Register
20 Sep 10:45 am Sun
St Thomas - Pilgrimage walk to St Edith's Well
20 Sep 03:15 pm Sun
St Edith's Well - Devotions
23 Sep 7:30 - 9:00 pm Wed
St Thomas - Bible Study -- restarts -- 09 Sep
24 Sep 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45
24 Sep 12:30 pm Thu
St Thomas -Divine Mercy Chaplet, after Noon Mass
24 Sep 12:45 pm Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer
25 Sep 07:15 am Fri
St Thomas - Fathers prayers
29 Sep 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
The Parish Priest writes:
20TH SEPTEMBER 2026 - HOME MISSION SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
There are some things in the Gospel that we understand immediately, and there are others that take a little more work. This Sunday's parable of the workers in the vineyard is certainly one of the latter. The men who have worked since early morning naturally feel that something is not quite fair when those who worked for only one hour receive the same payment. Yet Jesus is not really teaching us about wages. He is teaching us about the generosity of God.
We often look at life by comparing ourselves with others: how much we have done, how long we have been faithful, what others have received, and whether they have deserved it. God sees differently. His mercy is not a reward that we can calculate, and his generosity is not diminished because he gives generously to someone else. As Isaiah reminds us, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”
The workers in the parable also remind us that people come to faith at very different moments in their lives. Some have known Christ from childhood; others return to the Church after many years; others encounter him for the first time much later in life. The important thing is not when we arrived, but whether we respond when the Lord calls us. This is at the heart of Home Mission Sunday. Mission is not only something that happens in distant lands. The Lord's vineyard is here among us: in our families, schools, workplaces and local communities. There are people around us who may know little about Christ or the Church, and who may simply need someone to offer them an invitation, an example or a word of encouragement. The work of evangelisation belongs to all of us.
It is fitting that we also remember St Edith of Kemsing (or St Edith of Wilton), born here in Kemsing around the year 961. The daughter of King Edgar and Wulfthryth, she was brought up at Wilton Abbey and chose a life of prayer and service to God. Despite her royal background, she did not seek the privileges of her position but gave herself generously to the Lord. More than a thousand years later, her memory remains part of the Christian story of our own community. Her life reminds us that God can use ordinary faithfulness to bear fruit far beyond what we can see. This Sunday we gather together to celebrate our annual St Edith devotions at the Well in Kemsing. I warmly encourage you to join us as we give thanks for the faith handed on to us and ask St Edith's prayers for our parish, our families and all those whom the Lord is calling into his vineyard today.
With Gods blessing,
Fr Peter - Parish Priest
Registration for FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The registration for the First Holy Communion and Reconciliation programme is now open. To register your child online, click HERE. Children can apply as long as they are in Academic Year 3 or above in September 2026 or were born before 31st August 2019. Parents will attend sessions with Fr Peter, while the catechists will lead sessions with the children. It will also require parents to complete sessions at home. There will be an initial meeting for parents on Thursday 15th October at 7:00pm. The programme begins on Thursday 12th November. All sessions are from 4:00pm to 5:00pm at St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Sevenoaks. All dates are listed at the end of the registration form. There is a charge of £20 towards the cost of the materials. For information, email sevenoaksfhc@rcaos.org.uk.
ST EDITH OF KEMSING
St Edith was born in Kemsing around the year 961, making her one of the earliest saints associated with our local area. She was the daughter of King Edgar the Peaceful and Wulfthryth, who later became a nun and abbess. Edith was brought up at Wilton Abbey in Wiltshire, one of the most important religious communities in Anglo-Saxon England.
Although she belonged to the royal family, Edith chose the religious life and dedicated herself to prayer and the service of God. According to her medieval biographers, she was known for her learning, generosity towards the poor and care for those in need. She was also remembered for her humility and for refusing the worldly privileges that came with her royal birth.
Edith died at Wilton Abbey on 16 September 984, when she was only about twenty- three years old. Her reputation for holiness quickly grew, and Wilton became an important centre of her veneration. Several medieval accounts of her life were written, most famously by Goscelin of Saint-Bertin in the eleventh century.
Kemsing, however, never lost its connection with Edith. The village tradition preserves the memory of the place where she was born, and St Edith's Well has been a place of Christian pilgrimage and prayer for centuries. The well therefore links our present parish community with a Christian story that reaches back more than a thousand years.
It is a remarkable thing that we can still gather in Kemsing today to remember a young woman who lived so long ago. St Edith's story is not simply part of the history of Wilton Abbey; she is part of the Christian heritage of our own community.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Last Easter, our Parish welcomed ten new members into our community at the Vigil Mass. Entering a new depth of relationship with Christ and his Church, eight adults came into full communion with the Catholic Church and two children were baptised. They will complete initiation when older. All ten received one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation & Holy Eucharist). For the adults this was the high point of a process called The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which opened for them new doors in their journey in Christ. Do you or someone you know desire this path? The RCIA programme starts in the autumn, with weekly meetings continuing up to Easter 2027. These meetings are a combination of fellowship, instruction and reflection. For information, contact the RCIA coordinators, Paul Boyle and Andrew Wilkinson at sevenoaksrcia@rcaos.org.uk. or by calling the parish office at 01732 454 177. Scan the QR codes for more resources.
COME AND LEARN THE MARIAN CHANTS
Have you ever heard one of the beautiful traditional Latin Marian chants sung at Mass and wished you knew it well enough to join in? We’re getting together for some short, informal sessions to learn some of these beautiful chants, starting with the Salve Regina. We’ll have a coffee and a chat, listen together to a short podcast which teaches the chant step by step, and then sing it through a few times together. All ages welcome, no musical experience is needed and you don’t need to be able to read music. The first two sessions are on Saturday 10th October and 5th December, always at 11:00am, in the parish centre. They last about 45 min. Everyone is very welcome - please join us!
Notices:
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEK is for is for Evangelii Gaudium (Home Mission). It provides resources to support parish evangelisation and the spread of the gospel in our own country.
SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK is for the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP). It funds the SVP’s local work, providing financial support to those in need within the parish.
DEFEAT OF THE ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL. Following the Bill's defeat in the Commons on 11 September, Archbishop John thanked all who wrote to their MPs, saying: "By the grace of God, MPs have listened and voted against assisted suicide... we will not stand by while the sacredness of life is under threat." He called on us to continue witnessing joyfully to life: "from conception until natural death."
THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING. Enjoy company and cakes at St Thomas’ parish centre from 10:00am to 11:45am. We are back after the Summer break. All are welcome. We have some interesting talks coming up. They are all from 10:30am.
8th Oct: Poetry to delight and entertain by Pat Harman
22nd Oct: My life journey from Kerala to Sevenoaks by Fr Shaiju
5th Nov: Framing and the history of picture framing by Sandie Peters
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 ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK will hold the annual service for those that have been harmed by abuse on Wednesday 30th September, at 6:30pm at St George’s Cathedral. Lead by Archbishop John Wilson, this is an opportunity for us to express solidarity and compassion to those that have been hurt by abuse and our commitment to building safe environments for all.
TEACH ME TO PRAY. How do we pray? How do we build a better, more fulfilling relationship with God? You are warmly invited to join an experiential programme called Teach Us to Pray facilitated by Southwark Diocesan Spirituality Commission. The programme will be online on Tuesdays, starting 6th October from 7:00pm to 8:15pm. Following 4 online sessions, there is an invitation for an in-person Reflection Day in a Diocesan Retreat Centre on 5th or 12th December. Join us whenever you can. For details, click here.
The BIBLE STUDY group Opening up the Word will have the next meeting on Wednesday 23rd September. It meets every other Wednesday at St Thomas’ parish centre, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. For the next few months, we will be looking at the letters of St Paul, beginning with 1 & 2 Thessalonians. If you can, read these before the first meeting. Email Paul
REPOSITORY SHOP
We offer various items: CTS booklets, Papal encyclicals, cards for many occasions, medals, gifts and books on subjects such as Mother Teresa and sacramentals. Opening times are below. Items can be accessed by parishioners 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 19th September: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 20th September: after 8:00am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 26th September: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 27th September: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
ST GREGORY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
Open Afternoon and Evening
Wednesday 7th October – 1.20pm to 2.45am Headteacher talk at 1.20pm; tours at 1.35pm. Parking available.
Thursday 15th October – 5.00pm to 7.30pm Headteacher presentations at 5.15pm and 6.45pm. Parking available.
Register for our open events here - Discover life beyond the classroom - Every child is known, loved and called to greatness. Address: Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XLTel: 01892 527444
ACHING FOR GREATNESS. Young people are searching for meaning, identity, purpose and a life that truly satisfies. In this online Masterclass, Catholic speaker and author Tanner Kalina explores why so many young people are restless and how the timeless truths of the Catholic faith speak powerfully into that ache for greatness. This evening is especially for catechists, parents, parish leaders, youth ministers and anyone passionate about sharing the faith with the next generation. Gain fresh insight into the spiritual hunger shaping young people today & discover practical ways to accompany them with authenticity, beauty and depth. Tuesday 13th October | 7:30pm - Online Webinar | £5. Register here.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO ST EDITH'S WELL
On Suinday 20th September, join us for our annual pilgrimage walk to St Edith's Well, Kemsing, for the traditional devotions, followed by Vespers at St Mary's Church.
St Edith, a Saxon princess born in Kemsing, chose a life devoted to Christ and became known for her holiness and charity. The ancient Well associated with her has remained a place of prayer and pilgrimage for centuries.
10:45 am. - meet at St Thomas's, Sevenoaks.
11:00 am - begin the pilgrimage walk.
Approx 1:00 pm - arrive at Most Holy Trinity, Otford for lunch.
Around 1:45 pm - continue the pilgrimage walk.
3:15 pm - Devotions at St Edith's Well.
4:00 pm - Vespers at St Mary's Church, Kemsing.
Please bring a packed lunch and wear suitable footwear. Afterwards, all at welcome to join us at the local pub for a pint and some fellowship.
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
RIDE + STRIDE. Margaret Briggs walked to 13 churches in the Canterbury area last Saturday to raise funds for St Joseph’s. If you would still like to sponsor her, please contact her on 07703 798967.
CATHECHISTS. The Day for Catechists will be on Saturday 3rd October at the Amigo Hall and St George’s Cathedral. This Day is for all the catechists including the Liturgy of the Word for Children and RCIA. The theme is Truth and Beauty in Catechesis in the Age of AI. Click here for information.
MENTAL WELLBEING. Sevenoaks Counselling is hosting the panel Raising Teens in a Digital World: How can we support our teenagers' mental wellbeing? on Tuesday 22nd September at 7:00pm at Otford Methodist Hall. The discussion will feature counsellors, young people and wellbeing professionals. The goal is to explore how parents can support teenagers as they navigate today's digital world. All are welcome.
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.
HARVEST FESTIVAL - SEVENOAKS FOODBANK. As the harvest festival season approaches, 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: cereal (not porridge), squash drinks, sanitary towels. No baked beans, hot dogs, meat balls, pot noodles, instant coffee, stock cubes, tinned tuna or tampons. Thank you.
LET US WALK is a national walking pilgrimage from the Church of St Francis in Maidstone to St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, via Aylesford, Otford, Dartford, Erith, Greenwich and Waterloo, London between 5th to 9th October. The pilgrimage will celebrate the Year of St Francis of Assisi and will reach Southwark Cathedral the day before the Adoremus Eucharistic event on 10th October. A small group of perpetual pilgrims will walk the full distance, joined by day pilgrims who will register for each day. Our parish is on the route, and parishioners are invited to register to join the walk. In addition, the pilgrims need: Prayers for the success of the pilgrimage and the safety of pilgrims; people in parishes enroute to help with accommodation and hospitality; volunteers to transport rucksacks by car between overnight stops (less than 20 miles). For information, contact details and registration click here
BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE. On Saturday Oct 3rd 2026 couples are invited to a day where they can privately explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communicationand the call of the Church to be married at St Matthew church hall, 37 Norwood High St, West Norwood, London SE27 9JU, from 9.00am till 4.30pm. The one-day course is for married couples (whether married for one year, 60 years or anywhere in between). It seeks to help husbands and wives to make their marriages better and to improve their communication skills and learn how to raise issues without hurting each other. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. The unique selling point of this day is it is NOT marriage counselling. Refreshments will be provided but please bring a packed lunch. Booking is essential. To apply please contact: Carole on mflkent@rcaos.org.uk or by phone on 07983 524 727
ROOTED IN LOVE is an opportunity for engaged and married couples to meet for one hour, once a month on ZoomIn each session we share friendship, reflect on real-life topics, and pray together as we grow in love, rooted in Christ. We meet on the following Thursdays: 24th September at 8.30pm, 22nd October at 8:30pm, 26th November at 8:30pm, 10th December at 8:30pm. Email mflkent@rcaos.org.uk to sign up or receive more information
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
Bernard Mauduit
Funeral on Tuesday, 29th September at 11:00am at St Thomas’
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