new kind of presence — deeper, interior, and lasting.

This promise is already being fulfilled in the life of the early Church, as we hear in the Acts of the Apostles. The people of Samaria had accepted the word of God and were baptised, and yet the Apostles still come to them, lay hands upon them, and pray that they may receive the Holy Spirit. It shows us, that faith is not complete until it becomes a living relationship with God through the presence of His Spirit. What begins outwardly must be completed inwardly.

This is precisely the movement we are invited to follow in these final weeks before Pentecost. During the coming week, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which remains a Holy Day of Obligation. It is important that we do not misunderstand its meaning, as the Ascension is not about Christ withdrawing from the world, but about His glorification and the opening of the way for us. As He returns to the Father, He entrusts the Church with its mission and prepares the disciples for the gift that is to come. His physical departure makes possible His universal presence through the Holy Spirit.

Shortly afterwards, on Friday, the Church begins the Pentecost Novena — a quiet but very significant moment in the liturgical year. This novena recalls the days when the Apostles, together with Our Lady, remained in prayer, waiting for the fulfilment of Christ’s promise. It is the first novena in the life of the Church, and it places before us a simple but often neglected truth: the Christian life cannot be sustained by our own strength alone.

It is easy, even for those who practise their faith, to fall into a way of living that relies mainly on habit, effort, or routine. Yet the words of St Peter remind us that our faith is meant to be alive, to the point that we are able to “give a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter 3:15). That hope does not come from ourselves. It is the fruit of the Spirit dwelling within us. For that reason, this coming week offers us something very concrete. It is not simply a series of liturgical moments, but an invitation to renew our openness to God’s action. The novena to the Holy Spirit is not reserved for the particularly devout; it belongs to the whole Church. Whether prayed privately, as a family, or here in the parish, it is a way of placing ourselves once again in that same attitude of expectation and trust.

As we draw closer to Pentecost, it is worth asking ourselves, with honesty and simplicity, whether we truly allow space in our lives for the Holy Spirit to act.

With every blessing,

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

*******************************

SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK is for World Communications. It supports the work of the Catholic Communications Network (CCN), which promotes the Gospel through the media on current issues.

CHURCH REFURBISHMENT & MASS TIMES CHANGES. Maintenance work will be carried out at St Thomas’ church THIS WEEK from Monday to Saturday (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.

ROSARY FOR LIFE - MAY DEVOTION. May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the parish is joining the Rosary for Life initiative, encouraged by Archbishop John Wilson. Parishioners are invited to deepen their prayer through the Rosary, turning to Mary and through her to Christ. Parish

Rosary schedule is below:

Monday: After morning Mass (with Adoration)

Tuesday: 7:00pm (during Adoration)

Saturday: After morning Mass (Rosary group)

Weekly Intentions for May:

1–9 May (Joyful Mysteries): For unborn children and an end to abortion

10–16 May (Sorrowful Mysteries): For peace and victims of war and persecution

17–23 May (Luminous Mysteries): For people with disabilities

24–30 May (Glorious Mysteries): For the elderly and vulnerable

Each Rosary will include Scripture, reflections, and intentions to guide prayer in a meaningful way.

REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK.

Saturday 9th May: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 10th May: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass

Saturday 16th May: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 17th May: after 8:00am 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.

BIBLE STUDY. It has 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 session is on the 27th May. After that it will be a fortnightly schedule. For information, email Paul Boyle .

TRUTH SEEKERS. We have listened to the feedback that teenagers in the parish have a preference for less frequent meetings, providing interesting content and facilitating social interaction with their peers. The next meeting will be after the 6:00pm Mass at St Thomas’s on Saturday 16th May, with David La Trobe giving a presentation on Eucharistic Miracles during a pizza supper. Please also note for your diaries that a Ten Pin Bowling event is planned for Saturday 13th June.

WALK FROM IGHTHAM MOTE TO KNOLE AND BACK. Join us on Saturday 30th May at 10:00am with a prompt start from Ightham Mote. We will walk 11.4 km/7 miles, 220m of ascent, 186m of descent. Bring water, snacks and lunch. There will be a short stop at Knole. For information, please contact Margaret 01732 885295 or Brother David 07821 049827.

PARISH TEAM RAISING FUNDS FOR HOSPICE IN THE WEALD. A number of parishioners are taking part in the Hospice in the Weald Moonlight Walk (8 miles) on the evening of Saturday 27th June. Please consider sponsoring Fiona, Anne, Maureen or Esther by clicking here or get in touch with Esther if you'd like to join us.

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.. You can also stop by the parish office and get the tickets from there, paying either by cheque or cash. Cheques should be made payable to RCAOS CIO – Holy Trinity 1173050. There is the option of mailing the cheque to St Thomas RC Church (The Sixteen), 12 Granville Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ER. This is a fundraising event for Most Holy Trinity, Otford.

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

THAT EVERYONE MAY HAVE FOOD - POPE LEO'S PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY. 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.

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

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 webinar: "Raising teenagers in a Catholic family, on 2nd June at 8:00pm. For information and to book a place contact info@celebratetrust.org or click here.

If you weren’t able to join us for "Confident Parenting in a World of Screens" or if life simply got in the way, we’ve got you covered. We’re pleased to offer you a rewatch link, so you can catch up at a time that suits you. Click here.

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.

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.

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

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

********************

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.

SIMPLE Pentecost Novena

From Friday after the Ascension until the Vigil of Pentecost

Begin each day with this prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 1 – Wisdom

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.” (Psalm 86:11)