Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This Tuesday, 15 August, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. This important celebration is a Holy Day of Obligation for us all, on which we are expected to come together to celebrate Mass. Therefore, there will be a Vigil Mass of the Assumption at St Boniface at 6.00pm on Monday 14 August and Mass at 10.00am and 6.00pm at St James on Tuesday 15 August itself.

CHAT Food Bank Needs Stocks Urgently!

D ue to increased demand, the stocks at the CHAT Food Bank are greatly reduced. If you can, please remember to use the receptacles for your donations at the checkouts in the major supermarkets in our area or deposit your donations in the CHAT box at church. Remember your can download the BankTheFood App onto your phone, choose the CHAT Foodbank and find out in real time what our local foodbank urgently needs. At the moment these are: biscuits, coffee, tinned meat, tinned fruit, soup, tinned tuna, tinned vegetables, tinned sweetcorn, tinned stew/curry/chilli/meatballs, pasta sauce and fruit squash.

Love the Stranger – Responding to Those Seeking Asylum

There is so much in the news at the moment about those seeking asylum in the UK and in other European countries, including the terrible news of more deaths in the Mediterranean and in the Channel. Caritas Diocese of Plymouth has prepared a short note with some reflections about how we are called to respond in accord with Catholic Social Teaching and some resources to explore if appropriate, which is attached to the Newsletter.

A Summer Breakfast

There will be a Summer Breakfast on offer after the 10.00am Mass next Sunday at St James, which will include homemade granola, yoghurt and blackberry compote.

Parish Autumn Fair and Preparation Evening

We will be holding our Parish Autumn Fair on Saturday 2 September, 11.00am-1.00pm. A list for volunteers willing to help set up on the day with be put up soon. Donations of the following would be greatly appreciated: new goods for the instant raffle, homemade crafts, cakes (on the day), jams, pickles, preserves, very good quality bric-a-brac (no jumble or broken items please), bottles of any description but especially wine, children’s prizes and plants of any kind. There will be a “matchbox challenge” for children aged 11 and under. Watch out for the boxes at church!

There will be a preparation session for the Autumn Fair in the Parish Hall at 7.00pm on Tuesday 22 August. Do come along and give a hand.

Parish Showing of “The Letter”

The Parish CAFOD Group will be hosting a showing of the film “The Letter” in the Parish Hall on Saturday 16 September, 1.30-4.00pm. The Letter tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders where the climate change or the destruction of the environment is having a major impact of their lives to discuss the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ with Pope Francis. The exclusive dialogue with the Pope included in the film offers a revealing insight into the personal history of Pope Francis and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome. This is an important film to watch and discuss, so please make this a date in your diaries.

SVP Parish Skittles Evening and SVP Draw Tickets

A Skittles Evening will take place at 7.30pm this coming Friday 18 August at the Racehorse Pub in Wellbrook Street, Tiverton. Adult tickets cost £10 each, with donations for children, includes a buffet supper. The members of the SVP Group are also selling tickets for the National SVP Raffle. Tickets £1 each, first prize is £5000, second prize is £1000, 15 prizes of £100.

Call of Creation: Reading the Signs of the Times

This September marks a year since the Bishops of England and Wales republished The Call of Creation, a document that encourages us to repair our relationship with God’s creation. It recognises the interconnectedness of the biggest challenges of our times and urges each of us to ask ourselves how we can protect our common home.

You are invited to join a one-hour webinar on Tuesday 12 September at 7.00pm hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, CAFOD and St. Mary’s University in conversation with Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Fiji and Sr Margaret Atkins. CAFOD’s Director Christine Allen will host and there will be a welcome by Bishop John Arnold. Please register at bigmarker.com/cafod/signsoftimes.

Diocesan Youth Rally

This year’s Youth Rally will take place on Saturday 23 September, 12noon-6.00pm, at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton. Join youth from across the Diocese in fun, games and challenges. Are you ready for the infamous obstacle course? Or are you keen to score lots of goals in the penalty shootout or netball challenge. There will be bouncy castles, didi cars, sumo wrestling challenges and much more for you to have a go at. The event is open to anyone aged 7 through to 16. You are encouraged to come as part of a parish group team or simply sign up and be placed in a team. The £8 contribution includes a BBQ and drinks. To book: https://forms.office.com/e/L2jn7EwXfH or contact Saskia for further information: youth@prcdtr.org.uk

Caritas Refugee and Migrant Worker Vacancy

The Diocese is looking to hire a Caritas Refugee and Migrant Worker to help it explore how it promotes a culture of encounter and partnership between parishes and their diverse local communities. If you have experience working with migrant and refugee communities and have worked with community projects, the Diocese would love to hear from you. 17.5 hours per week, two-year fixed term contract, hybrid working at home and at St Boniface House, Ashburton, a requirement to travel across the Diocese, DBS check required, annual pro-rata salary £12,500-£13,500. The closing date for applications is Monday 21 August 2023 and interviews will take place on 29/30 August. See the advert attached to the Newsletter or the poster on the noticeboard.