Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brothers and sisters

Gaudete – Rejoice!  We are now midway through the Season of Advent and the Liturgy  reminds us of the joy of the Coming of Christ into our world and into our lives.  Despite the mounting challenges around us, we remain a people with a message of hope and joy for the world.  God in Christ chose to become one of us and one with us.  Christ walks with us on every step of our journey, even through the darkest of times.  Indeed, there is light even in the darkness, if only we have the eyes of faith to see it  (cfr John 1:3-5).

Attached with this weekend’s Newsletter is the reflection sheet prepared by our parish facilitators for the third week of Parish Synodal Listening, which is focused on “celebrate”.  I am very grateful for all the work the facilitators are doing to enable all those who want to be heard to speak through the various events of each week.  It is most heartening to see the numbers who are responding.  You will see in the Newsletter that a special social gathering has been planned for all our young adults who have been confirmed over the last ten years on Sunday 19 December.  This is open to ALL our young people and young adults, whether or not they attend church regularly or even at all.  Please do spread the word and encourage anyone who has been confirmed in the last ten years to come along.  The Diocesan Walking Together Update is attached too.  The access details for this week’s Synodal Listening on Zoom on Wednesday are available from the parish office.

Amidst all the glitz and consumerism of Christmas we must not forget those for whom this time of year is far from a cause for feasting – the elderly and isolated, the homeless, those without sufficient to support and to feed themselves and their families, the sick and the millions around the world searching for a safe refuge.  We are fortunate to have CHAT in our parish and I know that many of you will be supporting their outreach to those in our local area who are in particular need due to homelessness, debt and food poverty, especially by means of the “Reverse Advent Calendar” and the boxes for food/household items at the entrance to church and at the checkouts of all our local supermarkets.  Many of you have also responded to the appeal for food and support from the Chaplain of the YMCA in Cullompton and Harberton.  Your support for these charities is greatly appreciated. The latest Newsletter for Caritas Plymouth is attached to help us reflect on the importance of our social engagement over the Christmas period.

The seventh edition of Inspire from Deacon Peter is attached to give us aids to our prayer and reflection during the coming week.

You will also see that the times of the Christmas Weekend Masses are in the Newsletter.  We will not be introducing a “booking” system for these Masses, since it is not a system which would enable us to control the numbers of those who only come to Mass at this time of year, as they will be generally unaware of the need to book a place. Therefore, I am strongly urging you to think very carefully about the Christmas Mass you will participate in.  I know that the 5.00pm Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve is very popular, especially with families with smaller children.  However, if you are able, please consider coming to one of the other Masses instead, so that we can spread our numbers out over the all the Christmas Masses and thereby make sure that there is sufficient space to ensure that a certain amount of distancing is possible and also be able to  welcome those who only come to church infrequently.

Please be aware that, from now on, the wearing of face coverings is now mandatory again for everyone – both by law and by decision of the Bishop – unless you are fall into any of the exempt categories which are set out in the Covid legislation.

I hope you are having a fruitful spiritual Advent Journey.

Let us continue to pray for one another.

God bless

Fr Kristian