Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration Day

Saturday 7 June 2025

Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration - Saturday 7 June

The Friars, Aylesford

On Saturday 7 June 2025, the day before Pentecost, we will gather as an Archdiocese at The Friars, Aylesford from 10 am to 5 pm for a day of prayer, reflection and celebration. This will be the centre-piece event of the 2025 Jubilee in the Archdiocese and Archbishop John looks forward to welcoming you - and the entire archdiocese – to Aylesford for this special day.

Everyone is welcome. This event is free, there is no need to purchase a ticket to attend.

However, please note that some children's and young people’s ministry sessions will be available for limited numbers and must be pre-booked online. Please see the section below to register.

Parishes are encouraged to book coaches. Please register your coaches and indicate how many people you will be bringing by sending an email to jubilee@rcaos.org.uk.

We are looking for volunteers to help on the day. If you might be able to help (you must be 18 or over) please fill in the form below so we can get in touch about particular needs.

Booklet Pages (You will receive a physical copy on the day)

Children and Youth Ministry

Registration for these sessions will open on Monday 5 May April at 11:00am.

In order to allow as many children as possible to experience the Children and Youth Ministry, we will have two time slots: 10:30 am-12:00 pm and 12:30 pm-2:00 pm. You will be able to select a preference.

KS1 (Year 1 and Year 2, Age 5-7) and KS2 (Years 3-6, Age 7-11) will be run by Sion Community with two separate groups. KS3-KS4 (Years 7-11, Age 11-16) will be run by the Archdiocese of Southwark Youth Ministry Team with one group.

Submission of this form does not guarantee a place. A place is only guaranteed if we confirm that to you by email, and it will be subject to the conditions set out in the email.

What’s happening at the Jubilee Celebration Day?

Nourishment for the soul

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

VENERATION OF RELICS including Ss Augustine and Thomas Becket

CARLO ACUTIS EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES EXHIBITION

PRAYING THE ROSARY led by different groups around the Rosary Way

PRAYER MINISTRY

CAFOD JUBILEE ICON

Fun for families

SAINTS’ TREASURE TRAIL
for kids of all ages – finding some of our Southwark Saints

CHILDREN’S ROSARY
in Aylesford Priory’s beautiful Rosary Way

MINISTRY SESSIONS
for children/young people KS1, KS2 and KS3-4 (booking required)

JUBILEE FOR ALL PACK
prepared by Celebrate UK

Refreshment for the body

MUSIC STAGE

BRING YOUR OWN PICNICS

FRIARS OUTLETS: Tearoom, Pilgrims’ Hall, Barbeque and Kiosk, Water table

Food for thought

SHORT TALKS organised by the AEC

TEAROOM SHOP

CTS BOOKSTALL

OTHER STALLS showcasing a variety of groups and apostolates active in our Archdiocese of Southwark

Timetable

10:00 am Arrivals 

10:30 am          Stalls and exhibitions open

                          Prayer activities and Saints Treasure Trail open

Formation Talks Begin

Children (KS1 + 2) and Youth (KS3 + 4) ministry

- Session 1: 10.30 am to 12 noon

- Session 2: 12.30 pm to 2 pm

11:00 am         Musical acts begin

2:30 pm          Gathering for Mass

3:00 pm          Mass

4:30 pm         Departures

5:00 pm           Close

Information for Clergy

For those clergy who willl be joining us on the day. For priests who would be happy to offer the sacrament of reconciliation, please email jubilee@rcaos.org.uk to let us know your availability.

  • Sacrament of Reconciliation: you would be willing to be part of a team of priests offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation (the team will be divided into three one hour ‘shifts’ starting at 10.30 am, 11.30 am and 12.30 pm respectively).

  • Closing Mass, 3 pm: you will be concelebrating, or for deacons vesting for, our Closing Mass at which the Archbishop will preside. The Mass will be the Vigil Mass of Pentecost; please bring your alb plus red vestments (stole and chasuble, or cross-stole for deacons) with you. The Choir Chapel will be available for vesting from 2 pm.

  • Signing in for Mass: all clergy concelebrating or vesting for the Mass will need to sign in for Safeguarding purposes – we will notify you of the arrangements for this.

Other Information

Lunch
You are welcome to bring a packed lunch and drinks with you; but no private barbeques are permitted. Alternatively, you might decide to take advantage of Aylesford Priory’s food and drink outlets (note: there might be long queues).

·       Tearoom - open from 10am-5pm, with hot and cold food e.g. jacket potatoes, pastries, soup, sandwiches, cakes, confectionery, ice cream

·       Pilgrims’ Hall – open from 10am-2:30pm for hot food; advisable to book in advance (call 01622 717272). Tearoom + Pilgrims’ Hall offer options for vegans, gluten free, vegetarians, etc, with an allergen book on both sites

·       Aylesford Priory barbeque – operating from 11am-1.30pm (times to be confirmed) and Refreshment Kiosk (tea, coffee, ice cream). We are also planning to have a (free) water table.

  • Do I have to book in advance?

    Not for entry to the event itself. You may need to book seats on your parish coach. Also, the children and young people’s ministry sessions will be for limited numbers and must be pre-booked online – see above. And if you want to volunteer to help, you have to register in advance. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaNKP3oSrATiytYA8MIaTDgDsAECQOVgsURQbs7_TZOdNN8Q/viewform

  • No. You may have to pay to come on your parish coach; and the Friars ask for a car park donation.

    There will be (cash) offertory collection for The Friars at the Closing Mass

  • That’s up to your parish priest – we hope so! You can also get to the Friars by car or train – visit to find out more.

  • Yes you can, there is ample parking. You’ll find directions at https://www.thefriars.org.uk/Plan+your+visit/How+to+Find+Us. But please help fill up your parish coach if there is one!

  • Yes, what a good idea – this might be a great day to introduce someone to the joy of being a Catholic!

  • We will be posting a more detailed timetable on this page a week or so ahead of the Day and they will be available on the Day when you arrive.

  • Yes. Most of the activities will be accessible in a wheelchair; and there will be accessible toilets.

    Please email jubilee@rcaos.org.uk to book a disable card parking space.

  • They certainly are. There are activities especially for children and plenty for them to do or see, even if you’re not able to book them in for a children’s ministry session (see above).

  • Please keep an eye on them all through the Day (except when they’re in one of the pre-booked ministry sessions). If they do get lost, there will be Stewards on hand to help search and we will have an information/lost children desk near the entrance where you can be reunited.n

  • That’s up to you. There will be various paid options, including a Barbeque and the Tea Room; but also lots of space if you want to bring a picnic. You might want to bring chairs or mats!

  • We’ll all get wet! Seriously – there are some covered activities and spaces, but not everyone will fit inside them at the same time; and the Mass will be outdoors with little shelter.

    So please come prepared with umbrellas/coats if it looks like they will be needed; but let’s hope (and pray, please) that you need to bring sunscreen and hats instead!

  • We hope not. We’ll give you a map on arrival and we’re hoping to have lots of Welcomers on hand to help you find your way around.