Holy Days of Obligation 2026

Sunday 28th June - SS Peter and Paul
Sunday 16th August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sunday 1 November - All Saints Day 
Friday 25th December - Christmas Day

Moveable Feasts

Wednesday 18 February - Ash Wednesday
Sunday 29 March - Palm Sunday
Friday 3 April - Good Friday
Sunday 5 April - Easter Sunday
Thursday 14 May - The Ascension of the Lord
Sunday 24 May - Pentecost
Sunday 31 May - The Most Holy Trinity
Sunday 7 June - The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ
Sunday 22 November - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Sunday 29 November - First Sunday of Advent  

News & Updates

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​OTHER PARISH Events/Programmes this week
Saturday 14th February
10-10.45am – Fr Arbo’s Surgery in Parish Office
6.30 for 7.00pm – Cameo Opera in Carmel Hall
 
Sunday 15th February
10.30am – Tea & Coffee after Mass – O’Sullivan Centre 
 
Wednesday 18th February
6.00 - 7.00pm – Deepening Faith Group in Gabriel Room
 
Thursday 19th February
5.00pm - 6.30pm – Kingdom Youth Group
7.00pm – Gospel Prayer Group in Gabriel Room
 
Saturday 21st February
10-10.45am – Fr Arbo’s Surgery in Parish Office
6.00pm – UCM in Gabriel Room
 
Sunday 22nd February
10.30am – Tea & Coffee after Mass – O’Sullivan Centre    

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CONGRATULATIONS DEACON DAVID
We take this opportunity to wish Deacon David many congratulations on the 10th Anniversary of his Ordination as a Deacon.  The photograph is of Deacon David celebrating with fellow Deacons Matthew and Andrew.
 
ASH WEDNESDAY
Please note that Wednesday 18th February is Ash Wednesday and therefore a HOLY DAY of OBLIGATION.  There will be two Masses that day as usual at 10am and 7.30pm.

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CLERGY SUPPORT FUND SECOND COLLECTION - SUNDAY 15th February
The Clergy Support Fund enables the Archdiocese of Southwark 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. Donations ensure a dignified retirement for all our Priests.
 
FR ARBO ON PRIESTS RETREAT 23rd Feb – 27th Feb
Fr Arbo will be away for the weekday Masses next week as he is attending a Priest Retreat, Fr Peter Geldard will be covering in Fr Arbo’s absence.
 
 
URSULA WILES R.I.P.
Sadly we heard the news on Friday 16th January that Ursula had passed away that morning.  Please remember her in your prayers. Ursula’s funeral will take place at 10.30am on Thursday 19th February at Sacred Heart Church, followed by a committal at Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing. Those that knew Ursula well, are invited to a reception after the committal. This reception will be held at Hempstead House Hotel, Bapchild, from 1:15pm.
 
CHURCH FLOWER ARRANGERS
We are in urgent need for additional people to join the Church flower arranger’s rota.  Price of flowers is refunded (please pre-agree and approximate budget with Parish Office).  Flowers need to be changed any time between after Mass & Adoration on Friday, but before Adoration & Mass on Saturday.  Please contact the office if you are interested in helping.
 
MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE
Thursday 26 February 2026 'Rooted in Love' - Growing in Faith Together (GIFT). It's 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 monthly for 1 hour at 8.30pm - 9.30pm. Contact Carole on:  [email protected]
 
 
GOOD COUNSEL NETWORK - 40 DAYS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN  “Come and join Bishop David Waller as he launches the 40 DAYS FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN in BRIXTON with an hour of CANDLELIT public prayer to end abortion and offer outreach to expectant mothers and all affected by abortion. TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 7-8PM. Opposite Corpus Christi Catholic Church at the corner of Brixton Hill and Brixton Water Lane, London, SW2 5BJ. For more details please visit our website www.GoodCounselNetwork.com or contact Jacinta on 07503 151419”
 
FOOD COLLECTION
Sheppey Parish are running a Food Pantry so any help we can give will be very much appreciated, especially at this time of year.  Please drop any food/toiletries into the office or leave in basket near front doors of Church.  Thank-you to anyone who has already dropped donations off.  Sheppey have said this has been really helpful in them being able to help as many people as possible.
 
IGBO CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Please join us for a vibrant cultural gathering of the Igbo Catholic community, on Sunday, February 22, 2026. This special event will take place at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Rainham, Kent, ME8 7RH, starting with the Igbo Mass at 1 PM. 
Bring along your family and friends to partake in this wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow community members as we come together to celebrate and honour our Lord with sincere hearts. After the Mass, we’ll continue the festivities with entertainment at the parish centre. We can’t wait to see you there! Thank you, and God bless!
       
UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS are meeting on 21st of February at 6pm in Gabriel Room. After Mass 
 

REDUCED SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE 2026
For uniformity throughout the Archdiocese, the Reduced Summer Mass Schedule will take effect each year on the third weekend in July, and continue to include the first weekend in September. The reason is that the numbers attending Masses are assumed to be lower and we have fewer Supply Priests available.
It is suggested Sittingbourne Parish will be shared with Sheppey and it is recommended that we cut out the Saturday 5pm Mass and those who can, should attend the 6pm Mass at Sheppey. This is a consultation at present so for those that generally attend 5pm Mass we would like to hear your opinions on this before the end of January 2026. Please complete the forms provided in the porch to enable an informed decision to be reached at Deanery level.
 
THE CATENIANS
The Catenians are an Association of Catholic men across several countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, Malta and India. We have a local Circle of Catenians in Swale where we have been active for some 40 years. Our role is to support each other in our Catholic faith. We meet once a month and after our meeting we dine together. Our wives are warmly welcomed to about half our social events arranged with them in mind. Inquiries from practising Catholic men are very welcome. See “pen-pictures” of some of our local “brothers” in our poster in the Church porch and with the Newsletter for 7/8 February. You can also google “Catenians” to get an overview of our Association. Interested? Phone or whatsapp Richard Noble 07811 193895 or Keith Middleton 07485 135071 for a “no obligation” chat or simply to ask for more information.
    
ROOM TO LET
Lovely room with own bathroom to rent . The room is located at Eden Village in walking distance to the town and all amenities. For more details please call our parishioner Joanna 07858329559
 
LUCKY NUMBERS
The Church Lucky Numbers renews in January. There are 4 cash prizes per monthly draw for each number that you pay for. Each number costs just £12 per year. If you are interested in supporting the Church and having a chance to win, please contact the office.
 
VOTIVE CANDLES
Please note that the Votive Candles are now 50p. You can pay cash or by Dona Machine.
 
SACRED HEART PENS
There are some lovely pens for sale in Church, they are £3 each and to raise funds for the Church, please pay by Dona or by putting money in repository.  Thankyou 
 
​SAFEGUARDING:
It is the policy of the Catholic Church in England and Wales to report all allegations of abuse to statutory authorities, regardless of whether the abuse occurred recently or in the past, or whether the accused person is living or deceased. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult at risk, do not delay in contacting the police, using 999 if a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger. Further safeguarding information can be found on the parish website or click on QR code.  
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PARISH BANK NAME: RCAS SITTINGBOURNE
Sort Code: 60-19-25 Account: 55861970
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Last year we had a very successful food bank and were able to help many families in need.  This year might be even harder for some in our parish and local community. If you are able, could we ask for your generosity to be extended again this year. Any non-perishable items would be gratefully received. Please leave them in the porch.
We also have a parishioner who is visiting the homeless on the streets in Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Faversham. They are in need of toiletries, socks, scarves, sleeping bags etc.
Equally, if you are struggling and in need, you can contact Fr Arbo in confidence.
Thank you in advance for your generosity. Please leave any donations in the porch or in the office.
FOOD BANK
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