NEWSLETTER

Thirteenth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

Sunday 27 June 2021

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Message from Canon Kristian

Dear brother and sisters

What with the on-going impact of the global pandemic on our physical and mental health and the growing divisions and ruptures in the world, the need for healing is great.  It can be no accident that the ministry of the Lord frequently found its focus and clearest expression in encounters with those in need of healing at all levels – physically, spiritually and in terms of their relationships with the wider community.  This desire and yearning for wholeness is rooted deep in the human heart.  Many modern spiritual writers underline the close connection there is between wholeness and holiness.  The unity of the human heart and spirit – the healing of all internal divisions through the power of God’s love and forgiveness – reaches its fulfilment in the unity of the human spirit with God, the Divine Spirit.  As St Paul expresses it:

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ.

Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ,
to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence,
determining that we should become his adopted sons and daughters,
through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes,
to make us praise the glory of his grace,
his free gift to us in the Beloved,
in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom,
the forgiveness of our sins.

Such is the richness of the grace
which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight.

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose,
the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning
to act upon when the times had run their course to the end:
that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head,
everything in the heavens and everything on earth.

(Ephesians 1:1-10)

Through his healing ministry and through that ultimate healing effected through his total self-gift of himself in his suffering, death and resurrection, Christ has brought about our atonement to God – that “at-one-ment” which was God’s plan for all of creation since the beginning of the world.  Although we must first come to experience something of this deep inner healing ourselves (NB this isn’t a  “one-off” experience, but something which we need to draw from at numerous intervals throughout our lives), as Christians – followers and disciples of God – we have been entrusted with that same ministry of healing and reconciliation: “So we are ambassadors for Christ; it is as though God were appealing through us, and the appeal we make in Christ’s name is: be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).  Now more than ever – faced with the growing divisions everywhere between the rich and the poor, with the continual degradation and desecration of the created world and with the alienation of many people in affluent societies mostly in the Northern Hemisphere from the Church and any organised religion for that matter – we are called to be courageous heralds of the saving message of the Gospel and Christ’s agents of healing, starting with those closest to us – in our families, amongst our friends and work colleagues and in our local communities. It is so needed!

Let us remember to hold all those who are sick and vulnerable in our families, in our parish community and amongst our neighbours before God in pray regularly, asking for the gift of healing for them.

Monika Manser offers us her weekly help to a prayerful reading of one of the healing miracles in this Sunday’s Gospel using the imagination as a way of entering personally into the story so that the Word of God might speak to each of our lives in a unique and direct way.

The usual Parish Gathering on Zoom will take place on Thursday at 11.00am.  The access details are available from the parish office

I look forward to seeing many of you over the weekend Masses and at Mass on Tuesday for the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul.

May God bless you all abundantly

Canon Kristian

Covid Restrictions and Booking for Mass

As you will be aware, the Government has delayed any further easing of the lockdown restrictions until 19 July, due to the rise in infections of the Delta Variant of Covid-19.  Therefore, no further changes will be introduced into the way we attend church or celebrate Mass until after that date.

When coming to church for services, please observe the social distancing rules, wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) and sanitise your hands frequently. Remember to follow “Hands/Face/Space” at all times.

If you would like to come to Mass at the weekends, please contact the Parish Office to book a place, either by telephone on weekdays between 10.00am-1.00pm, or by email.

Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul

This Tuesday, 29 June, we celebrate the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul, two key Apostles in the foundation and life of the Church.  The Solemnity is a Holy Day of Obligation, on which we are all asked to gather for Mass if at all possible.  Therefore, there will be Masses at 10.00am and 6.00pm in St James and at 11.30am at St Boniface.

There will be a collection on that day to support the apostolic works of the Holy Father – a collection we traditionally call “Peter’s Pence” in this country.  There will also be an opportunity to contribute to this special collection at the Masses on Sunday for those who will be unable to be at Mass on Tuesday.

Fr Albert Lawes – Ad Multos Annos!

As a diocese, we had the joy of the ordination of a new priest last Friday, Fr Albert Lawes, whose first appointment will be in our Deanery as an assistant priest in the Sacred Heart Parish in Exeter.  If you weren’t able to follow the livestreamed Mass on Friday, a recording of it can be found here.

Settlement Scheme for European Citizens

All EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK are required by the government to apply through its Settlement Scheme to continue living, working and accessing services here.  The deadline is 30 June 2021.  Details and links to the application process can be found at www.gov.uk/eusettledstatus.  Information on assistance for those who may have difficulty application is available at www.gov.uk/help-eu-settlement-scheme.  The Catholic Church in England and Wales, our diocese and our parish stand in solidarity with all European citizens who have made their homes here.  You are much valued members of our parishes, schools and communities.

Jesus Walks with Us Youth Event

On 10 July at St Rita’s Centre, Honiton, 10am-4pm, By Design Theatre, Rise Theatre and the Stay Awake team are coming together to run a conference for young people aged 10-16. The young people will have the chance to explore the “Emmaus Walk” through the arts, and to participate in workshops on art, craft, drama and dance.  A £10 contribution is requested to cover the cost of the speakers and the lunch provided.  If you would like a place, please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/spcJ3YGuKj.

Catholic Children’s Society Parish Volunteer Wanted

The Catholic Children’s Society (Plymouth) is a voluntary organisation providing support to families of all faiths and none within the Diocese, which covers Cornwall, Devon and most parts of Dorset.  It gives grants and bursaries to families and children in need, provides parenting courses in schools and other community settings and, through its Good Shepherd Programme, encourages children to think of others who may be in need.

The Society would like to have a Volunteer in every parish to act as a point of reference for the Society and to promote the work of the Society and its fundraising initiatives.  If this is a service you could offer, please contact the Parish Office or speak to Canon Kristian directly.

Homeless 4 a Night – Sponsor our Parishioners

Our parishioners, Monika Manser and Shelagh Eastwood, slept out in their gardens on Friday to fundraise and support CHAT. CHAT works across Mid Devon offering free, impartial and confidential advice and essential life changing support to vulnerable individuals with often complex housing issues. This involves a mixture of housing advice, longer term tenancy support, Debt and Money Advice and access to the Foodbank. Monika and Shelagh would be really grateful for your support and you give a donation by going to their JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/shelagh-eastwood.

Parish Confirmation Mass

On Saturday 10 July Bishop Mark will be coming to the parish to celebrate Mass at 6pm and to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our young people who have been preparing over the last months. The families of the confirmandi will obviously be given priority when allotting places at the Mass.  However, if you would like to take part, please contact Rosie at the Parish Office as soon as possible.

Parish Afternoon Tea

Due to the delay in the easing of the lockdown restrictions, our Parish Afternoon Tea will now take place on Sunday 1 August at 2.30pm in the Presbytery garden.

Diocesan Vacancy – Caritas Project Lead

Caritas Plymouth is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic person who would like to lead a new 15 month project to develop social action in our parishes in Plymouth. The part-time role will be based in Plymouth and will work with our Catholic parishes to map current social action and community engagement, identify gaps and opportunities and test and learn from some pilot projects.

Copies of the job description and application form are obtainable from the Human Resources Department on 01364 645383 or email recruitment@prcdtr.org.uk.  The last date for applications is 4 July 2021 and first interviews will be held during week of 12 July 2021.

Parish Services and Events This Week 

Saturday 26 June – Weekday

  • Confirmation Candidates at 9.30am in the Parish Hall
  • Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass)

Sunday 27 June – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

  • Holy Mass at 10.00am Karol and Dorota Gorlo (Ints)
  • Holy Mass at 11.30am (at St Boniface)

Tuesday 29 June – Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles -Holy Day

  • Holy Mass at 10.00am
  • Holy Mass at 11.30am (St Boniface)
  • Holy Mass at 6.00pm

Wednesday 30 June – Weekday

  • Holy Mass at 12noon (at St Boniface)

Thursday 1 July – St Oliver Plunkett, Bishop and Martyr

  • Parish Gathering on Zoom at 11.00am
  • Holy Mass at 6.00pm

Friday 2 July – Weekday

  • Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 11.30am
  • Holy Mass at 12noon

Saturday 3 July – St Thomas, Apostle

  • Confirmation Candidates at 9.30am in the Parish Hall
  • Holy Mass at 6.00pm (Vigil Mass)

Sunday 4 July – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

  • Holy Mass at 10.00am Pro Populo
  • Holy Mass at 11.30am