Welcome
The Catholic Parish of St Thomas of Canterbury in Rainham, part of the Archdiocese of Southwark, is a diverse community of believers. It provides an atmosphere in which parishioners of all ages and cultures share faith through sacramental and liturgical celebrations, ongoing faith formation and other spiritual and social events. We are blessed to have our very own school, St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, to support families with young children to receive a Catholic education.
If you would like to get in touch, please call, email or fill in your details on the "Contact Us" page.
If you would like to get in touch, please call, email or fill in your details on the "Contact Us" page.
PARISH NOTICEBOARD
Church Mass Times
* Monday to Friday at 10am - Monday is a Eucharistic service
* Saturday at 6pm
* Sunday at 10.30am and 6pm
* Rosary Monday to Friday at 9.45am
* St Anthony's prayer and Benediction after 10am Mass on Tuesdays
* Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction Wednesdays at 10.30am to 11.30am
* Confessions Saturday from 5.15pm to 5.45pm & Wednesday 10.30am to 11.15am
You can view this Sunday's Mass and all upcoming live stream services and funerals by using the link https://tinyurl.com/rcrainham.
Please click on the button below to see the latest Parish Newsletter:
* Monday to Friday at 10am - Monday is a Eucharistic service
* Saturday at 6pm
* Sunday at 10.30am and 6pm
* Rosary Monday to Friday at 9.45am
* St Anthony's prayer and Benediction after 10am Mass on Tuesdays
* Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction Wednesdays at 10.30am to 11.30am
* Confessions Saturday from 5.15pm to 5.45pm & Wednesday 10.30am to 11.15am
You can view this Sunday's Mass and all upcoming live stream services and funerals by using the link https://tinyurl.com/rcrainham.
Please click on the button below to see the latest Parish Newsletter:
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We have introduced a new way of contributing to our weekly collections. At the back of the church is our contactless payment machine, which allows you to make your contributions using your bank card. If you prefer, you can click on the button below to donate via our secure portal, or scan the QR code.
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The closure of our local bank branch has made it more difficult for us to deposit loose cash from collections. Of course we are still very grateful for your generous donations but if you would consider using the contactless payment machine or our portal to make contributions, this would be a great help. Alternatively you can set up a standing order to the Parish. Thank you for your consideration.
CYCLE OF PRAYER - Intentions for Lent:
Candidates for the Sacraments (especially on the Sundays)
The Needy and Hungry of the World (especially on Lent Fast Day, first Friday of lent)
Penitents and Wanderers
Women (especially on Women’s World Day of Prayer - First Friday in March)
Live Streaming: If anyone is interested in joining the live streaming team please contact the office for details. We are a team of two and it can be a struggle to always be available. Thank you
Pray with the Pope a real network of communion in a divided world. From the Chapel of Saint Peregrine in the Vatican to the wider world, Pray with the Pope invites the faithful to share in a common moment of prayer with the Pope. Visit https://youtu.be/s1CBCcEIkME
We Dare to Ask a five-week Lenten Course 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. This proposed resource aims to contextualise our vocation within God’s plan of Salvation, Christ’s self-gift and the Sacramental life of the Church. 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 covenant relationship with Jesus, that we may live in an ever-deepening union with him as his baptised son or daughter. Visit: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/we-dare-to-ask/
Pray the Romero Rosary at St George’s Cathedral. Join Archbishop John Wilson and the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary every Friday at 5pm throughout Lent. This is a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero at St George’s Cathedral (SE1 6HR) on Friday 6th and Friday 27th March. On all other Fridays during Lent, the Cathedral clergy will lead the rosary, followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Let the rosary connect you to the Lord Jesus this Lenten season. Find out more at: rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary
We Need Your Help Each year, the Catholic Association Pilgrimage (CA) is responsible for coordinating the welcome and care of our ‘assisted pilgrims’ - those on our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes who have particular care and support needs. The CA is appealing for parishioners who might want to come to Lourdes as an assisted pilgrim, or as a volunteer helper in order to help provide the support that our assisted pilgrims need. All are welcome and all have an important contribution to make to the community that we form during our pilgrimage week. For more information visit: catholicassociation.co.uk or see posters at the rear of Church.
My Lourdes Story: Why One Week Changed my Life (and why you should come too) is a brief account by one of our parishioners. Please take the time to read it HERE if you feel you would like to go but are not sure what to expect.
Bishop Paul Hendricks warmly invites you to join him on this year’s SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: 21st to 28th August 26. A pilgrimage is a great opportunity to refresh and renew our relationship with the Lord Jesus, with the help of Our Lady’s prayers. I have also found it a blessing to be able to accompany and to be inspired by other pilgrims, some of whom are sick, elderly or disabled. Details for booking travel and accommodation can be found at https://www.tangney-tours.com/diocese-pilgrimages/diocese-ca/ We also ask pilgrims to complete a form with details, including medical requirements (if any) at https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/join2026 For more information, please contact Canon Edward Perera ([email protected]) or Deacon John Fogarty ([email protected]) or myself, Bishop Paul Hendricks ([email protected])
St Francis, Maidstone's Young Adults Group will be hosting a guest speaker at its next meeting on Thursday 12 March 2026. The speaker is a seminarian and will cover the topics of Vocation and Marian Devotion. We will meet inside the church where the talk will start at 19:30, followed by a Q&A session, and a social in a nearby pub afterwards.
All young adults (aged 18 - 35) are warmly invited to attend. Our group is growing in fellowship each month - currently standing at 15+ regular attendees - and always welcomes new members. St Francis is easily accessible:
· Situated directly across from Maidstone East Station.
· Multiple bus stops within 5-10 minutes walk.
Plenty of nearby options for parking.
For further details or questions, please contact [email protected] ,
or visit https://www.stfrancisparish.org.uk/young-adults-group/ and complete a contact form.
Marriage and Family Life (MFL) events in 2026 organised so far are:
Building a Better Marriage (BABM) a one-day event in different deaneries. 9am - 4.30pm. It’s a day where couples can privately explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communication and the call of the Church to be married. 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.
There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Booking is essential. The dates are: May 23 Wallington (Sutton Deanery), June 13 Hythe (Dover Deanery), October 3 West Norwood (Lambeth Deanery), November 7 Parish TBC (Wandsworth Deanery)
The 2026 Sycamore Growing in Faith together (GIFT): AnONLINE course for married and engaged couples, which has been developed in collaboration with the Southwark Marriage and Family Life team, the Agency for Evangelisation and Sycamore, a programme about the Catholic faith by Fr Stephen Wang, Growing in Faith Together consists of four one hour-long sessions via Zoom and is a wonderful opportunity for: married couples to enrich their friendship and love and engaged couples who want to continue exploring their faith together. The dates are: March 10,17,24,31.
May 5,12,19,26. September 8,15,22,29
'Rooted in Love' - Growing in Faith Together (GIFT). An online monthly meet up to hear a scripture reading and discuss ideas relevant to married Catholic couples / couples where one is RC / or an individual RC spouse meeting once a month for 1 hour at 8.30pm - 9.30pm. Thursday 26 February, Thursday 26 March
To book or for futher informtion Contact Carole on: [email protected]
Parish Legion of Mary praesidium, titled 'Our Lady Queen of Peace', will meet in the presbytery, 63 London Road, after the 10.30am Mass this Sunday. A warm welcome is extended to all to 'come and see'. The Legion prayers will be available in both English & Hindi.
Archdiocesan Pilgrimages for Young Adults
· Young adults (aged 18 to 35) are invited to join Archbishop John on pilgrimage to Lourdes, from 7 to 13 June 2026. The cost is £789, which includes flights and full-board accommodation on a shared basis. To book, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/lourdes26
· Young adults (aged 18 to 35) are also invited to register interest for the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Korea in August 2027 at www.tinyurl.com/wyd2027
· For information about youth activities for all ages across the Archdiocese please visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/scys1
SAVE THE DATE: Celebrate Festival is back for 2026 on the 15th - 19th August!
to make sure you don't miss out on all that the Lord has to offer. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear more - www.celebratetrust.org/get-in-touch
The Legion of Mary is a group of Catholic faithfuls serving the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ under the leadership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen and Mother. According to St. Pope John Paul II, "The Legion of Mary is a movement of lay people who propose to make faith the aspiration of their life up to the achievement of personal sanctity." There are 2 forms of Legion membership - Active and Auxiliary membership. Active Legionaries hold weekly meetings, and carry out apostolic work in the Spirit of faith and in union with Mary. Auxiliary Legionaries offer set prayers for the intentions of our Lady. To find out more visit https://legionofmary.ie/
Ambassadors for Christ: A Catholic apologetics resource. 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 visit: rcaos.org.uk/ambassadorsforchrist.
Hospital Chaplaincy at Medway Maritime Hospital.
There is Sunday Mass at the hospital chapel/prayer room, at 2.00pm every Sunday for hospital staff, visitors and patients. End of life and any urgent need of a Catholic priest contact the nurse on duty or office of the Chaplaincy. Visiting the in-patients on wards is on every Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon done by the priests, deacons and volunteers. Thus, there is a call for catholic hospital volunteers. Please if you are willing and interested in offering this service contact the parish priest of Our Lady of Gillingham 07448210669.
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help in setting-up and running the youth ministry, Prayer group (Charismatic) and Children's Liturgy. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to be involved please register your interested at the notice board.
Also, all those who have received their First Holy Communion are welcome to join our Altar Servers or Church Choir. If you are interested, please talk to Fr Emmanuel.
The Southwark Catholic Youth Service (SCYS) has several activities in 2025 for youth and young adults (10-35 years). For regular updates on forthcoming events, please sign up to their network at www.tinyurl.com/scysnetwork
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
A copy of the school's weekly newsletter can be found on the school website Home Page (stthomascanterbury.org.uk). Alternatively you can request a copy via email, please contact [email protected]
HELPUKRAINE EMERGENCY APPEAL
The God Minute - Peaceful music, scripture and a short reflection weaved into a guided
mediation for you to listen to every morning. Visit thegodminute.org to download the free app
Do you need help? The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an organisation that aims to help people in our community. If you are struggling to get school uniforms, or to furnish your home or just feel isolated, talk to us, we may be able to help Tel 07743383577
Baptism - Parents who wish to have their children baptised should email [email protected], speak to Fr. Emmanuel or contact Parish Office to register their interest.
Vacancies Full details available on the Diocesan website: Vacancies: Archdiocese of Southwark (rcsouthwark.co.uk)
Candidates for the Sacraments (especially on the Sundays)
The Needy and Hungry of the World (especially on Lent Fast Day, first Friday of lent)
Penitents and Wanderers
Women (especially on Women’s World Day of Prayer - First Friday in March)
Live Streaming: If anyone is interested in joining the live streaming team please contact the office for details. We are a team of two and it can be a struggle to always be available. Thank you
Pray with the Pope a real network of communion in a divided world. From the Chapel of Saint Peregrine in the Vatican to the wider world, Pray with the Pope invites the faithful to share in a common moment of prayer with the Pope. Visit https://youtu.be/s1CBCcEIkME
We Dare to Ask a five-week Lenten Course 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. This proposed resource aims to contextualise our vocation within God’s plan of Salvation, Christ’s self-gift and the Sacramental life of the Church. 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 covenant relationship with Jesus, that we may live in an ever-deepening union with him as his baptised son or daughter. Visit: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/we-dare-to-ask/
Pray the Romero Rosary at St George’s Cathedral. Join Archbishop John Wilson and the Cathedral clergy in praying the rosary every Friday at 5pm throughout Lent. This is a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Archbishop John will personally lead the devotion at the National Shrine of St Oscar Romero at St George’s Cathedral (SE1 6HR) on Friday 6th and Friday 27th March. On all other Fridays during Lent, the Cathedral clergy will lead the rosary, followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6pm. Let the rosary connect you to the Lord Jesus this Lenten season. Find out more at: rcaos.org.uk/romerorosary
We Need Your Help Each year, the Catholic Association Pilgrimage (CA) is responsible for coordinating the welcome and care of our ‘assisted pilgrims’ - those on our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes who have particular care and support needs. The CA is appealing for parishioners who might want to come to Lourdes as an assisted pilgrim, or as a volunteer helper in order to help provide the support that our assisted pilgrims need. All are welcome and all have an important contribution to make to the community that we form during our pilgrimage week. For more information visit: catholicassociation.co.uk or see posters at the rear of Church.
My Lourdes Story: Why One Week Changed my Life (and why you should come too) is a brief account by one of our parishioners. Please take the time to read it HERE if you feel you would like to go but are not sure what to expect.
Bishop Paul Hendricks warmly invites you to join him on this year’s SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: 21st to 28th August 26. A pilgrimage is a great opportunity to refresh and renew our relationship with the Lord Jesus, with the help of Our Lady’s prayers. I have also found it a blessing to be able to accompany and to be inspired by other pilgrims, some of whom are sick, elderly or disabled. Details for booking travel and accommodation can be found at https://www.tangney-tours.com/diocese-pilgrimages/diocese-ca/ We also ask pilgrims to complete a form with details, including medical requirements (if any) at https://www.catholicassociation.co.uk/join2026 For more information, please contact Canon Edward Perera ([email protected]) or Deacon John Fogarty ([email protected]) or myself, Bishop Paul Hendricks ([email protected])
St Francis, Maidstone's Young Adults Group will be hosting a guest speaker at its next meeting on Thursday 12 March 2026. The speaker is a seminarian and will cover the topics of Vocation and Marian Devotion. We will meet inside the church where the talk will start at 19:30, followed by a Q&A session, and a social in a nearby pub afterwards.
All young adults (aged 18 - 35) are warmly invited to attend. Our group is growing in fellowship each month - currently standing at 15+ regular attendees - and always welcomes new members. St Francis is easily accessible:
· Situated directly across from Maidstone East Station.
· Multiple bus stops within 5-10 minutes walk.
Plenty of nearby options for parking.
For further details or questions, please contact [email protected] ,
or visit https://www.stfrancisparish.org.uk/young-adults-group/ and complete a contact form.
Marriage and Family Life (MFL) events in 2026 organised so far are:
Building a Better Marriage (BABM) a one-day event in different deaneries. 9am - 4.30pm. It’s a day where couples can privately explore their relationship more deeply and gain valuable insights into the communication and the call of the Church to be married. 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.
There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Booking is essential. The dates are: May 23 Wallington (Sutton Deanery), June 13 Hythe (Dover Deanery), October 3 West Norwood (Lambeth Deanery), November 7 Parish TBC (Wandsworth Deanery)
The 2026 Sycamore Growing in Faith together (GIFT): AnONLINE course for married and engaged couples, which has been developed in collaboration with the Southwark Marriage and Family Life team, the Agency for Evangelisation and Sycamore, a programme about the Catholic faith by Fr Stephen Wang, Growing in Faith Together consists of four one hour-long sessions via Zoom and is a wonderful opportunity for: married couples to enrich their friendship and love and engaged couples who want to continue exploring their faith together. The dates are: March 10,17,24,31.
May 5,12,19,26. September 8,15,22,29
'Rooted in Love' - Growing in Faith Together (GIFT). An online monthly meet up to hear a scripture reading and discuss ideas relevant to married Catholic couples / couples where one is RC / or an individual RC spouse meeting once a month for 1 hour at 8.30pm - 9.30pm. Thursday 26 February, Thursday 26 March
To book or for futher informtion Contact Carole on: [email protected]
Parish Legion of Mary praesidium, titled 'Our Lady Queen of Peace', will meet in the presbytery, 63 London Road, after the 10.30am Mass this Sunday. A warm welcome is extended to all to 'come and see'. The Legion prayers will be available in both English & Hindi.
Archdiocesan Pilgrimages for Young Adults
· Young adults (aged 18 to 35) are invited to join Archbishop John on pilgrimage to Lourdes, from 7 to 13 June 2026. The cost is £789, which includes flights and full-board accommodation on a shared basis. To book, please visit: www.tinyurl.com/lourdes26
· Young adults (aged 18 to 35) are also invited to register interest for the World Youth Day pilgrimage to Korea in August 2027 at www.tinyurl.com/wyd2027
· For information about youth activities for all ages across the Archdiocese please visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/scys1
SAVE THE DATE: Celebrate Festival is back for 2026 on the 15th - 19th August!
to make sure you don't miss out on all that the Lord has to offer. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear more - www.celebratetrust.org/get-in-touch
The Legion of Mary is a group of Catholic faithfuls serving the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ under the leadership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen and Mother. According to St. Pope John Paul II, "The Legion of Mary is a movement of lay people who propose to make faith the aspiration of their life up to the achievement of personal sanctity." There are 2 forms of Legion membership - Active and Auxiliary membership. Active Legionaries hold weekly meetings, and carry out apostolic work in the Spirit of faith and in union with Mary. Auxiliary Legionaries offer set prayers for the intentions of our Lady. To find out more visit https://legionofmary.ie/
Ambassadors for Christ: A Catholic apologetics resource. 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 visit: rcaos.org.uk/ambassadorsforchrist.
Hospital Chaplaincy at Medway Maritime Hospital.
There is Sunday Mass at the hospital chapel/prayer room, at 2.00pm every Sunday for hospital staff, visitors and patients. End of life and any urgent need of a Catholic priest contact the nurse on duty or office of the Chaplaincy. Visiting the in-patients on wards is on every Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon done by the priests, deacons and volunteers. Thus, there is a call for catholic hospital volunteers. Please if you are willing and interested in offering this service contact the parish priest of Our Lady of Gillingham 07448210669.
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help in setting-up and running the youth ministry, Prayer group (Charismatic) and Children's Liturgy. If you have a few hours to spare and would like to be involved please register your interested at the notice board.
Also, all those who have received their First Holy Communion are welcome to join our Altar Servers or Church Choir. If you are interested, please talk to Fr Emmanuel.
The Southwark Catholic Youth Service (SCYS) has several activities in 2025 for youth and young adults (10-35 years). For regular updates on forthcoming events, please sign up to their network at www.tinyurl.com/scysnetwork
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
A copy of the school's weekly newsletter can be found on the school website Home Page (stthomascanterbury.org.uk). Alternatively you can request a copy via email, please contact [email protected]
HELPUKRAINE EMERGENCY APPEAL
The God Minute - Peaceful music, scripture and a short reflection weaved into a guided
mediation for you to listen to every morning. Visit thegodminute.org to download the free app
Do you need help? The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an organisation that aims to help people in our community. If you are struggling to get school uniforms, or to furnish your home or just feel isolated, talk to us, we may be able to help Tel 07743383577
Baptism - Parents who wish to have their children baptised should email [email protected], speak to Fr. Emmanuel or contact Parish Office to register their interest.
Vacancies Full details available on the Diocesan website: Vacancies: Archdiocese of Southwark (rcsouthwark.co.uk)
To subscribe to our weekly parish newsletter via email, please click this button:
