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
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

​After a very long process, the four windows are on the way and we hope they will be installed before the end of the month. Bishop Paul Hendricks will be blessing them on 31st May 2026 during the 11am Mass. Please pray in thanksgiving to all who have made this possible.

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OTHER PARISH Events/Programmes this week
Wednesday 20 May
6.00pm – 7.00pm – Deepening Faith Group in Gab Rm
 
Thursday 21 May 
5.00pm - 6.30pm – Kingdom Youth Group
7.00pm – Gospel Prayer Group in Gabriel Room
 
Saturday 23 May
10.00am – Fr Arbo’s surgery in Parish Office



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Pray for our children who will be received their Sacraments of First Reconciliation on 6th  May and Holy Communion on 16th May.
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Alexandra Cuccu,
Chisimdili Mamah
Christopher Loughlin
Chuckwabuikem Nwodo
Gabriella Kiselovs
Gabrielle Harris
Henrietta Osarenkhoe
Isaac-James Osarenkhoe
Kerrigan Msokeri
Lewis Kafeero
Nevaeh Pirogue
Obianuju Ekechukwu
Olanna Okamgba
Orla Walker
Siobhan Siriboe
Sybil Siriboe
Angela Pina
Anthony Motajo
Brook Robinson
Heili Rodrigo
Jessica Everest
Kheller Robinson
Leon Kakolewski
Mercy-Nissi Ncheuzu
Nighean Robinson
Oliver Brzeski
Oliver Goff
Orla McGahern
Riane Chanetsa
Ruby Holmes
Theo Middleton
Vicki-Marie Ncheuzu
 
 
CHURCH CLOSED FOR WINDOW INSTALLATION - Change of location for Mass
Please note that the Church will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week as the fitters will be here installing the 4 new stained glass windows, Mass instead will be celebrated on Tuesday 19th May in O'Sullivan Centre, and Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st May in the Gabriel Room.

​SR MAY R.I.P    
It is with great sadness we share the news that Sr May Magenis of the Sisters of Christ, passed away on the morning of 15th May, please pray for her Soul, R.I.P. Sr May.

ROSARY FOR LIFE. Archbishop John Wilson is calling on us to join him in praying the Rosary for Life this May (Month of Mary). Together, we will pray through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries, each one offered for the most vulnerable facing growing threats to life: unborn children at risk of abortion, victims of war and persecution, people with disabilities, and the elderly. For video, audio and written versions of the Rosary for Life, visit rcaos.org.uk/rosaryforlife. Pray the Rosary. Encounter Christ. Defend life.
 
GIFT AID ENVELOPES
2026/2027 Gift Aid Envelopes for our Gift Aiders who requested full set of envelopes & for those that donate by standing order their “special collections” only envelopes are available to collect from the Parish Office. Appeal to those who have not signed into the Gift Aid scheme: Over £1 million is lost every year in our parishes, from: Unclaimed Gift Aid
Anonymous cash giving and
Missed digital opportunities.
Please consider signing in today. It may cost you only 2mins but the benefit to the parish is enduring!
 
DEFEND NHS STAFF CONSCIENCE RIGHTS
Following the fall of the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill, fresh bids to introduce an assisted dying law in England and Wales are anticipated.  Any new law would likely pressure NHS staff to be involved in some way and offer even less protection to institutions like hospices.  You can help protect healthcare workers and hospices by signing the Bios Centre online petition. 
It calls on Health Secretary, to protect conscientious objection rights for religious and personal beliefs. Sign the petition at bioscentre.org/petition-on-conscience-protection or scan this QR code with your smartphone.
 
❤️ FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS ❤️
Following the success of last year’s celebration, we are planning another Parish Feast Day again this year.   TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!!!!  To make the day special, we would love to have cultural stalls offering food and cuisine from different native lands, however we Urgently need🌍 Volunteers and stall holders needed for cultural food stalls - If you would like to host a stall or help in any way, please contact the office. 

DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
'Bishop Paul Hendricks will be making a presentation regarding the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in August. The presentation will be at 7pm on Saturday 16th May following the Vigil Mass at 6pm at English Martyrs RC Church in Strood. The venue is the Parish Hall. There is plenty of parking in the school playground adjacent to the church and Parish Hall. Tea and coffee will be available. If you are at all interested in this pilgrimage do not miss this opportunity to learn more.'

MUSICAL PILGRIMAGE ON THE AUGUSTINE CAMINO JUNE 8TH-14TH 2026
Setting off from Rochester Cathedral, walking 10 miles a day through the Kent countryside to Canterbury and then onto the shrine of St Augustine in Ramsgate. Each evening, Eddie Gilmore will perform a little concert in a pub en-route. Contact Eddie for more details: [email protected]   www.eddiegilmore.org
 
RETROUVAILLE MARRIAGE SUPPORT
From relationships that are 'Just in a Rut', needing some refreshment or more serious issues - If you are open to try again – Retrouvaille could be the solution. We have helped thousands of couples get their relationship back on track as they rediscovered hope and trust in the marriage. To find out more:
 www.retrouvaille.org.uk  +44 797 338 0443 


YOUTH MINISTRY GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITY
Do you know anyone aged 18-25 who is looking for a new challenge? The Diocese of Lancaster has a Youth Ministry team based in Keswick in the Lake District. They run retreats at Castlerigg Manor and also work in Churches and schools around the area. The ‘Youth Ministry Internship’ scheme comes with high quality training, experience, and recognised qualifications and gives young people the chance to join a welcoming community and a vibrant team doing some amazing work. Interested? Contact [email protected] or www.castleriggmanor.com >> join the team

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MAKE YOUR OFFERING
PARISH BANK NAME: RCAS SITTINGBOURNE
Sort Code: 60-19-25
Account: 55861970

CAR PARK – IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please do not park anywhere in the church car park that is not a designated parking space and do not block people in or park on safety chevroned areas.  Please remember there are only 18 spaces so if you are late for mass please do not come to the car park, it will be full. Spaces should be left available for the elderly or those with mobility issues. Thank you 

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.
 
 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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