NEWSLETTER

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Education Sunday

Sunday 8th September, 2024

Please contact the parish to receive the newsletter by email each week.

Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters
September and October are months of the Church’s Liturgical Year with a greater than usual number of “themed” Sundays.  For example, this Sunday is Education Sunday and next Sunday in Evangelii Gaudium Sunday.  Whilst it is important that we take time to think about these significant themes of Church life and mission, include them in our prayer, both private and communal, and contribute a donation where possible and requested, it is essential to remember that the only true “theme” of Sunday, the First Day of the week and the weekly celebration of the Easter Mystery, is the saving acts of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.  In many ways, the idea of having “themed Sundays” brings with it the danger of distorting the natural rhythm of the liturgical year which sets out salvation history and the saving events of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in an ordered way each year through the eyes of the biblical authors and one of the Evangelists. No additional theme can or should take precedence over the Mysteries of Faith set forth in the scripture readings and liturgical prayer texts of each particular Sunday. It is only against the background of the foundations of our Christian Faith that these other “themes” can be understood and grounded in the concrete circumstances of our lives as disciples.
That said, as expressed in the Newsletter, the focus on Catholic Education this Sunday is important, since it is integral to the life of the Church in this country.  Unusually for a largely rural parish, we are so blessed to have our own Catholic Primary School, which has played an important part in the life and history of this parish.  We should do all we can to support our Parish School, whether by our prayers and participation in school events, such as Assemblies, School Masses and Fundraising initiatives, or as a School Governor.  Mostly importantly, I urge parents to seriously consider sending their children to our school if at all possible.  I fully understand that there are all sorts of reasons why parents choose to send their children to a particular school, such as proximity to home, provision of appropriate out-of-school-hours care, and friendship groups, but learning in a context which is imbued by Catholic values, practice and ethos is invaluable to the growth and development of our children, especially at personal and spiritual levels.  This Sunday provides an opportunity to ponder on the importance and value of Catholic education in our parish community.
As the move to St Andrew’s Church draws ever closer, I am now in a position to confirm the changes that will be necessary in the weekend and weekday Mass times in order to accommodate the schedule of the St Andrew’s Community.  As I mentioned last weekend, I am sure that these changes will not be welcomed by some
and that they will cause significant inconvenience for others, necessitating a rethinking of established Sunday routines. However, the new schedule enables there to be a Mass on Sunday morning for both St James and St Boniface, whilst respecting the requirements of our brothers and sisters at St Andrew’s, who have so generously opened their arms and doors to us, and considering the logistics of setting up for Sunday Mass at St Andrew’s. Therefore, from the weekend of 28/29 September, the parish Mass Schedule will be:
Saturday      6.00pm    Vigil Mass of Sunday (St James at St Andrew’s)
Sunday       9.30am     Holy Mass (St Boniface)
            11.30am     Holy Mass (St James at St Andrew’s)
Tuesday      9.00am       Holy Mass (St James at St Andrew’s)
Wednesday     12noon    Holy Mass (St Boniface)
Thursday      9.00am    Holy Mass (St James at St Andrew’s)
Friday        12noon     Holy Mass (St James at St Andrew’s) – except the 2nd Friday of each month when Holy Mass will be at 9.00am
 
So that we can make the necessary preparations for the catering, please put your name down this week for our “Last Supper” Gathering at St James on Friday 20 September, 7.00-9.00pm. This lists can be found at the entrance to both of our churches.
Along with the Newsletter, I attach:
  • the weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel from Monika Manser
  • the Application Forms for First Communion and for the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • the latest newsletter from the Catholic National Marian Shrine of Walsingham
May God bless our parish community in a special way of the coming weeks and months of change.
Be assured of my prayers for you all.
Canon Kristian
Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

Education Sunday

Established by the Bishops in 1848, Education Sunday is one of the oldest Days of Special Prayer in the liturgical calendar of England and Wales. Our forebears rightly saw education as the principal means of handing on the faith and improving the spiritual, moral, social and cultural lives of children and young people.

Since then, the Catholic Church has become the country’s largest provider of secondary schools and second-largest provider of primary schools, along with four universities. This success, however, continues to be dependent on the support of the Catholic community. There are many ways to do this, for instance in prayer for vocations to Catholic education; becoming a school foundation governor; or encouraging a young person to become a teacher in a Catholic school. We also give thanks for the many thousands of teachers, lecturers, support staff, leaders, governors, advisers and others who have found their vocation in Catholic education.

I n our parish, we are blessed to have our own parish Catholic Primary School, St John’s, in Tiverton – https://www.stjohnstiverton.uk/web/. This Sunday we give thanks and pray for all those involved in our school community. It is also an opportunity for all parents whose children are not attending St John’s, to consider moving them to our parish school, where they will not only receive a good general education, but they will also receive Catholic religious education within a school ethos of Catholic prayer and practice. This Catholic education is free to all. Please contact the Head of School, Mrs Claire Webber (cwebber@stjohnstiverton.co.uk), to arrange a time to visit the school and ask any questions you may have.

Coffee Mornings for St James’ Church Project

There will be a Coffee Morning, hosted by Alan and Nina Newsome, in the Hall on Wednesday 11 September, 10.00am-12noon. If you would like to host a Coffee Morning in October or November, please have a word with Maggie Pulford or Margaret Found.

SVP Skittles Evening

Thank you to those parishioners who attended last week’s enjoyable skittles evening. Thanks also to those who gave donations. A sum of £111 was raised for SVP funds.

Evangelii Gaudium Sunday

Next Sunday is Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. There will be a retiring collection to support the evangelisation initiatives of the Bishops’ Conference.

Our “Last Supper” Gathering at St James

On Friday 20 September, 7.00-9.00pm, we will be holding our “Last Supper” Gathering at St James. This will be an opportunity for us to gather socially for the last time in the building as it has been known and loved over the last few decades as the focal point of the life and worship of those who have gathered there week by week. Over 100 pictures of past years have been collected and will be on display. These will surely become the catalyst of much conversation, reflection and nostalgia! It is hoped that those who usually gather at St Boniface will also want to take part, and an invitation has been sent to our Christian brothers and sisters at St Andrew’s. For catering purposes, please put your name on the list at the entrance to church.

Parish Craft Fair

Calling all crafters and creators! We will be holding a Parish Craft Fair on Saturday 23 November in St Andrew’s Church Hall. Would you like to contribute to, or help out at, this event? Do you make goods we could sell? Would you like a stall? All profits and proceeds will go to the new St James Church building fund. Get in touch with Siobhan on 07522 338897 or at siobhanewarne@yahoo.co.uk.

Confirmation 2025

Next year is a Confirmation year for the parish, so if there are any young people, aged 14 or over, who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please complete the attached form and return it to the Parish Office as soon as possible,

First Holy Communion 2025

Parents with children 7 years and older who are due to prepare for the reception of First Holy Communion next June are asked to complete the attached form and return it to the parish office as soon as possible.

World Day of Migrants and Refugees Event

‘ ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ Matthew 25:35. To celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Caritas Diocese of Plymouth is hosting an event entitled “A Culture of Welcome” at the Sacred Heart Church Rooms, Exeter, on Thursday 26 September 2024, 6.00-8.00pm to discuss how we can be a welcoming and supportive community. There will be speakers from the Catholic Association for Racial Justice and a local welcome group. Light refreshments will be available on arrival. To register, go to https://forms.office.com/e/Vy5S5ZvZ0g, or email caritas@prcdtr.org.uk, or ring 01364 645425.

Youth Rally

The Youth Rally will take place at St Rita’s, Honiton, on Saturday 28 September 2024. Cost £10 per participant which includes pizza. As usual there are many activities for all to join in, including the obstacle course, penalty shootout and various inflatable activities. Young people from 6 – 16 are welcome to form parish teams of 6 to compete against others. A parish group of less than 6 can be combined with another parish. For booking, please contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday8th September – 23rd Sunday of the Year

  • Parish Diary

    Saturday 7 September – Weekday

    • Coffee Morning, 10.30am-12.30pm, St Andrew’s Church Hall
    • Laudato Si’ Group at 4.00pm in the Hall
    • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm

    Sunday 8 September – Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am followed by a Bacon Breakfast Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)

    Monday 9 September – Weekday

    • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall

    Tuesday 10 September – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am

    Wednesday 11 September – Weekday

    • Coffee Morning, 10.00am-12noon, hosted by Alan and Nina Newsome, in the Hall
    • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

    Thursday 12 September – Weekday

    • Holy Mass at 6.00pm

    Friday 13 September – St John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor

    • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
    • Holy Mass at 12noon
    • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
    • SVP at 12.45pm in the Hall

    Saturday 14 September – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

    • Holy Baptism of Xavier Morey-Weale at 11.00am
    • Holy Baptism of Klara Maj at 2.00pm
    • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm Ben and Kayla (Wedding ints)

    Sunday 15 September – Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

    • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
    • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)