The Parish Priest writes:
Dear parishioner,
27 OCTOBER 2024 Mass: THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)
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In our lives, we are frequently led down unexpected paths, called to new roles or responsibilities we hadn’t anticipated. Just as Bartimaeus responded in faith, we are invited to trust that God’s purpose for us is greater than we can imagine.
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This brings us to an important moment in our parish life. After over a year of service for our community, Fr Vipin has been called to a new mission. Archbishop John has appointed him as the new Parish Priest of Edenbridge following the unexpected death of Fr Jake Dicto. Though it is hard for us to say goodbye, we recognise that this is part of God’s plan for Fr Vipin. Like Bartimaeus, who received new sight and direction, Fr Vipin is stepping into a new chapter where his gifts and ministry will bless others. Fr Vipin will begin his ministry in Edenbridge on the first weekend of November, but he will return for a farewell gathering with us soon. Next Sunday, 3rd November, we will hold a special collection for Fr Vipin as a token of our gratitude. Donations can also be made at the Parish Office, clearly marked “Fr Vipin’s Farewell.”
As we prepare our hearts for this transition, let’s remember the example of Bartimaeus: trusting in God’s call, even when it leads us somewhere unexpected. God always has a purpose, and when we respond in faith, we find that His plans bring life and renewal. Please join me in praying for Fr Vipin as he embarks on this new journey, and let us trust that God’s hand is guiding us all towards His greater good.
With every blessing,
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Fr Peter
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MISSION APPEAL - SECOND COLLECTION. This weekend, we warmly welcome the Spiritan Fathers with a Mission Appeal. Please support their ministry generously.
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OPPOSE THE ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL! There have been increasing reports in the news that the Government will support a Bill in Parliament to legalise assisted suicide. This threat to the sanctity of life requires action on our part to show we will not stand by as such an extreme law is rushed through.
Archbishop John Wilson said in a Pastoral Letter on the subject in March 2024, that as “baptised followers of the Lord Jesus we must do all within our power to support the most vulnerable in our society, especially those who have no voice to speak for themselves. (...) The Catholic Church believes and teaches that every life is valuable, regardless of one’s physical or mental state or ability. We are called to care for those who are suffering, not to bring about their death. We cannot approve of any form of euthanasia and assisted suicide.”
To help you lodge your opposition to the Bill, the charity Right to Life has set up a simple action on their website which enables you to write to your MP and urge them to oppose this extreme Bill. The more people who show their opposition to this Bill, the more chance we have in stopping the ending of many lives through assisted suicide. So please take action to support this campaign and urge your friends and family to join you:
www.cbcew.org.uk/opposing-assisted-suicide/​​​​​​​
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MOTHER’S PRAYERS every Thursday after the 12noon Mass in the Parish Centre. It is a special time for mothers to unite in faith and offer prayers for their families and the broader community. All are welcome.
ST THOMAS’ COFFEE MORNING. Everyone is welcome to our weekly coffee mornings to be held every Thursday morning 10:15-11:45am in our Parish Centre.​​
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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.​​​​​​​​
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AN EVENING WITH BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI Archbishop John invites young adults (18-40) to join him at St George’s Cathedral for “An Evening with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati” on Thursday 31st October at 6:30pm. The evening will include praise and worship led by One Hope Project, a talk by Archbishop John, and a social afterwards. No tickets necessary, just turn up. For further details, visit www.tinyurl.com/frassatieve.​​
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ENHANCED LISTENING SKILLS COURSE to enhance skills you already have innately and enable you to use them with confidence. It is an interactive course which could help you both in your daily life, and in a range of settings from ministry in visiting people or supporting people to working as a mentor at school or work. The course will be held over 2 dates: 29th November and 6th December from 7-9pm. It will be led by Sue Buddin who is a very experienced former Relate counsellor and trainer. She has kindly agreed to run this course for us in our parish on a voluntary basis. It will be held in the parish centre. Tea and coffee will be available. There is a limit on numbers attending the group so if you would like to attend can you please contact either Catherine Rodger or Gina Hartnett ​​
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SOME DEFINITE SERVICE PARISH PLANS. The Archbishop has requested for parishes in the diocese to prepare plans for catechesis, evangelisation and formation as part of the Some Definite Service initiative. Our Parish Leads for Catechesis, Evangelisation & Formation and their respective teams have worked with Fr Peter to prepare the first set of such plans, which are available for viewing on the parish website (www.sevrcparish.org) in the Parish Life section under “Some Definite Service”. These plans are intended to be regularly updated and amended based on their impact in the parish and through feedback and suggestions from parishioners.
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HELP FOR FR JOHN APPEAL. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has responded so generously to the appeal for Fr John. Your kindness and willingness to help with both a car and driving lessons are truly appreciated. It’s wonderful to see how quickly you have come forward, offering your time, resources, and assistance. With your support, Fr John will soon be able to confidently navigate our Parish and reach all three Mass centres with ease. Thank you for making Fr John feel so welcome and supported as he settles into our parish.
We would also like to extend a special thanks to all of you who have been taking both Fr John and Fr Boniface to our outstation churches since the beginning of the summer.
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BECOMING A CATHOLIC – MORNING GROUP. The process through which an adult is received into full communion with the Catholic Church involves a journey of Christian fellowship & instruction in the Faith, which culminates with reception into the Church at Easter. Entry into this year's process, known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - or RCIA for short, is open until Wednesday 6th November 2024. There is now also a morning group (Wednesdays 10am–11.30am) at the Sevenoaks Parish Centre, in addition to the previously advertised evening group. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please notify me: Andrew Wilkinson (RCIA Coordinator), tel. 07487652846.
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PARTY OF LIGHT FOR CHILDREN to celebrate All Hallows Eve the Catholic Way!
Families are warmly invited to join the Party of Light at Holy Innocents' Catholic Church in Orpington on
Thursday, 31st October from 4-6pm. This event is for children aged 4-11 years and offers a joyful and Catholic way to celebrate All Hallows Eve. Children can come dressed as their favourite saint or in something light/white (no Halloween costumes, please). Food and refreshments will be provided, and there will be plenty of fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Tickets are £5 per child, and you can easily book your place by scanning the QR code below. We hope this will be a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy this special evening in a way that aligns with our faith.
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Part time Teaching Assistant NEEDED (from 1st January 2025) St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School are looking to appoint a part time teaching assistant, Monday to Wednesday, term time only. We are looking for a TA to replace a member of staff who is retiring after 21 years service at our school. The TA post will be as part of a very strong teaching team in a child-focused learning environment where our aim is for all our children 'to be the best that they can be right now'. We have a very supportive school community which includes our staff, children and parents with many links to the local area and our Parish. We are also proud to be part of the Catholic Schools Kent Partnership. The children here love to learn and love to share their learning with each other.
The job is part time, three days a week 8.30 to 15.30 Monday to Wednesday. Term Time only. Salary Range: KR4​​​​​​​
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​NOVEMBER
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PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED
Praying for the dead is a long-standing Christian tradition deeply rooted in Scripture. Especially in November, we take time to remember each deceased person by name, bringing them before the Lord’s mercy. It is important that we make the effort every year to recall their names in prayer and offer Masses for their souls.
This year, Holy Souls envelopes will be available, and we encourage you to write the names of your deceased loved ones, friends, and parishioners for whom you wish us to pray in November. Instead of our traditional Books of Remembrance, there will be a special box near the Altar where these names will be placed. You can hand the envelopes to a priest after Mass. Any donations in the envelopes will go toward offering Holy Souls Masses throughout the year, whether in our parish or in parishes with fewer Mass intentions. In this way, we not only remember their names before the Lord but also assist them on their journey to eternal life.
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PLENARY INDULGENCE
A Plenary Indulgence, applicable only to the Holy Souls, can be obtained once per day in any church or cemetery between 1st and 8th November, under the usual conditions: recitation of the Our Father and Creed, sacramental Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the Holy Father’s intention.
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ALL SAINTS’ DAY on Friday, 1st November, is a Holyday of Obligation, which means all Catholics should attend a Holy Mass. Services as follows:
St Thomas’s, Sevenoaks:
8:00am (Latin), 12:00noon, 8:00pm. (No 9:30 Mass as Half Term)
Most Holy Trinity, Otford: 10:00am.
St Bernadette’s, West Kingsdown: 11:00am.
St Joseph’s: 6:00pm.
ALL SOULS (Memorial of all the faithful departed) on Saturday, 2nd November.
Mass at St Thomas' at 9.30am with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Litany for the Souls of the Faithful Departed.
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THE BLESSING OF GRAVES at Greatness Cemetery will take place on Sunday 3rd November at 3:00pm. We will gather outside behind the Cemetery chapel for a communal prayer followed by individual blessing of graves.
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MASS for DECEASED PARISHIONERS. We would like to invite you for a special Mass offered for the deceased parishioners and members of our families who have passed to the Lord this last year. Those who have been bereaved, whether recently or years ago, are especially invited to this Mass on Saturday 23rd November 2024 at 9.30am followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. The families are encouraged to bring the Funeral booklet or a photo of the loved one.
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You may also support The Drive Methodist Church Sevenoaks and their Light a Candle Service to remember those who were special for us on Sunday 3rd November at 4pm (Followed by Refreshments).
All are welcome. For more details please see: www.thedrivemethodistchurch.org.uk
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​St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Bernadette, pray for us.
St Edith of Kemsing, pray for us.
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Fr Peter Kucharski, Parish Priest of Sevenoaks
12 Granville Road email
Sevenoaks 01732 454177
TN13 1ER
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Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on faith, trust, and God’s unexpected callings in our lives. In the Gospel, we meet Bartimaeus, a blind man who becomes the first person outside of the Apostles to truly recognise Jesus as the Messiah. Even in his blindness, Bartimaeus sees with the eyes of faith, calling out to Jesus and receiving not just physical sight but a new direction for his life.
This scene mirrors the prophecy in Jeremiah, where God promises to lead His people back from exile, restoring them, even the blind and the lame, to a place of wholeness. Bartimaeus is a powerful image of the people of Israel—and of us— reminding us that God often guides us in ways we don’t expect, asking us to trust in His plan, even when the future seems uncertain.