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.

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.

Registration for these sessions will open on Wednesday 30 April at 11:00am.

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.

Timetable

10:00 am Arrivals 

10:30 am          Stalls and exhibitions open

                         Prayer activities and Saints Treasure Trail open

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

Other Information

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.