Parish Links
The school has built up a flourishing partnership with our local parish - St John the Evangelist in Gravesend. The Parish priest, Father Moses, is a governor at the school, and is a frequent visitor in the school. Father Stephen, the Assistant Priest, is also a regular visitor into the school. Both of our priests help support the school with liturgies, masses and the sacrament of reconciliation. Key annual features by the parish, making use of the school building, are the St. John’s International Mass, and the St John’s Christmas bazaar. The school’s annual Carol Service is held in St John’s Church and is attended by families of pupils in Year 7. School masses have been supported by parishioners who have undertaken ministerial duties as altar servers and Eucharistic ministers. The lay-chaplain has undertaken the ministry of Catechist in the parish, which has included pupils at St John’s receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.
Below are some examples of activities which show our links with the parish of St John the Evangelist in Gravesend.
St John's International Mass
Staff and students’ families are always invited to the annual parish International Mass which is held in our school Heart Space. The Heart Space is decorated with the different flags of different countries from across the world.
Parishioners and those coming to visit the mass are invited to come dressed in their national or cultural dress/attire.
In September 2024 the mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul Hendricks – the Kent Area Bishop.
St John's Parish Christmas Bazaar
Our Year 12 students organised a collection of soft toys, donating them to the Teddy Bear Tombola stall for the St John's Parish Bazaar. Our senior students collected over one hundred soft toys, gratefully received by the Parish. On the day of the Christmas Bazaar, many pupils gave up their time to help. Pupils stayed after school on the Friday evening before to assist parishioners to carry goods from cars. Then, on the day of the Bazaar, students served behind stalls. They ran themselves to exhaustion, as runners for 'Spin the Wheel' and remained after the bazaar had finished to clear the school, ready for Monday morning. This was faith in action, good people guided by Catholic Social Teaching, called to participate in their community. Over £5,000 was raised at the event in total which is a wonderful achievement and will be of huge benefit to the parish.
Year 7 - Christmas Carol Service
The Year 7 Christmas Carol Service in the parish church is a well established annual event on the school
calendar. It is also an event in which students and their families can participate together.
At the Carol Service, a number of our Yr7 students have an opportunity to participate in readings and bidding prayers. Prior to the event, in form time our Yr7 students have practised both traditional (old) and modern Christmas carols.
March 2025 - Parish visit by Archbishop John Wilson
In December the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (IACK) announced the 2024 winners of their International essay competition.
One of our students from St John’s Nora Kapinya scooped the overall winning prize which comes with £1,000 cash prize. It is also wonderful news for the entire Order of The Knights of St. Columba in the UK, to produce an overall winner. Nora is a – very worthy winner –she has consistently won award after award of the Knights of St. Columba youth competitions in the last 3 years. Nora was presented with a certificate by Archbishop John after mass in the parish church.
Archbishop John kindly had a photo taken with students from St John’s after mass.
Our students were delighted to have been able to attend and participate in the mass celebrated by Archbishop John, with Father Moses and Father Stephen.
Please use the link below to access our Parish website: St John the Evangelist Church, Gravesend.