Register
26 May 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
27 May 7:30 - 900 pm Wed
St Thomas - Bible Study - Opening up the Word
28 May 11:40 am Thu
St Thomas -Divine Mercy Chaplet
28 May Noon Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer
28 May 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45 Bradbourne Lakes talk
30 May 10:00 am Sat
Ightham Mote -Knole walk
04 Jun 11:40 am Thu
St Thomas -Divine Mercy Chaplet
04 Jun Noon Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer, after noon Mass
04 Jun 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45
09 Jun 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
19- 21 Jun Fri -Sun
Aylesford - Women's Parish retreat
19 Jun 07:00 pm Sat
St Thomas - The Sixteen
12 Jul Noon Sun
Parish Summer Party
The Parish Priest writes:
24 MAY 2026 - PENTECOST SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
With these words, the Easter season reaches its fulfilment: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” For fifty days, the Church has led us through the mystery of the Resurrection — not as something to admire from a distance, but as a life into which we are drawn. Today, at Pentecost, that life is given its full expression. What Christ has accomplished is now poured into the hearts of believers. The promise is fulfilled and the gift is given.
The Gospel is strikingly simple. The disciples are still behind closed doors, still marked by fear, still uncertain. And into that very space, Christ comes and breathes His Spirit upon them. Nothing outward has changed — and yet everything is different. The Church is no longer gathered only around Christ; she is now alive with His own life within her.
This is what Pentecost reveals. The Holy Spirit is not an idea, not a symbol, and not a distant force. He is the living presence of God, dwelling within the Church and within each of the faithful. As St Paul reminds us, “In one Spirit we were all baptised into one body… and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The Christian life is not lived from the outside in, but from the inside out.
Today marks the completion of the Easter season. From Monday the Church returns to what we call Ordinary Time. But there is something slightly misleading in that name. If Pentecost is real — if the Spirit truly dwells within us — then nothing about Christian life is ordinary. What lies ahead is not a return to routine, but the beginning of a mission. The Apostles did not receive the Spirit in order to remain where they were. They were sent. Their words became bold, their witness clear, and their lives purposeful. The same is true for us. Faith cannot remain private, contained, or comfortable. It is meant to be lived, spoken, and visible.
In this light, we also begin in the parish a new stage in the journey of our young people, as our teenage Confirmation group prepares to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit. We entrust them in a particular way to God’s grace, praying that the Spirit will guide them, strengthen them, and lead them into a mature and living faith. Confirmation is not simply a moment to be celebrated, but a calling to take one’s place fully within the life of the Church — both here in the parish and within the universal Church.
The Pentecost invitation is simple but demanding: to live consciously in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Not occasionally, not only in moments of need, but daily — in our decisions, our relationships, our work, and our prayer. If we take this seriously, then Ordinary Time will not be ordinary at all. It will become the space where the life of God, given at Pentecost, is quietly and faithfully lived.
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
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PARISH OFFICE. We will be closed THIS week (25th to 29th May). Parishioners may reach out only if it is an urgent matter. Normal hours will resume on Monday 1st June. Thank you for your understanding.
TRUTH SEEKERS. We are inviting all Truth Seekers (teenagers who completed their Confirmation) to join us for a fun evening of Ten Pin bowling on Saturday 13th June. Depart from St Thomas’ is after the 6:00pm Mass and we should be back at St Thomas’ by approximately 9:30pm. Those interested should please email sevenoaks@rcaos.org.uk by 5th June. Each child is asked to bring £5 contribution towards costs of the bowling.
SITE MANAGER. St Thomas’ Primary School is looking for a Site Manager to join our friendly and supportive team. We would encourage applicants who are interested in continually improving our school environment and happy to work as a team. This is a part time position, 20 hours/week, Mon-Fri 7:30am to 11:30am, term time only with an additional 3 weeks during school holidays at mutually convenient times arranged in advance.
TEACHING ASSISTANT FOR NURSERY. St Thomas’ School is looking for a Teaching Assistant in the Nursery. This is a full time position, Mon-Fri 08:30am ti 15:30am, term time only.
For both positions, applicants are encouraged to contact the school to arrange a visit to discover our wonderful friendly school. Please contact the school directly on 01732 453921.
RAFFLE TICKETS. Raffle tickets for the St Thomas School Summer Fair will be on sale after Mass this weekend and on 30th/31st May and 6th/7th June. The fair is organised by the PTA and will take place on Sunday 28th June, from 12noon to 3:00pm, with the theme World Cup. There are many fantastic prizes to be won, including vouchers from local businesses. Please support the school by buying your raffle tickets and join us on the day for a fun-filled afternoon.
ASSISTANT CHAPLAIN. Trinity School is recruiting for an Assistant Chaplain from September. It is a wonderful opportunity for a committed Christian who has a heart for sharing the Gospel with young people and supporting the Christian ethos of the school. The role would suit someone with a strong faith, a passion for ministry, and a desire to help students explore and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Click here for information.
BIBLE QUIZ COMPETITION. We are delighted to invite altar servers aged 7–14 from across the Tunbridge Wells Deanery to take part in a joyful and engaging Bible Quiz Competition on Saturday 4th July at St Lawrence the Martyr Church. The quiz will focus on the Gospel of Mark, chapters 9–16. Each parish may enter a team of FOUR members. Prizes for the winners include tickets to play golf and go bowling. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to share their knowledge of the Bible and Jesus with friends while growing in faith and fellowship. Families and parishioners may come to support the participants. Email sevenoaks@rcaos.org.uk if your child is interested.
REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK.
Saturday 23rd May: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 24th May: after 8:00am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 30th May: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 31st May: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 11:15am 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.
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 .
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.
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
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/
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 12:30pm onwards for the Parish Summer Party. Make sure to include it in your diaries.
FIRST SATURDAY DIVINE MERCY. The Divine Mercy Apostolate, London is holding a First Saturday Divine Mercy Recollection Day at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, on Saturday 6th June 2026 from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Recollection Day will include Holy Mass, Talk, Hour of Mercy with Benediction and Veneration of the Image of Merciful Jesus. All welcome. Contact Millie on 07957594646 for information. Coaches from Slough, Ealing Broadway, North London, Barking and Victoria.
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.
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.
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
Marc Thomas Wray
Funeral on Thursday 28th May at 1:30pm at St Thomas’
Mary Fowdrey
Funeral on Thursday 11th June at Most Holy Trinity
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
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Rosary for Life : A Call to Prayer 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:
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.
Pentecost: More than a Moment
When we speak about Pentecost, many people think first of an event: tongues of fire, a rushing wind, the Apostles suddenly speaking in different languages. It can feel dramatic, even distant — something that happened once, long ago. But if we read carefully, Pentecost is not simply a moment. It is a transformation.
Before Pentecost, the Apostles believe in Christ, they have seen the Resurrection, they have received His teaching — and yet they remain hesitant, enclosed, unsure of what comes next. After Pentecost, they step out, speak publicly, and begin the mission of the Church.
What changed? Not their knowledge. Not their circumstances. But their interior life. The Holy Spirit, promised by Christ, is no longer only with them — He is within them. This is essential for understanding the Christian life. Very often, we imagine faith as something external: commandments to follow, prayers to say, obligations to fulfil. All of this is true, but incomplete. Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity can easily become effort without life — structure without strength.
Pentecost makes us realise, that the life of God is not meant to remain outside of us. It is given to us, poured into the heart, so that what Christ asks of us becomes possible from within. This is why the Church speaks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit — wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They are ways in which God Himself begins to shape how we think, choose, and act. It is also why the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the rest — are not simply moral achievements. They are signs that God is truly at work in a person.
And yet, there is something very important that we often overlook. The Apostles did not receive the Holy Spirit immediately after the Ascension. They waited. They prayed. They remained together. The Church, in her wisdom, preserves this moment every year in the Pentecost Novena. This waiting is not empty time. It teaches us something fundamental: the Holy Spirit is not produced by effort, nor forced by activity. He is received.
That is why prayer comes first. In a world that constantly pushes us towards action, reaction, and constant movement, the example of the early Church is almost counter-cultural. Before speaking, they prayed. Before acting, they waited. Before going out, they gathered.
Perhaps this is the most important lesson for us. If we want renewal in our lives, in our families, or in the Church, it will not begin with more activity, but with deeper openness to the Holy Spirit. Not with noise, but with prayer. Not with our own strength, but with the grace that God is ready to give.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church helps us to see even more clearly what is taking place. It teaches that Pentecost is the moment when “the mission of Christ and the Spirit becomes the mission of the Church” (CCC 730). What was accomplished in Christ is now given to the Church, and through the Church, to the world. The Holy Spirit is not an optional addition to the Christian life, but its very source: “The Holy Spirit… makes present the mystery of Christ” (CCC 737). He is the one who brings us into communion with God, who transforms the Church from within, and who enables us to live what we believe. This is why Pentecost is not only the birth of the Church, but also the beginning of her constant renewal. Wherever the Holy Spirit is welcomed, the Church becomes alive again — not by human strength, but by the power of God at work within her.
Pentecost, then, is not only something we celebrate. It is something we prepare for — and something we continue to live.
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