Obituary for Bishop Emeritus Christopher Budd RIP

B ishop Christopher’s obituary, written beautifully by Fr Mark Skelton, can be found at https://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/bishopchristopherobituary/ and is also attached to the Newsletter.

His Requiem Mass will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Street, Exeter, on Friday 5 May at 12noon. Archbishop John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark and the Metropolitan of the Southwark Province, will preside at the Mass. Bishop Christopher’s body will be received into the church the evening before, on Thursday 4 May, at 5.00pm.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Next Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. There will be a retiring collection to support our Seminarians Fund at the Masses and a Holy Hour of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and for those currently in priestly ministry at 4.00pm at St James.

Enquirers’ Day for the Permanent Diaconate

An Enquirers’ Day for those men who feel that they might be being called to serve as a Permanent Deacon will be held at St Boniface House, Ashburton next Saturday 29 April, 10.30am-1.30pm. For more details or to book a place, please contact Deacon Nick Johnson on 07768 622343 or by email at nick.johnson@prcdtr.org.uk. For more information about the Permanent Diaconate see: www.ukvocation.org and the Directory for the Permanent Diaconate.

Plymouth Diocesan Catechetical Camps 2023

The Summer Camps are a long-standing part of the youth activities of the Diocese of Plymouth and are open to all. This year the theme of the Camps is “Leap of Faith: Having the Courage to Journey like Mary” and the Camps are returning to the pre-Covid format. The Junior Camp (Years 3-6) will take place from 30 July-4 August and the Senior Camp (Years 7-10) from 6-11 August at Grangehurst, Buckfast Abbey. The St Petroc’s Camp (Years 11-12) will be held at St Rita’s, Honiton, from 14-18 August. The cost per participant is £230 and bookings can be made at https://forms.office.com/e/pJQuB8Rhk5. Financial assistance may be available for those who would struggle to pay this amount.

In addition, if you are a young adult who could offer a week of their time to help out at one of the Camps, please speak to C

Caritas Diocese of Plymouth’s Annual Review

The vision of Caritas Diocese of Plymouth is: ‘To live the Gospel by following Christ’s command to love our neighbour as He loved us’. Its annual review (https://heyzine.com/flip-book/1b4e58a4d0.html) sets out its work across the Diocese in 2022 and the plans for 2023.  Caritas supports the network of charities, schools and parishes to help those who are poor, vulnerable and marginalised. Its work is informed by Catholic Social Teaching (CST) inspired by the Gospels and the words of Jesus Christ. Its focus is on education and formation; encouraging and supporting parishes and schools to reach out with those in difficult circumstances including children and families, those who are elderly, isolated or vulnerable, refugees and migrants and those who are homeless. It works closely with and through existing Catholic and other partner charities. SVP, Stella Maris and CCS(P) are part of its managing committee and help guides its path.  If you have any questions, would like to get more involved or would like support in developing local projects, please get in touch at caritas@prcdtr.org.uk  or on 01364 645421.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023

The Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from 28 July-3 August. The cost per person sharing, including coach transfers, full board, guided visits and a full religious programme costs £895. The price for the special youth section of the Pilgrimage is £500. For further information contact Fr Anthony O’Gorman on 01305 786033 or email anthony.ogorman@prcdtr.org.uk. To book, please contact Joe Walsh Tours on 0808 1890468 (freephone) or email info@joewalshtours.co.uk. See also the posters on the noticeboard.

Monthly Lunch

his coming Tuesday, 25 April, is our Monthly Lunch in the Hall from 12noon-2.00pm, an opportunity to come together to share some delicious homemade soup and tempting desserts, as well as to enjoy warm friendship and companionship. All are welcome. It would be great to see you there!

Success of “Operation New Warm Clothes

his coming Tuesday, 25 April, is our Monthly Lunch in the Hall from 12noon-2.00pm, an opportunity to come together to share some delicious homemade soup and tempting desserts, as well as to enjoy warm friendship and companionship. All are welcome. It would be great to see you there!

Success of “Operation New Warm Clothes”

Our appeal for new, warm clothing has now come to an end. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our churches, and the CHAT staff were so glad to be able to distribute the clothes among many local families. Just yesterday, a mother and her two children had fled domestic violence and CHAT was able to give her some essential items until she can access her belongings. Thank you everyone for your amazing support!

March Parish Giving

Loose: £1,040.64 Contactless: £275.00 Standing Orders: £2192.00