Register
17 Oct 09:30 am Sat
St Thomas - Rosary (after Mass)
20 Oct 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
21 Oct 7:30 pm Wed
St Thomas - Bible Study
30 Oct 07:15 am Fri
St Thomas - Fathers prayers
03 Nov 7:30 pm Tue
St Thomas - Padre Pio Prayer Group
07 Nov 10:00 am Sat
Most Holy Trinity - garden tidy
12 Nov 2026
Poland Pilgrimage - last day to book 12 Nov
05 Dec 7:30 pm Sat
Otford Village Hall - Wine tasting evening
11 Dec 11:00 am Sat
St Thomas - Marian Chant
The Parish Priest writes:
18TH OCTOBER 2026 - TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY
Dear Friends,
There is nothing wrong with wanting to build a good life. We work, save, make plans and try to provide security for ourselves and those we love. These are sensible and necessary things. Yet, somewhere along the way, we can become so occupied with looking after what we have that we forget to ask what it is all ultimately for. Jesus’ words in this Sunday’s Gospel, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21), invite us to put things into their proper perspective. We have responsibilities in this world, but we must never allow the things of this world to become the whole purpose of our lives. After all, everything we possess is temporary, while the life God offers us is eternal. Perhaps the real question is not how much we manage to achieve, but what we are becoming through the way we live. The time we give to others, the generosity with which we use our gifts, the faithfulness with which we fulfil our responsibilities and the love we show in ordinary circumstances are not wasted efforts. They are part of how God prepares us for something greater. Even what seems small and insignificant today can have eternal value when it is done with love.
We might think that building our future depends entirely on our own efforts, but God can work even through circumstances and people who do not know Him. He can take what we have been given and make it an instrument of His goodness. Our task is to remain open to His grace, using our abilities, opportunities and resources not only for our own benefit, but also for the good of those around us.
As we continue through October, the Rosary offers us a simple way to pause and look at our lives in the light of Christ. Mary teaches us to trust God with our plans and ambitions, and to recognise that true greatness lies not in what we accumulate, but in the love with which we live. Let us look after the things entrusted to us here on earth, but never lose sight of our true destination. The important thing is not simply to build a good life for ourselves, but to build a life that will lead us home to God.
With my prayers and blessing,
Fr Piotr - 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.
Remembering Our Loved Ones
Time flies, and November will soon be upon us. As we approach the month when the Church remembers the faithful departed in a special way, we are invited to recall those we love who have gone before us and to bring them once again into our prayer.
In our Catholic faith, remembrance is more than preserving names in a memorial book. A written record can keep a name, but it cannot replace the living act of prayer. This is why it is appropriate, each year, to write the names of our deceased loved ones again on our November Holy Souls prayer card. The simple act of writing a name invites us to stop for a moment, recall the person behind it, remember the love we shared, and place them once more into God's hands. We repeat the names not because we have forgotten them, but because we continue to love them and to pray for them.
Our remembrance finds its deepest expression in the offering of the Holy Mass. As a parish, we bring our deceased family members, friends and benefactors before the Lord, entrusting them to His mercy and holding fast to the promise of the Resurrection. We pray for them year after year, trusting that our lives and theirs remain united in Christ, who has conquered death and opened for us the way to eternal life.
As November approaches please take a Holy Souls prayer card and envelope, available at the back of the church. Write down the names of your deceased loved ones and return the card with your offering (if you wish). In November and during the year these names will be remembered in our parish Masses and prayers.
Let this small gesture become a meaningful moment of remembrance and prayer: recalling those who have shaped our lives, giving thanks for them, and entrusting them once again to the loving mercy of God. May our prayers keep alive the hope that, one day, we shall be reunited with them in the joy of His eternal Kingdom.
AI AND MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS - A PANEL DISCUSSION OF EXPERTS
AT ST THOMAS’ - 25th November, 7:00pm (panel will kick off at 7:30pm).
Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, has received accolades from leaders, theologians, and the AI community: it deals with one of the most perplexing issues that faces us today, the proliferation of AI and our human response to it.
If you want to know more, or have questions you want answered, then please join us for a panel discussion with the following experts: Andreas Widmer, author, entrepreneur, professor and former Swiss Guard; Naoise Grenham, Senior Policy and Research analyst for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, and Bernardo Villegas, PhD researcher, teaching assistant and entrepreneur at the University of Cambridge, focusing on human-inspired artificial intelligence and the societal impacts of AI.
The panel invites you to ask them any questions you would like them to cover: please send to sevenoaksplf@rcaos.org.uk. There will also be sheets for you to put down your questions at the back of the churches in November.
Day of Reflection and Formation
For Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion from our four churches
The goal is for participants to grow closer to our Lord, be fed and nourished by Him. The programme allows time for reflection and questions about the roles.
WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, 21st November
9:30am– 1:00pm, at St. Thomas’ parish centre
Magnifica Humanitas afternoon in Brighton
The Nativity Journey at Wintershall - 15th to 20th December 2026
Notices:
SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEK is for Missio, which is the Church’s official organ for the support of foreign missions. The funds help churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the church is new, young or poor. To donate, use the Missio envelope, call 020 7821 9755 (office hours) or click here to give a gift, set up a Direct Debit and Gift Aid your donation if possible.
FR JOHN EYIKE’s Induction Mass at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Deal, will take place on Friday 11th December 2026 at 6:00pm. Fr John has kindly invited all parishioners to join him for this joyful occasion, which will also mark the 10th anniversary of his priestly ordination. All are warmly invited to attend and share in this special celebration.
CALLING ALL SINGERS. Come and sing at the Confirmation Mass on 14th November at St George’s Cathedral. Join us on this joyous day for our young people. A group will head up to the Cathedral together in the morning to lend their voices. Email gina.hartnett@hotmail.com for details.
ADVENT QUIET DAY will be on Saturday 12th December. Details to follow.
SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL. St Thomas’ School PTA was selected to take part in the Waitrose Green Token Scheme. The PTA is raising funds to provide students with opportunities to experience live theatre. Depending on the number of green tokens put in the boxes at Waitrose, St Thomas PTA will receive an award of either £1,500, £1,000 or £500. Members of the local community who shop at our local Waitrose are invited to support St Thomas’ PTA by allocating their green token to the school's box after the checkouts. The scheme runs from October to December.
ROSARY MONTH. October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Throughout this month, we will say it together placing ourselves and our parish community under the loving care of Our Lady. At St Thomas’ the Rosary will be prayed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after 8:00am Mass, and on Saturdays after the 9:30am Mass (led by the Rosary Group). At Most Holy Trinity on Wednesdays after the 10:00am Mass and during the Holy Hours. At St Joseph’s on Thursdays after the 10:00am Mass with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. At St Bernadette’s after the 10:00am Mass on Fridays. I encourage our parish groups, ministries and communities to make the Rosary part of your gatherings during October. It does not need to be a whole Rosary; even praying one decade together is a beautiful way of turning our hearts towards Christ.
ADORATION IN OTFORD. With the nights closing in, the time of the Holy Hour at Most Holy Trinity on Thursday evenings is now from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
THURSDAY COFFEE MORNING.
Enjoy company and cakes at St Thomas’ parish centre from 10:00am to 11:45am. All are welcome. We have some interesting talks coming up. They are all from 10:30am. Dates are below.
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 BIBLE STUDY group Opening up the Word meets every other Wednesday at St Thomas’ parish centre, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The next session will be on 21st October. Email Paul with any queries.
REPOSITORY SHOP
There will be Advent calendars and Christmas cards available from the second week of November. Check opening times below. Items can be accessed 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 17th October: Repository NOT OPEN after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 18th October: open after every Mass
Saturday 24th October: after 6:00pm Mass
Sunday 25th October: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass
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.
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.
SAVE THE DATES. There will be a garden tidy session at Holy Trinity Otford on Saturday 7th November and a Wine Tasting Social event at Otford Village Hall on the evening of Saturday December 5th. Details for both will follow nearer the time.
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
SECRETARY POSITION at Corpus Christi church, Tonbridge parish. Location: Tonbridge, Kent | Hours: Part-time, 12 hours per week Salary: £15-20 per hour. You'll manage the parish office and the Parish diary, maintain parish registers and sacramental records, and administer bookings for baptisms, weddings and funerals. The role also involves producing the weekly newsletter and maintaining the parish website and social media, alongside supporting collections, Gift Aid and safeguarding administration.
About you: You'll bring proven administrative or secretarial experience, strong communication and organisational skills, and confidence with Microsoft Office. Experience with minute-taking, website or social media administration, and AIQ accounting (or willingness to learn) would be an advantage. A warm, welcoming manner, discretion and sympathy with the ethos and values of the Catholic Church are essential. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK, as the Archdiocese is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. To apply, to this role, please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@rcaos.org.uk
A DAY WITH MARY is taking place at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday 7 November 2026 (9.45am to 5.00pm). The Most Reverend Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster will be the Celebrant & Preacher at 10:30am Cathedral Mass on that day. Further information is available here.
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.
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 will meet on the following Thursdays: 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
Pat Craig-McFeely
Tuesday 3rd November at 11:00am at St Thomas’, Sevenoaks
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