NEWSLETTER

Twenty fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B

Sunday 15th September, 2024

Season of Creation

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

Message from Canon Kristian

Dear sisters and brothers

The biggest news this week is that, on Friday, we learnt that, after a period of more than two years, Pope Francis had appointed Bishop Philip Moger, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark, as the Bishop-elect of our own diocese. Bishop-elect Philip comes to us with a wealth of experience as a parish priest and as a past Rector of the National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. I am sure that we will all be praying for him as he prepares to take up his pastoral responsibility for our Diocese at his Installation in the Cathedral in Plymouth on 9 November. A picture is attached showing Canon Paul, our Diocesan Administrator welcoming Bishop-elect Philip to the Cathedral.

As a parish, we are now on the “countdown” to the major change that will take place in our parish life at the end of September. Next weekend will be the last weekend that the parish community will gather for Mass at St James for at least 18 months and, after next weekend, the times of Sunday Mass will change at both St James at St Andrews and at St Boniface. Thank you to everyone who have been so understanding and generous at the prospect of the change in their usual Mass time. I really do appreciate what this change will entail for some of you in terms of re-organizing your weekend. As I mentioned last week, it will be really important for us to look out for each other to ensure that we remain a cohesive and healthy parish community.

I was delighted to see many of our parishioners last Saturday at the Coffee Morning in support of the educational project in Africa in St Andrew’s Church Hall. Joan Mitchell from St Andrew’s sent a lovely email in which she wrote: “Thank you to everyone for the donations, gifts, cakes and biscuits provided. All of this helped to raise over £2100.00 on the day, and along with donations already received, Fr Tony will be taking the grand total of £3000.00 to the Education and Training Centre in Uganda when he travels there later this week”. What an impressive amount raised! I am sure this will be the first of many events at St Andrew’s which our St James and St Boniface parish community will support and, without a doubt, any events we put on will be supported by our friends of the St Andrew’s community. Indeed, I am certain that we will soon be arranging joint events!

Three newsletters were issued this week: one from our Parish Laudato Si’ Group containing some ideas with which to live the Season of Creation, a second from Caritas Diocese of Plymouth with news about events of love in action around the diocese https://tinyurl.com/2k9854xt and and thirdly, the latest Diocesan Youth E-Newsletter: https://email.workwithgusto.co.uk/t/t-E04466AFC71B520F2540EF23F30FEDED.

There are two vacancies for Apprentices in the Diocesan Offices, one for Business Management and one for Finance and Accounting. The relevant adverts are attached to the Newsletter.

At the ecumenical level in Tiverton, there will be a fifth Sunday ecumenical Service on 29 September in the Tiverton United Church at 6.30pm. A request has come from Jo Gardner with regards to the worship band for that service: “Please could you ask your worship teams if anyone would like to be part of a United Worship Band. It would need you to be available on the day from 3:30 for a practise before. If you are interested, please contact Jo Gardner at joxgardnerx@gmail.com.” We have also received an invitation from St Peter’s Church to a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday 16 October at 6.00pm when there will be a visiting choir. I attach the poster advertising that occasion.

Therefore, along with the Newsletter I attach:
the weekly guide to a prayerful reading of the Sunday Gospel, offered by Monika Manser
Number 130 of Inspire, from Deacon Peter, which covers both this and next week
the lastest Newsletter from the Parish Laudato Si’ Group
the Apprentice Vacancy adverts
the poster advertising Choral Evensong at St Peter’s
the Application Forms for the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation
Let us pray that the creative and consoling Spirit of God will be with us as we navigate the big changes which are facing us over the next few weeks and months, and may our prayers be with those we know who are sick, frail or in special need.

May God bless you all.

Canon Kristian

Canon Kristian Paver
Parish Priest
Parish of St Boniface and St James Mid Devon
40 Old Road Tiverton EX16 4HJ

New Bishop for Plymouth!

It was announced yesterday that Bishop Philip Moger has been appointed as the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Plymouth. Bishop Philip was a priest of the Diocese of Leeds for over 40 years and, for the last 18 months, has served as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Southwark. Canon Paul invites us to join him in extending a warm welcome to Bishop Philip as he begins his new ministry as chief pastor in our Diocese. Bishop-elect Philip will be installed as the 10th Bishop of Plymouth on the 9 November at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface, Plymouth. For more information, go to https://www.cbcew.org.uk/pope-appoints-bishop-moger-new-bishop-of-plymouth/.

Evangelii Gaudium Sunday

This Sunday is Evangelii Gaudium Sunday. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on the great mandate we have been given by the Risen Lord to evangelise the whole world. Inspired by the ongoing Synodal process, Scripture and Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, the Bishops of England and Wales have chosen the theme ‘Growing as missionary disciples’. We are encouraged to pray for our parish communities, that they would become intentionally missionary in their life and witness. A retiring collection will be taken to support the work of the Bishops’ Conference Mission Directorate, which promotes the spread of the Gospel at national level.

Our “Last Supper” at St James

As we prepare to say farewell to our present building at St James and to move to St Andrew’s in Blundell’s Avenue, we will be celebrating our “Last Supper” this Friday, 20 September, at 7.00pm at St James. This will be a time to remember, reminisce and rejoice as we look back on memories and forward to a new stage in our parish life in 18 months’ time. Over 100 pictures will be on display and some delicious food be on offer. Tea and coffee will be served, but please bring any other drinks with you. There is a list at the entrance to church for names to give an indication of the numbers to cater for. The invitation is open to all parishioners and to our friends at St Andrew’s.

200 Club

Canon Kristian will make the September draw after the 6.00pm Mass this Saturday.  If you would like to join this parish fund raiser for as little as £1 a month, please let Simon Coombs or Sheelagh Bourdon know at St James or Siobhan Gilroy at St Boniface. 

Music at St Boniface

Do you play an instrument? If so, we’d love to have you join us in the music group corner at St Boniface. Our little group has got smaller as people have moved away for their next stages in life, so a couple more people to play instruments would really help us out. You don’t have to commit to every week; we can work out how often is good for you! If you can help, please let Jane or Siobhan know and we can get together for a practice.

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? Interested? 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

To celebrate 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 annual Youth Rally will take place at St Rita’s, Honiton, on Saturday 28 September 2024. Cost £10 per participant which include 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 and information, please contact Saskia: youth@prcdtr.org.uk.

Masses and Events this week

Sunday 15th September – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time B

      • 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)

        Monday 16 September – St Cornelius and St Cyprian, Martyrs

        • Singing to Remember at 2.00pm in the Hall

        Tuesday 17 September – St Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor

        • Holy Mass at 10.00am

        Wednesday 18 September – Weekday

        • Holy Mass at 12noon (St Boniface)

        Thursday 19 September – St Theodore of Canterbury, Bishop

        • Holy Mass at 6.00pm

        Friday 20 September – St Andrew Kim Taegŏn, priest, St Paul Chong Ha-sang and Companions, Martyrs

        • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 11.30am
        • Holy Mass at 12noon
        • Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 12.30pm
        • Our “Last Supper” at 7.00pm at St James

        Saturday 21 September – St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

        • Vigil Mass of Sunday at 6.00pm Pro Populo

        Sunday 22 September – Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

        • Holy Mass at 10.00am Norman Pennie RIP (anniv)
        • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)

        New Mass Times from Saturday 28 September

        Vigil Mass of Sunday 6.00pm (Sat) St James at St Andrew’s

        Sunday 9.30am St Boniface

        11.30am St James at St Andrew’s

        Tuesday 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s

        Wednesday 12noon St Boniface

        Thursday 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s

        Friday 12noon St James at St Andrew’s

        Friday (2nd in month) 9.00am St James at St Andrew’s