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 - Wednesday is a Eucharistic service
* Saturday at 6pm
* Sunday at 10.30am and 6pm
* Rosary Monday to Friday at 9.45am
* Confessions Saturday evening from 5.15pm to 5.45pm
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 buttons below to see the latest Parish Magazine and Newsletter:
* Monday to Friday at 10am - Wednesday is a Eucharistic service
* Saturday at 6pm
* Sunday at 10.30am and 6pm
* Rosary Monday to Friday at 9.45am
* Confessions Saturday evening from 5.15pm to 5.45pm
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 buttons below to see the latest Parish Magazine and Newsletter:
THE SEASON OF LENT
CYCLE OF PRAYER - Intentions for Lent:
Holy Week Programme
The Pope has asked that 2024 be a ‘Year of Prayer’. Please see the Pilgrims of prayer booklet, which introduces exercises that you may find useful to practise prayer.
Tom Carter - a former Headteacher of St Thomas’ School from 1962 and active member of the Parish is going to be celebrating his 100th birthday on 27th March 24. The family has asked if people who remember him would like to send messages or cards please address to: 19a Bromley Rd, Lytham-St Anne’s Lancashire FY8 1TQ or alternatively send videos or messages to joannalickle1996@hotmail.co.uk.
A book will also be available in the church for all to write your good wishes and memories in the book which will be sent to him.
Beginning Experience Weekend is a special residential weekend programme for widowed, separated and divorced people, which helps participants with natural feelings of grief and loss. This next programme will be held on 12-14 April; contact: Mary: 0208 647 4760, or Maura: 07795 498445, email besouthofengland@gmail.com
Passing on the Faith - How do we start? How do we continue? What works well for children at different stages? 4 online sessions for grandparents focusing on the conversations which can help to anchor faith, starting Thursday 18th April, 7:30-9pm. Email mflse@rcaos.org.uk
Job Vacancies
Class Teacher at St Tomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School. Closing date: 4.00pm Friday 19th April 2024. Interviews week commencing Monday 29th April 2024.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA at Laleham Lea, Catholic Independent School, Purley, to start as soon as possible. For more information and application forms please visit our school website - www.lalehamlea.co.uk or call 0208 660 3351.
A Programme Leader to join the youth ministry team at Castlerigg Manor (Diocese of Lancaster Retreat Centre) are looking for a Programme Leader to join their youth ministry team. The work involves working on retreats in the heart of the Lake District, and occasionally working on outreach visits around the area. The post is residential and comes with a salary package in the range of £26-28k, made up of paid salary, accommodation, food etc. Would suit somebody with youth ministry experience perhaps recently graduated. Interested – jack@castleriggmanor.co.uk
Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Laleham Lea, a Catholic Independent School, Purley. For more information visit our website - www.lalehamlea.co.uk or call 0208 660 3351.
As part of the preparation for the 2025 Jubilee year, the Southwark Marriage and Family Team will be running a Building a Better Marriage Course throughout the Archdiocese from February 2024. 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 marriage better and to improve their communication skills. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Couples who have attended previously have found it enjoyable, informative, and uplifting. For more information contact the Marriage and Family Life team through the Archdiocese of Southwark: website. https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/mission/marriage-and-family-life
Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage July 13th St George’s Cathedral.
If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year, please let us know asap (no later than May 31st) providing the following details: your names in the format John and Mary Smith, home address and anniversary you are celebrating, so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows. Email us at mflkent@rcaos.org.uk using your parish location as email title. Spaces are limited.
Help Your Marriage - Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City 14th-16th June, call 07887 296983, email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
The Southwark Catholic Youth Service has re-launched several activities in 2024 for those aged 10-35. For more details about what is on offer, please sign up to our network at tinyurl.com/scysnetwork to receive regular updates.
GRIEF in LOSS & HOPE in CHRIST weekend retreat 22nd- 24th March. For anyone who has experienced a bereavement, recently or some time ago. We grieve, remember, hope and give thanks for our loved ones in the light of the Resurrection Jesus. Cost: £230 single £210 shared. To book contact retreat@thefriars.org.uk or Tel: 01622 717272.
A Day With Mary 2024 Pilgrimages to Fatima (7-14 June) and Italy (4-12 September) further information is available at www.adaywithmary.org or email
adwmary.uk@gmail.com
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
A copy of our weekly newsletter can be found on the school website Home Page (stthomascanterbury.org.uk) alternatively, you can request a copy via email, please contact office@st-thomascanterbury.medway.sch.uk
Love the Stranger - A Catholic Response to Migrants and Refugees A publication by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Click here to read this publication.
HELPUKRAINE EMERGENCY APPEAL
Homes for Ukraine - an international Catholic Charity with many services for the vulnerable in the UK and Ireland, are matching Ukrainian people displaced by war with people in the Catholic community willing to host them in their homes for six months. If you have room in your home and heart to consider welcoming a stranger then we’d love to hear from you. For more information see poster at rear of Church or visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/
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 are invited to contact Mary Bigwood on 07736 813477 to register their interest.
Free Food Support - anyone in need of support please visit Free Food Support in Medway & Free Food Support for Families with Children under 5
Vacancies Full details available on the Diocesan website: Vacancies: Archdiocese of Southwark (rcsouthwark.co.uk)
Weekly Offertory Collections
We are aware that parishioners have expressed concern that they are unable to support the ongoing costs of the parish through their regular offertory collections during these difficult times. If you wish to provide your regular support you can do so by setting up a Bankers Order or by donating to the church accounts by Bank Transfer. Thank you for your concern.
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)
- Penitents and Wanderers
- Women (especially on Women’s World Day of Prayer - Friday 1st March)
Holy Week Programme
The Pope has asked that 2024 be a ‘Year of Prayer’. Please see the Pilgrims of prayer booklet, which introduces exercises that you may find useful to practise prayer.
Tom Carter - a former Headteacher of St Thomas’ School from 1962 and active member of the Parish is going to be celebrating his 100th birthday on 27th March 24. The family has asked if people who remember him would like to send messages or cards please address to: 19a Bromley Rd, Lytham-St Anne’s Lancashire FY8 1TQ or alternatively send videos or messages to joannalickle1996@hotmail.co.uk.
A book will also be available in the church for all to write your good wishes and memories in the book which will be sent to him.
Beginning Experience Weekend is a special residential weekend programme for widowed, separated and divorced people, which helps participants with natural feelings of grief and loss. This next programme will be held on 12-14 April; contact: Mary: 0208 647 4760, or Maura: 07795 498445, email besouthofengland@gmail.com
Passing on the Faith - How do we start? How do we continue? What works well for children at different stages? 4 online sessions for grandparents focusing on the conversations which can help to anchor faith, starting Thursday 18th April, 7:30-9pm. Email mflse@rcaos.org.uk
Job Vacancies
Class Teacher at St Tomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School. Closing date: 4.00pm Friday 19th April 2024. Interviews week commencing Monday 29th April 2024.
Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA at Laleham Lea, Catholic Independent School, Purley, to start as soon as possible. For more information and application forms please visit our school website - www.lalehamlea.co.uk or call 0208 660 3351.
A Programme Leader to join the youth ministry team at Castlerigg Manor (Diocese of Lancaster Retreat Centre) are looking for a Programme Leader to join their youth ministry team. The work involves working on retreats in the heart of the Lake District, and occasionally working on outreach visits around the area. The post is residential and comes with a salary package in the range of £26-28k, made up of paid salary, accommodation, food etc. Would suit somebody with youth ministry experience perhaps recently graduated. Interested – jack@castleriggmanor.co.uk
Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Laleham Lea, a Catholic Independent School, Purley. For more information visit our website - www.lalehamlea.co.uk or call 0208 660 3351.
As part of the preparation for the 2025 Jubilee year, the Southwark Marriage and Family Team will be running a Building a Better Marriage Course throughout the Archdiocese from February 2024. 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 marriage better and to improve their communication skills. There is no group sharing and private information remains private to each couple. Couples who have attended previously have found it enjoyable, informative, and uplifting. For more information contact the Marriage and Family Life team through the Archdiocese of Southwark: website. https://www.rcsouthwark.co.uk/mission/marriage-and-family-life
Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage July 13th St George’s Cathedral.
If you are celebrating your 1st/10th/25th/40th/50th/60th + wedding anniversary this year, please let us know asap (no later than May 31st) providing the following details: your names in the format John and Mary Smith, home address and anniversary you are celebrating, so you can receive an invitation from the Archbishop for the renewal of vows. Email us at mflkent@rcaos.org.uk using your parish location as email title. Spaces are limited.
Help Your Marriage - Retrouvaille is a programme to support couples who have difficulties in their marriage. It brings a positive focus, new hope and helps nourish and grow your marriage. For confidential information about ‘Retrouvaille’ or to register for the next programme Face to Face weekend in Welwyn Garden City 14th-16th June, call 07887 296983, email retrouvailleukinfo@gmail.com or visit www.retrouvaille.org.uk
The Southwark Catholic Youth Service has re-launched several activities in 2024 for those aged 10-35. For more details about what is on offer, please sign up to our network at tinyurl.com/scysnetwork to receive regular updates.
GRIEF in LOSS & HOPE in CHRIST weekend retreat 22nd- 24th March. For anyone who has experienced a bereavement, recently or some time ago. We grieve, remember, hope and give thanks for our loved ones in the light of the Resurrection Jesus. Cost: £230 single £210 shared. To book contact retreat@thefriars.org.uk or Tel: 01622 717272.
A Day With Mary 2024 Pilgrimages to Fatima (7-14 June) and Italy (4-12 September) further information is available at www.adaywithmary.org or email
adwmary.uk@gmail.com
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
A copy of our weekly newsletter can be found on the school website Home Page (stthomascanterbury.org.uk) alternatively, you can request a copy via email, please contact office@st-thomascanterbury.medway.sch.uk
Love the Stranger - A Catholic Response to Migrants and Refugees A publication by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Click here to read this publication.
HELPUKRAINE EMERGENCY APPEAL
Homes for Ukraine - an international Catholic Charity with many services for the vulnerable in the UK and Ireland, are matching Ukrainian people displaced by war with people in the Catholic community willing to host them in their homes for six months. If you have room in your home and heart to consider welcoming a stranger then we’d love to hear from you. For more information see poster at rear of Church or visit https://sjog-homesforukraine.uk/
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 are invited to contact Mary Bigwood on 07736 813477 to register their interest.
Free Food Support - anyone in need of support please visit Free Food Support in Medway & Free Food Support for Families with Children under 5
Vacancies Full details available on the Diocesan website: Vacancies: Archdiocese of Southwark (rcsouthwark.co.uk)
Weekly Offertory Collections
We are aware that parishioners have expressed concern that they are unable to support the ongoing costs of the parish through their regular offertory collections during these difficult times. If you wish to provide your regular support you can do so by setting up a Bankers Order or by donating to the church accounts by Bank Transfer. Thank you for your concern.
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