Permanent Deacon of the Parish
Deacon Alan Boxall
51 Hickory Dell
Hempstead
GillinghamKent
ME7 3SL
Tel: (01634) 360637
Historical background of Parish Permanent Deaconate
The parish was blessed in that almost from the time Fr. Curtin came to us until 1984 there were always two assistant priests at Rainham. Additionally there were deacons sent here to gain experience of parish life before being ordained to the priesthood. These included the Franciscan, John Forest Holden, Desmond Docherty and Hugh Bridge, whose priestly ordination at Petts Wood was attended by many of us. Before taking up an appointment as a parish priest himself, Fr Martin Kensington came to Rainham to find out about the running of a parish as until then he had spent his entire priestly ministry in education. His rather stern appearance belied a delightful sense of humour and he was popular with the schola with whom he would accept an invitation to sing whenever this was possible. A visiting priest, popular in parish and in school, was Fr. Villafranca who came over from Spain in several successive summers.
The fact that we had three resident priests, and so many priests and deacons passing through, added a great deal to the quality of pastoral care and parish life. Not only did house group meetings benefit from the input of a priest or deacon, but house Masses on weekday evenings were virtually the norm.
RetirementRev. Keith Morris -1982
St Thomas of Canterbury & St Peter, Prince of the Apostles
Phone: (01634) 232972
Email Us
Enquiries: General Information
Website enquiries: Val Flisher
