English Martyr's Catholic Church

17/02/2026

14/12/2025

Welcome!

22/09/2025

Farewell to Father Tom

Father Tom has now begun his new ministry as Parish Priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Greenwich.

We will have a Farewell Mass on Saturday, 4th October at 6.00pm, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Everyone is very welcome. I would encourage all parishioners, from whichever weekend Mass you usually attend, to try and come to this Vigil Mass. It will be a lovely chance for us to thank Fr Tom together and to spend time with him as he celebrates.

Special envelopes are in the porches if you would like to contribute to a collection for Fr Tom. This will be a sign of our gratitude for his years of service, friendship, and care to our parish. Envelopes can be put through the presbytery letterbox or placed in the collection at Mass. Cheques should be made payable to English Martyrs RC Church, Strood. You can also make a bank transfer if you prefer, using the reference Fr Tom Collection.

God Bless,
Fr Mebrate

22/04/2025

The parish of English Martyrs joins with the whole Catholic Church in praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.

09/10/2023

Our prayers for the soul of this lovely carmelite. He knew our church well, and had visited to say mass.
We pray he may rest in peace and receive his reward.

It is with sadness that we share news of the death of Francis Kemsley, Carmelite Brother and former Prior of Aylesford, who died on Sunday 8th October 2023.

A leading light of the community, he oversaw much renovation of Aylesford Priory, provided all manner of digital spiritual resources during the pandemic and welcomed thousands to the Priory last year during the visit of the St Bernadette Relics.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Friars, Aylesford, Kent Order of Carmelites - British Province

05/01/2023

Archbishop Wilson writes:
Thank you Holy Father for giving your life to the Lord Jesus and to his Church and people. Thank you for being such an eloquent and intelligent cooperator with and for the truth. Thank you for your witness of inspiring discipleship of the Risen Christ and the Gospel of salvation. Rest in peace dear and beloved Pope Benedict.

31/12/2022

God give him the reward of his labours.

On hearing the news of the death of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Wilson commented:

‘It is with great sadness that we received today the news that the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has finished his earthly pilgrimage and returned to the Father, to the place prepared for him by Christ, the Lord he served faithfully through this life and ministry. We are profoundly grateful for his remarkable example of faith and discipleship, and his witness of service to the Church, both in his home country and to the Church Universal. He was gifted uniquely as a preacher and teacher of the Catholic faith. His intellectual legacy of writing is part of the Church’s treasury for the future. We thank God for his gentleness as a humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard; and for his willingness to address pressing issues in the Church. We now accompany him with our prayers that he may know eternal joy and peace.’

28/12/2022

Impromptu Pilgrimage - join Fr Tom and other parishioners for a pilgrimage to Canterbury for the feast day of St Thomas of Canterbury 29th December. We will meet at 11.30 at Rochester Station to take the train.

28/12/2022

Impromptu Pilgrimage - join Fr Tom and other parishioners for a pilgrimage to Canterbury for the feast of St Thomas of Canterbury 29th December. We will meet at Rochester Station at 11.30

15/12/2022

Check out our Christmas Mass times