St. Thomas of Canterbury, Rainham

Music and liturgy

The church music group performs a wide variety of music at the Sunday morning Mass and major feasts, accompanied by organ, guitars and flutes. At the Saturday evening Mass, hymns are sung without instrumental accompaniment. The Sunday evening Mass has no music.

Parish life

The parish is a diverse community of believers of all ages and cultures sharing faith through sacramental and liturgical celebrations, faith formation and other spiritual and social events. The parish has its own school, Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, to support families with young children to receive a Catholic education.

The parish has an Association of Separated and Divorced Catholics (ASDC) group. The parish has a Living Water Prayer Group. The parish has a youth band called Vocal Chords. The parish has a Knights of St Columba association.

The parish has a St Gerard's Society. The parish has a Friends of Ahotokurom group. The parish participates in Churches Together in Rainham.

The parish publishes a magazine nine or ten times a year, available in the church and distributed through Saint Thomas of Canterbury School. The parish held a barbecue at Pentecost 2025.

First Reconciliation is celebrated during Advent in a special service. First Holy Communion is received at a weekend Mass, typically in early May.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples marrying at the church must give at least six months' notice, per diocesan policy. Marriage preparation includes a preparatory day run by 'Marriage Care' counsellors. The parish offers a programme for joining the Catholic Church called 'On the Way to Sharing'.