Register
10 Feb 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
12 Feb 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45
12 Feb Noon Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer (after Mass)
14 Feb 7:00 pm Sat
St Thomas - Truth Seekers
18 Feb
Ash Wednesday - Mass Times
St Thomas - 8 am, 12 noon, 8 pm
Holy Trinity 10 am
St Bernadette 11 am
St Joseph 6 pm
19 Feb 10:00 am Thu
St Thomas - Coffee morning to 11:45
19 Feb Noon Thu
St Thomas - Mothers Prayer
24 Feb 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
28 Feb 7:00 pm Sat
St Thomas - Truth Seekers (The Search)
14 Mar 7:30 pm Sat
St Joseph's - Quiz Night
21 Mar 10:00 am Sat
Poult Farm - Lent Quiet Day
22 Mar time tbc
St Thomas - Taize Evening
The Parish Priest writes:
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9 FEBRUARY 2026 - THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Dear Friends,
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There are days when life feels heavy in quiet ways. Responsibilities pile up, worries sit in the background, and sometimes we simply move from one task to another without much joy or clarity. Many people carry unseen burdens: concern for family, health, loneliness, uncertainty about the future, or the quiet feeling of being stretched too thin. In such ordinary and sometimes shadowed moments, we may wonder whether what we do truly matters — whether small acts, unnoticed efforts, hidden struggles, and simple faith make any real difference.
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Into this very human reality, the Word of God speaks today. Jesus says: “You are the light of the world… you are the salt of the earth.” Not when life is perfect or when faith feels strong, but now — as we are. The Lord reminds us that even a small light changes darkness. A quiet act of goodness, a patient word, a hidden sacrifice, a moment of prayer — none of these are ever lost. God works through what seems small.
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The prophet Isaiah brings this even closer to daily life: feed the hungry, care for the vulnerable, lift burdens, speak kindly, refuse harshness. And then comes the promise: “Your light shall break forth like the dawn.” When love becomes action, something begins to shine — often quietly, but truly. Saint Paul points us to the source of this light. Not our strength, not our cleverness, but “Jesus Christ and him crucified.” God works most powerfully not through perfection, but through trust — even in weakness, even in trembling faith.
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As we slowly approach Lent, the Church gently invites us not to wait for a perfect moment, but to begin now. To return to prayer, to soften the heart, to let go of what weighs us down, and to make space for God again. Do consider setting aside some time to join in our Lenten exercises — a time of grace, renewal, and quiet light for the journey.
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Even when the light feels small, it is never absent. And when placed in God’s hands, it becomes enough to guide the way forward.
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With prayers and blessings.
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Parish Priest
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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SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEK is for the Clergy Support Fund, which enables the Archdiocese to care for clergy in their retirement, old age and at their time of ill health after their lifetime of service and devotion to Christ, His Church and His people.
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MEN’S RETREAT - Who do you say that I am? Our Parish Retreat for men will be in Aylesford from 1st to 3rd May. It will be a weekend of exploration, prayer and encouragement. Clare Cameron, who facilitated our women’s retreat last year, will lead us again. She is a spiritual director and retreat facilitator working at the Jesuit Centre St Beuno’s in North Wales. The cost, including full board, is £250. If interested, please fill up a registration form available in the back of the church or download it from 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 8th March.
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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.
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ST THOMAS' CHURCH CLEANING. We are in desperate need for more parishioners to offer themselves for this important church ministry. Due to various reasons half of the cleaning team had to step back at the end of 2025 so we are now reliant on only six parishioners to maintain the standards of cleanliness at St Thomas'. The commitment is just one hour a month either during a weekday, an evening or a Saturday. You'll be part of a small team and full instruction would be given. Please contact
by calling/texting 07917032024 or email James if you can help.
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LENTEN QUIET DAY. You are invited to a Lenten Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 21st March 2026 at The Barn, Poult Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, TN11 9QU (entrance opposite North Frith Farm) from 10:00 to 16:00. Through the use of poetry, prayer, music, scripture and nature, it will be a day for quiet contemplation of the Stations of the Cross. As we journey through Lent, you will be able to walk at your own pace with Jesus along the road to Golgotha. There will be an opportunity to walk the labyrinth. The day will be led by Gilly Fenner who has worked as a spiritual director for over 22 years. Please bring a packed lunch and a change of shoes as part of the day can be spent outside. Numbers are limited to 20 so please book early. Suggested contribution is £5. If you would like to attend, please email Gilly
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QUIZ NIGHT. There will be a quiz night at St Joseph’s on Saturday 14th March from 7.30pm. The tickets is £12.50 per person and it includes ploughman’s supper and tea/ coffee, with tables of 6 people. Bring own drinks, glasses and nibbles and cash for the raffle. Contact Margaret at 01732 885295 for tickets.​
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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.
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CHRISTIAN AID FRUGAL LUNCH. Come and join us for our annual Christian Aid Frugal Lunch on Sunday 1st March 2026 at 12.30pm, at St Mary’s Church Centre, Kippington Road, TN13 2LL. Enjoy a simple Sunday lunch with friends and donate what you would have spent on your Sunday roast. We are very pleased to welcome again Kevwe Edekovwere, the regional officer for Kent & Sussex, who will be talking about Christian Aid and the particular needs at present. Every gift, every action, every prayer, every one of us can change lives. It would be helpful to have an idea of how many are coming, so please email Jean Day at day@kent2.co.uk to let us know. Last minute decisions are fine too.
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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.
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THURSDAY COFFEE MORNINGS. Join us for the Thursday coffee mornings at St Thomas’s parish centre between 10:00am - 11:45am. All are welcome.
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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.
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REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK
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Saturday 7th February: Repository not open after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 8th February: after 8:00am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
Saturday 14th February: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 8th February: after all Masses
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Stop by the shop on your way out from Mass, come, have a chat and a browse or check the basket on the table near the doors.​
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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.​​​​
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MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2026. After two most fruitful trips to Medjugorje in 2024 and 2025, we have booked a week’s pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 13th to 20th May 2026, where we expect Fr Piotr to be joining us. The cost is £768 per person which will include travel from London Gatwick, transfers from Split to Medjugorje, half board shared hotel accommodation, and a local guide to suggest a daily itinerary. The emphasis will be on daily Masses, Confession, Adoration, and an opportunity for the more physically able to climb Prdbdo and Krizevac. Our Lady Queen of Peace will show us what we must do to get closer to Our Lord. Please contact Barry Authers if you would like to join our group: 07773 658469.
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ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. You are invited to join us on Tuesdays at 7:30 with refreshments, praise and worship, followed by reflection and prayer. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in the Parish Centre for an evening of fellowship and spiritual enrichment. For any queries, please contact Deacon Neil. We look forward to welcoming you.
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BUILDING A BETTER MARRIAGE DAY. On Saturday 7th March 2026 couples are invited to a day where they can privately explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communication and the call of the Church to be married at Corpus Christi church ‘Fisher hall’, at Lyons Crescent, TONBRIDGE, Kent, TN9 1FB (for parking). The one- day course (9.00am till 4.30pm) 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 - Marriage Care and Retrouvaille do a brilliant job at this! 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.
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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. Check this video for more information.
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40 DAYS FOR LIFE. Come and learn about the 40 Days For Life peaceful prayer vigil happening this year near the abortion centre in Brixton. With the recent release of the shocking statistics of 299,614 abortions in the UK in one year, let this be the year you come and join us. We will hear the Testimony of a MOTHER WHO CHANGED HER MIND and kept her baby because she met people praying outside an abortion clinic. She will be accompanied by her daughter. TUESDAY 10th FEBRUARY at 6:30PM. Venue: Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall, 364 Brixton Road, London, SW9 0TH. For more details visit our website: https://www.goodcounselnetwork.com. Or contact Jacinta on 07503 151419.
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BEREAVEMENT. The Bereavement Support 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.
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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.
We are also looking for new trustees. If interested, email rev.annebourne@gmail.com.​​
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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
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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.
RECENTLY DIED
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Anthony Murphy
Funeral on Friday 6th March at 11:00am, Most Holy Trinity, Otford
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Patricia Lewis
Funeral on Monday 9th March at 12:00pm, St Thomas’
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
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Join us for Lenten Spiritual Exercises
ASH WEDNESDAY (18th February) Holy Mass with imposition of ashes:
· St Thomas’, Sevenoaks: 8 am, 12 noon, 8 pm
· Most Holy Trinity, Otford: 10 am
· St Bernadette’s, West Kingsdown: 11 am
· St Joseph’s, Borough Green: 6 pm
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THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
DIFFERENT and SPECIAL EACH WEEK
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A way of prayer, that helps us to understand the great sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation. He suffered and died for us, out of love, so we could be forgiven and stay close to God. When we pray the Stations of the Cross, we walk step by step with Jesus, thanking Him, learning about His love and courage, and asking for strength to carry our own troubles with faith and hope.
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· St Thomas’, Sevenoaks: Wednesdays at 12 noon (for seniors) & Fridays at 8pm
· Most Holy Trinity, Otford: Thursdays at 7:00pm, instead of the usual Holy Hour
· St Joseph’, Borough Green: Sundays after 9:30am Mass (brief version)
· St Bernadette’s, West Kingsdown: Sundays after 11am Mass (brief version)
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· For CHILDREN on Fridays at 3:40pm (EXCLUDING Half Term) at St Thomas’
LENTEN TALKS
at 7:30pm (7:00pm refreshments)
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“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. These words on Ash Wednesday encourage us to take a step back and reflect on our lives and faith. Join us for these talks to gain new insights, deepen your faith, and prepare spiritually for Easter.
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· Wednesday, 11th March: “Passion narratives in Matthew (Palm Sunday readings) and in John (Good Friday readings)” by Fr Richard Ounsworth OP
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· Wednesday, 18th March: “Growing in Christ, Confessing in Hope: Lent and the Sacrament of Reconciliation” by Fr John Church OP
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· Monday, 23rd March: “How can the Church love the poor and the vulnerable during Lent, amid so much conflict in our world?” by Fr Richard Finn OP
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ADORATION OF THE CROSS in the spirit of Taizé
We will hold our Taizé Lenten service on Sunday 22nd March at 7pm. It will be a special time to reflect and pray with beautiful chants surrounding you, as we approach the end of Lent.
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE
Five-Week Lenten Course: We Dare to Ask
This year's Lenten resource from the Archdiocese of Southwark is inviting parishioners to prepare their hearts and minds to renew their Baptismal promises during the Easter celebrations. Through Baptism, we are united with Christ and given our mission to image him in our homes and communities.
While the world tempts us in all manner of ways yet by God’s grace, we can turn back to him with contrite hearts to ask his mercy and forgiveness. We stand to renew our Baptismal promises: to ask for his life, his grace and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to renew and restore our relationship with Jesus.
For ease the whole document can be found here
Find below the 5 sessions, split over 5 weeks.
The material can also be found in the weekly CBCEW newsletter as well. To sign up for the newsletter, click here
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For small groups there are a number of hard copy booklets available from Adrian - e-mail or call.
CALLING ALL THE YOUTH
Come to Mass on Saturday 14th February at 6:00pm and join our next Truth Seekers meeting
Truth Seekers (TS) is a social group for teenagers which meets in the St Thomas’ parish centre on Saturday evenings after the 6:00pm Mass at St Thomas’ church. The group seeks to create space and support for teenagers to understand their Christian Faith. By linking the group to the Saturday evening Mass, we would like to encourage the participation in the Mass.
The goal is to provide them with the opportunity to assess the true value of their faith before they leave home, explain why we come to weekly Mass and what a great gift it is to be raised Catholic. TS is a lively supportive space for teenagers to explore fundamental questions in a fun social environment with a simple meal provided, with meetings ending by 8:00pm. That way we do not block out an entire Saturday evening.
This year, the programme includes:
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Meetings will be typically on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, with the exception of when block programmes are delivered over five to six-week periods; meetings will then take place over consecutive Saturdays.
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Starting on the 28th February, we will run The Search. And from September , we will show the Theology of the Body for Teenagers. Click link for more information.
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When programmes are not running, there will be talks on pressing contemporary social and moral issues, along with games evenings, to include Ten Pin Bowling and a BBQ.
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To facilitate planning, we ask parents of TS to join a WhatsApp group. Email the parish office at sevenoaks@rcaos.org.uk, informing the name of your teenager, your name and phone number.
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Our next meeting is on Saturday 14th February. Come and join us! For any other information, call the parish office at 01732 454177.
​​​​​​​​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